The Men's Corner

By Sharleen St. Surin-Lord, MD

Visage Dermatology and Aesthetic Center

. http://www.visagederm.com/

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The Men's Corner

Male skin is thicker than female skin and produces more oil. Skin that has more melanin is more susceptible to dark spots than skin that has less melanin. Yes, everyone's skin is made of keratin, contains oil and sweat glands, and has melanin. However, to what degree your skin contains all the separate components that make up skin is unique to you.

Millions of men are affected by razor bumps, and it's not just black men. The issue with not treating razor bumps is that they cause dark spots. The best treatment is preventing the hair from growing. Shaving, and magic shave are effective at removing hair. When the hair re-grows, it grows into the skin, causing inflammation and a bump, leaving behind a dark spot. Dark spots can be lightened and bumps can be treated with prescription medications easily. Growing a beard is another option and it's in style. If that is not an option, preventing hair from growing altogether will prevent bumps no bump = no dark spot. Laser hair removal is a simple, safe, and effective procedure, lasting 10-15 minutes to remove hair and prevent it from growing back. It's also great for hair removal on hairy backs and chests. Many of the newer lasers are safe to use in all skin types, including darker skin and even tanned skin. Be sure to ask if the doctor's laser is safe for your skin.

If you are trying to keep the hair that you have or trying to grow the hair that you once had, then you have so many options. There are now topical sprays that you can use and natural oral tablets available at the dermatologist that will grow your hair over 3-6 months. For an even speedier response Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) is the way to go. A small blood sample is taken and then spun in a centrifuge to extract your own stem cells, which are injected into your scalp with a tiny needle. This causes hair to grow within 6 weeks in most people.

For the gentleman who is accused of being angry when he is not. This may be because you have developed a scowl. Neurotoxins (Xeomin, Botox, or Dysport), coined “Bro-Tox” for men, are muscle relaxers. They do not paralyze your muscles. In about four days, the “Bro-tox” begins to temporarily block nerve transmissions to the muscles that create the wrinkles. They relax them so you no longer make that scowl or get forehead ripples. “Bro-tox” produces a more relaxed, calmer and less intimidating appearance, and you actually look refreshed. You'll need new injections every 4-6 months to stay smooth. It takes less than ten minutes.

Runners and an older guys may notice that their cheeks look flatter than a few years ago, or that their eyes look sunken. This is due to fat loss. Fat on your face keeps you looking young. If you are burning it off or losing it due to age, this can make you look older than you feel. To bring back your younger face, hyaluronic acid fillers injected (after numbing cream is applied) into the cheek area can make you look 10 years younger. For even more tightening and lifting, Ultherapy for men provides a non-surgical face and neck lift.

If you are tired of your double chin, or if your love handles or stubborn belly fat are poking out of your golf shirt or causing you to loosen your belt, surgery is not your only option. There are numerous non-surgical fat removal options on the market. CoolSculpting uses a cold cup to hold the fat and freeze it by leaving the skin intact. The frozen fat is massaged and then the fat cells die over the next few weeks. Your body's immune system cleans out the dead fat cells, and you gradually and naturally get rid of excess fat. Your clothes feel looser one month after the treatment, with a 25% fat loss at 3-4 month without surgery.