from an ever-expanding line of men’s facial products to a rising trend of men’s advertorials for makeup, it’s about time that the beauty and appeal of self-care spread to men.
this global shift in perspective is also apparent in singapore. you can see an increasing number of unisex and men’s grooming places popping up all over town. while this new wave is an exciting change, the men’s beauty industry is still relatively new.
if you’re still on the fence in deciding if facials are worth the time and money, this guide will send you over the edge. and before you know it, you’ve got a facial package under your name. congratulations.
what are facials?
facials are regimens performed by a licensed aesthetician to maintain, preserve and improve the skin’s condition. they usually include cleansing, exfoliation, massage, extractions and masks.
you can think of it like this: if the basic skincare you do at home is like self-washing your car, going for a facial is like going to a professional car wash. for this reason, you only need to go for facials every four to six weeks. each facial might last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes.
how are men’s facials different from women’s?
in a 2018 study published in the international journal of women’s dermatology, the results show that men’s skin has:
– thicker skin
– deeper facial wrinkles
– prominent sagging around lower eyelids
– higher sebum production level
– higher levels of skin pigmentation
– higher rate of transepidermal water loss
this also means that you cannot show up at generic facial salons and request the typical regimen offered as it is most likely tailored for women’s skin. treatments for men might require a deeper cleansing mask to tackle clogged pores as a result of excess sebum production, deeper hydration treatment, and a focus on problem areas around facial hairs and eyelids.
be sure to reflect the skin conditions or problems that you have with the aesthetician. conditions like acne and ingrown hairs as a result of shaving will require more attention and even specialised formulation.
what to expect from a facial
while the exact facial treatment methods will differ according to the skin characteristics and conditions of each individual, there is a typical procedure that most basic hydration facials follow.
1.preparation of the skin
most if not all facials will be in individual rooms, much like a massage room. the aesthetician will ask you to remove your top to prevent any encumbrance while performing the procedure and to prevent any product from staining your top. you can choose to wear the gown provided for you or you can just lay underneath the duvet or towel facing up. the aesthetician will also let you wear a headband to hold up your hair.
starting off the procedure is the cleansing process. the aesthetician will apply a product designed to cleanse your skin from any impurities. this is to clean the canvas of your skin to prep it for the subsequent products
2. application of products or steam to open up pores
after cleansing, the aesthetician will apply other products on your skin designed to open up your pores. either products will be applied or a steam machine will be brought in to gently warm and open up your pores. sometimes the steam might get too overwhelming so do inform your aesthetician if you’re uncomfortable. sometimes a warm and damp towel is also used to open up your pores.
