“Most men don’t consider cosmetics as part of their routine,” he said.

All three doctors stressed the importance of sunscreen, saying they recommend it for all patients, every day. Some men might enjoy using a two-

in-one moisturizer/sunscreen after shaving.

Williford also offers a quick lesson in applying sunscreen liberally and often.

“Most people don’t do it properly and they aren’t getting the effectiveness they should,” he said.

And the results can be devastating. Daly counsels men to know the signs of possible skin cancer, including melanoma — one of the deadliest

cancers — and check themselves for asymmetrical, growing, mottled or irregularly bordered moles and growths. Early detection of melanoma that

hasn’t achieved more than a millimeter of depth in the skin is key to survival, he said.

“Once it goes below a millimeter, your cure rate plummets,” Daly said.

Perricone favors physical sunscreens that reflect the sun’s rays over chemical varieties that absorb the light. He looks for products with

micronized zinc or titanium oxide, which provide protection with little chance of allergic sensitivity.

He recommends moisturizers with antioxidants and Daly suggests using Retin-A for help with acne and old acne scars.

When it comes to aging and wrinkles, Perricone often suggests a topical treatment of vitamin C or lipoic acid. They can be used in cream form

with no residue, he said. “And it doesn’t smell like perfume,” he said.

The Razor’s Edge
Besides being a chore, daily shaving can cause many men problems. Those taught to pull the skin taut and shave against beard growth are asking
for problems, Williford said.

Men with curly hair, including many blacks and Hispanics, suffer from post-shave razor bumps, or pseudofolliculitus barbae. After shaving, curly hair tends to grow back into the skin creating bumps.

Perricone recommends alpha hydroxy and lipoic acid for razor bumps. Used twice a day, they can offer a 60 percent to 70 percent reduction in the bumps.

Those who have a persistent problem might try shaving less often, if possible, or growing a beard, Williford said. New options for shaving gels, such as shower gels with petrolatum or gentle Cetaphil cleanser, can also help.

“With so many products out there, I think men just have to find a good product that works for them,” Williford said. “For men, I think the simpler the better.”