Did your favorite superhero suffer from Gynecomastia? The answer is probably yes. Up to seven out of every 10 men will deal with enlarged male breasts in the course of their lifetime. That being said, more than 22,000 Male Breast Reductions were performed in 2013; and that number is rising every year.
According to RealSelf.com, interest in male cosmetic procedures is at an all time high. Liposuction and abs-sculpting procedures were the most performed male cosmetic surgical procedures in 2013. There is one thing that is for certain: if Spiderman, Thor, Superman, or Batman had Gynecomastia, they certainty saw a cosmetic surgeon before donning their suit.
Hollywood and the Male Body Image:
Over the past decade, superhero movies have become a booming business for Hollywood. Patrons have come to expect a certain body type with these crime fighters: a broad, smooth, and fit chest. Viewers are not willing to pay to see flabby chests and puffy nipples saving the day; these bodies are generally reserved for villains. As the public expects more out of onscreen hunks, superheroes have no choice but to deliver.
With this epic rise in action movies, there is little question as to whether pop culture affects men’s feelings about their own bodies. The male body ideal is evolving as social norms change, not unlike the evolving perception of women onscreen. The message going out to men everywhere is that a flat, well-defined chest is necessary to be ‘hot’.
Superheroes and the Correction of Gynecomastia:
While many of Hollywood’s body images are unhealthy, superheroes can actually provide incentive for men with Gynecomastia to open up a dialogue with their cosmetic surgeon. They can begin to understand more than just working out may be needed to create an attractive chest. Men troubled with enlarged breasts, whether caused by hormonal changes, medications, or physical ailments, may require a surgical procedure.
Vitenas Cosmetic Surgery provides a variety of male cosmetic surgery procedures, including treatment for Gynecomastia. Schedule a consultation appointment to find out the best treatment plan for your physical and aesthetic needs. Dr. Vitenas can assist in determining the best way, surgical or noninvasive, to achieve a proportionate, attractive chest. Contact our Houston office at (281) 668-7370 for more information.