Men’s Daily Skincare Routines: Tailor Your Regimen to Your Age
Table of Contents
In Your Twenties, Maintain That Glow
In Your Thirties, Be Proactive
In Your Forties, Fifties, and Beyond, Step it Up
Healthy Habits
Conclusion
Coolsculpting: One Man’s Adventure with Frozen Fat Cells
HATE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR LOVE HANDLES? COOLSCULPTING CAN HELP YOU BREAK UP
By Bobby McGuire
It’s an unusually cold Friday morning and I’ve just finished the trek across a snowy Central Park to willingly put myself through an hour of localized sub-zero temperature indoors. What am I thinking? The short answer is bathing suit season. The long answer starts with an SAT word – Cryolipolysis, commonly referred to as “Coolsculpting.” If all goes according to plan, my nemesis fat will be gone in three months by Memorial Day when the beaches open.
It’s been a long one-way romance between me and my love handles. They love me, but the feeling is far from mutual. My 2019 resolution was to break-up with my muffin top. Initially, I took the natural route. I upped my attendance at the gym, doubled my lifting schedule and took up a near full-time residence in the spinning studio. After two months, my chest and shoulders looked great and you could easily bounce a quarter off of my butt. The only hold-out from my metamorphizing “Dad bod” was the love handles that I’d come to rename my “stalker fat.”
NO NEEDLES, NO SURGERY, NO PAINKILLERS, NO DOWNTIME
A decade ago, guys like me looking to get rid of diet and exercise-resistant fat would have turned to liposuction. But that procedure involved surgical consultations, downtime and a significant (and sometimes) painful recovery period. Welcome to the 2010s and the era of CoolSculpting, a non-invasive procedure with practically no downtime and negligible side-effects.
So, how does this work? Cryolipolysis relies on adipocyte response to acute cold injury by inducing a lobular panniculitis, which results in subcutaneous fat layer reduction. In English, this means that targeted areas of the body are subjected to extreme cold temperature for a short period of time. The fat cells freeze and are eventually eliminated out of the body. Think of grapes that were put in the freezer and then left out to thaw.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
With my mind made to have this procedure done, the next question was “where.” Googling “Coolsculpting NYC” pulled up a bevy of results. Admittedly, the headlines that boast deep discounts appeal to the thrifty side of me. And while, I’m sure these places are staffed with qualified technicians, I find the idea of having any sort of procedure (no matter how non-invasive) performed by a business that makes bargain a selling point, the equivalent of going to a TGI Fridays for an appendectomy. Both places have knives. They must be equal, right?
After a little research, I chose Sadick Dermatology. As a leader in the field, Dr. Neil Sadick has been on the forefront of research in the area of aesthetics. And with offices throughout Manhattan and Long Island, I had my choice of locations. But what ultimately made me choose Sadick, was the desired permanence of this procedure. I thought of it this way: If I’m going to buy something that I intend to wear forever, will I go to K-Mart of Saks? Sadick is definitely Saks.
FREEZE DAY!
I arrive at Sadick Dermatology on Park Avenue and am greeted by Maria and Jenn, who will be handling the procedure. After filling out some paperwork, I head down the hall to get my fat frozen. The procedure room is dominated by a hybrid chaise lounge examination table that’s surprisingly comfortable. Jenn starts up the R2D2-like machine in the corner of the room that turns out to be the Coolsculpting apparatus.
After describing the procedure to me in detail, Maria snaps a few “before” photos and marks up my sides up with a blue pen. It’s time to get started. I lay on one side and the CoolSculpting applicator gets affixed to my right flank. Like the slowly boiled frog in reverse, I feel coolness at first. By the time the applicator hits the optimal temperature of negative 19 degrees Fahrenheit, the area is numb and I barely feel anything other than a cool tingle that is far from uncomfortable. If anything, the experience at its worst is slightly unnerving. I describe it to friends as feeling “numb-comfortable.”
Thirty-five minutes of me checking my social media accounts and reading email on my phone, and it’s time to remove the applicator. A quick massage of the treated area breaks up the crystalized fat cells. The process is repeated on left side. This time to keep myself busy, I Facetime my friends. After a post-procedure consultation with Maria, I’m out of the door. The entire process took less than two hours.
