Men’s Aesthetic Treatments: 4 Popular Options, Pros and Cons
The short answer
The four most common aesthetic treatments for men are botulinum toxin (relaxes the muscles that form wrinkles; lasts 4–6 months), hyaluronic acid fillers (shape the jawline, chin and forehead; watch out for gradual build-up), chemical peels (renew the skin and improve pigmentation and mild acne marks; often particularly effective on men’s skin) and deep facial cleansing (unclogs pores; usually every 1–2 months). None replaces a proper skincare routine: retinol, peptides and topical hyaluronic acid help maintain the result between appointments.
The most popular aesthetic treatments for men
Although most people having aesthetic treatments are still women, some studies claim that 1 in 3 men over 40 has had ‘something’ done…
Even if they would never admit it out loud. That includes your brother-in-law who had laser hair removal so he could ‘swim faster’ at the council pool, the mate who suddenly turned up with a nose two sizes smaller because he ‘snored at night’… and basically every Ryanair flight from Stansted to Turkey.
So today we’re talking about the ‘tweakments’ men have far more often than they let on: the pros, the cons and what to use before, during and after to get the best possible result.
A quick warning: at Siwon, we like natural-looking work — the kind where nobody can tell you’ve had anything done. If your vibe is more life in plastic, absolutely no judgement, but you probably won’t agree with much of what follows.
Four age-positive treatments for men that actually work
Botox or botulinum toxin
It softens dynamic wrinkles by relaxing the facial muscles that create them. Traditionally, treatment focused on the upper face — the forehead and frown lines — and if it’s your first time, we’d suggest discussing a conservative upper-face treatment with your clinician. It can also be used around the mouth, nose and chin, but get proper references and make sure you trust the person holding the needle before going any further.
“I grind my teeth in my sleep. They recommended it for my bruxism.”
Depending on who does it: slightly Spock-like brows — the clinical term is the Mephisto sign — asymmetry from one side to the other, or facial and eye movements that look a bit ‘off’ when you smile or sneeze.
The effect wears off after 4–6 months, though, so it isn’t permanent drama.
Long term. Controversial opinion: repeated Botox treatment reduces the activity and tone of the treated muscle — that is, after all, what it is designed to do. After two years and roughly four treatments, you may decide to: A) keep doing it ‘forever’, or B) stop when those facial muscles have had about as much exercise as someone waking up after two years in a hospital bed.
Retinol and peptides. If wrinkles are doing your head in, retinol is your short- and long-term ally. Botox or no Botox, WowYoung helps soften the expression lines earned through age and all those years of actually enjoying yourself.
WowYoung0.3% retinol + pro-collagen peptides. For nighttime use £54.99 Dra. María José Couce Meradi
- Oculoplastic surgeon
- Functional and longevity medicine
- Chief Medical Officer
The eye area is one of the most commonly injected areas in men — and one of the hardest places to hide a poor result. So instead of giving you our opinion, we asked someone who operates on eyelids and the surrounding area every day.
More conversations like this on our Instagram.
See more on @getsiwonHyaluronic acid fillers
The best-known option is hyaluronic acid filler, used to shape the face as if it were a tiny clay model. Men often ask for facial masculinisation: a sharper jawline, a more projected chin or a straighter-looking forehead. For wrinkles, though, filler only really conceals very fine lines.
“No, I haven’t had filler. I’ve just been mewing — you know, jaw exercises.”
- Accidental feminisation. Some practitioners have spent so long injecting women that they can drift towards a more traditionally feminine result — prominent cheeks, overly lifted eyes and so on. At the other extreme, asking for ‘facial masculinisation’ can leave you looking more exaggerated than a meme. Finding the subtle sweet spot is hard: ask to see photos.
- The build-up effect. Injectable hyaluronic acid is gradually reabsorbed, but not necessarily all of it. An estimated 2–8% may remain after each treatment. Keep topping up again and again and, over time, that residue can build into full-on pillow face.
Hyaluronic acid on the outside too. Injected, it is the ‘clay’ used to shape the face; applied topically, it hydrates and plumps the skin. Inside and out make a strong combination for smoothness and definition.
Dragon ShotDaytime water-cream: hydrates, controls shine, antioxidant £27.99 Chemical peel
A chemical peel removes superficial layers of skin to encourage renewal and improve pigmentation, mild acne marks and other imperfections. The stronger the peel, the longer the potential downtime.
We reckon every bloke should consider having one at least once. Men’s skin tends to be thicker, with more layers of keratinocytes, so the results can be seriously impressive.
We couldn’t find many excuses because, honestly, peels are still fairly under the radar. That said, anyone who takes a day off and comes back with a bright-red face… we have no proof, but we rest our case, Your Honour.
A red, peeling face for the next few days. Nothing permanent, but factor it in before booking one on Thursday when you’ve got a wedding on Saturday.
During those days, reach for our Heroes’ Recharging Mask to calm irritated skin. Then use sunscreen with no excuses: freshly renewed skin is much more vulnerable to UV, and sun exposure is the main cause of pigmentation and premature skin ageing.
