Having clear skin can have a major influence on a man’s confidence. MadeMan understands the importance of a good first impression.
To help you to feel good about yourself and how you look, today we will be discussing the different types of blemishes that can cover your skin, as well as a step-by-step guide on how to get rid of them.
Understanding Acne
Acne is the type of blemish that is most commonly found on men’s skin. The formation of acne is tied closely to the body’s natural lubricating system. Your body is covered in sebaceous glands, which are responsible for naturally lubricating your hair and skin through sebum production.
Sebaceous glands are connected to hair follicles. When functioning successfully, the sebum passes up through the follicles and onto the surface of your skin. However, there are instances in which the hair follicle becomes clogged, causing major problems for the skin.
Excessive production of sebum or sebum staying on the skin for too long can combine with dead skin cells, dirt, and grime that is built upon your epidermis. This undesirable mixture of substances blocks your pores, not only inhibiting the healthy process of sebum production but also increasing the likelihood of acne forming on your skin.
If bacteria can reach your skin and your clogged pores, it can infect the follicles, causing the infection to spread and irritate your skin. This process can result in several different forms of pimples developing.
The most common types of acne are whiteheads, blackheads, papules, pustules, and cysts. While cysts are the most severe form of acne, the severity level assigned to your breakout is usually based on the amount of infected pores in your skin.
The more the bacteria affect your skin, the more the infection spreads. A widespread infection will result in more pimples than one that is stopped early on.
Understanding Ingrown Hairs
The grooming of facial hair is an experience that is unique to men. Shaving is sometimes accompanied by the unfortunate development of ingrown hairs, another common blemish to be found on men’s skin.
Just like acne, hair follicles play a role in the unwanted growth of ingrown hairs. This and their similar appearance often causes men to confuse the two for one another. Still, pimples and ingrown hair are, in fact, different types of blemishes.
Other than being used as a passageway for transporting sebum to the surface, hair follicles are also used to guide the growth of hair, which is how it has earned its name.
Hair is meant to grow from the bottom of your hair follicles, straight through the tunnel-shaped structure, and up out of the skin. Sebum can help to improve this process by lubricating the hair growing through your epidermis.
Men have the option to remove these hairs once they have reached the surface by shaving or tweezing. With time, however, the hair will grow back.
When it does, there is a chance that it will grow improperly. Instead of growing through the follicle and out of the skin, the hair may grow back into the skin. This can occur if the hair does not grow straight or if it reenters the skin upon exiting the follicle.
Ingrown hairs appear as raised, with red spots on the skin.
Due to the redness and swelling, they also tend to be itchy and uncomfortable. A cluster of ingrown hairs is often referred to as razor burn. The chances of ingrown hair increase if you are shaving curly or coarse hair.
Journey To Clear Skin
Finding your way to clear skin can feel near impossible between acne and ingrown hairs. In actuality, it is very much possible! Formulating a healthy skincare regimen with the right products is all it takes to clear up your skin and maintain a handsome complexion.
Step One: Cleanse
Everyone’s skincare routine should start with a cleanse. Washing your face is essential for ridding your skin of the dead skin cells and dirt that clog your pores and cause acne or razor burn. Throughout the day and night, unwanted bacteria and grime can gather on your skin, so you should be washing your face twice a day to keep your skin clean.
While there are several benefits to cleansing your face, using your cleanser too often can cause harm. Avoid drying out your skin by limiting the amount of times you wash in a single day. Once in the morning or once at night should be more than sufficient unless you partake in a sweaty midday workout or take a dip in a pool with chlorine.
We suggest using MadeMan’s The Resetter.
This cleanser is water-based and uses all-natural ingredients instead of harsh chemicals to eliminate impurities clogging your pores and provide your skin with a smooth and refreshed finish. This cleanser is safe for all skin types and designed to maintain your skin’s pH balance so that it cleanses without breaking down the skin’s moisture barrier.
When it comes time to apply your cleanser, gentility is key. Wash your hands to rid them of any bacteria and massage the appropriate amount of cleanser over your face in circular motions. Use lukewarm water to rinse the cleanser off of your face. While hot water may be tempting, it can be too harsh on your skin and remove healthy oils. Finally, pat your face dry with a soft towel.
