MEN AND SKIN CARE

Men and skin care was once considered a taboo subject. Nowadays, men want to look just as good as women and are spending lots of money on products and treatments. Men are looking great as they get older and some of them are even better looking than when they were younger. Older celebrities that lay testament to this are Brad Pitt , George Clooney and Richard Gere (note that these guys are American). There are now more and more younger celebrities, like Orlando Bloom, Justin Timberlake and Duncan James taking the steps to keeping that youthful look for longer.

Luckily for men, they don't suffer the same major hormonal loss as women so their skin and bodies seem to keep in good shape for a few more years longer. Collagen is the elastic property of skin which slowly reduces as men and women age, making skin sag and wrinkle. Men’s skin contains more collagen than women's, therefore making their skin less prone to wrinkles.

However, men still need to work at looking good to stay looking good. Smoking, excessive drinking, bad diet and lots of exposure to sunlight will damage their skin just as much as it does to women. Men also get acne, spots, in-growing hairs and greying hair.

Men's skin is generally oilier and a great deal thicker than a woman's, therefore a skin care product that is suitable for women will not necessarily suit a man. Black and Asian men can also have differing skin types but still fall into the main skin type categories. They can also experience different skin problems.

For men to achieve that gorgeous look, there are a few easy steps: first, identify skin type; secondly, identify the products that will make skin appear at its best and combat any problems. Adopt a skin care routine twice a day - Cleanse, Protect and Moisturise - and try to maintain this ritual for long lasting effects.

There are four different types of men’s skin:

Oily Skin

Identified by greasy areas around the face, in particular, the forehead and nose.
Noticeable clues are pores clogged with sebum otherwise known as blackheads.
The face will appear shiny and more prone to spots.

What to Use: Choose oil free products and mildly astringent toners and facial washers that have a salicylic acid. A good facial scrub is also helpful in removing surface blackheads

Dry Skin

Signs to look for here are rough dry patches and signs of flaking, also the skin appears dull and is easily chapped. This type of skin is prone to becoming more wrinkled as the skin ages.

What to use: Good quality moisturisers and rich creams will help hydrate the skin and seal in the water. Ensure that the product penetrates the skin rather than sitting on the surface as this will give the appearance of greasy skin. Using a night cream will also help in nourish the skin.

Combination Skin

Featuring both elements of oily and dry skin is the more common skin type in men. The greasy areas are normally found around the nose, chin and forehead -known as the “T zone”. The dry areas are on the cheeks neck and parts of the forehead.

What to use: Products targeting the greasy areas and a different product to combat the dry patches.

Normal Skin

Skin should be well moisturised and hydrated. It also has a great texture and feel to it. There is still have a degree of oil in the skin and this will help to keep skin looking healthy.

What to use: Using a daily routine of cleanliness that includes the use of a mild facial wash and moisturiser.

If skin care and routine is a completely new idea, the following may help:

Particularly effective prior to shaving.

Washing the face twice daily keeps pores unclogged and helps prevent acne. It rids the skin of all the unpleasant particles acquired from the environment.
Apply the cleanser on an already damp face using warm water.
Use as per the instructions and rinse off.

Scrubs and Exfoliators

Using scrubs and exfoliators are an effective way of ridding the skin of dead cells which need to be removed in order for new skin to come through. The removal of the dead cells stimulates the skin to produce newer and smoother skin which will appear healthier and fresh.

Use once or twice a week to be effective. Good scrubs do not require any pressure; the ingredients do all the work. Do not use around the eyes as the skin here is very delicate.

Moisturisers

These are the most used products on the market and when used correctly provide a natural glow of well being. Not only can a moisturiser hydrate the skin negating dryness, it promotes good skin cell growth and provides protection from harmful UV rays that can lead to premature signs of ageing.
Use morning and evening after giving the skin a wash to keep the skin replenished.
Moisturisers are not necessary for oily skin types.

Don’t forget that the body needs moisture too. There is a good range of body lotions designed for men. Mychoicebeauty.com shop has a selection.

