Aesthetic treatment for men: what's different

Why male facial anatomy changes everything

The differences between male and female faces extend well beyond bone structure. Men typically have significantly greater facial muscle mass, particularly in the upper face. The frontalis (forehead), corrugator (the muscles that create frown lines), and orbicularis oculi (crow's feet area) are often thicker and generate considerably stronger contractions in men than in women.

Male skin is also approximately 25% thicker than female skin, with a denser collagen matrix. This has practical implications: the same dose of botulinum toxin that works well for a woman will often produce an inadequate result in a man. The product has more tissue to diffuse through and stronger muscles to relax.

Perhaps most importantly, the male brow sits in a different position. Where the female brow typically has a natural arch and sits slightly higher, the male brow is lower-set and flatter. This is a defining characteristic of masculine facial structure. Any treatment that inadvertently lifts or arches the male brow can create an immediately feminised appearance, which is the opposite of what most male patients want.

Dosing: why men need more product

Clinical data and practice experience consistently show that men may require 1.5 to 2 times the number of units used for women in the same treatment areas. A 2024 study in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that men require an average of 25 to 40% higher doses to achieve comparable muscle relaxation.

The glabellar complex (the area between the brows where the "11 lines" form) has been the most thoroughly studied. Published research recommends a starting dose of 40 units for men in this area, and some men may require up to 80 units to achieve a complete result. For comparison, a standard female dose in the same area is typically around 20 units.

For crow's feet, published starting doses for men suggest around 15 units per side, compared to 10 to 12 units for women. These are starting points; individual variation is considerable, and a skilled injector will assess muscle strength during the consultation and adjust accordingly.

The reason this matters clinically is straightforward: the most common cause of an inadequate result in male patients is under-dosing. A practitioner who applies the same protocol they use for female patients will often leave a man with patchy, incomplete relaxation. This looks worse than no treatment at all, because the asymmetry becomes obvious when some parts of the muscle are relaxed and others are not.

The brow problem: avoiding feminisation and ptosis

Forehead treatment in men requires particular care. Many men with horizontal forehead lines have low-positioned eyebrows to begin with. If the lower portion of the frontalis muscle is over-relaxed, the brow can drop further, creating a heavy, tired appearance. In more severe cases, this can contribute to actual ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid).

The opposite problem is also possible. If the treatment inadvertently creates lift at the lateral brow (the outer part), the result can be an arched, feminine appearance that looks entirely wrong on a male face. The goal for male brow treatment is to maintain a low-set, straight brow while softening lines. This is a narrower target than in female treatment, where some lift and arch are often desirable.

In my practice, I am often more conservative with forehead treatment in men than in women. Sometimes the correct answer is to treat the glabella and crow's feet while leaving the forehead largely alone, or treating only the upper portion of the frontalis to preserve brow position. This requires an honest conversation at consultation about what is achievable and what the trade-offs are.

What men actually want (and how it differs from women)

In my experience, men and women come to aesthetic treatment with different goals. Most women I see are looking for a smoother, more lifted appearance. They often want visible improvement and are comfortable with the idea of regular maintenance.

Men, by contrast, typically prioritise subtlety above all else. The most common requests I hear from male patients are:

• · Looking less tired or less angry at rest
• · Maintaining a professional appearance as they age
• · Preventing deeper lines from developing
• · Keeping their natural expression and character

There is notably less demand from men for a "frozen" or expressionless result. Most men consider this obvious and unnatural-looking. Interestingly, characteristics that might be considered flaws in female aesthetics (looking "mean and moody", having strong brow movement) can be part of what makes a male face attractive. The goal is not to eliminate expression but to soften it slightly.

This aligns with a broader shift I am seeing in the industry. Save Face recently published their 2026 trends guide, emphasising what they call "High-Fidelity Aesthetics": the goal of undetectability. There is a clear movement away from the overfilled, over-treated look that dominated social media for several years. For men, this was never the goal in the first place, but the principle applies to everyone: the best aesthetic treatment is the treatment nobody notices.

Duration and maintenance

The effects of botulinum toxin for glabellar lines typically last two to four months, with some patients experiencing longer duration depending on the product used. One product (abobotulinumtoxinA in its ready-to-use formulation) has been granted a six-month duration claim in its official product information, though individual results vary.

Duration of effect is influenced by several parameters, including muscle mass and the product used. Because men typically have greater muscle mass, some practitioners find that results may not last quite as long as in women treated with equivalent doses. This is another reason appropriate dosing matters: under-dosing not only creates an incomplete result but may also wear off faster.

I discuss realistic expectations at consultation and schedule a review appointment at two weeks. This allows me to assess the result and add small amounts of product if needed. It is always safer to start conservatively and add more than to over-treat initially, particularly in new patients whose response I do not yet know.

A note on safety and choosing a practitioner

Botulinum toxin products used in UK aesthetics are prescription-only medicines regulated by the MHRA. They work by blocking the release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, which temporarily reduces muscle contraction. The effect is always temporary; the product metabolises naturally over time.

The UK aesthetics industry remains largely unregulated, though this is changing. The UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee has called for mandatory aesthetics licensing by Spring 2026, and Scotland is already working towards this. The JCCP and BAAPS recently signed a new memorandum of understanding to raise standards and enhance public protection.

For patients, the practical question is how to identify a safe practitioner. I would look for:

• · A registered healthcare professional (you can check NMC, GMC, or GDC registers)
• · Willingness to discuss their training and experience specifically with male patients
• · A consultation process that involves assessment and conversation, not just booking
• · Use of licensed products from established suppliers
• · A follow-up or review appointment as standard

You can verify my own credentials through the NMC register and qualifications page. I hold an MSc in Advanced Practice and have over twenty years of clinical experience.

What to expect at consultation

When I see a new male patient, the consultation follows a consistent structure. I want to understand what is bothering them, how long it has bothered them, and what outcome they are hoping for. I examine the face at rest and in movement, assessing muscle strength and brow position. I explain what I think is achievable and what is not.

Sometimes the answer is that treatment is not appropriate, or that the patient's expectations would require an approach I am not comfortable with. This is a normal part of practice. A consultation should feel like a conversation, not a sales process.

For patients who proceed, I explain the dosing I am recommending and why, the likely duration of effect, and what the review process looks like. Treatment itself is quick, typically taking ten to fifteen minutes. There is no significant downtime; most patients return to normal activities immediately.

More detail on our approach to men's aesthetics is available on the treatment page, and you can view our pricing before booking.

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