Male Skin Conditions

Treating problematic male skin conditions requires a structured approach to skincare. Gendler Dermatology, a specialized medical and cosmetic dermatology clinic offers a comprehensive range of non-surgical skin treatments on New York’s Upper East Side. Similar to women’s skincare, male skin conditions require a tailored approach that only skilled practitioners can deliver effectively.

Our practice is home to a team of highly experienced, board-certified dermatologists.

The Difference Between Male and Female Skin

Other than the obvious facial hair differences, more subtle structural differences exist between men’s and women’s skin. The male hormone testosterone accounts for a man’s skin is about 25% thicker and tougher than a woman’s, and about that much oilier, too.

Increased testosterone can result in scars that take longer to heal, which is a problem for individuals with acne, a common problem in men. Furthermore, because men tend to sweat more than women, some skin conditions such as eczema and contact dermatitis may be more intense, with symptoms such as itching or burning in areas where sweat accumulates.

Common Male Skin Concerns and Conditions:

• Acne: Because men produce more sebum (oil) than women, they are more prone to developing blackheads on the skin from blockage of pores. Sometimes these become inflamed, which results in pustules and cysts.
• Psoriasis causes patches of redness covered with white scales often found on elbows, knees, the lower back, or the scalp where sweat accumulates.
• Contact Dermatitis is caused by contact with an allergen or irritant – could be something as simple as a soap or shampoo, a preservative in a skincare product, or even poison ivy and other plants.
• Seborrheic dermatitis is a skin condition that can affect the scalp, face, chest, and groin, causing redness and scales from the overproduction of sebum and resulting inflammation. Other symptoms include dry patches on the forehead or eyebrows leading to dandruff-like flakes.
• Actinic Keratosis is a pre-cancerous, scaly patch on sun-exposed areas of the skin, including the scalp, face, forearms, and backs of the hands. These appear after years of sun exposure and, if left untreated for many years, are thought to have the capacity to become a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
• Hair loss; more than 80% of men will experience hair loss in their lifetime, with symptoms such as thinning or receding hairline or balding patches near the back of the head.
• Excessive sweating of the underarms and face, usually unrelated to body temperature or exercise, is a common issue for men and can, on rare occasions, be a warning sign of other health-related issues.
• Premature signs of aging can occur in men and women alike, usually a result of too much sun or smoking.
• Wrinkles and sagging of male skin is another concern we are seeing with increased frequency, now that so many treatment options are available. We perform many such cosmetic procedures on men, including Botox for facial lines, hyaluronic acid fillers for facial lines and laxity, scrotal botox, PRP injections for hair thinning, and laser hair removal.