Skincare for Men
A man’s face can tell his age, reflecting how well he has cared for it over the years. The first step in caring for men’s skin is to understand how the skin functions.
Men’s skin looks thicker, sturdier, oilier and more porous than women’s skin. It also seems to have more color because of higher melanin content and to be dryer due to shaving.
Aging Process
Once a man reaches the age of 30 his testosterone production begins to gradually decline, which in turn causes collagen and oil production to slow down. The decrease continues through adulthood until men reach andropause.
By the time a man reaches age 60 his collagen level drops so significantly that the skin becomes softer, saggier, dryer, and visibly wrinkled due to the lack of collagen fibers supporting it.
Factors Causing Premature Aging
External influences also can speed up the aging process of skin. Factors such as smoking, drinking, pollution, poor diet and environment take the most visible toll on men’s skin.
Too much sun and not enough protection accelerate the aging process; prolonged sun exposure leads to hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and an increased risk of skin cancer.
Men’s most common skin problem is acne. Because male skin produces more oil and sweat, it is more prone to acne than female skin. Male acne is not limited to the face but can be anywhere on the body, particularly on the shoulders, back and chest. Acne occurs when pores become plugged, resulting in blackheads and pimples.
Other Skin Conditions
Rosacea is a chronic condition that causes redness around the cheeks, chin, nose and forehead. Rosacea seems to be linked to the vascular network of the central facial skin and causes redness, bumps, pimples, and other systems that rarely extend beyond the face. Rosacea cannot be cured, but its systems can be controlled and in some cases eliminated.
Psoriasis is a genetic, autoimmune disease that affects skin. Once the disease is triggered, the skin cells pile up on the surface of the body faster than normal. Normal skin cells mature and are shed about every 28 days.
When Psoriasis is present, skin cells rise to the surface of the skin in three to six days. The body cannot shed the skin cells quickly enough, resulting in dry, itchy patches of lesions on the surface of the skin. The average onset of Psoriasis in men is 22 years of age. Topical and systemic treatments provide only temporary relief.
How Shaving Affects Men's Skin
Men’s skin ages better than women’s skin because men exfoliate every day when shaving. The act of shaving also helps keep facial muscles toned as they move the mouth and chin around to accommodate the razor’s path.
Following shaving, men must avoid alcohol based facial products. Alcohol can sensitize and dry skin. Shaving balms or lotions should include ingredients such as squalane and vitamin E, to hydrate skin and promote healing.
Facial hair potentially can be a source of skin problems for men. Facial hair left behind after shaving can spring back and grow into the skin instead of out. Improper shaving also may cause folliculitis (ingrown hairs).
When the hair grows slightly under the skin and is trapped it can cause a bacterial infection. The skin becomes red, irritated and inflamed; red bump marks can cause scarring and hyperpigmentation if left untreated.
The treatment goal for this condition is to alleviate the irritation, to dry up and disinfect the pustules, and to desensitize the area. A wet mask such as Green Tea, Ginseng, or Caviar Collagen Mask, is the most comfortable product available to treat and keep the follicles clean. Exfoliating with a product such as Brightening Exfoliant Powder is necessary to keep the follicles open.
Simple but Effective Daily Care
No matter how busy a lifestyle he leads, no man can afford not to take a few extra minutes each day for preventative skin care. Men’s skin does need attention to look its best and to stay healthy.
A few simple skin care steps can easily be incorporated into a man’s daily shaving routine. Men should not use regular soap as a facial wash. These harsh soaps dry the skin and, consequently, create an overproduction of oil that can lead to blackheads and breakouts. Recommended are specially formulated cleansers such as Brightening Exfoliant Powder.