As promised, the immediate side effects are minimal. I was encouraged to jump back into my exercise routine as soon as possible. Within a few hours after my CoolSculpting, I’m back at the gym taking a water boot camp class. My friends in my class remark that my flanks are slightly red, but outside of that, there is no tangible evidence that I’ve had anything done.
IF YOU CAN SQUEEZE IT, YOU CAN FREEZE IT
It’s important to note that CoolSculpting can’t take the place of a diet. It’s meant to help get rid of stubborn fat that has been resistant to diet and exercise. Although it’s best for people who are within 20 or 30 pounds of their target weight, it by itself won’t help you drop you down to your goal. Usually people lose up to 25 percent of unwanted fat from the treated area.
Are you a candidate for CoolSculpting? First, look at the area of your body that’s bothering you and grab it. Since CoolSculpting freezes fat, you’re going to need some fat to work with. If you can pinch at least an inch, you’ve probably got enough. As Jenn quipped to me: “If you can squeeze it, you can freeze it.”
NOT FOR THE IMPATIENT
If you’re looking for results when you wake up with CoolSculpting, you’re going to have to have a very long sleep. In some cases, a slight change to the treated area may be noticeable after a couple of weeks. So, if you’re looking to go shopping for new clothes for your new body, you’re going to have to wait a while for them to fit. I personally intend to enjoy the end of sweater season.
Within three months, the targeted look should be achieved – in my case, in time to fit into that new Paul Smith swim suit I’ve had my eyes on. In the meantime, I’ve been advised to stick with healthy eating habits and my gym schedule. CoolSculpting isn’t meant to bypass the hard work I’ve already put in. Also, hitting the beer and sweets hard puts me at risk for losing the benefits from this procedure.
In the meantime, my love handles and I will be doing one long final slow dance into the Memorial Day sunset, and (I hope) a happier next chapter apart from each other.
Interested in learning more about one of the best locations in NYC for Coolsculpting for men? Call Sadick Dermatology at 212-772-7242 or email them at info@saddickprod1.wpengine.com
READ MOREFrom Brotox to Fillers: The Best Injectable Treatments for Men
Happy 2019! Who’s turning 30 this year? 40?
As we ring in the last year of the 2010s, it’s only fitting to look back to other milestone years. Let’s consider 1989. It’s been three decades since the banner year that saw the fall of the Berlin Wall and the dawn of commercial internet service. “Harry Potter” actor, Daniel Radcliffe and Grammy Award-hoarder Taylor Swift were both born in 1989. Similarly, 1989 was also the year that pharma giant Allergan disrupted the world of cosmetic procedures by introducing a form of botulinum toxin to the market under the brand name of “Botox.”
As early adopters of injectable treatments like Botox (and other neuromodulator brands like Dysport or Xeomin), women have enjoyed benefits of these non-invasive procedures to help them look and feel their best selves for three decades. But in recent years, men have also gotten in on the action. In fact, a 2017 report by the American Society for Plastic Surgery noted a 325 percent increase in overall anti-aging procedures for men. But it’s not just Botox. That same study reported an over 26 percent jump in use of guys using hyaluronic fillers from 2014 to 2015 alone.
So, set aside any jokes about Pinhead from the “Hellraiser” movies. Injectable treatments for men are a very real (and growing) thing.
At Sadick these days, more than ever, we’re seeing men are visiting our center with anti-aging and skin care questions in mind. And while each guy’s goal is unique to him, there are a few common themes we’re hearing over-and-over. In the “City that never sleeps,” men want to look less tired. But mostly, guys just want to appear refreshed without looking like they’ve had anything “done.”
Whether the concern is under-eye dark circles, wrinkles, or laugh-lines men have been turning to Sadick Dermatology for a discrete New York City center to receive their subtle injectable treatments. Here are our “Top Four.”
