Male pampering: Face up to it

Health and beauty treatments for men are gaining in popularity. Photo / Getty Images

If you offered a group of women the chance to head to the salon or spa to try a new treatment, there would be a queue, but men, well they're altogether a different species.

In a test group of reasonably regular blokes, we found takers for a massage and, surprisingly, a waxing, but offers of manicures and facials were greeted with disdain. After some arm twisting, the appointments were eventually filled.

Don't be shy, grooming really does maketh the modern man, as our recruits, sometimes reluctantly, admitted.

The manicure

Sure it was my first time and I probably watched too many war movies as a boy, but it took several moments before I could feel even remotely Zen about someone going at my fingernails with a pointed implement. My reticence would have worsened if I'd accepted the offer of an accompanying Norah Jones soundtrack; no thanks. The chatter from the salon outside the door did just fine.

But there's no denying I chilled down quickly. Despite what I've seen in movies, this treatment was done while lying on my back with subdued lighting inviting my eyes to close. And it's not a quick process. I enjoyed a relaxing hour as my fingernails were scraped, snipped, sanded, daubed and buffed, with each treatment interspersed by brief immersions in warm water. Rather lovely really.

Then just as I could relax no more, each hand was massaged to the point of putty. Now I'm fairly confident I achieve much the same result, nail-wise anyway, at home, but there's no doubt about the moral-boost a little pampering can bring.
- Alan Perrott

* A Man-I-Cure (30 mins plus) costs $45 at Mens Works Grooming Lounge, 26 Lorne St, Auckland. Ph (09) 358 4898

The waxing

He's 36, single and likes the ladies. And he's not a professional sportsmen or keen cyclist, so his willingness to be our waxing guinea pig was a bit of surprise. Turns out he's had a bit done in the past by a girlfriend and likes the smooth feeling. And on the subject of the "speedo" tidy he was also booked in for, he says: "Women do it, so why shouldn't we be tidy down there as well."

If he's dating he sometimes uses a clipper to tidy up below. It's all about enhancing your partner's pleasure apparently, but for our boy that stops short of the full Brozilian. "I'd never, ever wax my balls."

As to fronting up for his first professional waxing, he admits to a few nerves beforehand, but the actual hair removal and the quick, professional approach meant it was much better and hurt less than at-home DIY. He was told about 1 in 10 of Off's customers are male and he spotted another man in store. Of those getting waxed many are sports oriented or gay, but young professionals and those whose partners push them along are also well represented.

Our chap said the only thing that threw him as he was standing in the private room in his best boxers was the G-string he'd been given to slip on: "I felt like a stripper." He put it on backwards, but got this sorted before the consultant returned. As well tending to the hairs on his back, she sorted out a couple of blackheads.

After the surprise of the initial contact of being touched by someone he didn't know, our man said the process of having wax applied and stripped off was quite a comfortable thing; on a muscly back it didn't hurt and around the speedo line it was all over and done with quickly and the result was good. Having now been waxed in a clinic once, he'd be quite at ease to go again. "For men, it's just like women, these days."

* Back wax (including shoulders) costs $60 and speedo wax $40 (1 hour) at Off Wax and Brow Bar. 8 Osborne St, Newmarket, Ph 520-3212 and 99 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, Ph 486-3741.

The facial

Our 40-year-old scientist asked plenty of questions about his sports facial, describing it as a good opportunity to find out more about advanced skincare. He was particularly interested in the use of laser technology to address skin pigmentation and red veins and while that wasn't part of his treatment, having the time with a consultant that the facial gave allowed him to learn more about what else was on offer.

He noticed the men's sporting and car magazines in the waiting room with its comfortable leather lounge chairs and was told most male customers come in the evening. The Elements clinic owner, Jude Luke, said this was something that had changed a lot over the years with the increasing acceptance of male treatments and appearance medicine. Some nights a group of men would chat away over the (strictly optional) herbal teacups.

Our man described his facial as a maintenance-type treatment and a good starting point to his further skin education, rather than attacking any one issue - "though it's obviously designed to do something".

The men's facial follows a similar course to a women's one, but men's thicker skin allows a slightly more vigorous approach. Treatments are customised to each individual but follow the usual cleansing and exfoliation routine, with a peel and final moisturising to help replenish neglected or environmentally damaged skin. A bonus is an eyebrow tidy and a hand massage. Afterwards he said his skin was softer.

