Date: 29/04/2015

Author: Ingrid Katz (Pure Aesthetics)

Happy Mother’s Day beautiful ladies! We’d like to treat you for Mother’s Day, so look out for our give-away on Facebook and our special for the month.

Despite being Mother’s Day month, we’re focusing on male skin in this newsletter. Feel free to pass this on to your husband, boyfriend, brother etc. But if you are a mom of a teenage boy, you may want to keep reading.

While society states “all men are created equal”, it really is not so when it comes to dealing with the male skin. Men suffer from a range of conditions and concerns, just like women, and need to be able to treat these without any social prejudice. As with any person, skin health is shaped not only by genes but also by lifestyle choices. In addition to this, the environment plays a big role in the way skin behaves; therefore the care for this skin should be adapted accordingly.

The male skin differs to its female counterpart in that it has a higher androgen hormone activity, primarily testosterone. This comes into effect at puberty when the testosterone levels spike causing a range of bodily changes. It is these changes that bring about the obvious differences.

First up, men can grow a beard and women can’t. This facial hair growth is controlled by the androgen activity and the facial or beard hair becomes coarse, dark and curly. This curliness is what causes the distress of razor burn. As the hair is cut by the razor, it curls back and penetrates the skin causing inflammation. This is why using a sharp blade and having a “close shave” is so important. One could also incorporate a good cleansing and moisturising routine to help soften the hair in this area.

Male skin can also be more sensitive than we realise. This could be due to continual barrier impairment from shaving. Compounding this, it is believed that testosterone slows down barrier repair. A skin routine to repair this barrier as well as maintain barrier function will assist in reducing this sensitivity. You should also ensure you adapt this routine to your environment and exposure to the elements.

Testosterone increases oil secretion all over the body but in particular, the face. During puberty more oil is secreted than what can be eliminated and so we see a build-up in the follicle which leads to inflammation. This, in combination with the clogging of the pores, provides a breeding ground for bacteria and hence, acne spreads. We note that the pubescent male skin is often worse than the female due to these higher testosterone levels. The excess oil does provide some form of natural moisturising; however we often notice a lack of hydration or water which is vital to a balanced and happy skin. It is advisable to seek advice to clear the acne and create a balanced environment for the skin to function optimally. A good pH balanced cleansing routine and oil-free hydrating moisturiser will go a long way to creating this healthy state.

Whether men admit it or not, they are becoming more aware of their appearances and looking for solutions to the above and other concerns. As the male skin care industry grows we are able to offer simpler yet effective care for the male skin. Male facials, chemical peels and laser hair removal have become exceptionally popular treatments for men. And no… it’s not too early to start in the teen years.