ELEVENS ARE GOOD ON A CRAPS TABLE, NOT YOUR FOREHEAD
Concern: Wrinkles on the forehead, around or between the eyes (11’s)
Treatment: Neuromodulators using Botox, Dysport or Xeomin
The Low-Down: What it Is: Botox, Dysport or Xeomin are neuromodulators that when injected into facial muscles, blocks the enzyme responsible for moving these muscles, and the temporarily minimizes the appearance of moderate-to-severe wrinkles. Each treatment is customized to keep the face looking less fatigued while maintaining a masculine appearance.
Results: Keep in mind that it takes 7-10 days for the neuromodulator to fully kick-in. Most people begin to notice a softening of the wrinkles in as little as two days.
Note: If you’re worried about looking “frozen,” don’t. In the hands of a skilled injector such as one of our board-certified dermatologists, you’ll have a refreshed, rested look without the expression lines but that doesn’t mean you won’t have any facial movement.
JAMES DEAN WAS THE LAST GUY WHO COULD MAKE ‘RACOON EYES’ LOOK SEXY
Concern: Tired Eyes and Dark Circles
Treatment: Dermal Fillers using Restylane or Belotero
The Low-Down: We hear a lot of guys complain about looking tired even after a full night’s rest. That’s hardly surprising. As men age, they tend to lose volume in their tear-troughs (under-eyes). Restoring volume can be achieved using filing agents, such as Belotero or Restylane, to soften the appearance of work-related stress.
Results: The bonus in using dermal fillers is that the results are instant and can last 6-12 months!
Note: Don’t worry, our expert injectors won’t make you look feminine, just rested and ready to face the board room!
You may, however, experience mild swelling after the treatment and there is always a risk for minor bruising. Be sure to speak with one of our filler experts about the do’s and don’ts before your treatment to reduce the likeliness of bruising or swelling.
DO YOU SEE “LAUGH LINES” WHEN THINGS HAVEN’T BEEN THAT FUNNY?
Concern: Lines on either side of your mouth
Treatment: Dermal fillers using Restylane, Juvederm
The Low-Down: New York City men have been coming to Sadick Dermatology to treat their laugh-lines for years. These pesky folds develop around the mouth as a result of a loss of collagen over time. One of our expert injectors will add support to these folds in order to soften their appearance while maintaining a masculine appearance.
Results: Similarly to tear-trough fillers, the results are instant! There is little to now downtime and you can resume all normal activities immediately.
Note: Be sure to avoid alcohol a day or two before and stop aspirin (unless prescribed by your doctor) advil, motrin and aleve one week prior.
DON’T SWEAT IT ANYMORE. YOU DON’T HAVE TO!
Concern: Hyperhidrosis, otherwise known as “Excess Sweating”
Treatment: Botox, Dysport or Xeomin
The Low-down: Many man (and women) have turned to Sadick Dermatology to help treat embarrassing excess sweating. Botox, Xeomin and Dysport not only treat wrinkles but they also temporarily stop hyperhidrosis.
Here’s how it works. The neuromodulator is injected into the skin to safely block the nerve responsible for triggering the sweat glands.
Results: The treatment can last 3-5 months and begins to work 1-2 weeks after the treatment is performed. There is no downtime and you can resume all normal activities after the treatment.
Note: While the underarms are the most popular area injected, many men also choose to treat their scalp, palms and feet, keeping you looking cool as a cucumber.
Interested in learning more about the best skincare treatments for men? Call us at 212-772-7242 or email us at info@saddickprod1.wpengine.com
READ MOREThe Best Hair Loss Treatments for Men
In September of 2004, England’s Prince William was bestowed the honor of “Sexiest Man Alive” at the British Celebrity Awards, beating out competition from actor Jude Law and rugby star Johnny Wilkinson. A lot has changed since William received that award. Fourteen years, a brief military career, one highly publicized wedding and three children later, and William is far from the cover boy he once was. In fact, a 2017 Ranker.com survey on “Hottest Royal Men” placed him seventh behind Prince Carl Phillip, Duke of Värmland and his younger brother Prince Harry. Ouch!
All of this begs the answer to two questions:
1 – Where the hell is Värmland?
2 – What do Princes Carl Phillip and Harry have that William doesn’t?
