It’s that time of the year again when our social media feeds will be flooded with paparazzi videos of celebrities attending pre-festive parties and weddings. While the fashion and grooming looks may get pinned to your festive mood-board, what you might wonder about is how they don’t look tired attending parties day after day? If this question bothers you often, we have a simplified expert guide to crack the answer. The wedding and festive season is upon us and men need to look their absolute best. From attending pre-festive parties to a wedding, if your calendar is blocked this year, it’s time to book a session at a spa and make an appointment with your dermatologist. Festivities can be physically and mentally exhausting, and stress shows up on the skin while taking a toll on your body. We’ve compiled a list of dermatology and spa treatments that men can take before and after the celebrations.
Opt for Specific Solutions
If you have never entered a dermat’s clinic before, now is the time to book an appointment. While prepping for the upcoming celebrations, the skin suffers from several internal and external aggressors including pollution, changes in diet, disturbed sleep cycle, alcohol, increased level of calories, and irregular skincare routine. To combat skin concerns, a few in-clinic facial treatments can be taken before and after festivities. “One can go for medifacials to unwind,” says Dr Madhuri Agarwal, celebrity dermatologist and founder of Yavana Clinic. Medifacials involve draining the toxins through lymphatic drainage, reduce the dead skin layer and infuse brightening agents for unwinding and rejuvenation. “Diathermocontraction and monopolar radiofrequency are some quick-fix treatments to reduce the tired look. Treatments like carbon peel and laser toning are also treatments for reducing tan and dullness,” adds Dr Agarwal.
On the other hand, Dr Rikta Mohan, Dermatologist, Myrah Derma Med, suggests going for IV treatments that rejuvenate the body and promote radiance. “Men can even consider opting for Profilo injectables, giving hydration and boosting collagen synthesis, leaving one feeling and looking hydrated and moisturised,” she adds. Once the celebrations end, men can also consider going for Q-switch laser treatment and chemical peels to restore the skin.
When it comes to unwinding, there’s no alternative to wellness treatments. From body polish to detox polish, a full body exfoliation followed by a massage can help get rid of dead skin while relaxing the stressed muscles. “It would restore the texture and tone of the skin, especially after an indulgent festive season. Combining this with an active deep tissue massage and a passive lymphatic drainage massage ensures a couple of hours of post-event calm,” says Shaheen Khalily, Area Head, Myrah.
While your dermatologist can suggest tailored solutions and a required number of sessions upon proper analysis of the skin, make sure to do basic research before heading to a clinic. People who suffer from acne and acne scars can opt for chemical peels, dermalinfusions, microneedling radiofrequency. However, Dr Agarwal suggests keeping a few months at hand for these treatments. “Keep at least three to six months for targeted treatments,” adds Dr Agarwal. For instance, skin brightening lasers and skin boosters for pigmentation, tan, open pores and skin rejuvenation should be started at least three months before the festivities or wedding. “On the hand, tedious treatments like laser hair removal, platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair loss, face slimming and contouring, may require a long period of time, up to a year,” explains Dr Madhuri. However, if there are no specific clinical concerns, men can opt for a range of treatments before any big day. “A Q-Switch laser treatment, PRP for skin and hair, and a hydrafacial for hydration are the best treatments for men who are not looking to target any specific concern,” adds Dr Mohan.
Downtime and Timeline
While most of the aesthetic clinical treatments don’t have any downtime, a person may suffer from slight redness and irritation. Most of these treatments are non-invasive with minimal downtime. Certain treatments like microneedling radiofrequency, intradermal radiofrequency, PRP, skin boosters are minimally invasive and comfortably taken. “If one opts for fillers, it may cause transient swelling or bruising, which will disappear in two to three days,” explains Dr Mohan.
However, they need to be planned and done early to achieve the desired results. The timeline for preparation is usually dependent on the type of treatment suggested as per skin problem. “Men should start their skincare treatments preferably three to six months before the wedding or festivals to get visibly appreciable results,” she adds. Treatments which are planned post-celebrations can be taken as per one’s convenience and schedule.
If your aim is to achieve healthy looking skin, it’s important to develop and follow a skincare routine in addition to in-clinic treatment and massages. “A proper skincare routine should be followed for at least six months in advance. Men should pick a regime best suited to the skin type and start looking after the skin at least a month in advance,” explains Dr Agarwal.
What Not to Miss?
While clinical treatments are recommended, it’s also important to understand that they cannot work in isolation. Basic grooming habits, proper diet and lifestyle can help prolong the results of these treatments. While you might have heard every celebrity and expert talk about it already, keep in mind that adequate water intake will improve the overall blood circulation and help to carry necessary nutrients to the skin thereby leading to a healthy skin. “Inadequate hydration or dehydrated skin looks dry and patchy,” says Dr Agarwal. According to her, another important point to be mindful about is adequate sleep. “Poor sleep disturbs the natural sleep awake hormone cycle which translates into elevated cortisol levels (morning hormone) throughout the night causing increased inflammation, oiliness, and breakdown of skin repair collagen and elastin,” explains Dr Agarwal. The skin looks dull, pigmented, with deepening dark circles, and overall tired and exhausted. Smoking and drinking take a toll on skin by inducing inflammation continuously depriving the skin of oxygen and increasing free-radical damage. Though difficult, avoid excessive sun exposure closer to the festivities and wedding as UV rays can impact the skin.
