Men's Corner
Cosmetic Procedures for Men
More than 1 million men chose to have some type of cosmetic procedure last year and the numbers continue to increase. Men are choosing to make improvements in their appearances not only to feel better but also to maintain a competitive edge in the work place and the job market. Minimally invasive procedures have seen some of the biggest increases including:
Botox – up 9%
Laser Hair Removal – up 4%
Soft tissue fillers such as Juvederm, Restylane, and Radiesse - up 7%
Dermabrasion – up 4%
Botox is one of the easiest pick me ups with no downtime and with the best “bang for the buck”. A few units of Botox can help you look younger and more relaxed and no one will know that you have had anything done. Our practice has seen an increase not only in the above procedures but also in hair restoration, laser procedures for blood vessels, CoolSculpting for stubborn fat areas, and treatment of brown spots. A consult with one of our board certified dermatologists can determine what options are best for you.
Simple Skin Care for Men
Let’s be honest, men rarely think about skin care let alone products for their skin. Men like to keep it as simple as possible, so that’s what we’ll do. All men should use three basic products 1) a cleanser, 2) a moisturizer, and 3) a sunscreen. A good cleanser is one of the most important products a man can purchase. Since men have larger sebaceous glands and oilier skin they need a cleanser that will take care of those issues but not strip the skin of its natural oils. If a cleanser is too harsh, it can actually lead to break outs and irritation. A foaming cleanser like SkinCeuticals foaming cleanser is an excellent option. A light weight moisturizer works best for men. It helps replenish the moisture in the skin and calms razor burn. Men love our Belleza Ultra-Lite Moisturizer, SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5, or Neocutis Hyalis. Finally, a sunscreen. It is best to look for a broad spectrum, physical sun block that contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. This helps protect against UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. Colorescience Sunforgettables brush on sunscreen is perfect for men. It’s a mineral based powder sunscreen that brushes on and absorbs oil and becomes translucent so it can’t be seen. Portable and easy, it can be thrown in a golf bag or gym bag. Apply generously to the face, hairline, ears and neck. Taking care of your skin doesn’t need to be overwhelming, it’s this easy!
By: Jenna Beetstra, L.E.
Schedule a complimentary consult with one of our aestheticians to learn more about caring for your skin.
Sun Protection for Active Guys
By: Chris Arico, MS, PA-C
With the advent of longer days and warmer weather, Spring seems to be right around the corner. Our skin hasn’t seen much in the way of sunlight for past few months so sun protection has not been on most of our minds. But Spring, for many men, means hauling out the golf clubs, dusting off the road bike, pick-up basketball games in the park, and sunny afternoon barbecues. Now is the time to do your skin a favor by keeping it shielded from the sun’s rays.
Most men believe that small amounts of sun throughout the day do little harm to their skin. Unfortunately, this is a myth. Even 15 minute of collective sunlight per day can cause Actinic changes (sun damaged skin). Actinic damage can lead to accelerated aging, skin discoloration, and even skin cancer down the line.
The best way to prevent this type of Actinic damage, is to:
- Apply sun-block every morning before leaving the house. If you plan on being inside most of the day, one application of SPF 30 or greater should give you adequate sun protection. CeraVe AM daily moisturizer with SPF 30 does a great job as a daily facial moisturizer and has added sun-block for a one-stop shop.
- Re-apply sun-block every hour if you are outdoors. Most guys believe that one application for a full day is enough. Unfortunately, one application only gives you up to 90 minutes of protection. If you happen to be outside basking in the sunlight, one full shot-glass size of sunscreen is needed for the entire face and body every 60 minutes for the most complete sun protection.
- Always wear a hat. Guys who like to be outdoors may remember to apply sunscreen to their face and arms, but will neglect their noggins. Wearing a hat also protects your ears and face which is some of the most vulnerable skin. Wide-brimmed hats that cover the ears are best, but even a simple baseball cap provides adequate scalp and face protection.
- If you are more on the athletic side and tend to sweat a lot while outside, a physical blocker type of sunscreen such as ColorScience Sunforgettable SPF 50 powder sunscreen gives you excellent sun protection without the sting of sunscreen in your eyes.
So go out and enjoy the warmer weather! Remember these sun protection tips when heading out the door for the day, your skin will thank you.
Silk Peel for Men
By Jenna Beetstra, L.E.
Say goodbye to enlarged pores, ingrown hairs, and that ruddy complexion. Silk Peel is a great treatment that is gaining popularity among men. A Silk Peel is a great way for men to clean up their skin, help with breakouts, and make shaving a little easier. A Silk Peel is a form of exfoliation that removes dead skin, vacuums and cleans the pores, and infuses the skin with a solution that can target and treat any condition from acne, to hyperpigmentation and age spots. There is absolutely no downtime with the Silk Peel and patients can resume regular activity after the procedure. The Silk Peel only takes 30 minutes and can easily be done on your lunch hour. Men like their skincare to be nice and simple; and the Silk Peel delivers just that.
Contact Belleza Skincare Institute to learn more about Silk Peel or to book your first treatment. 630-847-8040
Hair Restoration
There are many causes for hair loss. In the overwhelming majority of males, the cause is hereditary . It is important to remember that most adults lose 75-125 hairs per day. New hairs usually grow from the follicles to replace the lost hairs. As long as this process remains balanced, the number of hairs on the scalp remain constant. When hairs are not replaced due to the shrinkage of the hair follicles, it results in male pattern baldness. The tendency for male and female pattern hair loss can be genetically inherited from either side of the family and begins to develop after puberty. Hair restoration surgery is a permanent solution to lost hair. It is a minor out patient surgery that requires little down time, and uses your own hair to fill in where hair has been lost. Click here to learn more about Hair Restoration and FAQ's
Solutions to Common Men’s Skin Care Problems
Shaving can often present a challenging problem for men.
When done improperly it can lead to razor bumps, cuts and irritation.
It first begins with your products. Many men find that shaving becomes easier when using aloe-based products; it helps the razor to glide across the face. Avoid alcohol-based after shaves; they tend to only irritate the skin. Before applying the shaving gel, be sure to soften the hairs and open the pores by massaging warm water into the beard area. Be sure to shave with the grain first to obtain optimal results. Be sure to always apply a soothing product for post care, such as Colorescience Soothing Post Shave Gel. This lightweight soothing gel is loaded with skin calming ingredients such as aloe and tea tree oil to minimize irritation from razor burn and calm ingrown hairs or blemishes.
If you find that you are suffering from severe cases of inflammation or razor bumps, you might be an excellent candidate for laser hair removal. GentleLase hair removal by Candela is our latest option for hair removal. The GentleLase system requires no creams, gels, waxing or needles. The treatments are quick, comfortable, safe, and long lasting. This laser emits a gentle beam of light which passes through your skin and is absorbed by the hair follicle. Once absorbed, the laser energy transforms to heat and destroys the hair follicles without affecting the surrounding skin. Hair removal can be done on various areas of the body. We recommend 4-6 treatments approximately every 4-6 weeks.
Learn more about these products and services by calling The Dermatology Institute – Naperville, Aesthetic Services at 630-547-8040.
