It’s the age-old question: Does size really matter? For some men, the answer is a resounding ‘yes.’
Penis enlargement has been trending for a while now, as more men are seeking ways to get an extra boost. According to data on RealSelf, U.S. interest in penis enlargement increased 120% in 2018 compared to the year before.
Why the increase? Penis-enlargement products, many unproven or unsafe, have flooded the market for ages. The difference now is that there is a safe, effective method to enlarge the penis, and not surprisingly, it’s causing quite a buzz.
We asked Dr. David Shafer, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, to tell us more about this male-enhancement technique that doesn’t require surgery and can be done in-office.
“This is a relatively new procedure, so the month-to-month growth is tremendous,” he told us. “Right now, we are doing about one a week. Most men do not talk among each other about this procedure, so new patients are mainly from internet research and patients [who] find our office.”
The procedure
The most common and safest procedure for nonsurgical penis enlargement? Injectable fillers. Injections in the penis might sound painful, but a numbing cream followed by a numbing injection is typically done before the procedure, so most patients shouldn’t feel much other than minor pressure.
“The filler treatment enhances the girth or circumference of the penis significantly,” says Dr. Shafer. “While the goal of the procedure is to increase girth, the added weight of the filler often lengthens the penis as well. However, there are no guarantees on lengthening with the filler procedure as the intent is girth enhancement.”
Related: Men getting cosmetic treatments isn’t just for celebrities anymore
The filler
Don’t allow just any injectable filler to be used. You can end up with serious, irreversible issues if the proper filler isn’t used.
“I have found the best filler for penis enhancement is Juvéderm Voluma XC,” says Dr. Shafer. “Voluma is traditionally used in the cheeks to help lift the mid-face and add volume. It is the thickest and most long-lasting filler in the Juvéderm family.
“It also has the added advantage of being reversible, which means it can be melted away if, for any reason, a patient does not like the results,” Dr. Shafer continues, adding that reversal is “very rare, as patients love this treatment.”
Why men are requesting nonsurgical penis enlargement
Men seek penis enlargement with dermal fillers for a variety of personal reasons. “It may be for themselves or to boost confidence,” says Dr. Shafer. “Some men want to look larger in their pants at the gym, or to help with performance, or for their partner’s preference.”
One person on RealSelf raved about the treatment in his review: “I found this procedure to be an unqualified success,” he wrote [Editor note: This reviewer was not treated by Dr. Shafer]. “I would recommend it to anyone looking to increase their girth without the pain, risk, downtime, and unpredictable results from surgical enhancement.”
The ideal candidate
While almost any man can get penis enlargement, some are better suited for it than others.
“Some patients have what is sometimes called a ‘hidden penis’, where the fat and skin around their penis hides much of the appearance,” says Dr. Shafer. “In this case, liposuction or a surgical procedure can be performed to remove this fat or tighten the skin so it does not hang over the penis.
“Another cause may be anatomical, where the penis is constricted. This requires a surgery to release the ligament, allowing more of the penis to hang outside of the body,” he continues. “Other people have a perfectly normal penis, but are looking for added size and girth. These are the best candidates for injectable penis enhancement.”
The cost
According to prices reported on RealSelf, you should expect to spend around $5,675 on nonsurgical penis enlargement.
“On average, we use 10 syringes at the first visit,” says Dr. Shafer. “Some patients, depending on their baseline size, chose to do 15 syringes. If they are larger to start with, then they can handle more syringes.”
“We like to see patients back about four to six weeks after their first treatment,” he continues. “At that appointment, some patients choose to have additional injections for added effect.”
Related: 5 foolproof tips to find an awesome injector
What else you need to know
Don’t let just anyone inject dermal fillers into your penis. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
“Some patients are tempted to go to Mexico or South America and have non-FDA-approved fillers injected, such as silicone-based products,” says Dr. Shafer. “However, we strongly discourage this as the risks are great and can be lifelong and disfiguring.
“The safest procedure is to inject a hyaluronic acid-based filler that has a great safety profile, is reversible, and is biocompatible.”
