Aesthetic medicine

Aesthetic medicine for men, what is different

Not the range of treatments. The methods are the same, the parameters differ: men's skin is thicker, the facial muscles are stronger, and ageing follows a different pattern. This affects the dose, the depth of application and what can be achieved.

Published on 13 September 2023. Last verified on 22 August 2026.

How skin differs

Men's skin is thicker, has a denser network of collagen fibres, more sebaceous glands and a better blood supply. It also contains the hair follicles of facial hair, which change its structure in the lower part of the face. Each of these features has a consequence for treatment: thicker skin responds differently to needling and to exfoliation, higher sebum production changes the choice of products, and the facial hair follicles are an additional target for treatments aimed at melanin.

The facial muscles have greater mass and contraction strength. This is why expression lines in men are usually deeper and require a different dose of botulinum toxin than in women of a similar age.

A different pattern of ageing

Volume loss in men less often affects the cheeks, and more often the temple area and the eye area. Drooping of the upper eyelid and deep horizontal forehead lines are also more common, because facial expression engages these muscles differently. Thicker skin masks the loss of support for longer, so the change tends to be noticed later, but at a more advanced stage.

The practical consequence: a treatment plan copied from the approach used for women does not fit. The qualification starts with the same question (“what exactly has changed”), but the answer points to different areas.

What that means for the dose and technique

With botulinum toxin, greater muscle mass usually means a higher number of units for the same area. At the same time, the aim is more often not to weaken the muscle to the maximum: smoothing a man's forehead too much can look noticeable, because it removes the natural arrangement of the eyebrows. That judgement belongs to the conversation before the treatment, not to a fixed protocol.

With fillers and biostimulators, thicker skin and stronger tissue support allow work on the contour, but call for care about the direction of the change. Widening the jaw or emphasising the chin area only looks natural when it matches the patient's facial structure. The treatment itself does not create proportions that are not already present in that face.

In cosmetology treatments, the difference mainly concerns sebum and facial hair. Acid peels are chosen taking the higher sebum production into account, and when working in the area of facial hair, it is agreed separately what is not to be touched.

What men come in for

Based on observations at the practice, the most common reasons for visits are horizontal forehead lines and the frown line between the eyebrows, excessive sweating and bruxism, hair loss, acne and its aftereffects, a double chin and pigmentation after sun exposure. The first two indications, excessive sweating and bruxism, are functional rather than aesthetic, and these are usually what first bring men to the practice.

This is an observation from one practice, not epidemiological data. We share it because it can help when discussing the order of treatment, not as a popularity ranking.

Facial hair, a separate matter

Treatments that target melanin act on hair follicles, so work in the area of facial hair requires deciding in advance whether the facial hair is meant to stay. This applies to laser hair removal, but also to some treatments for pigmentation in the lower part of the face. If the facial hair is meant to stay, the area and method are chosen so as not to weaken it. Some treatments are then ruled out.

Separately, ingrown hairs and folliculitis in the neck area are a common reason for men's visits. The approach depends on whether the problem is active at the time of qualification, because we do not carry out the treatment while there is inflammation.

Where the price difference comes from

The aesthetic medicine price list shows a surcharge of 50 to 70 PLN for the area for men with botulinum toxin. There is one countable reason: greater mimic muscle mass usually requires a larger number of units of the preparation for the same area.

The surcharge follows from the number of units given, not from sex on its own. If the amount needed turns out to be the same as average, the price does not increase. We give the final price after establishing the scope at the consultation, before the treatment.

Further on the site

1. Scope and rules: aesthetic medicine.
2. Most common indications: expression lines, excessive sweating and bruxism.
3. Prices: aesthetic medicine price list.
4. Booking a visit: contact or online booking.

Are treatments performed differently for men +

The methods are the same, but the parameters and plan differ. Men's skin is thicker, has more sebaceous glands and stronger facial muscles, so the dose, injection depth and injection points are determined differently than for women of a similar age.

Why does a treatment for a man cost more +

Because it usually requires a larger number of product units for the same area. The price list gives a surcharge of 50 to 70 PLN per area, calculated from the stated units, not added upfront just for being male.

Can you tell something was done after the treatment +

This depends on the plan, not the method. With botulinum toxin, men are more often treated with a smaller reduction in muscle activity, to keep eyebrow movement and avoid a smoothed look that appears unnatural. The extent of the change is agreed at the consultation, before the treatment.

Do you need to shave before the treatment +

For facial treatments in the beard area, yes, because facial hair makes skin disinfection and assessment of the injection site more difficult. The timing and method of preparation are given by the clinic when confirming the appointment.

What happens to facial hair after laser treatments on the face +

Treatments that target melanin also affect hair follicles, so work in the beard area requires separate arrangement. If the facial hair is to stay, the method and area are chosen so as not to weaken it, and some treatments are postponed or excluded.

Sources

The frequency of reasons for visits is given as a clinic observation, not as epidemiological data.

About this text

Text prepared by the NL Clinic team. Published 13 September 2023, verified 22 August 2026.

The content is for information and does not replace a consultation.