When 35-year-old businessman John Tang (not his real name), got a job at an investment bank, his boss had high expectations of him. Mr Tang exceeded these expectations and faced a bright future. After three years at the company, however, he faced a crisis. Instead of gaining respect in the industry, he gained weight, rising from 190 pounds to 230 pounds. Long hours, a stressful workplace and daily drinks and dinner with clients were taking their toll. Putting on weight led to sleep problems, and Mr Tang's boss began to complain about his lack of concentration. His doctor warned him of potential health hazards, and he realised things would have to change. Mr Tang went to Mence, a leading skin care and men's beauty centre. In 15 weeks, having gone to the centre for three two-hour sessions a week, he lost 40 pounds. With his health restored, he secured a large deal for his company and his career was back on track. This might sound like a fairy tale but Mence Tsoi Man-sze, co-founder and chief executive of Mence, said such cases were common. She said men often went to beauty centres not just to improve their appearance, but for an array of health reasons. 'Having a healthy look and body makes all the difference to one's career,' said Ms Tsoi. At Mence, the latest technology is combined with physiotherapy and acupuncture to help clients slim down. 'The few hours at the centre are a worthwhile investment, because one can feel a difference immediately after the treatments,' Ms Tsoi said. One of the challenges facing men's beauty centres is that men generally care less about their health and body shape than women do, said Joseph Fung, founder and managing director of Ziz Skincare for Men. 'While women go to beauty centres religiously, we often have to remind our men customers to return to the centre for treatments. We have some very rich men clients who would rather spend their money playing golf than try out better and more expensive treatments. But people's perception of beauty has changed quickly in recent years,' Mr Fung said. Adverts for men's treatments and products are everywhere. Many big cosmetics and skin care brands have launched men's lines, reminding them to care more about their appearance, Mr Fung said. The changing attitude is most apparent in the younger generation. Mr Fung said clients viewed getting a facial or body treatment as trendy, and they understood that having a clean look was essential to being presentable. Another major group of Mr Fung's clients is pilots or frequent business travellers. While they get spa treatments when they are out of Hong Kong, they also want to have regular facial treatments when they are in town to treat dry and rough skin caused by stress and the lack of oxygen on an aircraft. A third group, however, goes for entirely different reasons. 'Many of our clients are forced to come by their wives or girlfriends. 'Women are more demanding nowadays. They want their partner to be smart and good-looking as well. They book appointments for the men, buy them a bunch of coupons, or even drag them along while they have their regular facials.'