Male and Female Skin: What’s the Difference?

Men’s ability to grow facial hair is not the only thing that makes it different from women’s skin. Structural differences exist and these can then affect the aging process or why men and women develop wrinkles and other signs of aging differently. Certain hormones in men and women also play a part too.

Here are some differences between male and female skin:

Skin thickness

In general, male skin is about 20 to 25% thicker than female skin. This is the reason why men tend to develop fewer lines than women. A thicker dermis can also mean fewer and less prominent superficial wrinkles than females. These wrinkles refer to tiny and shallow lines that occur on the topmost layer of the skin. 

It is important to note, however, that men are more vulnerable to having deep and pronounced wrinkles due to repetitive facial expressions. These include frown lines between the eyebrows (angry 11s), horizontal forehead wrinkles, and smile or laugh lines around the mouth.

Oiliness

Men have more active sebaceous glands, which is why they have larger and more prominent pores. Greater sebum production is also the reason why men’s skin looks oilier or greasier than women’s skin. If the oil production is too much for the skin to handle, it can clog pores and trigger breakouts. 

Oil or sebum levels in men remain the same until the age of 80. This then makes them less prone to dry skin and superficial lines than adult women. Sebum production in women, however, gradually decreases as they age, especially after menopause. 

Collagen levels and density

Men’s skin has a firmer and a tighter appearance because it contains more collagen and has a higher collagen density than women. This is said to be the reason as to why females show signs of aging faster than males or why women’s skin is about 15 years older than men of the same age. 

Many men, on the other hand, don’t care much about sun production and proper skin care regimen. This could explain why that 15 years gap in skin appearance is not easily noticed. Prolonged and unprotected UV exposure can damage the skin and promote premature wrinkling and sagging of the skin.

Signs of aging

While wrinkles and other signs of aging occur later in men, skin changes can be more prominent when they appear. Most men are concerned about looking tired or angry due to prominent frown/forehead lines and sagging skin, as well as puffy eyes and dark circles. 

Hormonal imbalances affect women’s skin greatly, resulting in drier, thinner, and looser skin. There is also the loss/decline of collagen that can lead to fine lines and wrinkles, volume loss, and sagging skin, especially in the lower face and the neck area. 

The effects of frequent shaving

Regular shaving makes men’s skin more sensitive than women. As the process removes the topmost layer of skin cells, shaving can cause irritation and exposes the skin to a lot of external factors. Razor-related problems can also be an issue, especially among younger men with fair skin.

Using a clean and sharp razor can help cuts, nick, and bumps. Men wanting to maintain a younger appearance as they grow older can benefit from building a solid skin care routine, as well as using anti-aging products to effectively treat skin concerns like pigmentation, lines, and wrinkles.

How Ultherapy can help both men and women

Proper skin care regimen and good lifestyle habits are important. Considering non-invasive aesthetic treatments is also beneficial, especially if you’re bothered by signs of aging. Ultherapy is one procedure that can address loose and sagging skin and help you maintain a more youthful appearance. 

This FDA-cleared non-invasive procedure can effectively lift and tighten skin using ultrasound energy. Ultherapy uses a handpiece that delivers heat into the skin’s deeper layers, triggering collagen procedure. This allows the skin to achieve natural lift over time without going under the knife.

Both men and women with mild to moderate skin laxity can undergo Ultherapy. You may also be glad to know that we at Cutis Medical Laser Clinics offer an individualized treatment with the Ultherapy SPT (See, Plan, Treat) Protocol. This enables aesthetic doctors to tailor the procedure depending on the needs of the patient.

Schedule a consultation today

If you want to learn more about Ultherapy and other non-invasive anti-aging procedures, get in touch with us. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with our Harvard-trained, aesthetic doctor, Dr. Sylvia Ramirez to find out which treatments suit you best.