Male cosmetics has had an extraordinary growth in just one generation: currently 72 percent of men use facial cream and previously only 18 percent of their parents used it, according to data from the Spanish Association of Cosmetologists and Cosmiatrists (Aecosm ). This increase has occurred especially in young people, who increasingly start using them before and after the age of 50, also confirms a greater consumption of products, although more moderate than in younger ages.
Rubén Hernández, president of the association, reveals that, over time, the skin loses its ability to maintain good hydration and to renew the support elements, causing a lack of elasticity and firmness that ends in wrinkles and sagging . ” This aging process is inevitable, but it can be delayed and minimized by maintaining a correct hydrolipidic balance of the skin, through food and adequate cosmetic products , ” he says.
Therefore, if we consider that the skin is a living organ that changes with age and has to adapt to the environment, it is most appropriate for a cosmetologist to carry out an evaluation of the problems, preferences and tastes to advise on the routine of more appropriate care for men at all times.
Recommendations for day to day
According to Hernández, men over 50 years old mainly use fragrances, deodorants, shaving products and anti-aging facial care, so it is very important to know and follow a series of tips for day-to-day skin care, points out the expert.
The daily facial care routine must consist of at least three steps: hygiene, care and protection . Hygiene is very important for men due to the thickness of the skin and the increased production of fat, especially from the age of 50 . That is why, in addition to daily cleaning, it is recommended to apply a scrub regularly and add anti-wrinkle and firming actives, advises the cosmetologist.
As for protection, it is recommended to use it throughout the year, adapting the sun protection factor to the risk of damage of each individual, which is determined by the index of ultraviolet radiation to which it is exposed, the hue of its skin, the existence of previous spots and genetic factors.
However, the Association recommends that the patient “undergo a dermocosmetic diagnosis by a specialist to assess personal needs and prescribe the appropriate treatment.”
Tips for shaving
- If shaving is done first thing in the morning, it is best to take 10 to 15 minutes from the time you wake up to give the skin time to deflate.
- The expert recommends first cleaning the skin with cold water and a neutral soap to activate circulation and improve natural protection against the aggression that will be caused by shaving. In addition, he warns that “washing with hot water dries the skin, facilitating irritation and the possibility of cuts”.
- On the other hand, it is important to check the condition of the blades to prevent redness and injuries, together they must be changed regularly and more often if you have a hard beard.
- Finally, after the final rinse, also with cold water, it is recommended to apply an aftershave productappropriate to each skin type. Hernández clarifies that, in general, products that contain a high alcohol index are not advisable, since they dry the skin, affect the natural protective barrier and can generate irritations. ” The most indicated are lotions or balms with moisturizing, calming and repairing ingredients.”
Recommendations when doing sports
Intense physical activity is accompanied by a loss of body water that must be restored both with intake and with the topical application of moisturizing products at the end of the exercise. Likewise, toxins that are deposited on the skin surface are also lost and therefore must be eliminated with adequate hygiene.
If the sport is practiced outdoors, the skin can suffer different aggressions from wind, cold or ultraviolet radiation. From the Aecosm they recommend using sunscreen with a high protection index designed to stay on the skin for a longer time and resist it despite the sweat.
On the other hand, in the case of water sports, either in the pool or in the sea, the skin and hair have greater exposure to irritating elements, such as chlorine or salt, so we must be careful in applying products moisturizing, calming, nourishing and antioxidants.
Hernández advises to always use protectors in the friction areas before sports practice , since it is common for superficial injuries to occur in the armpits, groins, neck and nipples, which are usually the points of greatest friction.
What are the most beneficial foods for the skin?
The skin is the largest organ of our body and for its proper functioning it needs an appropriate amount of nutrients and water. Therefore, it is necessary to have a varied and balanced diet and sufficient fluid intake.
Water is the most important element for correct skin well-being . The specialist who argues that “drinking water regularly throughout the day is one of the gestures that the skin will most appreciate, especially in the hottest moments, when the loss of water by perspiration is greatest. Likewise, it is very important to bear in mind that, at low humidity indices, sweat is not perceived due to rapid evaporation, so even more care must be taken to quickly replace lost liquids ”.
Foods rich in antioxidants, such as grapes and citrus, or vegetables such as broccoli and tomato, delay skin aging . On the other hand, nuts generally contain a large amount of vitamin E , thus protecting the cell membranes of the epidermis and defending it against solar radiation.
Likewise, those rich in beta-carotenes such as carrots, squash or mango are beneficial, and trace elements such as zinc and selenium present in seeds, such as nuts or whole grains, improve cellular metabolism and protect the skin against skin aging.