The answers are: West Central Sweden, and hair.
But don’t feel too bad for William. He has a few things. First off, he’s got a lot of money (a reported $40 million). Secondly, he’s got company. According to studies male pattern baldness occurs to some degree to two thirds of men his age. But the most important thing that William and millions of other men like him have is options.
Gone are the days when the only choices outside of going bald gracefully were limited to wearing a hat, getting a toupee, or the dreaded “comb-over.” Thanks to advancements in dermatology, millions of men now have the choice of either trying to rock a bad head like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson or putting a lock onto their locks.
Want to address your thinning hair? Here are some thoughts from the hair rejuvenation experts at Sadick Dermatology.
Start Early!
Over 65% percent of American men will notice some degree of hair loss by the age of 35. That number jumps to 85% of men with thinning hair by age 50. In a lot of cases, once a hair follicle is gone, it’s gone for good. The name of the game here is to hold onto what you have before more hairs fall out, and you lose the ability to regrow more than 60 percent of hair that’s already been lost. Time is not your friend here. See your dermatologist once you start to notice your hair thinning. Together we can put a plan in place.
Supplement It!
The strategy here is to work from the inside out. Vitamin and mineral supplements like Nutrafol target the root of hair health and work from within. Stress, diet and environmental conditions can all affect hair health. According to Nutrafol’s website, “New science proves how a multitude of internal and external triggers create an imbalance in the body’s immune system and metabolic pathways. At the follicle, this produces a cascade of free radicals, oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. These factors generate damaging molecules and more free radicals that lead to disruption of the hair cycle. This prompts the follicle and the immune system to respond by producing more of these chemical molecules, called cytokines, which start to affect our hair.”
We agree with Nutrafol’s assessment, and have found this to be true with many of our patients who lead busy lives here in New York. The right nutrients can go a long way to battling the effects of oxidative stress and rebalancing hair and scalp health.
Inject It!
Have you ever heard of the “vampire facial?” That’s when blood is re-introduced into the face to regain a glowing complexion. The process, which is called “platelet rich plasma” or “PRP.” Our blood has two components, red blood cells and plasma. And it’s the latter of the two that contains platelets, which are rich in growth factors. With PRP treatments, growth factors from your own plasma are injected into your follicles to stimulate re-growth, while increasing the integrity of real hair. If it sounds weird or “unmanly” maybe this will help: countless professional athletes around the world use this procedure to enhance healing of sports injuries. It’s one of our most popular treatments and we highly recommend it.
Beam it Up!
Light beams are another option. Low intensity light called low-level laser therapy (LLLT) works when red light targets the stem cells in your scalp, stimulating them to grow hair and shift follicles into the anagen phase. Is this effective? Nine out of 11 studies assessing hair count and density found statistically significant improvement following LLLT treatments. We use a low energy red light via an exceptional technology called Omnilux.
Plant It!
If the processes above won’t work, the best solution for losing your hair may be using your own hair. For those who have permanent hair loss, a transplant is an effective near-permanent solve. This surgical procedure, that can happen in one day, involves harvesting healthy hair follicles from the back of your head and planting them in the balding regions.
Enhance It!
Topical products like Minoxidil and protein-rich shampoos are a great way to follow-up your treatment to enhance results. Minoxidil can be purchased over the counter in its brand name “Rogaine”. However, the OTC formula is missing two important components that can decrease inflammation and allow for better penetration of the solution. At Sadick Dermatology, we compound our own topical products for maximum efficacy and potency.
Commit to It!
One thing to keep in mind is that hair disorders are often ongoing, lifelong conditions. Regardless of which treatment route you choose (PRP, red-light laser, supplements, or a combination approach), all require consistency. It is important to consider your lifestyle and budget when selecting the appropriate treatment for YOU! We can help…it just starts with a conversation.
Want to learn more about ways to maintain and even rejuvenate your hair health? Sadick Dermatology has some of the best hair loss doctors in NYC. Call us at 212-772-7242 or email us at info@saddickprod1.wpengine.com and one of our highly-experienced staff will be pleased to assist you.
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