5 Essential Skin Care Hacks for Men
Guys, don’t let the stigma surrounding men’s skincare leave you with ingrown hairs, acne, dry skin or scars. The largest organ of the body for both men and women is, you guessed it, your skin! So, trust us when we say skincare isn’t just for the ladies. This doesn’t mean you need to be smothering on flowery, sweet-smelling products or wearing facemasks with cucumber eye-covers (unless that’s your thing, in which case we’re totally down). There are plenty of gender-neutral products and treatments out there that are perfect for the everyday man’s skincare routine.
Swap out your supermarket products
Did you know that a man’s skin is 25 per cent thicker than a woman’s? They also have more pores and of course, more facial hair. This means that supermarket products just won’t cut it if you’re looking for serious skincare. At Australian Skin Clinics, we recommend Balense, an active skincare range suitable for all skin types.
Balense products are unisex by design, and the focus is holistically on good quality skincare. Even the packaging reflects this, so you don’t have to worry about using these in the football locker room. One of the more popular products for well-groomed guys is the Balense Jojoba Exfoliating Cleanser.
Deal with acne head on
After puberty, men produce significantly more sebum (naturally occurring oil) than women do. This can lead to breakouts, blocked pores, blackheads, shiny/oily skin and acne. It’s important for skin-conscious fella’s to understand these differences and seek the assistance of an experienced dermal therapist where necessary.
Australian Skin Clinics acne program has an 80 per cent success rate and can help men combat perpetual irritation, oiliness, congestion and angry blemishes. Consultations are complimentary and can be booked online.
Ditch the razor for laser
Laser hair removal has become extremely popular among men looking to permanently reduce hair growth, most commonly for areas such as back, chest, stomach and legs.
Not only can it save hours upon hours of shaving, laser hair removal can also reduce the occurrence of the dreaded ingrown hair. Ingrown hairs generally occur for men because of the daily or frequent shave that cuts the hair close to the skin. As the hair grows back from the follicle, it tends to curl. This can occur under the skin, becoming infected and turning into an irritating ingrown hair. With laser hair removal, a cosmetic laser transmits a concentrated beam of light directly into the pigment of your hair follicles, destroying them and stunting hair growth. While this process doesn’t eliminate ingrown hairs completely, it can help alleviate the problem.
Laser hair removal can also be used to shape the modern-man’s designer beard. By reducing the thickness and coarseness of the hair, laser neatens the beard line and banishes irritating collar rash or stray hairs on the neck and cheeks.
Don’t sweat it!
Men naturally sweat more than women, but if you suffer from excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) then don’t sweat it! Treatment is possible through the use of muscle relaxant injections. Small quantities of product are injected just below the surface of the skin, blocking the nerve impulses from reaching that area, and in turn, the sweat glands are inactivated. The most commonly treated areas are the underarms and the results can last up to nine months.
Finally, wear sunscreen
Men, on average, spend more time outdoors and are therefore more likely to be exposed to environmental factors. Combine this with the fact that the lads are less likely to protect their skin with hats or sunscreen, and we’ve got a serious problem. Decrease your risk of sun damage and protect your skin from the early signs of ageing by applying a daily sunscreen such as Balense UV Defiance SPF 50+.
The bottom line is this: while there are differences in skin between the sexes, everyone benefits from a simple skincare routine of clean and protect. Throw in a few treatments to combat your skin’s specific concerns, and you’ll soon start to notice a major difference in the look and feel of your skin.
If you’re not sure where to start, visit your local Australian Skin Clinics for a private and personalised complimentary consultation or view our current promotions online.
