Saturday 16 July 2011

A Man's Approach to the Medical Spa

For most gentlemen, an afternoon at a day spa seems like a laughable idea. Try suggesting that to your friends after work at a pub, you're bound to get some awkward looks. We tend to think med spas are patronized only by women but in fact, that stereotype is quickly dissolving as more guys are discovering the benefits of these establishments. I did a little investigative research and set out to discover what kinds of treatments are becoming popular to rejuvenate and revitalize our man-hides.

Men's skin isn't that much different from a woman's; it is inherently more oily due to overactive sebaceous glands. A man's skin is also thicker than a woman's, although all human skin tends to decrease in thickness as we age. So how does a man use this information when he walks into a day spa? Let's explore some popular procedures aestheticians and cosmetic dermatologists are performing on today's gentlemen.

Chemical peels
Due to our naturally oily skin, men are prone to more forms of acne and other sub-cutaneous irritations. A chemical peel is designed to help invigorate skin that might have been damaged by acne in the past, in some cases it is also recommended to help treat acne. Some spas will design a custom peel treatment for your specific needs, depending on the chemicals used, the recovery time can vary. Typically redness of the face and minor swelling can occur, but as cosmetic procedures go, this is very non-invasive and you can expect to be able to get back to your normal routine with no downtime.

Laser skin rejuvenation
Another non-invasive procedure that guys are signing up for, laser skin rejuvenation can help with the adverse effects of sun exposure. The skin tone improvement treatment is designed to smooth and firm the face. Laser rejuvenation can help treat unwanted facial veins, shrink large and blocked pores and smooth out irregular pigmentation. No downtime associated with this procedure, so you can expect to be able to hop in your car and get back to your business immediately after the procedure, sometimes mild redness can occur.

Laser hair removal

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Sure, you have a razor and have the ability to shave - but laser hair removal has lasting power that a razor can't offer. Popular locations for laser hair removal are eyebrows, neck, shoulders, chest and back. This will reduce the amount of ingrown hairs associated with constant shaving as well.

The wrap up
Let's face it; keeping an eye on your outward appearance is manly. There's a certain feeling of confidence that comes from being well-groomed. So ditch your pride, and schedule a consultation at your local med spa. I'm sure that special lady would appreciate this newfound attention to detail, who knows, maybe your pub buddies will too!