Men face new pressure to stay ‘hot’ as they age — and it’s not just about living longer
Maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood pressure, along with regular physical activity, are widely recommended components of healthy aging.
But as interest in longevity grows, some older adults are looking beyond extending their healthspan — the number of years lived free of disease — to prioritize looking, feeling and remaining physically attractive as they age.
Experts say the desire to maintain one’s appearance — the pursuit of "hotness" — can be psychological, shaped in part by a disconnect between how people feel and the changes they see in the mirror.
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"It really isn't about age," Dr. Krishna Vyas, M.D., Ph.D., a plastic surgeon at Fleckman Plastic Surgery on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, told Fox News Digital.
"I think it's when you look in the mirror and you're like, 'I don't recognize myself. I don't recognize the way I feel. I don't identify with how my appearance isn't concordant with how I feel at that point.'"
Men now account for roughly 15% of all cosmetic procedures, according to data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
Social barriers that may have previously prevented men from seeking aesthetic treatment have diminished in the last two decades, Vyas noted.
"In the past, there was a stigma ... men were once shamed or ashamed of seeking out things that improve their appearance, especially in aesthetics, but that barrier has fallen significantly," he said.
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The motivations driving men to pursue "looksmaxxing" — a social media term for enhanced efforts to improve physical appearance — range from maintaining a competitive edge in youth-centric workplaces to addressing subtle signs of aging, such as dark under-eye circles or loss of jawline definition, according to Vyas.
Treatments range from minimally invasive procedures like Botox and laser therapy, to surgical interventions like chest masculinization and liposuction.
"The misconception often is that minimally invasive treatments will fix things and have no side effects," Vyas cautioned, noting that improper or excessive non-surgical treatments can change the normal layers and contours of facial tissue.
Before jumping to aesthetic procedures as quick-fix substitutes for biological health, the surgeon recommends taking the following steps to improve physical appearance.
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Complete abstinence from all forms of nicotine is essential to maintaining microvascular circulation and preventing premature skin breakdown, according to Vyas.
Avoid over-hyped trends and multi-step routines, the experts recommended. Guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology point to two daily essentials: a morning broad-spectrum sunscreen to block photoaging UV rays, and a topical retinoid at night to stimulate cell turnover.
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Maintaining a healthy weight can prevent the chronic, systemic inflammation that is linked to metabolic syndrome, which directly accelerates structural skin and tissue aging.
Intervene early at the first sign of thinning. Evidence-based medical treatments, like FDA-approved finasteride and minoxidil, remain the primary standard for maintaining hair density before follicle loss becomes permanent.
"The real longevity drug is exercise — aerobic and non-aerobic strength training exercises," Vyas said.
"Someone who's looking for a hotspan or a healthspan, because they're so intimately related … I think they should focus on the basics to start ... the foundation is what's most important," the surgeon added.