Looking good, chaps

There was a time looking good just meant swiping your other half’s moisturiser every now and again, but these days more and more men are spending time and money on looking good for longer. We take a look at the best treatments…

Men suffer the signs of aging just as much as women,’ Aesthetic Beauty Inverurie’s Martina Mackay explained, ‘but many now recognise that there’s no need for them to do so. One of our most popular treatments is DermaPen microneedling. It’s a wonderful all-round treatment that uses tiny microneedles to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, which is what gives youthful skin its firm bounciness. As we age, our collagen and elastin production decreases, but DermaPen treatments give them a boost. It’s a proven treatment for reducing acne scarring, large pores and pigmentation spots. Many of my clients also use it to stimulate the follicles and encourage hair regrowth.’ Ruth Strachan at Bio Wellness in Stonehaven added, ‘Facial treatments, no longer seen as something only women do. Regular facials will help skin look younger, healthier and give you a better shave. Men have thicker, oiler skin, more prone breakouts and lack of exfoliation can also lead to ingrown hairs. Our HydraFacial is a popular 7-step facial that’s ideal for men who are prone to breakouts, ingrown hairs or congestion. We start with lymphatic drainage to detox, followed by exfoliation, peel, extractions, infusion of serums and finish with light therapy. The difference is remarkable.

‘Skin Boosters are a type of injectable treatment but give a much more natural approach to facial rejuvenation than Botox and fillers. There is no augmentation or changing a client’s face but we simply inject hyaluronic acid and nutrients directly into the skin. This improves hydration, collagen production and skin texture. It’s great for acne scarring and we even have mesotherapy treatments to stimulate hair growth for men who may be concerned about hair loss.’

Leah Athanassopoulos at Aberdeen’s Alpha Clinic says that men are increasingly interested in both non-surgical and surgical solutions to the problems of anti-aging. ‘There are more men having wrinkle relaxing treatments than ever before. There’s no downtime and results usually begin to show within a few days but can take up to two weeks.

We’re finding that using dermal fillers to achieve a strong, desirable jawline is an area of growing interest. Results are immediate and get better over time.

‘Ultherapy is an excellent treatment option for men with mild to moderate skin laxity that want to restore facial firmness and look younger. It initiates the body’s own collagen production for a natural and refreshed appearance. Results usually show within three to six months and can last up to two years.

‘Popular surgical options include Blepharoplasty for excess upper eyelid skin or lower eye bags. Patients are generally able to return to work one week after the procedure.

‘Liposuction is commonly used to permanently remove fatty deposits around the stomach, chest and chin. Downtime is a bit longer as a compression garment should be worn for 6 weeks to reduce swelling. It will take around two weeks to recover from the procedure and up to six months to see noticeable results as the treated area settles down. Surgery is always going to make the most difference but for people who are not ready for surgery, there are plenty of alternatives.’