Men's guide to med spa treatments: what works, what's worth it, and what to expect

Men now represent roughly 10–15% of all medical aesthetic procedures and the segment is growing. Most med spa guides are written with women in mind — this one isn't. Here's a practical breakdown of the treatments most relevant to men, including what's anatomically different about treating male patients.

Why male anatomy requires different technique

Male facial anatomy isn't simply a larger version of female anatomy — it has distinct structural differences that affect how treatments are performed:

Skin thickness: Male skin is approximately 25% thicker than female skin, due to higher collagen density and androgen effects. This means deeper needle placement for filler and microneedling is often appropriate; surface treatments may require higher energy or more passes.

Muscle mass: Male facial muscles (frontalis, masseters, corrugators) are typically stronger and larger. This has two implications:
Higher Botox doses are often needed to achieve the same muscle relaxation
The masseter muscle is a major aesthetic concern in men (heavy jaw muscles from clenching)

Hairline and hairline recession: Many men have different forehead anatomy due to temporal recession or complete hairline changes — this affects where and how filler and Botox are placed.

Beard and hair follicle distribution: Relevant for laser hair removal treatments and some energy-based skin treatments.

Aesthetic goals: Men generally prefer subtle, "refreshed" results rather than lifted or contoured looks. The clinical goal is typically to look less tired or less aged, not to look treated.

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The most popular treatments for men

Botox / neuromodulators

Botox is the #1 cosmetic procedure for men ("Brotox"). The target areas are the same as for women — forehead, glabella (frown lines), crow's feet — but dosing differs.

Typical male dosing:
Glabella (11s): 25–40 units (vs 20–30 for women)
Forehead: 15–25 units (conservatively — brow drop risk)
Crow's feet: 12–20 units per side

Key concern for men: Brow shape differs. Men typically have a straighter, lower brow than the arched female brow. Botox placed incorrectly can feminize the brow shape. An experienced provider understands male brow aesthetics and places accordingly.

Cost: $10–$18/unit; typical full treatment $400–$900.

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Masseter Botox (jaw slimming and clenching)

Masseter Botox has grown significantly in popularity among men. The masseter is the large chewing muscle at the back of the jaw. In men who clench or grind their teeth (bruxism), this muscle can hypertrophy significantly, creating a wide, square jaw.

Goals:
Medical: Reduce jaw pain and headaches from bruxism
Aesthetic: Slim the lower face / create a sharper jaw contour

Dosing: 25–50 units per side (50–100 units total) — significantly more than other areas.

Timeline: Slimming effect (muscle atrophy) takes 4–8 weeks to appear. Pain relief from bruxism is often faster (1–2 weeks).

Duration: 4–6 months; with repeated treatment, results become longer-lasting as muscle atrophies.

Cost: $600–$1,200 for both sides.

See our masseter Botox guide for more detail.

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Dermal filler

Filler in men is more common than many assume. Common areas:

Jawline definition: Adding structural filler along the mandible is popular among men who want a sharper jaw without surgery. The approach is similar to women but often requires more product due to anatomy and the desire for stronger angular definition.

Chin: Projecting or squaring the chin with filler is a common male request. Chin filler can be dramatic in its effect with a small amount of product — 1–2 mL often makes a significant difference.

Temples: Volume loss in the temples creates a hollowed, gaunt appearance. Temple filler is subtler than lip or cheek filler but meaningfully improves overall facial fullness.

Under-eye hollowing: Men are often bothered by under-eye hollowing that makes them look perpetually tired. Soft HA filler here is the treatment, though skin thickness and anatomy mean placement technique differs from women.

What men generally don't want: High cheekbones or obviously lifted features — these read as feminine to most male patients and are appropriate only for specific aesthetic goals.

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Laser hair removal

Men are increasingly using laser hair removal — not for smooth skin but for targeted reduction of problematic body hair:

Back and shoulders: Most requested male laser area
Chest: Reduction of dense chest hair
Neck (shave line): Ingrown hairs and razor bumps from frequent shaving
Beard shaping: Reducing hair growth outside the desired beard line
Ears/nose: Smaller areas with concentrated growth

Skin tone considerations: Men with dark skin and dark coarse body hair actually respond well to Nd:YAG 1064 nm laser, which is safe across darker skin tones. The contrast between coarse dark hair and darker skin is treatable — just requires appropriate device selection.

Cost: $200–$600/session for back; $80–$200 for smaller areas; packages typically 6–8 sessions.

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Body contouring

Men use body contouring primarily for two areas:
Abdomen and flanks: CoolSculpting or Emsculpt NEO for stubborn abdominal fat that resists exercise
Gynecomastia (male breast tissue): CoolSculpting is FDA-cleared for this use in men with glandular tissue; liposuction is often more effective for larger cases

Emsculpt NEO is particularly popular with active men who want to enhance muscle definition — the HIFEM + RF combination builds muscle while reducing fat simultaneously.

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Skincare treatments

Men often come in for a facial as an entry point and leave with a skincare routine — this is a significant opportunity:

HydraFacial: One of the most accessible entry treatments for men unfamiliar with facials. No peeling, no downtime, immediate result.

Chemical peels: Effective for rough texture, ingrown hairs (particularly neck/beard area), and sun damage.

RF microneedling: For men who want to address scarring (acne, injury), texture, or laxity without the downtime of laser.

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The "natural result" priority

Men overwhelmingly want to look refreshed, not treated. This framing should guide provider selection — look for providers who:
Use before-and-afters from male patients specifically
Understand male brow aesthetics (not arched; horizontal or slightly peaked)
Work conservatively and err toward undercorrection
Understand that "strong jaw" doesn't mean "maximal volume"

Providers who treat men exactly like they treat women produce results that look overdone on male anatomy.

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What a consultation looks like

Men new to med spas often approach consultations differently than women — they may be less familiar with the treatment landscape and hesitant to describe what bothers them aesthetically. A good provider will:
Ask about medical history and medications
Ask what specifically bothers you (fatigue appearance, skin quality, specific features)
Show you what's realistic — not what's possible with maximum intervention
Start conservatively; maintain conservatively

The best providers for male patients are those who work with male patients regularly and understand the distinct goals.

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Cost summary for men

| Treatment | Typical cost for male patient |
|---|---|
| Botox (forehead + glabella) | $500–$1,000 |
| Masseter Botox | $600–$1,200 |
| Jawline filler | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Chin filler | $800–$1,500 |
| Laser hair removal (back) | $1,800–$4,000 total |
| CoolSculpting (abdomen + flanks) | $2,000–$5,000 |
| Emsculpt NEO (abdomen) | $4,000–$6,000 |
| HydraFacial | $150–$300 |

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Looking for a provider experienced with male patients? Browse injectable and skincare providers on MedSpot →