Why Do Men See Dermatologists?

By Roberta F. Palestine, MD
Dermatology & Clinical Skin Care Center
Your Health Magazine – November 2001
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What do you think of when someone says that they are going to the dermatologist? Not only women and teenagers make appointments to visit their dermatologist so do men. What skin conditions and concerns do men have?

Skin problems in men are about the same as in anyone else and include such conditions as psoriasis, eczema, acne, warts, and infections. Also, growths such as moles and skin cancer occur in both men and women.

There are some unique dermatological conditions that occur only in men. For example, shaving bumps from ingrown hairs develop in the beard area of some men. Women can develop a variation of this condition in other areas. And some skin problems can be worse in men such as advanced rosacea.

Now more than ever, men are also going to the dermatologist to improve their appearance. It is no longer considered vain to want to look one’s best and to optimize how one presents to other people. In fact, society now accepts and promotes the ideas of staying healthy and keeping up with preventative maintenance. And what most people see is another person’s skin.

In the past, cosmetic procedures used to involve a lengthy recovery period. This was impractical for working people who could not take several weeks off while they recuperated. However, technology has advanced to the point that there are now many “no down time” procedures that accommodate the desire to improve one’s looks without missing any work — and without being so drastic that it is obvious to other people. Some of the newer procedures are done in several sessions, so that the improvement is subtle and progressive, rather than broadcasting that you have had cosmetic surgery.

What procedures do men frequently have at the dermatologist’s office to improve their appearance?

The most common one in my office is removal of brown spots, also called “age spots” or “liver spots.” Another easy and quick procedure is Botox to treat frown lines that make people look angry or upset even when they are not. Spider veins or capillaries on the face, especially on and around the nose, are easily treated with a laser that does not leave any bruises or marks. Wrinkles can be treated by a variety of methods, and an overall freshening of the complexion is accomplished by DermaPeels (microdermabrasion). Scars can frequently be less obvious by several office procedures.

Removal of unwanted hair is another category of procedures frequently requested by men. The common areas for this are the back, chest, and back of the neck. The EpiLight hair removal system can treat large areas and is popular with both men and women. Appointments for smaller areas usually take about half an hour, and sometimes a little longer for larger areas.

Men also visit a dermatologist for larger procedures such as liposuction (especially to get rid of “love handles” at the sides of the abdomen). Hair loss is another concern that brings men to the dermatologist, for medical treatment as well as hair transplantation.

I frequently see many members of a family, spanning several generations and find the family aspect of dermatology particularly rewarding.