Historically speaking, the majority of plastic surgery patients are women. But the number of men interested in undergoing cosmetic procedures is surging — and creating a new trend in plastic surgery that's changing the landscape.

"The taboo is fading," Darren Smith, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, tells Allure. "Men are increasingly concerned with their appearance, and it is becoming more acceptable for them to say so and do something about it."

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), the total number of cosmetic surgical procedures performed among men was 1.2 million in 2015 — that's just under 10 percent of the total number of cosmetic surgical procedures, but more than triple the number of men going under the knife in 1997, when ASAPS first began its annual statistic reports.

The number of men considering plastic surgery is on the rise, too, according to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS). In a survey conducted last June, 31 percent of men said they were "extremely likely" to consider a cosmetic procedure. Slightly less than half said they would want to have a treatment to feel more confident, while a quarter said they wanted to "look younger" to stay competitive in their careers.

"I think this has likely been fueled by social media and the volume of selfies people are taking," John Paul Tutela, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey, tells Allure. The quest for "youthfulness" also factors into increasing interest in male plastic surgery — especially as employers increasingly value young, fresh candidates, he adds.

Welcome to The Club House

Because of the under-the-radar interest in men vying for aesthetic enhancements, plastic surgeons have begun to open centers solely for men who want plastic surgery procedures — and to not be seen by women during treatment. These centers also promise expert care from surgeons, specifically trained in working with male versus female anatomy.

"While many procedures have general overlap between men and women, the details of the procedures often dramatically diverge between the [sexes]," explains Smith. "The goal of rhinoplasty, for example, is to improve the form and function of the nose regardless of the gender of the patient. The maneuvers necessary to achieve a strong but refined masculine nose, however, differ greatly from those performed to achieve a beautiful and balanced female nose. Men should make sure they are choosing a plastic surgeon that has experience performing procedures for men."