What is Gynaecomastia?
Commonly referred to as “man boobs,” gynaecomastia is a condition that causes male breast enlargement, giving the male chest a more feminine appearance.
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Most common in teenage boys and older men, gynaecomastia can affect one or both breasts. Signs can vary from a small amount of extra fatty tissue around the nipples to more prominent breast development. Sometimes, male breasts can cause swelling breast pain. Male breast reduction surgery is just one way to treat the condition, though newer non-invasive treatments are surfacing every day.
Causes of Gynaecomastia
Hormonal imbalance – Hormone changes such as an imbalance in testosterone production and estrogen excess can produce gynecomastia. While all men produce some estrogen, they normally have much a higher testosterone ratio which stops breast growth.
An imbalance of hormones in the body can cause a man’s breasts to grow, though, the cause of this may be unknown.
Anabolic steroids – Bodybuilders that use anabolic steroids will often find that one of the side effects is the development of gynaecomastia. This is true gynaecomastia and a result of the growth of glandular tissue. Often nipples will point down, and in extreme cases, the pecs will look more like female breasts. Clearly, this is distressing when the goal is to achieve a muscular-looking chest with defined pecs. Discontinuing the use of steroids may help to prevent further growth of glandular tissue. To remove glandular tissue that has already developed surgical procedures for anabolic steroid-induced gynaecomastia is the only real option.
Obesity – Being overweight is one of more common causes of gynaecomastia. This is because being overweight can increase estrogen levels. Extremely overweight men are also more likely to have excess fat that can increase the size of the breast tissue. For some men, losing weight or exercising can help but does not always improve the condition.
Newborn baby boys – Gynaecomastia can affect baby boys at birth, because estrogen from the mother passes through the placenta to the baby. This is usually temporary, however, and will disappear a few weeks after birth,
Puberty – Boys’ hormone levels vary during puberty. If testosterone levels drop, increased estrogen levels can cause breast tissue to grow. Teenage boys can have some degree of breast swelling from time to time. This is very common. In fact, more than 50% of all boys develop the condition during puberty but it usually clears up as they get older and hormone levels become more stable.
Ageing – As men age, testosterone levels tend to drop. Because older men have a tendency to have more body fat, this can cause more estrogen to be produced. These changes in hormone levels can lead to breast growth.
Rare Causes of Gynaecomastia
- Medications such as anti-ulcer drugs or medicine for heart disease
- Anabolic steroids
- Alcohol abuse
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure
- Liver disease
- Klinefelter syndrome (a rare genetic disorder)
- Male Breast cancer
- Testicular tumors
- Prostate Cancer
- Androgen deprivation therapy
- Decreased testosterone levels
- Pubertal gynecomastia
- Pituitary gland tumor
Types of Gynaecomastia
Real or Chronic Gynecomastia: Affecting more than half of adolescent males and 66% of male patients over the age of 50, real gynaecomastia is a condition that is commonly signalled by swollen breast gland tissue. Causes like a testicular tumor, advanced prostate cancer, androgen resistance, and an imbalance in testosterone and estrogen levels can lead to glandular tissue developing causing a man to develop gynecomastia. Painful gynecomastia tends to be associated with this form of the condition.
Pseudogynaecomastia: A term used to describe fatty tissue build-up along the chest area for male patients, patients with pseudogynecomastia may notice fat deposits that build up, which can appear similar to breast tissue on the chest area. Unlike severe gynaecomastia, which is caused by imbalances in oestrogen and testosterone in the body, pseudogynecomastia can be treated by eliminating the excess fat in the treatment area. The majority of male patients who have enlarged breasts tend to have a combination of fatty tissue and glandular tissue.
Mixed Gynaecomastia: A combination of excess fat and glandular tissue, mixed gynaecomastia may be treated with a combination of treatments.
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Gynecomastia Diagnosed
A physical exam is the first step in determining the cause and type of male breasts before how the condition is treated. Enlargement of glandular tissue is the most challenging type of gynaecomastia to treat without surgery.
One or both breasts can be affected and surgical treatment is often the best solution for this severe form of the condition.
Medical Treatment for Enlarged Breast Tissue in Men
Hormone therapy may be used to treat gynecomastia. In some cases, gynecomastia surgery may be used to remove the extra tissue. SERMs) such as tamoxifen , raloxifene , and clomifene may be beneficial in the treatment of gynecomastia.
