As we dive into the wedding season, there’s a lot to get excited about, especially if you are the one getting hitched. And gone are the days when only the bride needed to look good; men too have become cautious about skincare and want to look their best.
Men becoming conscious
Over the past few years, I have observed a rising trend of male patients seeking various treatments at my clinic before their wedding. In my 12-year tenure as a dermatologist, I have encountered many young men who only prioritised a head full of hair and not much on tanning, scars, and so on—they just want their face to not look dull. But nowadays, I see it becoming a major concern for men planning for their big day. This evolving shift in the mindset of men who lean towards cosmopolitan ideals is evident with the increased popularity of facials, and laser hair reduction treatments for private areas, underarms, earlobes, and other body parts. These treatments are being sought not just for the aesthetic factor, but also for hygiene considerations. And that’s not all–the male demographic is also demonstrating an inclination towards treatments like blackhead removal, sweat reduction, acne scar removal, and fairness treatments.
But external treatments alone won’t do the job for you. One needs to incorporate the below-mentioned practices to ensure that they not only look radiant but also feel confident inside out on your big day.
Getting proper sleep: You have got to prioritise your sleep if you want to ensure a fresh and energised appearance on your big day. When you get ample sleep of 8 hours every day, your stress levels are reduced and you look brighter, which helps you to confidently step into the spotlight.
Say ‘no’ to stress: Stressing too much before the wedding is quite natural, however, you must remember that the more you stress, the more haggard you will look. Try inculcating meditation and exercise regularly. Exercising releases endorphins & spikes your dopamine levels, reduces cortisol and alleviates stress. The positivity you exude will shine through.
Hydration is key: It might sound very cliche, but drinking at least 8-10 glasses of water daily is a win-win, as it will flush out the toxins from your body, plump up your skin, and minimise the appearance of fine lines while giving you a glow like never before.
Skincare routine: A simple and consistent cleansing and moisturising routine can work wonders to maintain clear and hydrated skin. Don’t wash your face immediately after waking up as it strips off the natural oils that are necessary—rather, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen or calamine lotion before you workout, and after exercising wash your face and apply sunscreen again. Sunscreen should be applied 15-20 minutes before you step out, and reapply it if you are going to be out in the sun for longer durations. Have a routine of washing your face and applying a night cream before sleeping. While washing your face regularly will help you to remove dust, impurities and excess oil, don’t forget to exfoliate or scrub from time to time as it will help get rid of the dead skin cells that will make your skin look super healthy. For shaving your face, use natural shaving creams instead of the ones infused with chemicals and perfumes. Moreover, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen, use eye creams to keep the dark circles away and apply lip balms to keep your lips supple and moisturised at all times.
Looking inwards: Eating wholesome home-cooked meals that have the right balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat is of utmost importance if you want bright skin. While protein intake is valuable, it is advisable not to go overboard with protein powders or an excess of supplements commonly associated with gym routines. However, you can integrate collagen supplements two days a week and have protein for the remaining five days. Vitamin A-rich foods like carrots, sweet potatoes and leafy greens should become a part and parcel of your diet as it promotes skin health. Moreover, addressing mineral deficiencies like zinc, and magnesium and vitamins like D & B12 that are usually lacking in Indian diets should be incorporated through nuts, seeds and seafood.
Men must ensure to not give in to any last-minute attractive facials or treatments which have never been done before by them at a salon especially 2 weeks before D-day. If you wish to go for something new, do try it a month before to see if it suits your skin type and then can repeat 10-12 days before function to avoid last minute allergy.
Also read: Embarrassed about your dark, pigmented lips? Instead of applying turmeric or lemon, do this
Treatment options
As a practising dermatologist with over a decade of expertise in the field, I have observed that men tend to be hesitant when discussing concerns regarding their skin. They require a certain level of comfort often during their transition from boys to men (typically around the ages of 28 to 35).
In the pursuit of looking and feeling their best on their big day, men are embracing a variety of facials tailored to their needs. From the revitalising touch of a Oxygen Facial, Hydrafacial or Medical Groom Facial, to the effective Instant Detanning Facial—they are spoilt for choices. Standing as a testament to the advances in skincare, the Skin Brightening DB MediFacial promises a radiant complexion.
Dr Deepali Bhardwaj is a dermatologist, anti-allergy specialist, laser surgeon and internationally trained aesthetician. She tweets @dermatdoc. Views are personal.
(Edited by Anurag Chaubey)