"I'd recommend it as a good Father's Day treat," said our guinea pig. It was both relaxing and informative.

"If you're interested in how you can maintain the appearance of your skin, it was very useful from that point of view."

* Sports facial costs $110 (1 hour) at The Elements Medi-Spa and Beauty, 225 Hinemoa St, Birkenhead, Ph 480-7563.

The massage

Having suffered from a bad back due to a sports injury years ago and spending most of my days sitting at a computer, the thought of lying out on a bed and receiving a massage was heaven. Count me in!

At the East Day Spa I was welcomed with the offer of herbal tea or water to drink while my masseuse explained the different types of massage on offer. I opted for the Balinese massage, requested that the pressure be firm, and chose orange bergamot oil as it apparently has energising qualities.

I was left in a softly lit room to change into the supplied boxer shorts. With the air full of sandalwood incense and gently playing music I lay on the bed and began to let go of the day's stresses.

East's therapeutic massages are based on traditional Ayurvedic and authentic Balinese healing rituals. My therapist worked expertly across my body, starting at my feet, focusing on key pressure points and, impressively, knowing exactly which spots needed extra attention. This was mixed with long flowing strokes and skin rolling which all help relieve stress and improve circulation.

The pressure she exerted was right on the cusp of pain and pleasure, working perfectly to ease away those deep-rooted tensions. As my body melted into the bed, I realised this was more than just a luxurious treat - it was imperative to my health and ongoing sense of wellbeing. I just needed my diary to make the next appointment!
- Jim McCulloch

* East Day Spa is offering a special Father's Day Package with a one hour massage, facial, manicure or pedicure, a Gold Class Ticket for two to Skycity Cinemas and one complimentary wine or coffee each. Value: $150. East Day Spa, Skycity Grand Hotel, Ground level, 123 Albert St, City, ph: (09) 363 7050.

The brow job

Oh gawd. Why why why? First the ignominy of being the only male from the office game enough to front. Then the request to go public by writing "from the male perspective" about having your eyebrows attended to by a professional.

Happens that I recently saw a billboard - in Thames, I believe - advertising facial hair removal with the line "deal to your mono-brow!". They don't do niceties in the provinces! I like that. When I mention it to the pleasant plucker (careful how you say that) attending to me, she quips that two are indeed better than one.

Not that I had a mono, I hasten to add. Being fair, my brows were hardly a standout feature at all. So why did I? Well, to see what it was like. And if All Black Ma'a Nonu can get away with wearing eyeliner, I guess I can have my eyebrows trimmed, tweaked and tinted.

Besides as a formerly waxed, shaved and lycraed cyclist, you grow immune from taunts. One Glen Innes resident used to abuse the 100-strong Sunday bunch each week as it flowed past his house. Delivered from behind net curtains his impassioned tirade always gave me a chuckle.

So what's it like? Oddly, rather pleasant. Long curly hairs were plucked, a bit of wax used to rip away the fluff at the margins, a bit of shaping but, reclined and relaxed, it wasn't really painful at all. In fact, it was quite nice to be pampered.

When tinting was mentioned (to slightly darken my fair brows) I envisaged a couple of black caterpillars taking up residency above my eyes. But, no, not caterpillars. Butterflies, perhaps.
- Phil Taylor

* Male brow tidy costs $25 and colour $25 (30 minutes) at Off Wax and Brow Bar. 8 Osborne St, Newmarket, Ph (09) 520 3212 and 99 Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna, Ph 486 3741.

Sun damage

Go to a skin clinic and you're as likely to see middle-aged and older men sitting awkwardly as you are women desperate to "down-age". The men are the ones with bandages on their skulls and faces, victims of years of over-sunning.

The harsh reality of our climate and male attitudes equal a scary propensity to skin cancer. Melanoma rates in New Zealand are among the highest in the world and most of the damage is done when sufferers are young.

Young men who run around without their shirts off and don't admit to sunburn are asking for trouble later in life. Men's higher likelihood than women to work outdoors also exposes them to additional risk.

Early detection of problems helps and a Mole Map assesses skin health by giving a baseline reading of the whole body, which is useful in monitoring changes at follow-up consultations.

The "map" is made by a registered nurse experienced in looking for early signs of cancer and any suspicious lesions are photographed and assessed by a dermatologist.

* Initial consultation $275. See molemap.co.nz or call 0800 MOLEMAP (0800 665 362)