As more and more men recognise the importance of taking care of their skin to maintain overall health and hygiene, skincare products, day spa treatments and skin procedures are now widely available to address specific skincare concerns unique to men. Let’s look at three common skin conditions and learn how to treat them.
Christie Cameron, Senior dermal therapist, facial reflexologist and Reiki healer at SSKIN Clinic explains “Men’s skin is about 25% thicker than women’s skin, and it produces more oil and sweat. This oil production results in a shiny complexion, enlarged pores, and a higher likelihood of acne breakouts. Men’s skin also tends to be rougher and prone to wrinkles and sagging due to the loss of collagen”.
Clare Matthews, founder of Australian skincare range Vitaman, spotted the men’s grooming trend in Australia way before man-scaping was a thing. After a lot of research on indigenous biochemistry and a solid education on formulating naturally active products, the idea behind VITAMAN was born – a natural, 100% Aussie-made haircare and skincare range of products specifically designed for men. Their grooming advice articles offer lots of education for men on looking after their skin and hair naturally.
According to Dr Scott Allison from Ascension Cosmetic Medicine, treatments for men are becoming more and more popular. Men are more open to discussing skin cosmetic treatments suited to their skin and addressing skin conditions like dark circles, acne, and skin tone. His team of experienced clinicians can assess the skin and facial structure and advise on best products and treatment that will refresh and rejuvenate the skin and facial features.
Below we cover three common skin conditions among men and the skincare products, treatments and procedures on offer to cater for their skin.
1. Dark Circles Under the Eyes
Dark circles under the eyes are often caused by genetics, lack of sleep, stress, and aging. They make the eyes look tired and dull, giving the impression of poor health or fatigue.
Clare from Vitaman points out that it’s important to know the difference between dark circles and eye bags. She explains “The skin there is quite delicate and translucent under eye area. It is also full of tiny small blood vessels that are close to the surface, which are the culprits behind the darker tone in most people. That’s why it’s best to use a specific product for the under-eye area.”
Getting enough sleep and staying hydrated are common recommendations to tackle both eye concerns. Using products containing growth factors and vitamin C can also help reduce and prevent dark circles under the eyes.
SSKIN also have some product recommendations and they also offer men’s skin treatments and alternative modalities such as platelet-rich fibrin (PRF). PRF is a treatment that involves the use of the patient’s blood platelets, which are injected into the area under the eyes. The platelets release growth factors that stimulate collagen production, leading to a reduction in dark circles and a more youthful appearance.
Ascension’s go-to treatment for promoting collagen and tightening the skin around the eyes (or the face, neck & decollage) is their Morpheus 8 device (RF needling technology). For deeper lines and wrinkles they will sometimes use CO2 laser for complete resurfacing of the skin.
Recommended products:
Vitaman i-zone eye and lip reviver: Proven to reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes, with the help of Ubiquinone (CQ10), it also reduces fine lines around the eye and mouth areas
Vitaman Skin Protector Serum: Packed with antioxidants. Perfect for guys with you skin on its own as a light protective hydrator. Protects from free radical damage caused by the sun and pollution.
Murad Vita-C Eyes Dark Circle Corrector: Formulated to target multiple types of dark circles:
Medik8 Eye List Peptides: A firming eye treatment developed to smooth the delicate under-eye area. Age-defying peptides help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, creating a lifting and awakening effect. Minimises the appearance of dark circles and puffiness, whilst boosting hydration.
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Eye-Brightening Concentrate: This eye cream contains vitamin C and hyaluronic acid, which helps to reduce dark circles and improve skin texture.
2. Uneven Skin Tone
Uneven skin tone includes dark spots, blemishes, and redness, making the skin appear dull and lifeless. It can be the result of sun damage, inflammation, and hormonal changes.
Christie from SSKIN Clininc suggests that “men can use skin brightening products containing vitamin C, which reduces dark spots and improves skin texture. They can also consider alternative modalities such as skin needling, which stimulates collagen production, leading to a more even skin tone and texture”.
Day spas offer a variety of treatments that can combat on uneven skin tone. Specialist men’s salon Mankind in Sydney offer advanced face treatments including Lactic Peels, LED Masks, Microdermabrasion, Oxygen Boosters, Vitamin C Infusions, Enzyme Masks and Retinol Peels to name a few which can be prescribed following a consultation.
Skin needling, also known as microneedling, is a process that stimulates the skin’s natural healing response and collagen production, leading to smoother, clearer skin and could be considered as a minimally invasive treatment.
“Skin needling can be an effective treatment for acne and uneven skin tone, as it helps to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and improve skin texture. It also has several benefits, such as minimal downtime, natural-looking results, and long-lasting effects.” says Christie.
Dr Allison utilises the latest laser technology, the Picosure Pro, for treating uneven skin tone or pigmentation. This treatment uses short bursts of laser light to target specific areas of the skin, resulting in improved texture, tone, and overall appearance. It can treat conditions such as pigmentation, scarring and unwanted freckling on a multitude of ethnicities and skin tones. It also improves the loss of facial volume, skin elasticity, and minimises fine lines and laxity concerns by stimulating collagen!
Recommended products:
Vitamin Wrinkle Smoother Serum: Designed to reduce the signs of aging and sun damage by evening out skin tone and texture,This serum made with natural Australian ingredients will gently tighten your skin and leave it feeling calm, soft, and supple.
Aspect Age Management Kit: A range of products designed to minimise the signs of premature ageing, including fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and uneven skin tone.These Aspect products address concerns commonly associated with ageing skin with a hit of antioxidants and peptides.
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum: This serum contains retinol, which helps to reduce fine lines and wrinkles, and improve skin texture and tone.
3. Acne
Acne in men of all ages is a skin condition often caused by the overproduction of sebum, leading to clogged pores, inflammation, and breakouts. Several factors contribute to acne such as genetics, hormonal changes, stress, and lifestyle habits.Claire from Vitaman points out it’s important to identify a pattern and understand the underlying causes of acne. She suggests “Consistency is key, and it may take trying a combination of fixes to find what works best for your skin”. Skincare products containing salicylic acid exfoliates dead skin cells and unclogs pores, preventing acne breakouts. SSKIN regularly treat men with acne using skin needling, also known as microneedling. This process stimulates the skin’s natural healing response and collagen production, leading to smoother, clearer skin. It can also be used for uneven skin tone, as it helps to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and improve skin texture.
Recommended products:
Dermalogica Breakout Clearing Booster: This fast-acting booster, formulated with Salicylic Acid, helps combat breakout-causing bacteria for rapid skin clearing.
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant: This exfoliating toner contains salicylic acid, which helps to unclog pores, reduce inflammation, and prevent acne breakouts.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment: This acne treatment contains benzoyl peroxide, which kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces inflammation.
With the right products and treatments, men can achieve a healthy, glowing complexion that will boost confidence and overall well-being.
It is essential to consult with a licensed professional before undergoing any skin treatments and procedures so you have an indivudal treatment plan that is designed for your skin.
For more information on skin treatments for men visit Ascension, SSKIN, Vitman and Mankind.
Discover more skin care ranges for me HERE.
Visit our day spa directory for a business near you that can develop an individualised skin treatment plan for your skin,
