Men’s Skincare
Skincare isn’t just for women. Men face many of the same ailments when it comes to their skin’s health and should make just as much of an effort to take care of it.
But the process and what men can benefit most from may differ from what women need. Our own skilled and knowledgeable physician’s assistant, Valerie Dailey, sheds some light on a subject usually left in the dark.
What are the best facial moisturizers for men?
Women’s skincare is highly known for the sheer amount of moisturizing and skin hydrating products. Valerie believes men’s skincare should focus on something else.
“In general, I do not think most men need a facial moisturizer. They need to treat, maintain and condition their skin. It can be considered like a car. It does not always need the wax, but the wash and the maintenance overall. Everyone, specifically men, need to use a retinol for skin conditioning and beard softening. This helps prevent razor bumps and textural imperfections. Washing with an AHA/BHA helps brighten and exfoliate the skin without making it too dry. If ever a moisturizer is needed I typically recommend SkinMedica’s GlyPro, as this has a moisture complex and soothing aloe and chamomile for aftershave. If needed, the SkinMedica Dermal Repair cream can be a grand, ultra-rich moisturizer for light skin tones or sensitive skin. An excellent go to is always Hyaluronic Acid, like the SkinMedica HA5. Of course, then we must finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen no matter what time of year.”
What should be a man’s focus in skincare?
Men’s skincare doesn’t need to be as extensive as women’s, but it should still be effective at treating their skin with what they need. A simple regimen, like SkinMedica’s RegiMEN System, is perfect for providing men with the optimal skin care.
“For some men, keeping it simple can be a goal. Exfoliant wash in the shower, retinol at night and sunscreen in the day. Maintenance peels and Botox through the year.
It all about preventing UVA/UVB – sun damage as well as free radial damage; maintaining texture and tone.I believe it is best to chemically exfoliate the skin not mechanically (aggressive scrubs). Restore with Vitamins and DNA repair as well as antioxidants.”
What are some popular cosmetic skin treatments for men?
Contrary to popular belief, men can often benefit the most from cosmetic treatments, so long as they’re specialized to fit their skincare needs.
“Popular skin treatments for men whether they know it or not are Botox, fillers and peels. Doing peels for back and chest acne are very helpful, and they may be interested in a calming, purifying or hydrating masque.”
Can men get Botox injections?
While many believe Botox is solely used for women to look and feel younger, there are plenty of other benefits men can experience through a Botox treatment, as well.
“Most definitely, men can have Botox for medical or cosmetic purposes. A common medical use is Hyperhidrosis Botox injections to reduce excessive sweating in hands, feet, and armpits, and it usually covered by insurance. This treatment needs to be done every three months and takes about three weeks to get the full effect. The botulism paralyses the neurotransmitters to the brain that signals the sweat.”
How is men’s skin different from women’s?
“Men’s skin is thicker and coarser than women’s. However, it does still need to have care and attention to maintain health, youthfulness and prevent and skin cancer. Men as well as women can have varying skin conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, rosacea, acne and psoriasis which all play a role in the type of skin care they would require.”
How can men make their skin look younger?
“Men can keep their skin looking young but it depends on where they are starting from. Do we need to rebuild the car or just detail it? Everyone can refresh, renew and improve. Do we need a Vitalize peel or C02 laser? Here at Apex, we can offer numerous options from simple skin care to deeper skin texture and tone correction to Coolsculpting.”
Should men use an exfoliating face wash?
We’ve established men should indeed was their face but what type of facial cleanser would they benefit from most? One with an exfoliant may be the most beneficial.
“Most men would benefit from an exfoliating wash with ingredients like AHA/BHA and Glypro”
Everyone should practice safe, effective skincare – including men! While many of the processes for skincare between men and women are similar, the differences in your overall skin textures and needs must be met accordingly.
Valerie Dailey is a board-certified physician assistant for Apex Skin. She takes great importance in patient education and has ranked in the top 10% of the Press Ganey Provider Communication scores nationally. Valerie’s interests include skin cancer screening, common skin problems (acne, warts, cysts, etc.) surgical biopsies and excisions and laser hair removal.
