Factors Associated with Previous Aesthetic Procedures among Men: A Cross-Sectional Online Survey

The number of men undergoing aesthetic procedures has increased substantially worldwide, highlighting the need to understand the characteristics of those who undergo them. However, evidence focusing on male populations remains limited. This study aimed to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and FACE-Q scale patient-reported outcomes of men with and without previous aesthetic procedures, and to explore which characteristics were associated with having undergone them.

This cross-sectional online survey included 231 men aged 18-65 years. Participants were allocated into two groups according to previous experience with aesthetic procedures: yes to aesthetic procedures (YAP; n = 93) and no to aesthetic procedures (NAP; n = 138). Sociodemographic variables and six independently functioning FACE-Q scales were collected: aging appraisal, appearance-related psychosocial distress, satisfaction with facial appearance, psychological function, social function, and satisfaction with lower face and jawline. Univariate between-group comparisons and exploratory multivariate analyses were performed.

Participants in the YAP group were more frequently from Brazil, aged ≥ 31 years, and in the higher-income group (p < 0.05). They reported lower Aging Appraisal scores, (trimmed mean difference -15.8; 95% CI -21.6 to -9.9), greater appearance-related psychosocial distress (+13.1; 95% CI 6.4-19.7), and lower satisfaction with facial appearance (- 8.6), psychological function (-8.6), and satisfaction with the lower face and jawline (-11.4). Multivariate analysis showed substantial overlap between groups (R²Y = 0.292; Q² = 0.256). In the exploratory logistic regression, Brazilian participants (OR 0.29; 95% CI 0.14-0.57), age ≥ 31 years (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.08-5.13), and higher income (OR 2.90; 95% CI 1.27-6.61) were associated with previous aesthetic procedures, whereas no FACE-Q scale was independently associated with the outcome.

Men undergoing previous aesthetic procedures did not demonstrate a clearly psychosocial profile compared with the general male population. However, age, country, and income, but not any FACE-Q, were independently associated with undergoing these procedures.