Skin Care for the Athletic Men of Arizona

By Cynthia Boggs, Spa Director
Golf, tennis, mountain biking, hiking, that early morning jog with the dog and your iPod—many sports that Arizona men choose to participate in take place outdoors and are very challenging to your skin.

Arizona leads the nation in basal cell carcinoma diagnosis, the most common type of skin cancer, but many instances can be prevented through consistent use of sunblock, hats, and protective clothing, and by limiting the amount of time your skin is exposed to the sun. One of the most frequently asked questions about sunscreens and sunblocks is what the difference is between the two.

A sunscreen is an ingredient commonly used in moisturizers, hair products, and other daily-used external liquids and creams. Sunscreens provide a filter for limited (up to two hours) daily exposure to the sun, such as driving or walking to and from the car. Longer exposure requires a sunblock. Sports that take place in water or snow make necessary the use of a waterproof sunblock to prevent it from easily wearing off from moisture. The best waterproof sunblock has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 40 or more and is a zinc oxide-based product. Washable nonwaterproof sunblocks are often combined with a titanium dioxide base and a moisturizer and are recommended for long exposure to the desert sun—think golfing or hiking. They will protect the skin, can be easily reapplied, and are noncomedogenic—less prone to cause blackheads or whiteheads.

A great facial that deep-cleanses the pores and rehydrates your skin is vital to the prevention of premature aging in active men. It also protects against adult acne, a common term used to describe acne that appears past the adolescent years and often in men who stay active outdoors. Products that are effective on men’s skin are aloe- or seaweed-based, as they are the most compatible with skin, feel very light, and don’t leave a greasy sheen.

Most sports clothing lines carry active wear that is actually treated with sun-blocking material, a great breakthrough for all of us here in the desert and especially for our children, as sun-damage prevention is a lifetime commitment, especially in the North Valley.

So, get out and enjoy hikes in our beautiful Sonoran desert or play a round of golf at some of the greatest courses in the country. Remember also to protect your skin—it will in turn protect you for years to come.

MEN AT THE SPA

Spas are not for women only. Men can enjoy a variety of treatments tailored to their needs, and there is much relaxing to benefit from. Everyone loves a massage—or should!—and most spas offer a wide selection of massages featuring age-old secrets, aromatic oils, and tension-relieving techniques. Soothing facials and body wraps are refreshing and help rejuvenate and maintain your skin. Manicures and pedicures are often associated with women, but well-groomed hands and feet benefit both sexes. Occasionally, spas will also offer hair removal, laser treatments, and other specialty treatments.

The atmospheres in many spas continue leaning gender-neutral, and some spas even reserve specially decorated and outfitted rooms for gentlemen. Men-only spas continue to appear across the United States. Several Scottsdale resorts and establishments offer men’s spa treatments. If you gift the special lady in your life with a day at the spa this Valentine’s Day, you may wish to consider turning it into a couple’s day.