Clomiphene (Clomid) – A synthetic chemical taken orally, Clomiphene has been shown to partially reduce glandular tissue for approximately 50% of patients.
Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) – An oral medication, Tamoxifen is a type of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM).
Aromatase inhibitors – Aromatase inhibitors are a class of drugs used in the treatment of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and in men, and gynecomastia in men.
Anastrozole (Arimidex) – An aromatase inhibitor, Anastrozole can be effective for treating gynaecomastia in puberty.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy – TRT can be taken in various ways, including intramuscular injections, gel, and in stick form.
Non-Surgical Solutions for Pseudogynaecomastia
Pseudogynaecomastia is when hypertrophy of fat in the chest area gives the appearance of breast tissue or man boobs. This occurs in men that are overweight and can be reduced with a corrective diet and exercise to burn calories and decrease subcutaneous fat. When hormone levels are not balanced, some men find that avoiding certain foods could change estrogen levels and may also impact the growth of glandular tissue.
Exercise and eating a balanced diet can help, but even after weight loss, many men do not notice any real visible difference in the amount of breast area fat.
TruSculpt iD for Gynaecomastia
In recent years, the popularity of non-invasive fat reduction treatments has taken off. Eliminating fat cells without pain, needles, scalpels, or downtime through the use of non-surgical fat-reduction treatments has become one of the best options out there. TruSculpt iD offers safe and effective removal of excess fat, eliminating stubborn fat in areas like the abdomen, flanks, upper thighs, knees, turkey neck, double chin, and male breast enlargement.
TruSculpt® iD uses monopolar rf to cause cell death through apoptosis. The treatment itself, which takes about 15 minutes, feels very similar to a hot stone massage. Clinical studies have reported an average of 24% fat reduction.
TruSculpt is a minimally-invasive, fat-removing body sculpting technique that offers an alternative to traditional gynaecomastia surgical treatment. More ideally suited for patients men who need to remove a small amount of stubborn fat from the breast, the applicator sends monopolar radiofrequency (RF) energy through the skin to penetrate the subcutaneous fat. The heat generated from the waves damages the fat cells beyond repair. The body’s natural elimination process takes over next, removing fat cells naturally over 6-12 weeks, resulting in a more masculine, shape.
For many male patients, fat deposits on the breasts are a point of insecurity. In severe cases of gynaecomastia, men experience a buildup of glandular tissue, similar to a woman’s breast. However, the majority of patients dealing with enlarged breasts do not typically have true gynaecomastia…they likely have pseudogynaecomastia.
TruSculpt iD offers patients with pseudogynaecomastia the option to treat stubborn fat along on chest without the need for an invasive surgical procedure or downtime.
If you’re frustrated by the appearance of gynaecomastia or pseudogynaecomastia, and if you’ve ever felt self-conscious about enlarged breasts, truSculpt iD may be right for you.
Who is a good candidate for truSculpt iD?
Good candidates for truSculpt iD are patients who maintain a healthy lifestyle, are within around 30 pounds of their ideal weight, and cannot or choose not to undergo gynecomastia surgery. It’s important to note that although truSculpt iD is able to destroy fat cells, it is not a replacement for weight loss.
For some patients with severe gynaecomastia, surgical gynaecomastia treatments may be necessary to fully remove male breast tissue. In the case of treatments such as surgical excision, it’s vital that you work with a board-certified plastic surgeon or medical professional to limit any potential risks from invasive surgical treatment.
Trusculpt iD can be performed on all skin types and can also be used on tattooed skin.
Common Areas of Treatment
TruSculpt iD can target hard to reach areas because the size of the device can be customized to attack fat anywhere on the body. Treatments can be performed on the upper arms, buttocks, neck, chin, inner and outer thighs, and the breasts.
- Chest (Man Boobs)
- Abdomen
- Flanks (‘love handles’)
- Double chin
- Inner, outer and backs of thighs
- Upper arms
- Buttocks
- Turkey Neck
How is truSculpt Different from Other Non-Invasive Fat-Reducing Treatments?
truSculpt® iD is a highly effective treatment used to treat those clients who may not be a candidate for other contouring procedures due to treatment location, skin type, fat thickness, and the presence of skin laxity. Unlike some other procedures, truSculpt can be performed on the hardest-to-reach places. There is also no visible downtime after the procedure and normal activity can be resumed immediately.
Advantages of Treatment with truSculpt® iD
- Fast treatment time, as little as 15 minutes.
