The Skinny on Getting Gleaming Man-skin

Know how they say, “Guys get more distinguished as they get older?” Know who they’re talking about? Old guys with a lot of dough. That’s because money is the only thing that distracts everyone from an aging face that’s full of scary spots, broken capillaries, acne scars and pores as big as your credit card bill.

Here’s the real skinny on man-skin: Smoother, tighter and monochromatic skin is considered fresh, virile and attractive. However, keeping skin from looking like the inside of a catcher’s mitt is getting more and more difficult for many. “In the last generation, the quality of men’s skin has gotten worse,” says Dr. Roy G. Geronemus, a physician who is also the director of the Laser & Skin Surgery Center of New York and a clinical professor of dermatology at the NYU Langone Medical Center. “That’s because the deteriorating ozone layer allows for more damage due to sun exposure.”

So what can you do to keep your epidermis as soft and fresh as the Obama administration’s excuses for the failing economy? Geronemus has a grab bag full of skin care regimens that range from quick, inexpensive do-it-yourself solutions to invasive, Paris-Hilton pricey procedures.

Sunscreen
“Using a sunscreen with built-in protection from UVA and UVB rays will prevent premature wrinkling, age spots, red vessels and large pores over the next decade or so for young guys,” says Geronemus. Many top dermatologists recommend La Roche-Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk, which costs $34 for 5 ounces at LaRoche-Posay.us.

Luxe Anti-aging Creams
When a mere moisturizer like Lubriderm just doesn’t sound like it will pack enough punch to solve your skin problems, you might want to bring out the big guns. Here are a couple of Geronemus’ favorites:

• TNS Essential Serum: Chock-full of antioxidants, peptides and other agents that only dermatologists can fully understand, this serum promises to diminish fine lines. It also plumps and brightens skin, improving its overall tone and texture. One ounce costs $250 on SkinMedica.com.
  
• Dr. Brandt Collagen Booster: This serum uses amino acids to preserve your collagen levels. (Collagen is the stuff in your skin that keeps it nice and elastic.) Plus, at $75 for 1 ounce at DrBrandtSkinCare.com, it’s a bargain compared to TNS.

Topical Retinoids
Like exfoliation on steroids (no, they don’t actually use steroids), retinoids help reverse sun damage, sustain skin texture and prevent (or reduce) fine lines. The most effective retinoids, says Geronemus, are available by prescription (usually known as Retin-A) and typically run between $80 and $150. For a milder concoction, go with over-the-counter retinol cream, which usually costs between $30 and $50.

Isolaz
For those who suffer with acne, this non-laser therapy is an effective way to battle blemishes. Basically, the experience is like having a DustBuster run over your face: The Isolaze gun sucks the gunk out of your pores while simultaneously shooting in a broadband light that kills acne-causing bacteria and reduces facial redness. Depending on the severity of your acne, you may need to repeat the procedure -- which can cost anywhere from $200 to as much as $700 per session. You can get more information on the process at Isolaz.com.

Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Let’s say you have really awful skin: uneven tone, fine lines and big pores. Face it, you’re Pizza the Hut. Fractional laser resurfacing -- a procedure that involves a series of laser pulses that reverses those skin maladies -- costs anywhere from $900 to $1,200 per session. If you’re trying to plane down acne scars, you may need a number of sessions. Plus, you’ll need a few days of downtime to deal with any minor redness or swelling that may occur after each session.