Aftershave Lotions

Designed to sooth the skin after shaving, these products combine healing qualities and moisturise at the same time. A quality aftershave balm will also reduce redness and razor burn.
Always use after shaving before applying any cologne or fragrance

One of the most important accessories for a man is a good fragrance.
Colognes work as an astringent which help avoid infection after shaving and should be applied sparingly on to the upper body arms, not directly onto the face.
Eau de Toilettes (EDT) have the greatest concentration of essence generally available for men and hence lasts the longest, up to five hours. An EDT is mostly found in a spray.

Aftershaves are less strong than EDT and lasts for two to three hours. Those with very sensitive skin should use aftershave balms, rather than colognes

Ingrown Hairs

Ingrown hairs are a serious side-effect of shaving. They occur when hairs grow back into the pores instead of outward past the surface. The body views ingrown hairs as something foreign and attacks them, often resulting in infection which can look like acne. Men with curly or coarse facial hair are most likely to suffer the discomforts of ingrown hairs. Using creams and facial scrubs can reduce the incidence of ingrown hairs by keeping pores free of infections and dead skin cells. By removing dead skin and excess oil and dirt, a scrub can leave the skin feeling soft, smooth, clean and clear. Choose scrubs with natural exfoliates such as apricot, walnut and or almond seeds along with herbal extracts and skin vitamins. Spending time on the skin every day will pay off with both immediate and long-term rewards. The skin will be clean and healthy looking and in time, will be softer and more youthful.

Nutrition

Nutrition also plays a part in appearance. Looks, condition of skin, hair and nails is not so much a product of what is put on them but also what is eaten. There is evidence that eating a lot of dairy products, such as milk, butter, cheese, cream, can be a cause of hair loss. These products contain bacteria that can destroy the hair shaft. mychoicebeauty.com is still researching these claims and will publish the findings in the near future. See separate article, men and hair loss, for more information. Excessive alcohol, caffeine and drugs put a heavy burden on the liver which then has to use all its energy to rid the body of these toxins. Some of the largest pores are on the scalp and it is from these that some of the impurities building up in the body are eliminated. This will take its toll on hair follicles and oil glands. Alcohol, caffeine and drugs also rob the body of B Vitamins.

Enhancing

Depending on skin type (normal, oily, dry or combination) and the time of year, there are different products that will enhance skin. Different treatments will have very different results. After shaving, moisturise with a product that has absolutely no alcohol in it. Avoid heavy fragrant after-shave products too, as they can irritate the skin. Skin that is too shiny doesn't look healthy, just greasy. Blot the excess oils away. Don't forget about lips. Find a balm that has an SPF of at least 15 in it. Peppermint oil has a nice feel and will keep lips looking marvellous and kissable.

Treatments

Just as women visit a beauty salon or therapist, treatments are now available to men. Men can also experience face lifting, microdermabrasion, waxing, facial massages, tanning and other treatments on offer. Search for men’s grooming in the mychoicebeauty.com salon directory .

Skin Cancer

Men are more susceptible to skin cancer too. Although the research was carried out on mice, it appears that skin cancer due to sun exposure appears faster, and is more severe, in males than in females. According to www.webmd.com this is mostly because men are more likely than women to have outdoor jobs and that they are less likely to protect their skin with sunscreen, shirts and hats. To test the theory, a team exposed a breed of hairless mice to ultra violet rays from a sunlamp. The mice underwent eight to 10 minute tanning sessions three times a week for six months. That was enough to give both male and female mice skin cancer. However, they found that males got skin tumours earlier, more often and more of the tumours were severe. The tests showed that male skin cells carry fewer antioxdants than the female skin cells.

To sum up, men need to care for their skin just as much as women do. Apart from hormones, there are many factors that influence the way a man's skin ages. That miracle anti-ageing, forever- young miracle hasn't come along yet so make the most of what is out there for the time being.

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Lisa Claber MCIPR

mychoicebeauty.com