Step Two: Shave
Next, move on to shaving. If your facial hair is lengthy, try using your clippers to shorten the hair strands before shaving. If your hair is too long or thick, your razor will not properly remove your hair, and you will be required to shave over the same areas of skin multiple times.
This increases your chances of getting razor burn.
Another way to avoid shaving over the same spots is to use the right tool. A dull blade can harm your skin and make a successful shave difficult to accomplish. Make sure that your razor is sharp and that you are rinsing out the hair from your blade between every stroke.
While manual razors are a popular option for getting a close shave, electric razors are better for anyone prone to ingrown hairs. Manual razors promote the development of ingrown hairs while electric razors push the hair up before cutting, encouraging healthy growth.
Make sure that you are using lukewarm water while you shave to open up your hair follicles and remove your hair more easily. It is suggested that you allow your facial hair to soak in warm water and your shaving gel to soften the hair before shaving.
However, if you use The Resetter as your cleanser, you can skip this step because our product doubles as a shaving gel. Instead of rinsing off all of your cleansers once you have massaged it into your skin, leave some on your facial hair and apply the razor to your skin.
Try shaving in the direction that your hair naturally grows. This will inhibit the growth of ingrown hairs. Then, when you are done, rinse your face clean of any product. Men using regular shaving gel will need to reapply a cleanser to properly remove all the product from your skin. If you are using The Resetter, this is not necessary since there is already a cleanser containing natural ingredients applied to your skin.
Step Three: Spot treatment
If you are struggling with chronic acne, we recommend visiting a dermatologist to receive a diagnosis and treatment option. Chances are, you will be prescribed a topical medication to apply to your skin or onto your pimples.
Even without a prescription, there are several over-the-counter spot treatments that you can use to combat your acne. Over-the-counter options are not usually as strong as prescription medication and, therefore, have been proven to better treat acne.
Apply your spot treatment as often as is directed on your acne cream or gel instructions or as instructed by your dermatologist. Remember to do it before using your moisturizer.
Step Four: Moisturizer
While your skin lubricates itself with your already discussed sebaceous glands, providing your skin with additional moisture is essential for clearing up your skin.
One of the central functions of moisturizers is to strengthen the moisture barrier. When your environment has low humidity levels and lacks moisture, the air will draw it out from other sources, including your skin. This will leave your skin dry and flaky. These flakes and dead skin cells can clog your skin and cause acne.
With a strong moisture barrier, your skin will retain its moisture and will be less affected by the dry air surrounding you. Additionally, a healthy moisture barrier will function correctly and keep unwanted bacteria out. By restricting this bacteria, there will be less chances for skin infections.
We suggest using MadeMan’s The Refresher.
Our refresher is water-based and uses healthy ingredients like chicory root, vitamin C, and castor seed oil to provide you with maximum hydration, balance your natural oils, and promote your skin’s natural repair process.
Use about a dollop-sized amount of moisturizer every morning and night and massage it evenly over your face.
Step Five: Sunscreen
Finally, finish up your clear skin regimen by using sunscreen every morning. Sunscreen is essential for preventing sun damage. Sun damage, usually called photoaging, is the premature aging of the skin.
You may accrue damage like age spots, hyperpigmentation, and wrinkles when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays without protection. These blemishes can be tricky to treat. Avoid having to deal with them at all by using a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.
Broad-spectrum sunscreens defend you against both UVA and UVB rays. It is also essential that your sunscreen has a sun protection factor of at least 30. However, you are welcome to pick either a chemical or mineral sunscreen.
Apply your sunscreen even on overcast days and reapply throughout your day if necessary. Keeping your skin clear requires consistent protection against the sun.
Conclusion
By consistently following these steps and using this skincare regimen every day, you will be able to achieve clean skin. Acne and ingrown hairs are easy to develop, but avoiding them can be easy, too.
After all, you can achieve a healthy and radiant appearance with MadeMan.
Sources:
Ingrowing Hair: A Case Report | PubMed
Acne vulgaris: pathogenesis, treatment, and needs assessment | PubMed
