Men’s Use of Cosmetic Surgery and the Role of Traditional Masculinity Ideologies
July 2023
Studysummary This study found that nearly 20% of men surveyed in German-speaking Europe had undergone cosmetic surgery, with higher conformity to traditional masculinity ideologies linked to greater odds of having these procedures, particularly hair transplants.
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The study examines the rising trend of cosmetic surgery among men in Western countries, particularly focusing on the link between traditional masculinity ideologies (TMI) and male-specific procedures like hair transplants. Conducted with 241 men from the German-speaking part of Europe, it found that 19.5% had undergone cosmetic surgery, with wrinkle treatment, eyelid correction, and hair transplants being the most common. The main motivations were to feel better (72.3%) and look better (55.3%). The study highlights a significant association between higher conformity to TMI and the likelihood of undergoing cosmetic surgery, indicating that such procedures are increasingly used by men to assert power, success, and dominance.
