It’s time for men to admit it—looks matter, too. And getting older doesn’t make that any easier. Contrary to popular belief, women aren’t the only ones burdened by the pressure to look good as they age.
Men may not think about it as much, but once they start losing hair, the downward spiral begins. Luckily, at Makati Medical Center (MakatiMed), a top hospital in the Philippines, men can discover how to cope with physical age-related changes.
How do I manage a receding hairline? Balding is probably every man’s secret fear. But this doesn’t mean you should panic once you start thinning. Today, there are many ways of combating hair loss. “Finasteride or dutasteride are some of the effective drugs to prevent baldness,” says Stephen Lacson, MD, FPDS of MakatiMed’s Aesthetic Center. “Finasteride reduces the production of DHT, the male sex hormone that causes hair loss. This in turn helps prevent hair loss and promotes hair growth.” Dr. Lacson, who is also the head of procedural dermatology in MakatiMed, also recommends Minoxidil, which can be found in many over-the-counter hair products. “I remind my patients that these treatments are only effective for as long as you use them,” Dr. Lacson says. “For more effective long-term solutions, men can opt to do hair transplants, laser therapy or Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments.”
To prevent hair loss early on, Dr. Lacson recommends that men keep a balanced diet, have a regular exercise routine, and manage their stress, which can accelerate the balding process. “Keep your eyes peeled for harmful chemicals that could be in your hair product,” he adds. “It’s better to use all-natural shampoos and conditioners.”
How do I deal with this dad bod? It’s very normal for men to gain more weight than usual once they hit 30. Because their metabolism slows down, men tend to lose some of their muscle mass, resulting in the look known as the “dad bod.” This is where diet becomes more important than ever. “You can’t be eating the same way you used to when you were in your 20s,” says Arlene Lamban, MD of the MakatiMed Section of Nephrology. “Stay away from fatty food and alcohol. If you are on the heavy side, try to keep your portions small but still balanced”. Refer to the “Pinggang Pinoy” by the Food and Nutrition Research institute (FNRI) which has age-specific recommendations on the right proportion of nutrient sources per meal. Diet should go hand in hand with targeted exercises to improve muscle tone and keep the flabs at bay.
At this phase in life, men tend to turn to over-the-counter supplements that promise to help them burn fat quickly. “Don’t fall for it,” says Dr. Lamban. Those drugs and remedies aren’t always tested for their long-term effects, and could increase your chances of kidney damage.” Instead, dad bods should be treated the good old-fashioned way—with regular exercise and a clean diet.
Why is my skin so rough? You may have thought that your skin problems began and ended with acne during your puberty years. But aging can make your skin look rough and haggard. How do you deal with this? “A lot of men forego one essential product,” says Valerie Herbosa, MD, Chairperson of MakatiMed’s Department of Dermatology. “And that’s sunscreen. Sunscreen is a must and should be applied 20 mins prior to going out. It’s
especially important if they play a lot of outdoor sports, like football or golf.” It’s also a good idea to keep a skincare routine—nothing too complex or pricey, just a gentle facial wash and a toner, if needed.
If your wish is for a chance at regenerating worn out cells and feeling rejuvenated, a stem cell treatment at the Center for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) is possible.
Aging brings a whole new set of problems to the male ego, but with today’s medical technology, they don’t have to lose their confidence. At MakatiMed, men’s age-related concerns are treated effectively in a safe hospital setting, so they can face this new chapter in their lives.
For more information, please contact MakatiMed On-Call at +632.8888 8999, email mmc@makatimed.net.ph, or visit www.makatimed.net.ph.
