As a general rule, men aren’t super concerned about their skin. We tend to not worry about skin-related health issues until they become a problem. Unfortunately, this can become a self-fulfilling prophecy where failure to perform simple maintenance can actually lead to preventable skin problems. Of course, some skin conditions crop up regardless of preventative measures. Regardless of whether you are dealing with dry skin or psoriasis, taking care of your skin can go a long way.
With this in mind, today we will identify a few of the most common skin conditions and issues facing men and boys, including dry skin, acne, razor burn, and sun damage.
Dry Skin is Extremely Common in Men
Dry skin is the most common skin condition on earth. Nearly every individual will experience dry skin at some point during their lives. Thankfully, the vast majority of dry skin cases are mild to moderate and can be easily managed without acute treatment. Symptoms of dry skin include scaly, flaking skin, itchy skin, the skin feeling “tight”, dead skin cells creating an ashy appearance, redness, skin cracks and bleeding.
Preventing and/or managing dry skin comes down to two basic steps:
- Moisturize with a high quality moisturizing cream for men.
- Cut down on activities which cause dry skin such as excessively long or hot showers, excessive hand washing, and prolonged exposure to dry environments.
Whether or not your skin is currently dry, we believe that all men should use a once-daily moisturizer. Think of this as routine maintenance for your skin, especially for the hands, elbows, and feet. Hydrated skin is healthy, strong, and resilient. Hard working men can take a few seconds out of their daily routine to use moisturizer for skin that is less likely to dry out.
Acne Impacts Men and Boys of all Ages
Trailing behind dry skin is perhaps the second most common skin condition for men: acne. While teenagers and women are more likely to develop acne than adult men, acne is common in both genders at all ages. There are many myths and misconceptions surrounding acne such as diet leading to acne (false) and that sunscreen can cause acne (also false). Acne treatments can range from gentle skin cleansing to acute treatment from a medical professional.
It is important to understand that not all acne is created equal. Common acne, known as acne vulgaris, is the acne that comes with the familiar pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and so forth. Other forms of acne stem from bacterial infections, clogged hair follicles from lesions, allergic reactions, and much more.
Razor Burn and Razor Bumps Irritate Skin
Another skin condition most men have experienced is the dreaded razor burn. Razor burn may pass quickly in most cases, but man does it hurt like hell and look as bad as it feels. Many men believe that razor burn and razor bumps are synonymous. They aren’t. Where razor burn is a temporary and minor problem, razor bumps can potentially lead to serious medical concerns in some cases. Be sure to identify which is which in order to take care of your skin.
The good news is that preventing razor burn is actually quite simple in most cases. Razor burn is generally caused by one of the following factors:
- Using an old, dull, and/or rusty razor blade.
- Pressing too hard against the skin while shaving.
- Shaving without proper lubrication which includes water and shaving cream, shaving butter, or similar product.
- Shaving against the grain.
- Repeatedly shaving the same location unnecessarily.
Men’s Skin is Highly Susceptible to Sun Damage (Including Deadly Cancer)
Last but not least of the skin concerns that face most men is damage from the sun. Men are at a dramatically increased risk of sun-related cancers including deadly melanoma. The reasons for this include men’s skin having a genetic predisposition for sun cancer risk in addition to men tending to be more flippant about sun protection.
Much like daily moisturization to prevent dry skin, there is no excuse for skipping that sunscreen when you are going to spend long hours in the sun. It only takes a few seconds to apply SPF 15 or higher sunscreen for adequate protection. The benefits of protecting yourself from a potentially life threatening cancer far outweigh the minor inconvenience!
Daily Skin Protection for Men from HEFF Relief
HEFF is a men’s moisturizing cream developed for dry, cracked hands, elbows, and feet. We believe in providing the strongest possible product for men who work hard. Our non-greasy formula harnesses the power of essential amino acids to heal your skin without leaving any nasty residue! Purchases of HEFF support the United States military through Operation Gratitude and our ongoing military donation program.
If you are in need of some serious dry skin relief, look no further! Our products are available in major retailers across the country, online, or you can feel free to contact us directly with any additional questions.