By Dr. Chau Phan, Pharmacist and owner of Humaniti Beauty and Pleasant Care Pharmacy
If you read over the articles I’ve written in the past, you might get the impression that only women need to be attentive to their skin to keep it from aging prematurely and to protect it from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays. Nothing could be further from the truth. According to an article on incidence rates of melanoma (skin cancer) published on the website of the American Academy of Dermatology, “Before age 50, melanoma incidence rates are higher in women than in men; however, rates in men are twice as high by age 65 and three times as high by age 80.”
Men’s skin has some distinct differences when compared to women’s. Let’s have a look.
Benefits men’s skin has over women’s
- More hair follicles spells less chance for wrinkles to form
- Shaving is an exfoliating activity, eliminating dead skin cells
- Men’s rougher skin surface means it can take more abuse
- Men’s thicker skin tends to thin out more gradually than women’s, showing less signs of aging over time
- Men’s skin has more collagen than women’s, thus more elasticity
- Although men tend to sweat more than women, they produce more lactic acid, a natural humectant (an agent that lessens dryness)
What men have to watch out for women don’t
- Daily shaving makes skin drier over time and can cause folliculitis (an infection of the follicles; see my article on summer skincare) (hint: a single- or double-blade razor shaves close but not too close, so may be best)
- Alcohol-heavy aftershave is a drying agent
- Most men get more sun exposure over a lifetime than women
- Bald spots need special cover-up protection from the sun
- Men tend to avoid regular medical check-ups (Besides melanoma, doctors can also spot signs of extra dry skin that may point to underlying illness such as diabetes or kidney disease.)
Men and women have a lot in common
Both men and women can benefit from a focus on healthy living that produces youthful, healthy-looking skin by:
- Avoiding extremes of hot and cold
- Staying out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- Applying broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher (water-resistant if swimming) and wearing loose-fitting, protective clothing when outside
- Washing their face daily and after exercising
- Using moisturizer right after showering to keep water in
- Knowing what type of skin they have (normal, dry, oily, sensitive, combination) and using products that work best for their type
- Checking regularly for suspicious-looking spots
- Steering clear of tanning products, booths and pills
- Reducing or eliminating consumption of alcohol and smoking
- Partnering with a dermatologist and / or doctor of pharmacy
Our skin is the outward sign of how well we take care of ourselves. At any age, your skin presents the inner you to the world. This Father’s Day make a commitment to put your “best face forward” – for your benefit and that of those who love you.
Several of the products on the humanitibeauty.com site may be just what you need to follow my recommendations in this article. If you would like more information about Humaniti Beauty’s products or about me, you can contact me at info@humanitibeauty.com or call me at 510.200.9984.
List of sources for this article
“A Guy’s Guide to Skin Protection”. WebMD website. Published by WebMD LLC. Available online at: https://www.webmd.com/men/features/skin-protection-men#1.
“How Is Men’s Skincare Different Than Women’s?” Website of SkinSite.com. Published by Skin Site: Skin Diseases, Conditions, Treatment and Care. Available online at: https://www.skinsite.com/mens-skin-care-different-womens/.
“Men Fall Short in Skin Cancer Knowledge and Prevention: How They Are Paying the Price”. Website of the Skin Cancer Foundation. Published by the Skin Cancer Foundation, New York, NY. Available online at: https://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines/men-lag.
“Skin cancer”. Website of the American Academy of Dermatology. Published by the American Academy of Dermatology. Available online at: https://www.aad.org/media/stats/conditions/skin-cancer.
“Skin Care and Aging”. Website of the National Institute on Aging. Published by the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services. Available online at: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/skin-care-and-aging.
“Skin Care: It’s Not Just for Women”. Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD, on October 12, 2006 on the website of WebMD. Published by WebMD LLC. Available online at: https://www.webmd.com/men/features/skin-care-its-not-just-for-women#1.
“Skin Care Tips for Men”. Website of the American Academy of Dermatology. Published by the American Academy of Dermatology. Available online at: https://www.aad.org/public/skin-hair-nails/skin-care/skin-care-for-men.
“Sun Safety Tips for Men”. Skin Cancer section of the website for the Centers for Disease Control. Published by the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services. Available online at: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/tips-for-men.htm.