This post is inspired by a current male client’s experience when they searched for the term “men’s facial near me”. What he found was that many of the skincare clinic sites he visited primarily cater to women, with small sections of their treatment selections dedicated to men’s facials. This left him wondering—how are my needs different from a woman’s when it comes to professional skin treatments?
The tide is turning and more men are looking to up their skincare game, but given this client’s experience, the industry is seemingly slow to respond. In this article, we will delve into the world of men’s facials and help you make sense of the somewhat overwhelming world of skincare. Consider this your guide to find the right facial treatment tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re dealing with acne, dryness, or signs of aging, there is a treatment that can help. Okay — let’s dive in!
The importance of skincare for men
Skincare is important for everyone, but it’s helpful to understand how needs may differ based on gender. Men’s skin tends to be thicker and oilier compared to women’s, making them more prone to certain skin issues like acne and enlarged pores. Additionally, men often have to deal with the effects of shaving, which can cause irritation and damage to the skin. Regular skincare routines can help men maintain healthier and more youthful-looking skin, while also addressing specific concerns like acne, ingrown hairs, and signs of aging. Skincare not only improves the appearance of the skin but also promotes overall skin health, preventing potential skin problems in the long run. In our opinion, taking care of one’s skin is as a form of self-care that applies to everyone!
What are men’s facials
At Collective Skin Care, our treatments are gender neutral and fully customized, so the framework of a men’s facial does not differ from that of a women’s. Our certified skin therapists tailor the treatment to your individual needs every time you come in. With that said, a man’s skincare concerns or goals may differ from a woman’s; our skin therapists work closely with each client to fully understand their needs and develop a personalized treatment plan to address them.
Benefits of men’s facials
The benefits of a men’s facial include:
- brighter, smoother skin
- minimized pores
- relaxed features
- improved hydration
- clear skin
- balanced moisture
Choosing the right facial for your skin type
The good news is that when you book in with one of our certified skin therapists, you don’t really have to know what is the best facial for your skin type. We do all the heavy lifting for you by looking over your intake form and performing a skin analysis to establish what your skin’s needs are.
If you are new to professional skin treatments, we recommend starting with one of our classic facials— they are the perfect introduction to professional skincare.
MOST POPULAR men’s facial – Fresh Face Treatment
This 45 minute express treatment focuses on smoothing skin texture, extraction work to remove skin congestion and minimize the appearance of the pores, and improving moisture balance and skin hydration. You can think of it as a minimalist treatment — no embellishments — just the essentials are included to enjoy healthy and clear skin.
For an extra dose of relaxation – The Skin Treatment
The 60 minute Skin Treatment offers the essentials of the Fresh Face Treatment with additional time spent on face, neck, and shoulder massage. Not only does this help relieve stress and tension, we are able to reduce puffiness by mobilizing stagnant lymph and the enhanced blood flow to the skin provides more nutrients and oxygen to the tissues. Conclusion: that extra 15 minutes is time that is very well spent.
Since both of these treatments are completely customized they are suitable for whatever your skin type may be. Your skin therapist will also be able to make recommendations the day of your service for any add-ons or other treatments they feel will address your goals most effectively.
Preparing for a men’s facial
To shave or not to shave — that is probably the biggest question men have in advance of their skin treatment. The most important rule to follow: do not shave the day of your treatment. This can cause undue sensitivity for your skin and influence what we are able to achieve for your skin as we have to accommodate that inflammation. If you have a very dense or long beard that you do not wish to shave off or trim down, we will have to work around your beard. Ideally facial hair will be no longer than one quarter inch in length for us to include the beard area in the treatment.
Other general rules to follow that apply to everyone in advance of a facial:
- wait a minimum of two weeks post injectables (botox and fillers), lasers, or deep peel treatments
- wait a minimum of 6 months after taking a course of isotretinoin, a.k.a Accutane
- severe sunburns or outbreaks of eczema and psoriasis are contraindicated. We advise waiting until the sunburn has healed, and in the case of acute skin rashes, working with your family doctor to manage the symptoms. Once under control, we can work with you to continue to reduce the inflammation.
What to expect during a men’s facial
To better understand what is involved in a men’s facial , we are sharing the steps that are typical of the hour long Skin Treatment.
- Every treatment begins with skin cleansing followed by a skin analysis. At this stage, we cover your eyes and looking closely at your skin under a magnifying lamp. This analysis informs how we will customize your treatment.
- From there your chosen professional exfoliation is applied. This step removes the dulling surface dead skin cells that clog the pores and leave the skin feeling rough and looking dull. Steam is often used during this part of the treatment to help warm up the tissues and prepare the skin for extractions.
- Manual extraction work involves the removal of comedones, commonly known as blackheads. Blackheads are an accumulation of sebum (your skin’s natural moisture), dead skin cells, and dirt/ debris/pollution etc. Your skin therapist will use their expertise and discretion to remove these impactions; they will wear gloves and have their fingertips wrapped in tissue, and then apply pressure to the skin to clear the congested follicles. This process can be uncomfortable, so your skin therapist will work within your pain tolerance. Clogged pores can be a breeding ground for acne bacteria, so this process can help prevent breakouts Once completed the pores will appear much clearer and refined.
- An antiseptic and soothing solution is applied to the areas where extraction work was performed, and a professional serum is applied. The serum contains a high concentration of active ingredients that will target your specific skin needs.
- Your skin therapist will use their expertise to perform a face massage that best suits your skin condition. This can involve a variety of massage techniques including lymphatic drainage, pressure point, swedish, and/or deep tissue work.
- Your chosen masque is then applied. A face masque is like a problem solver for your skin, delivering therapeutic ingredients gradually for 10-15 minutes.
- While the masque soaks in your skin therapist will perform a relaxing neck and shoulder massage.
- Your treatment concludes with the application of finishing products. These generally include a facial mist, eye cream, moisturizer and sun protection.
Aftercare and maintenance for men’s facials
Your skin therapist will give you personalized recommendations for how best to take care of your skin. The foundation of a basic skincare routine includes:
- cleanser
- facial mist
- exfoliant
- moisturizer
- sun protection
- Adding an eye cream and a serum are great next steps to take when you are ready to up-level your results.
- Scheduling a monthly facial will amplify your at-home efforts and yield the best long-term results.
Up-level skincare treatments to consider
To boost skin function, repair sun damage, and/or reverse the signs of aging, chemical peels and microneedling are great next steps that can be taken. When you are ready to take things up a notch, your skin therapist can recommend a treatment plan that will best achieve your goals.
Differentiating between professional and at-home men’s facials
A good analogy for this is to consider the difference between working out on your own at home versus having a one-on-one session with a personal trainer in a professional gym setting. A professional treatment involves products with a higher concentration of ingredients, and the customization that can be achieved by your skin therapist cannot be replicated at home. Furthermore, performing your own extraction work is something we advise against as it is very easy to damage and scar your skin.
Regardless of how minimalist or maximalist you choose to make your at-home skincare routine, taking care of your skin in between treatments with high quality products that are suited to you will ensure you get the most out of a professional men’s facial.
Conclusion: Investing in your skin’s health
Investing in your skin’s health has many positive outcomes. A monthly men’s facial is a self-care routine that not only improves the health and appearance of your skin, but can facilitate stress relief as well. Additionally, feeling good about your skin provides a boost to confidence that will enhance your day to day life. It’s a journey that is well worth taking.
If you’d like to partner with us on developing a skincare routine and form the habit of a monthly men’s facial, we recommend starting with a consultation which can be booked here. If you’re keen to get a treatment right away, you can combine the consultation with one of the treatments we discussed above. We look forward to helping you achieve your best skin!
