Grooming Guide for Men, By Emily Olson, licensed aesthetician and Rutledge Forney, MD

Women aren’t the only ones that worry about aging gracefully fellas. You go to the gym to maintain a healthy and toned physique, slather enough anti-bald meds to impress George Costanza, but then forget the key to looking good now and in the future – your skin! Creams and treatments aren’t made exclusively for women’s skin; they are made for the care of all skin types. A healthy complexion can give you confidence, make you more appealing, and certainly looks better when crossing the finish line.
Caring for your skin doesn’t mean using floral scented products in pink jars that will add an hour to your morning or night regimen. It is simpler than you may think. The number one anti-aging preventative is sunscreen. Protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun will reduce lines, wrinkles, brown spots, and most importantly prevent skin cancer.
However, if you already notice those wrinkles and brown spots in the mirror, then what? Visit your dermatologist and talk to the aesthetician. There are numerous treatments and options available. If the word “facial” makes you raise a brow then we can call it a skin treatment. We also offer chemical peels to even out skin tone and correct brown spots. If you are in a hurry, we offer focused facials for extractions that get rid of the little bumps and impurities on your skin. Regardless of what it is called, maintenance of the skin is key to keeping it clean, hydrated, smooth, and youthful.
How about ingrown hairs? What a pain those can be. Regular exfoliation at home and in the office can help you to achieve a better shave and keep those bumps from occurring. Carrying Samsonite baggage in the eye area? Looking a bit jet lagged instead of jet setter? Sure we know that drinking 8 glasses of water and getting, at least, 6 hours of sleep help to avoid that but what else can you do? Your aesthetician can come up with a skin guide that includes products and in office refreshers that can help counteract the affects of stress, travel, and environmental toxins that cause skin aging.
With so many skin products available it can be difficult to know which products are best for YOU. Consulting an aesthetician can be really helpful, especially in the privacy of a doctor’s office rather than the health and beauty aisle at the drug store or even worse the hustle and bustle of the department store cosmetics counters.

Additional Tips for Men from your Dermatologist (Rutledge Forney, MD):

Yes, real men can look younger without plastic surgery. Emily brings up the many benefits of aesthetic services for men. Your dermatologist can take it further with more intensive and targeted treatements. Specifically, your dermatologist can take away your semi permanent scowl with Botox injections. Your “smile lines” and chin valley can be filled in with Resytlane or Juvederm. Hollows in your checks and acne scars may respond to Sculptra or Radiesse. Lasers will zap red vessels on your face, so no one can suggest you are a “drinker.” Laser resurfacing will bring back a youthful glow and decrease sun damage. Increased hair growth on your ears or back can be removed with laser hair removal. For more ideas about what your derm can do for you check out my series on anti-aging procedures here.