- No surgery or needles.
- No Downtime.
- Comfortable, safe and effective.
- Latest Technology available.
- Clinically proven results with an average of 24% fat reduction.
Risk Factors Associated with TruSculpt iD
Because there’s no downtime after a truSculpt iD treatment, there are few, if any risk factors. Clients can resume working, exercising, and participating in other normal activities right away.
The treatment area will feel warm and look flushed for the first hour. Some people have tenderness, mild swelling pain, and redness for a full day, but most clients experience no other side effects.
How much does truSculpt iD cost?
The cost of truSculpt iD for the treatment for gynaecomastia varies depending on the provider, location, and number of treatments needed. A consultation is required for a proper assessment of your needs and requirements. During your first consultation at Specialist Skin Solutions, our practitioners will be able to supply you with a personalised plan that will outline the details and cost of treatments individually selected for you.
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How Many Treatments Will I Need?
Several areas can be treated in as little as one 15-minute session, though additional treatments may be required to achieve the personalised results you desire.
TruSculpt Procedure
By delivering RF energy through the skin, the heat effectively destroys the unsightly fat without harming the skin. Once destroyed, the body flushes out the old fat cells through the lymphatic system.
The procedure, which takes approximately 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of areas being treated, feels similar to a hot stone massage. The majority of patients have not reported any pain or discomfort during the procedure and no prescription pain medications, cooling gels, or compression garments are required. Mild redness, swelling, and tenderness can last from 10 to 12 hours, for which patients are advised to take mild OTC analgesics.
TruSculpt iD requires 2 sessions, 4-6 weeks apart. Maximum results are normally visible after approximately 10-12 weeks after the last treatment, however some patients begin to see improvement after as little as 4 weeks. Whereas liposuction actually removes fat through a hollow tube and suction instrument, Trusculpt does not remove the fat, but rather causes fat cell death. This disruption of cells allows the fat to leak and shrink and are gradually expelled naturally by the body.
TruSculpt Aftercare
The benefit of involving no downtime makes TruSculpt iD a very appealing option. Drinking lots of water after treatment helps the fat cells to travel through the lymphatic system and start to pass the destroyed fat cells out of the body.
Unlike surgical treatments, there are no restrictions on exercise or normal activities associated with TruSculpt iD.
Where to Get truSculpt iD for Men
At Specialist Skin Solutions, a cosmetic clinic specialising in non-surgical, anti-ageing procedures, , we proudly offer truSculpt® iD, the latest in state-of-the-art fat melting, body chiseling techniques, and the treatment of enlarged breast size in men.
With truSculpt® iD, patients can get the body definition they’ve always desired even in areas that have been resistant to diet and exercise. One of the advantages of truSculpt iD is that it is a simple and comfortable procedure, requiring no anaesthetic and no downtime after treatment. TruSculpt iD treatment uses a handpiece to emit the radio frequency energy. It is placed over the targeted area. Pulses of energy cause fat cells to heat up and shrink, promoting skin contraction for a slimming and smoothing effect. The level of heat can be adjusted for each person, ensuring little discomfort.
During your consultation, we will review your health history, your current weight, medical history, medications, and expectations. We’ll also talk about your aesthetic goals and construct a treatment plan that best addresses them.
TruSculpt iD in Lorn
At Specialist Skin Solutions, located in the we’re dedicated to helping each one of our clients feel their best.
If you’ve ever been frustrated by the appearance of enlarged male breast tissue, let our experts at Specialist Skin Solutions, located in the beautiful suburb of Lorn in the Hunter Valley, we are dedicated to helping each one of our clients feel and look their best by bringing out their natural beauty and loving the skin they’re in at any age. We look forward to speaking with you!
Book a consultation online today or give us a call at (02) 4934 1700.
Ready to Get Started?
Specialist Skin Solutions is very proud to have incorporated non-surgical fat-reduction procedures into our clinic of medical grade cosmetic devices. When you book an appointment with our professional team of experts, we’ll design a treatment plan for you that draws on innovative TGA-approved medical solutions and gives you the fit, healthy, youthful-looking appearance you’ve been working toward.
*Disclaimer: Number of treatments required to achieve maximum results varies. Always seek medical advice and clearance before opting for any procedure. This article is meant strictly for informational purposes only. truSculpt® iD results vary. There are risks with any procedure. Follow your provider’s directions to the letter to stay safe and to ensure you’ll have the best results.
