Men’s skin care and grooming are robust and growing markets with Forbes reporting $6.9B in annual sales during 2017. A healthy approach to skin care is culturally ingrained in our society and skin maintenance is as important to men as it is for women. When comparing skin types, as men mature, they typically have more oily skin and larger sebaceous glands than women, however the needs for proper sun protection are gender neutral.
Over the past several years, U.S. spas have seen 30% growth in the male sector. Men visit spas for skin care and a variety of wellness offerings and many of them request facials or, “men’s skin care treatments.” Because most men shave and shaving is abrasive to the skin, the most beneficial home care products are anti-inflammatory, calming, healing, free of alcohol and artificial fragrances. Using inappropriate products would further irritate and inflame the skin, especially on freshly shaved areas.
Men visit spas to address concerns such as removing dead skin cells, black heads, white heads, clogged pores, and inflamed hair follicles. Folliculitis is an infection, often caused by improper shaving or poor shaving techniques. It is characterized by inflammation and pus in the hair follicle. Pseudofolliculitis is the technical term for razor bumps. It resembles Folliculitis but there is no infection. More diverse spa facilities customize treatments and provide retail products to address skin care issues specific to men.
Many men are concerned about fine lines and they openly embrace graceful aging. They are avid buyers of eye creams and products with collagen and peptides. According to the Huffington Post and the American Association of Plastic Surgeons (2017), the number of men getting Botox and fillers increased 337% since the year 2000. While many of these services take place in physician offices, many physicians and nurses are giving injections in upscale wellness spas and med spas. Clients must verify credentials of practitioners to ensure they get the best standard of care.
