By the time men reach their fifties, visible signs of aging are, well, visible, and those changes to the skin, hair, and body continue into the sixties and beyond. Here, top doctors share their treatment tips.
When should I start getting Botox®? Is it time to incorporate retinol into my skincare routine? What is a “mommy makeover”? How about a “daddy do-over”? Do I really need to, as the saying goes, sacrifice my butt for my face? Should I swap my temporary dermal fillers for something a bit more permanent?
When it comes to beauty and aesthetics, there is no such thing as one-size-fits-all. But there are some tried and true principles that will keep you looking and feeling your best. In this series, Coming of Age, The AEDITION answers your most pressing questions about the best treatments, procedures, and practices — from surgery and skincare to health and wellness and everything in between — to consider at any age.
What do George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt all have in common? They’re all over 50, and — let’s be honest — they all wear it well. By the time men reach their fifties, visible signs of aging are, well, visible, and those changes to the skin, hair, and body continue into the sixties and beyond. So, what’s the best way to address these newfound concerns? Top plastic surgeons and dermatologists share the best cosmetic procedures and treatments to help men in look their best after 50.
Refresh & Rejuvenate
Gravity and Mother Nature dictate that, as we age, humans experience a slowdown in collagen and elastin production, which leads to skin laxity and a loss of volume. Additionally, years of sun exposure and stress can result in uneven skin tone (think: pigmenation, redness, dullness, etc.) and uneven skin texture (i.e. fine lines, wrinkles, scarring, and more). On the visage, guys are seeing their face, neck, and eyelids (both upper and lower) sag and droop, which may contribute to a tired or even stern appearance.
It should come as no surprise then that men in this age group are interested in a refresh. “Men in their fifties are looking for treatments to improve their appearance and prevent signs of aging,” explains David Shafer, MD, a double board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York City. “They are beginning to get concerned about looking too old at work and want to keep the competitive edge.”
The Best Cosmetic Procedures for Men After 50
If you’ve been following this series, you know that we kicked things off in the twenties and thirties with prejuvenation, and, as it turns out, the rejuvenation approach that benefits men after 50 isn’t all that different. “Whatever we do in our twenties is still similar to what we’re going to do in our fifties, the difference is the aggressiveness of the approach,” says Jason Emer, MD, a board certified cosmetic dermatologist in West Hollywood. From professional and at-home skincare to face and body contouring procedures, here are some of the best treatment options for men in their fifties, sixties, and beyond.
AT-HOME SKINCARE
Before we dive into all the professional treatments that exist, we must reiterate the importance of a quality at-home skincare routine. As outlined in our guide to men’s skincare after 50, your daily regimen should include a cleanser, antioxidant serum, moisturizer, sunscreen, retinol or retinoid, and a hydrating mask.
Antioxidants (think: vitamin C and vitamin E) can help combat the effects of free radical damage, while a topical vitamin A derivative (in the form of a retinol or retinoid) increases cell turnover to improve tone and texture. If you’ve already been using a retinol or retinoid, now may be the time to upgrade to a more potent product. But, remember, use only a pea-sized amount twice a week to start in order to avoid irritation.
Because the skin gets drier with age, men in their fifties and beyond can benefit from a hydrating treatment — like a weekly overnight mask with hyaluronic acid (HA) — to restore moisture, smooth, and plump the skin. If you are concerned about dry skin, you can also incoproate HA into your routine daily with a serum like Dr. Emer’s Emerage Skin Hyla-B.
PROFESSIONAL SKINCARE TREATMENTS
Just as we covered in our guide to procedures in your forties, skin resurfacing can reveal smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking skin. After 50, Dr. Emer says an ideal protocol involves quarterly medium-depth chemical peels, monthly light peels, and annual ablative laser treatments with CO2 and erbium devices. That combination can even skin tone and address everything from fine lines and acne scars to deep wrinkles. But, for men who are particularly concerned about pre-cancerous spots or localized wrinkles, the Plasma Pen™ or a spot treatment of a ProFractional™ laser can be added on to target them.
Dr. Shafer also recommends DiamondGlow™ facials, a diamond tip microdermabrasion treatment that also involves pore-clearing extractions and skincare infusions, to refresh the complexion.
INJECTABLES
“When you get into your fifties, you start to lose a lot of midface volume,” Dr. Emer says. Filler may be used to fill the midface hollows, contour along the jaw and chin to camouflage jowling, restore cheek volume, and even rejuvenate the hands, but traditional filler isn’t the only option. Depending on the patient, Dr. Emer may instead recommend fat grafting (which involves harvesting fat from one part of the body and injecting it into another) or a fat-stimulating injectable, like Renuva®, to restore the face.
Frequently Asked Questions
Men can consider starting Botox® treatments in their fifties when visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines become more apparent. Early intervention can help maintain a youthful appearance and prevent deeper lines from forming.
Yes, retinol or retinoids are recommended for men over 50 to increase cell turnover, improve skin tone, and texture. It is advised to start with a pea-sized amount twice a week to avoid irritation and gradually increase usage as tolerated.
A “mommy makeover” refers to a combination of cosmetic procedures aimed at restoring a woman's body after childbirth. The male equivalent, sometimes called a “daddy do-over,” involves treatments and surgeries tailored to address aging and body changes in men, such as body contouring and facial rejuvenation.
Men over 50 should use a cleanser, antioxidant serum (like vitamin C and E), moisturizer, sunscreen, retinol or retinoid, and a hydrating mask. Incorporating hyaluronic acid serums or weekly overnight masks can help combat dryness and maintain skin hydration.
Effective professional treatments include quarterly medium-depth chemical peels, monthly light peels, annual ablative laser treatments (CO2 and erbium), and DiamondGlow™ facials. These treatments help improve skin tone, texture, and address wrinkles and pigmentation.
Injectables like dermal fillers can restore midface volume, contour the jaw and chin, and rejuvenate the hands. Alternatives include fat grafting or fat-stimulating injectables like Renuva® to provide a more natural and longer-lasting volume restoration.
Collagen and elastin are proteins that maintain skin firmness and elasticity. As production slows with age, skin becomes lax and loses volume, leading to sagging and wrinkles. Treatments aim to stimulate or replace these components to rejuvenate the skin.
Yes, men over 50 often experience drier skin and can benefit from hydrating treatments such as weekly overnight masks containing hyaluronic acid and daily use of HA serums to restore moisture, smoothness, and plumpness.
Antioxidants like vitamins C and E help combat free radical damage caused by environmental stressors, which accelerates skin aging. Incorporating antioxidant serums into daily skincare can protect and improve skin health.
Visible aging signs can impact men’s confidence and how they are perceived at work and socially. Many men seek cosmetic treatments in their fifties to maintain a competitive edge and feel their best in personal and professional settings.
