Image courtesy of Firstchoice.co.uk

New York Fashion Week: Men’s spring 2017 is just a few days away. And for those attending, it is a must to look you best. However, looking your best for Fashion Week means two very different things for men and women.  Women tend to spend a lot of time plucking, waxing, contouring, strobing, lining, straightening, curling, tanning, and dieting their way to looking their very best.  Men, on the other hand, tend to do just a little less—or dare we say it, do nothing at all.  Whether you take a little more pride in your appearance, or follow a more traditional laid-back approach, it’s time to up your game!

Fashion Reverie spoke with some of the top experts in the field to find the best ways to get guys spruced up and ready for any big occasion.   Dr. Michael Swann, owner of Swann Dermatology  & Esthetics and Esthetician, Founder and CEO of Beautifully You By Jean-Claude Inc., Nadjamy Jean-Claude.

Dr. Swann courtesy of swanndermatology.com

“Although men are getting more comfortable with skin care, taking care of your skin is still a faux pas in some circles if you are a man,” Dr. Swann confirms.  A frequent lecturer on Mohs micrographic surgery, complex facial reconstruction, injectables including Botox and fillers, resurfacing and other advanced laser procedures, Dr Swann is also nationally respected for his expertise in laser and cosmetic dermatology. Plus he considers himself to be a “low-maintenance man who really wants to have good skin.”

Many men admit to skipping a skin care regime in lieu of regular soap and Jean-Claude expresses how many women do as well.  “However, the skin on our face is not equivalent to the skin on our bodies.  Unless one is using a special facial soap, many soaps are comedogenic, clogging the pores and highly alkaline,” Jean-Claude shares.  “The combination of the minerals in hard water with soap not only throws off the PH balance of one’s skin but creates an insoluble film on the skin.” This is a major issue since inflammation is caused when your skin’s PH is too high or too low.

Image courtesy of michiganavemag.com

So if you’ve never dove into the world of skin care, where should you start?  “Everyone should follow a basic skin care regiment consisting of three steps: Wash, Tone and Moisturize.  As for men their skin is 25% thicker than women and less sensitive so a great facial wash should include an exfoliant in it.  Exfoliation removes dead skin cells, dissolves the desmosomes, softens skin, and stimulates cell production. Using a toner is vital.  Toners not only bring back the PH balance to the skin, but closes the pores naturally, refreshes and cleans the skin.  Imagine washing your clothes but not rinsing, that is the importance of a toner.  A moisturizer with SPF is great.  Moisturizer seals in moisture and protects the barrier layer of the skin,

it can also hydrate and balance the oil-water moisture content of the skin,” Jean-Claude explains.  “It is important to know your skin type to match the right product to your skin’s needs.  Most men have acne or ingrown hairs from shaving, if they are not using products with AHA’s (Alpha Hydroxy), Sylocilic Acid, Vitamin A, or ingrown hair serum they might not find that product effective.”

Image courtesy of desiblitz.com

If that sounds like a little too much Jean-Claude recommends a face and body wash while in the shower, then apply a toner before you shave and moisturize afterwards.  Or you can go even more low-maintance with one product that does it all.   “A product that is sort of an all-in-one is a good option for someone who wants easy, but also wants it all.  I like Skin Medica’s TNS Essential Serum as my ideal all-in-one.  It has tons of growth factors, peptides, moisturizers and a mild skin lightener alpha-arbutin,” Dr Swann recommends.

“Good skin comes from good care, but it takes commitment,” explains Dr. Swann.  “I use the analogy of the gym with some guys.  You can’t build a sculpted physique in a week.  It takes a good plan and commitment.  Skin care is the same.  You need a good plan that takes into consideration both your goals and your assets, including specific skin type and concerns.”  While you can’t substitute regular care, to get a little extra glow right before a big event there are a few things to consider.  First and foremost, Jean-Claude recommends that days before the event to lay off the red meat, sugars and alcohol and drink plenty of water.  She also explains the importance of a good night’s rest.  Then try a peel or mild laser procedure.  Dr. Swann suggests a mild peel such as glycol acid peel that will show results even as little as 5 days before a big event.  However, he shares that it’s best to keep in mind that, “peels work even better when done in series, so if you have time to get a Jessner’s peel 3 to 4 weeks before and a lighter glycolic the week before Fashion Week, your skin will glow.”

—Janine Silver