The Mysteries of Manly Skin – Solved!
- Posted on: May 18 2017
Men are becoming much more concerned about the health of their skin. For a variety of reasons, men have some different skin care needs than women. We have gathered 10 of the most frequently asked questions from our male clients and outlined the answers.
1) I’m in my 40’s and I still get acne like I did when I was a teenager! What’s that about and what can I do?
Men produce a lot of testosterone which drives oil production in sebaceous glands. When these become plugged by dirt, debris, and aging skin cells, blackheads and cysts can form. To treat this, use a chemical exfoliating wash containing salicylic acid in the morning and / or a retinol cream before bed. In addition, exfoliating and cleansing treatments such as the Hydrafacial MD and superficial chemical peels can be of enormous benefit…that’s right, there is such a thing as a mani-facial!
2) There are younger guys eager to take my job. What can I do to stay looking young and maintain a competitive edge at work?
There are many procedures available to help you achieve a more youthful look. Many men are now using Botox to soften forehead lines and crow’s feet. Filler can be used to make the chin squarer and strengthen the shape of the jaw. Nasolabial lines can be softened and the area around the eye can be “opened”.
3) My nose area is so oily and the skin around my nostrils is starting to swell and get red. What’s going on?
You may have rosacea. This causes veins around the nose to enlarge and a general redness of the skin to evolve. Sometimes pustules develop which may look like acne. You will notice that your skin is sensitive to soaps, extreme hot or cold weather, and alcohol. This can all be treated with appropriate skin care and intense pulsed light treatments (IPL).
4) I have olive coloured skin and I tan easily. Do I still have to use SPF?
Yes! We all need sunblock to protect our skin from the damaging and harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. Melanoma rates are increasing and as we age, sun damage becomes evident in the development of other skin cancers: actinic keratosis, squamous and basal cell cancers. It is important to use a sunblock when out hiking, fishing, skiing, or just lying by the lake or pool. The best sunblock is a physical block containing zinc oxide which is now formulated so it doesn’t look white on your skin – you don’t want that cool white nose look made “famous” by the surfers in the 70’s.
5) I’m back in the dating scene. The amount of hair on my chest is just right but the thickness on my back is too much. What can I do about that?
Permanent hair reduction using intense pulsed light (IPL) is one of our most popular treatments for men. It effectively reduces the amount of hair in a few treatments.
6) Razor bumps and ingrown hairs drive me crazy. Aside from growing a beard, what should I do?
This is sometimes known as folliculitis and it is again true that gentle exfoliation with specific cleansers and sometimes treatment with topical antibiotic cream can be very helpful. In addition, oscillating brushes like the Clarisonic can help keep your skin exfoliated.
7) My female friends are always pushing me to use moisturizer. Isn’t that just for girls?
Well, if you are going for the weathered Harrison Ford or Mic Jagger look, you could avoid moisturizer, but if you want to keep wrinkles at bay for a while longer, listen to your female friends. Your skin needs hydration to stay healthy and youthful looking and splashing on some water just doesn’t do it. Many sunblocks now contain moisturizers so it is a one step process after showering in the morning.
8) My skin doesn’t have that healthy glow like it did when I was younger. What am I doing wrong?
Skin cells have a rapid life span and if they are not removed when they die, your skin ends up looking dull and dry. Regular use of an exfoliating cleanser and moisturizer will help bring back that youthful brightness. The Clarisonic brush, HydraFacial MD treatments, and superficial chemical peels are also beneficial additions to your exfoliating routines.
9) The wrinkles around my eyes used to make me look wise and distinguished, but now they just make me look old. Why are they there and can I get rid of them?
For men who spend a lot of time outdoors, wrinkles around the eyes are common due to squinting to block out the glare. Those wrinkles are caused by use of the peri-ocular muscles. Treatment with Botox can relax these muscles and soften crow’s feet lines.
10) I had severe acne when I was a teenager. That’s gone now but I’ve been left with significant scarring. What can I do about that?
Acne scarring can be embarrassing. Luckily, there are now very effective treatments available. Fractional resurfacing and micro needling treatments have resulted in satisfied clients.
If you have a skin concern that we didn’t address, please call Viva Medical Aesthetics to book a consultation with Dr. Pascoe.
250-746-6512
Posted in: Men