Heroes’ Recharging MaskSoothes and replenishes irritated skin £32.99 Deep facial cleansing and oxygenation
It removes whiteheads and blackheads just like your mum did when you were a teenager and chased you down the hallway with one determined fingernail — only now with far more glamour and considerably more enjoyment. It usually includes steam to open the pores, creams afterwards, a little massage and sometimes a gadget delivering tiny electrical currents. But the main goal is simple: get all the grime lodged in your pores out.
They should probably charge blokes more than women — the poor therapists get a full arm workout whenever a male first-timer turns up. Take advantage while the price is still the same and book one every 1 or 2 months.
Your face may look slightly red on the day, but it should settle within around eight hours.
To stretch out the time between appointments, exfoliate at home with Coffee Crush 2–3 times a week. Its salicylic acid helps keep pores clear.
Coffee CrushSalicylic acid exfoliator: unclogs pores £27.99 Before anyone reaches for a needle: four checks
- Who is doing it. Make sure they are a doctor and check their name, GMC registration and previous work. A good result depends more on the hand holding the needle than the product in it.
- Ask to see male cases. Not just their general portfolio: male cases. It is the only way to see whether they understand how to treat a man’s face without unintentionally feminising it.
- Start small. You can always add more at a second appointment. Removing product is far harder and, with some fillers, may not be completely possible.
- Prepare your skin. Hydrated, exfoliated, retinol-treated skin tends to look better and recover more smoothly. Skincare is also what supports the result during the months you are not in the clinic.
The bottom line
It’s about time men talked more openly about the tweakments we use to stay at our peak — or simply look like ourselves for longer. None of these four is magic, none lasts forever and all work better on skin that was already being looked after.
And when it comes to the creams and maintenance… you know where to find us.
The Siwon maintenance plan
What supports the result during the months you’re not in the clinic.
£54.99WowYoung
Anti-wrinkle night gel-cream. The partner to Botox — and the alternative if you’d rather skip the needles.
- 0.3% retinol: pure + encapsulated
- Pro-collagen peptides
- Green algae, centella and hyaluronic acid
£32.99Heroes’ Recharging Mask
Soothing face mask. For the days after a peel or an intensive facial.
- Reduces redness and tightness
- Delivers an instant hit of hydration
- Also ideal after hangovers and long-haul flights
£27.99Coffee Crush
Salicylic acid exfoliator. Helps stretch out the time between professional facials.
- 2–3 times a week
- Salicylic acid: works inside the pore
- Fewer blackheads, smoother skin
Frequently asked questions about aesthetic treatments for men
What are the most common aesthetic treatments for men?
Four stand above the rest: botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid fillers, chemical peels and deep facial cleansing. Men often look for quick-recovery treatments with no scarring and minimal disruption to normal life, and these four broadly fit that brief.
How long does Botox last?
Usually between 4 and 6 months. The effect is temporary: if you do not repeat the treatment, muscle movement gradually returns and the wrinkles move back towards their previous appearance. If it’s your first time, discuss a conservative approach with a qualified clinician.
Does long-term Botox use cause muscle atrophy?
It is debated, but repeated treatment can reduce the size, strength and tone of the treated muscle through disuse — which follows from the way the treatment works. After a couple of years, you may need to choose whether to continue or stop knowing the muscle may have lost some tone. Discuss the long-term plan with your doctor before starting, not afterwards.
What is facial masculinisation?
It is the use of fillers to enhance features commonly perceived as masculine: a sharper jawline, a more projected chin and a straighter-looking forehead. The risk lies at both extremes: a practitioner used to treating only women may unintentionally feminise the face, while an overly aggressive request can create a caricature. Always ask to see previous male cases.
Is injected hyaluronic acid completely reabsorbed?
Mostly, but it may persist longer than expected and some residue can remain. The source article estimates around 2–8% after each treatment. Repeated injections over years can therefore build up and alter facial volume more than intended. That is why spacing treatments and starting small matter.
How long does skin take to recover after a chemical peel?
It depends on the depth. Superficial peels can cause redness and flaking for a few days, while deeper peels involve much longer recovery. Expect several days of visible redness and peeling, avoid direct sun and use sunscreen every day afterwards: freshly treated skin is far more vulnerable.
How often should you have a deep facial cleanse?
Every 1 or 2 months works well for many people. If you also exfoliate at home 2–3 times a week with a salicylic acid product, you may be able to space appointments out because your pores are less likely to become as congested.
Can I use retinol if I have Botox or fillers?
Usually, yes — they work on different things: Botox acts on the muscle while retinol acts on the skin. It is common to avoid strong active ingredients for the first 24–48 hours after injections to reduce irritation, but always follow the exact aftercare instructions from your clinician.
Do you need aesthetic treatments to look younger?
No. What makes a face look older usually isn’t one wrinkle but signs of tiredness and neglect: dark circles, dull skin and thinning hair. We cover them in 10 things that make you look older than you are, and most can be improved without setting foot in a clinic.
What if you start with the easy bit?
Before booking an appointment, give a proper routine three months. Plenty of men discover that what needed removing wasn’t muscle — it was built-up tiredness.
Start with retinolNote: this content is for general information and reflects the opinion of the Siwon team. It is not medical advice and does not replace an assessment by a suitably qualified, registered healthcare professional. The treatments described are medical procedures with risks, contraindications and results that vary by person and practitioner; always discuss them with a doctor before going ahead. The Siwon products mentioned are cosmetics, not medicines, and do not treat or prevent disease.
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