Taking good care of one’s skin is as important for a man as it is for a woman. For a long time worrying about the condition of skin was considered to be more of a concern for women than for men, as men tended to shy away from all but the most basic of skin care products, but as it turns out both sexes have similar problems and potential concerns when it comes to this vital organ of the human body.
Skin care problems and concerns
Men need to be aware of the potential hazards of not maintaining a good skin care regimen. Just like women, men are susceptible to ravages of skin conditions such as acne, eczema and dry skin as well as to the potentially cancerous results of excessive exposure to the sun.
Younger men tend to have skin care problems that are relative minor (excessive cases of acne or oiliness notwithstanding) but even as they reach their mid- to late twenties changes in the skin begin as collagen, a substance that helps skin stay supple, begins to decrease in the body (and at an even more rapid rate if the skin is often exposed to the sun for long periods of time).
As time marches on, a man’s skin starts to show signs of aging: crow’s feet form around the eyes, wrinkling (again, even more pronounced in the case of sun worshippers who spend a lot of time tanning or playing outdoors), a gradual loss of skin elasticity (causing sagging and bagginess to crop up) and a loss of skin luster. Freckles and blood vessels may start to become more visible on the surface of the skin, as might age and sun spots.
And with the passage of more time, the skin grows even less elastic. Double chins may appear and wrinkles may grow more pronounced. The glandular activity of the skin slows down, reducing vital oils and making the skin drier and flakier, and protective skin pigment starts to decrease.
Skin cancer is a big concern for men as they often do not notice the early warning signs or have suspicious areas examined by a doctor as soon as women do.
Skin care solutions
A man’s skin care problems can be mitigated with some common sense solutions. A lifelong habit of applying sunscreen when you are going to be in sunlight for extended periods of time will protect you from skin damage and potential skin cancers.
Also, bathing or showering in lukewarm water and applying moisturizers afterwards will help the skin stay as healthy as possible for a longer time. The abrasive effects of shaving your face need to be counteracted with the application of a moisturizing agent (lotion, cream, or oil) of some kind.
Keeping a steady weight is another good way to maintain skin health; constant cycles of gaining and losing weight will only decrease the skin’s elasticity and its ability to fight off sagging, double chins and the like.