An Overview of Men's Skin Care

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to improve your appearance is to improve your skin. In order to best care for your skin, you'll need to evaluate your skin type and understand the options you have for caring for the skin on your face and body.

The Three Basic Skin Care Products

Some men consider facial care a bar of soap and running water. Not only can simple bar soap dry out your skin, but it's not formulated to be used on your specific skin type or to treat blemishes. When it comes to skin care, there are three basic skin care products you shouldn't do without:

• Face wash: Look for a fragrance-free face wash that is formulated for your specific skin type - dry, oily or combination skin.
• Moisturizer: Moisturize daily, after you wash your face or get out of the shower. Light, fragrance-free moisturizers are best for men with sensitive skin.
• Sunscreen: For best protection against the sun, opt for a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. The fairer your skin, the higher SPF you'll need.

Going to the Experts for Skin Care

Your daily, at-home skin care routine sometimes isn't enough to ban blemishes and won't replace an annual skin cancer check. An occasional men's facial can help improve your skin's appearance. This process consists of the following:

1. A facial mask for your specific skin type
2. A mini-massage, which the esthetician usually performs on your neck and face
3. A skin analysis, done with a magnifying lamp
4. A thorough cleansing for your specific skin type
5. Exfoliation to get rid of dead skin cells
6. Extraction of blackheads and whiteheads (you can always skip this step if it's too painful).

A dermatologist is a doctor who is certified to treat conditions and diseases of the skin, as well as the hair and nails. If you have a skin condition or blemishes that won't go away, it's a good idea to make an appointment with a dermatologist. You'll also want to have your skin checked for skin cancer once a year (or more often if your doctor deems necessary). Dermatologists can now perform many treatments in their office, including:

• Botox for reducing fine lines
• Chemical peels to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, sun spots and more
• Collagen injections for a smoother skin appearance
• Laser treatments for skin resurfacing and spider veins.

Resources

Ask Men Staff. (2009). Get better skin in 5 steps.Retrieved December 19, 2009, from the Ask Men Web site: http://www.askmen.com/grooming/appearance/2_get-better-skin-in-5-steps.html.

Medline Plus Staff. (n.d). Acne. Retrieved March 16, 2010, from the Medline Plus Web site: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000873.htm.