Men Add Facials to Their Ever-Expanding Grooming Routines
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Over the past decade men have been upped their grooming ante with everything from intricate cleansing routines, to guyliner, to mani/pedis—we see you, Channing Tatum. Recently there’s been a major uptick in dudes getting facials, peels, and extractions at spas across the country, enjoying the closer shaves and clearer skin these procedures provide. The unisex beauty product and service trend has been growing recently, with brands like Malin+Goetz expanding to both coasts this year, but not every man is willing to walk into a spa decorated with fresh-picked florals and ask for a facial. Luckily, there are men’s salons and spas that cater to these tastes.
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At Truman’s Gentlemen’s Groomers in Manhattan, clients can choose between a Deep Clean Facial ($125), a Signature Facial ($155), or a Mini Facial ($75)—all within the comfort of a dude-focused salon that renamed the manicure “Handshake Maintenance.” Way to put a manly spin on it.
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Some guys like Martin Hamery, a 23-year-old fashion stylist, don’t mind heading into a spa with typically female clientele. “There are men’s-specific facials, but I just go to Kim Laudati in New York for her unisex ones. I get a lot of clogged pores, especially on my nose—that’s not exclusive to male or female skin,” says Hamery. According to Dr. Joshua Zeichner, a director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital, men generally produce more oil than women because they have higher testosterone levels. Even men without oily skin problems can and do benefit from customized treatments—same as any woman would. A good facial that soothes irritated skin and deep cleans pimples can also help with getting a cleaner shave, as razor burn is caused by sensitive reactions to the blade.
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“Our male clients tend to focus more on problem solving treatments,” says Elena Arboleda, head aesthetician at Mario Badescu Skin Care. The unisex-friendly spa has experienced a 3% increase in male clients in the past six months. “Since men don’t generally use cosmetics to cover up their skin issues, anything that alters the skin’s appearance is of concern. They want to see less blackheads and an improvement in their acne, they want relief from discomfort related with very dry skin, they want to reduce irritation from shaving, and they want their sensitive skin to feel better.”
With more exposure to the benefits of things like facials, guys are now more comfortable branching into other beauty treatments as well. Skincare specialist Janice Pastorek has noticed an increase in men coming in for procedures like lasers, peels, and fillers. “There is more awareness and acceptance from men—they come in having done there research," says Pastorek. “However, men don’t want downtime.” If a procedure causes any obvious signs like bruising and redness, they steer clear.
It’s no brainer—both men and women want to look their best. It looks like guys are finally ready to embrace treatments and services beyond the barbershop shave.
