Once upon a time, skincare was seen as “women’s territory,” leaving men feeling like tackling their skin concerns was a no-go. But let’s face it—skin doesn’t care about gender!
A study reported that men have higher sebum production and larger pores than women. These qualities make them prime candidates for issues like acne and oily skin. So isn’t it about time we busted the skincare taboo?
In this guide, we’re exploring the top skin concerns men face and sharing simple, effective ways to tackle them head-on.
1. Acne
Acne is a common skin concern among men, often manifesting on the face, chest, and back. Acne can be due to hair follicles getting clogged with oil and dead skin cells, which lead to pimples, blackheads, or cysts.
Higher sebum production and larger pores in men contribute to this issue and make them more susceptible to acne breakouts.
Common areas affected by acne in men include the face—especially the forehead, nose, and cheeks, where sebaceous glands are more concentrated. The chest, particularly the pre-sternal area, is also prone to breakouts, as is the upper back, or “bacne” zone, which is often aggravated by sweating or tight clothing.
Professional Treatments For Acne Reduction
- Microdermabrasion: Involves exfoliation of the skin’s outer layer to reduce clogging and promote smooth texture.
- Cosmetic-Grade Chemical Peels: Uses active ingredients like Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, or Mandelic Acid to deeply exfoliate and target acne and pigmentation.
- HydraFacial: Uses a patented vortex technology that infuses the skin with hydrating serums.
2. Razor Bumps
Razor bumps or Pseudofolliculitis barbae, are those annoying, inflamed bumps that appear after shaving. They’re caused when shaved hair curls back into the skin rather than outward. This leads to irritation, redness and even painful swelling at times.
Men are particularly prone to razor bumps due to the nature of facial hair—it’s typically thicker, coarser, and curly, making it more likely for the hair to curl into the skin after shaving.
Close shaves, dull blades, and pressing too hard onto the skin with the razor can all increase the risk of razor bumps, as they create sharper edges on the hair that more easily re-enter the skin.
Get Rid Of Razor Bumps With This Non-Invasive Alternative To Shaving
If you’re tired of dealing with razor bumps every time you shave, there’s a simple non-invasive solution: Laser Hair Removal. Unlike shaving, Laser Hair Removal targets hair follicles at the root, which reduces hair growth over time.
Through laser technology, it disrupts the hair growth cycle and gradually minimises the need for shaving altogether.
3. Excess Hair Growth
Excess hair growth on the back, chest, and shoulder could be linked to higher androgen levels in men, particularly dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Androgens are male sex hormones that play a key role in regulating hair growth.
Elevated DHT levels can stimulate hair follicles in these areas, leading to increased hair density and thickness. While body hair is natural, some men find it challenging to manage or prefer a smoother appearance.
Professional Treatment For Excessive Hair Growth
Laser Hair Removal is an incredible solution to reduce excessive hair growth. This treatment targets hair follicles with laser light, disrupting hair growth and resulting in long-term reduction and smoother skin.
A series of 8-13 treatments is recommended for optimal results, but everyone’s hair growth patterns and treatment responses are unique, so we assess each client on a case-by-case basis.
4. Large Pores
Why are men particularly prone to larger pores? Studies have linked this to high testosterone levels. Men tend to have higher levels of testosterone, which fuels their sebaceous glands (the glands responsible for producing sebum, or skin oil) to be more active.
This increased sebum production not only leads to oily skin but also stretches the pore openings, resulting in visibly larger pores.
Enlarged pores are more noticeable in areas with high concentrations of sebaceous glands, like the nose, forehead, and chin —commonly referred to as the T-zone. The combination of active sebaceous glands and thicker skin in men amplifies this effect.
Professional Treatment For Enlarged Pores
Many men find enlarged pores a challenge, especially with them having oilier skin. At Laser Clinics Canada, we recommend Microneedling / Skin Needling as a powerful treatment to minimise the appearance of pores and improve your skin’s overall texture.
Microneedling uses tiny needles that create micro-injuries in the skin. In turn, this triggers the natural healing process of the body, stimulating collagen and helping to tighten the skin around pores,
If you’re curious about other options, we also offer Cosmetic-Grade Chemical Peels and AquaFacial—each with unique benefits for enlarged pores.
5. Dry Skin
Dryness can happen for many reasons —weather changes, indoor heating, hot showers, and even certain skincare products can strip the skin of essential moisture, leaving it tight, flaky, or even itchy.
Men who regularly shave may also notice dryness or irritation around the shaved areas, as shaving removes the top layer of skin and natural oils, which can lead to dryness over time.
Okay, we know, we know—men have oilier skin, but dryness still strikes! If you’ve noticed rough patches or a bit of itchiness, your skin might just need a hydration boost.
Professional Treatments For Dry Skin
Options like Cosmetic-Grade Chemical Peels gently exfoliate and hydrate, while our Hydrafacial treatment cleanses, exfoliates, and infuses your skin with nourishing serums for lasting hydration.
Hydrojelly™ masks are another great option, as they create a cooling seal that locks in moisture, leaving your skin plump and refreshed. Microdermabrasion, though primarily an exfoliating treatment, can also smooth dry patches and improve skin texture.
6. Sun Damage
Sun damage is another significant skin concern for men, especially as studies show that men are at a higher risk of UV-induced skin issues like melanoma.
Research suggests men not only have a higher risk of melanoma than women, but this risk increases with more frequent exposure to UV radiation. Behavioural factors, such as less consistent use of sun protection, as well as biological differences in how men’s skin responds to UV exposure, contribute to this heightened risk.
UV exposure also contributes to sunspots, which are small, flat areas of hyperpigmentation appearing as light brown, dark brown, or even black skin patches. They typically show up on the face, shoulders, arms, and hands.
Sunspots are generally harmless, but they can add an uneven, aged appearance to the skin.
Professional Treatment To Address Sun Spots
Laser Pigmentation Removal reduces sun spots using targeted laser technology which breaks down excess melanin (pigment) in the skin.
As the pigment is pushed towards the skin’s surface, it gradually fades, dries, and flakes off to reveal a more even-toned complexion.
Skincare isn’t just for the ladies—your skin deserves the same level of attention, especially with all the unique challenges it faces. Whether it’s acne, razor bumps, dry patches, or the ever-present battle with enlarged pores, there’s a solution waiting to give you the clear, balanced skin you deserve.
So why not take the leap? Our expert team at Laser Clinics Canada is here to help you tackle every concern with personalised treatments that fit your needs.
