Male storm: Skincare for men

When it was revealed that the likes of Daniel Craig and David Beckham were using moisturiser, skin creams, eye serums and lipbalms, threading their eyebrows and going for regular waxes, the word ‘real man' was suddenly turned on its head. If international sports stars and ‘James Bond' - all icons of what macho men are supposed to be - were using grooming products and getting away with it, had the concept of being a man been changed forever?

A decade ago it seemed that men used a bar of soap and a wet washcloth to look after their skin, but the modern man couldn't be more different. And it's not just good-looking celebrities with their chiselled jawlines and perfectly formed cheekbones. Oh no, it is the guy next door, the man down the street and even your colleagues at work.

It seems that for the majority of men, skincare regime has gone far beyond what anyone could have imagined. Today's modern man is not only measured by the clothes he wears, but also by his grooming.

A good skincare regime can reduce ingrown hairs and spots, preserve a youthful complexion and help reduce lines. Appearance is also very important, and in the workplace and social arena looking groomed, healthy and fresh faced is essential.

"It is extremely important that men take care of their skin so they not only look better but feel better too," says Dr Taysir, a general practitioner in dermatology at the Kaya Skin Clinic in Dubai. "Men are exposed to pollutants and the sun every day and this harsh environment can cause all sorts of problems."

In Dubai, the trend for male grooming is growing with spas and salons dedicated to making men look and feel great. From facial and skincare services to threading, waxing and nail treatments, the industry once dedicated to women is now catering to men as well.

Dr Taysir has seen this trend develop. He tells Friday: "Over the last few years I have seen a marked increase in the amount of men who buy men-specific products and who also come into the clinic for basic skin procedures, such as a facial or microdermabrasion. Five or six years ago, men's skin products and treatments were rarely heard of and for most, the thought of using them or going to a clinic was embarrassing - I suppose there was a slight stigma associated with men who were well groomed. But it's very different today, and many men of all ages in the UAE are proud to look after their skin."

And it seems the beauty industry agrees. Zarina Armien, education manager at Pevonia Botanica says, "Ten years ago skincare was associated with females and not a ‘male-thing' to do, although most men were secretly using their wife's skincare products. These days, being a metrosexual is accepted globally, so men feel good about taking care of their skin and well-being."

Unlike women's skin, men do not tend to get wrinkles, in fact they don't actually start ageing until later in life. As they age, their skin becomes more elasticated and creases and folds form around the mouth, under the eyes and on the forehead. Male skin also tends to be thick and oily which is why washing and cleansing should be a key component of all men's skincare regimes.

For many men in the UAE, the thought of buying moisturiser and facial wash is enough to make them break out in a cold sweat, but these days there's more than just the basics to get to grips with.

In the last five years, many manufacturers in the beauty industry have taken the embarrassment and stigma out of being a well-groomed male by developing products formulated especially for male skin. From high-end luxury - Clinique, Kiehl's, Lancôme, Pevonia, Molton Brown, Dermalogica and Clarins to high street supermarkets - L'Oréal, Boots and Olay - the shelves are piled high with everything a man could ever need to look good. There are now exfoliaters, creams, balms, gels, scrubs, toners, serums and sun creams, all packaged and produced to entice today's modern man.

Just like women, men have different skin types, oily, dry, or a combination of both but it can be confusing trying to decipher what they are and what they do.

According to experts, there are three basic steps to a male skincare regime - clean, exfoliate, moisturise (see page 62). But there is also an array of other things men can do which include using balms instead of old-fashioned aftershaves and eye creams and serums to help with the ageing process.

Armien says: "It is best to shave after cleansing and exfoliating your face. Use warm water to soften your face. Use a scrub or exfoliator 2-3 times a week to unclog pores and as a pre-shave. Apply a pre-shaving product to your skin and shave with the grain, re-lather then shave against the grain to avoid a five o'clock shadow, which really works. Rinse off with cool water and finish with an alcohol-free moisturising aftershave skin lotion."

Treatment of the week:

We sent Dubai businessman Henry Bicknell, 32, off to the male-only spa 1847, located on The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence, to undergo The Gentleman's Facial.

The days of men being mocked for taking care of their skin are long gone and these days chatting about health and beauty mixes happily with football, cars, fashion and family. This change in attitude has allowed male spas to flourish and 1847 is one such spa in Dubai.

From the minute you walk in the door, it is clear the staff know exactly what they are doing. The explanations of what you get for your money are also clear and concise.

The one hour Gentleman's Facial is a particular winner with a 60 minute session of deep cleansing, exfoliating and a gentle hydrating massage that leaves your skin more invigorated than it has for years.

It begins with the therapist opening the pores all over your face and neck using a gentle cleaning and scrubbing routine. Next, a hydrating mask is applied while a soothing head massage is carried out, leaving me relaxed and a million miles away from the stress and strain of busy working life.

After using a delicious smelling peppermint product to reduce eye puffiness and wrinkles, a hot towel infused with essential oils was put over the face to leave it fresh before an antioxidant moisturising treatment was applied. I left feeling truly indulged and my skin was bright and soft. This was my first facial but certainly won't be the last.