Not all skins are created equal….women know this, but it is also true when it comes to male skin. While men do experience skin ageing, acne, sensitivity, pigmentation and other skin concerns just as women do, their products and treatments need to be focussed slightly differently. Skin health, for both sexes, is shaped by a number of factors including genetics, lifestyle, diet and hormones. Yes for men too!!! Though the causative one for men is generally testosterone.
Testosterone is the powerful androgen responsible for the typical ‘male’ characteristics; muscle development and strength, facial and body hair, deepened voice and male body odour. However, testosterone also has some significant impacts on the skin which may at times be quite challenging depending on the age of the man or the phase of life he is in.
Acne
Starting at puberty, a surge in testosterone can bring with it teen acne, a troublesome and anxiety provoking condition for young boys. Testosterone increases oil production, add in some sweat and a less than tip top diet and hygiene and you have a perfect breeding ground for p. acnes bacteria, and the ultimate setting for clogged pores and the consequential pimples. While the hormones cannot be tamed at this point, there is plenty that can be done to reduce the impact of an oily skin.
Learn more about acne here:
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Sensitive skin
While testosterone provides men with a ‘thicker’ skin than women, studies have shown that men are more likely to suffer from atopic dermatitis or eczema. Similar studies suggest that testosterone has a negative impact on the skin’s ability to heal itself, therefore a compromised, or inflamed male skin needs help to repair itself. This is especially true of men who shave on a daily basis, nicks and cuts can lead to redness and sore skin, as can ingrown hairs.
Specific care:
• Gentle cleansers once a day,
• Avoid long hot showers and extremes of temperature,
• Moisturise to keep hairs softened,
• Ensure razors are sharp or use an electric one.
Learn more about sensitive skin here:
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Sensitive skin
Sun damage
Luckily, testosterone provides men with a more youthful, distinguished look as they age compared to women. This is due to having a tighter collagen network deep in the skin. However, men do need to be aware that just because they look younger they still have a need to protect their skin daily with sunblock.
The risk of skin cancer diagnosis in Australia, is higher in men (70%) compared to women (58%), and the mortality risk is also higher in men (69%). Men need targeted daily solutions that provide high UV protection and conditioning for the skin. The problem is men don’t enjoy the heavy feeling of many products (especially sun-blocks) so many refuse to wear them.
Sun-blocks which our male clients DO like to use are light and don’t run even with a good sweat, which means no eye sting!
*Aspect Dry Touch – non greasy cream. A chemical sunscreen without any nasties. Great for dads and kids of all ages. Comes with an easy clip-on so it won’t be lost.
*CosMedix Reflect – a milky spray. Contains antioxidants as well as a physical block. This one is superb for sailors and water sport lovers.
*Colorescience Sunforgettable brush on sunblock – sounds and looks like a makeup? And yet it isn’t! Carry this one in your pocket and just shake and brush on for a 50 SPF cover. Water proof (includes sweat) for 80 minutes under running water.
*Osmosis MD Protect – for those rare gems who like to see where you’ve applied the product! Yes, it goes on just a little white, but once you massage the product in and the moisturiser and zinc are absorbed, your skin is left feeling silky soft with no sign of whiteness. This product provides fantastic cover.
Note: All sun-blocks should be reapplied 2-4 hourly if outdoors.
To sum it up, the aesthetic effects of UV damage on men’s skin are similar to women’s, just generally noticed a bit later in life depending on the skin type of the individual. Market research tells us that modern man is actually equally concerned with the effects of UV damage both on his skin’s health as well as his appearance. He too isn’t willing to put up with early wrinkles, pigmentation, unpleasant dryness, dullness and excessive redness and fortunately there are simple things he can incorporate into his life to assist without feeling less masculine. Thankfully, men’s grooming is becoming the norm.
Learn more about your skin and the sun here:
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Men’s Skin Care Packs for Father’s Day!
In the clinic we find our male clients focus on regimes which are quick, non-fussy and effective. To celebrate this for Father’s Day we have put together two kits, each of 3 essential products to help you, or your man enjoy a healthier skin which will feel and look better for this Father’s day. They focus on cleansing, nourishing with Vitamin C serums and a hydrating moisturising product with loads of physical UV protection. We have selected our products as effective essentials for someone wanting to commence a healthy skin regime.
Enjoy a 10% discount of the total price when purchasing either kit.
To use: cleanse with one pump in the shower, pat face dry, apply a vitamin C antioxidant serum (one pump) and protect with a Sunblock (one or two pumps). In subsequent weeks changes will be seen and felt which indicates it is the right time to add a Vitamin A or specific immunity building serum – let’s wait and see.
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Of course we are also available for in-clinic consultations, on-line consultations and do offer clinical skin treatments which are ideal for male skin, in particular a series of Dermafrac or Lactic acid treatments; no down time and brilliant results!
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