We all know that if you go and look at the skincare aisle in any shop, you'll see a special section where all the packaging is dark blue or grey, with orange accents, and names like Ice, Stealth, Sport, and Energy.
But is it necessary for men to use different skin products, or have different treatments? Or is it all just branding and worry that men couldn't possibly use anything that's not hyper-masculine?
The difference between male and female skin
It's not excess facial and body hair that sets men and women apart - there are plenty of women who deal with that (and if you happen to be one of them, and would like to get rid of the unwanted fuzz, talk to us about laser hair removal).
But there is a genuine difference between the sexes, caused primarily by the male hormones known as androgens, the main one being testosterone.
- Male skin is around 25% thicker than female skin
- Men have a higher ratio of collagen - it's why men are often said to age better. So even though we all lose collagen at roughly the same rate, men had more to start with and so appear to age later.
- Men produce more sebum (oil) than women. This can lead to them getting more spots, but it does also have the advantage of helping them look younger for longer.
- Perhaps related to the oil production, or the levels of lactic acid in their sweat, men also tend to have skin that is better hydrated than women.
- The act of shaving exfoliates the skin, giving men a quick advantage (though some men do find that shaving can cause skin sensitivities and irritation).
Products for male skin
Although men do have some in-built advantages when it comes to the signs of ageing, they also have increased sweat production, more difficult odour control,
and more likelihood of spots even into adulthood.
Even though many men don't need moisturiser, certainly while their skin is young, getting into the habit of wearing it can protect the skin. Wearing a moisturiser with sunscreen would be the ideal - protecting not only from the ageing effects of the sun and pigmentation but also from skin cancer and other damage.
But do men need a different moisturiser than women? People are divided on this issue! Some scientists say that good skincare products work because they're good - not because they're formulated especially for men or women. Many of the gendered products you see on supermarket shelves are the same formulations, just with different fragrances and packaging!
Others say that men's skincare has been designed to meet the needs of tougher skin. And while men do have thicker skin, it's debatable how much importance that has when it comes to choosing a moisturiser. Choosing a formulation for your skin type, whether you're male or female, is likely to be more effective than choosing one entirely because it says it's for men.
What's the point of a male facial?
If we're saying that a man doesn't need a whole host of different skincare products than a woman, you may wonder why we have a specialised Men's Facial on offer.
The difference here is that our facials are designed to work for each individual who comes to us - they're medical-grade facials in a spa-like environment. That combines science with relaxation (which often appeals to men, we have to say). During a male facial, we'll probably spend more time on our specially formulated scrubs to prevent ingrown facial hairs.
We tailor all of our facials to our clients - calling one a Men's Facial means that men know they're welcome!
What treatments are good for men?
There are a few treatments that are more popular with men than others.
Botox (or "Bro-tox" as some people call Botox for men).
Those frown lines between the eyes can make anyone look angry, and we often see men who have Botox in this area find they look a lot more approachable as a result. Perfect if you've got an interview or hot date where you need to impress.
Another popular use for Botox, especially with men, is to prevent excessive sweating. Hyperhidrosis treatment involves injections that paralyse the muscles and reduce sweat production.
IPL - or Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
We mentioned earlier how male skin is more prone to spots and acne - which means men may have more of a problem with acne scarring. IPL is a fractional laser treatment that improves the texture and tone of the skin, reducing acne scarring and hyperpigmentation (which can sometimes occur in addition to acne scarring).
Fillers
As men age, sometimes they face the dreaded sunken cheeks or dark circles under the eyes. Dermal fillers are just as effective for men as women and can plump up loose, sagging, or sunken areas to bring back a youthful appearance.
CoolSculpting
Men want to feel great when they look at their bodies too, and there's plenty of pressure to get the perfect six-pack or bicep size. So when a man has a pair of stubborn love handles that just won't respond to the gym, or a double chin that simply won't budge, CoolSculpting offers a way to streamline safely and effectively. The science behind it came from Harvard, which makes it extra appealing to some!
Get in touch
If you're a man (or you know a man) who could use some help in getting your skin or body into shape, why not get in touch with our team at our clinics in Essex or Rickmansworth?