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Putting the ‘man’ in ‘manicure’

By Catherine Toth Fox • July 16, 2012 • Musings, The Daily Dish

Just about every spa I’ve been to lately — or read about — has services exclusively for men.

The Beverly Wilshire Hotel offers a massage using golf balls to relieve aching, manly muscles. And the men’s-only salon John Allan’s boasts a variety of services that ends with an ice-cold Sam Adams.

Men are spending a lot more time and money on their looks. They’re getting Botox, booking regular massages, even scheduling monthly facials.

How’s this: according to the 2011 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report, male chin augmentations are up 76 percent from last year, cheek implants 52 percent and buttock implants 47 percent.

That’s shocking.

The New York Times recently tapped this as a topic of debate among its correspondents, and the discussions were interesting.

Of course, much of it was centered around whether today’s modern man — the one who gets facials during lunch or enjoys a luxurious massage by candlelight — is really “manly.”

But then again, what’s manly, anyway?

My husband has an intensive five-step skincare routine that involves products I’d never purchase without a gift card. They’re expensive, they smell great, and I often steal them.

Just because he cares about his skin — and, by the way, it shows — doesn’t make him less of a man. Maybe more of one since he openly admits it.

But what’s your take? Do you think the modern man has lost its edge? Or do you think men should enjoy all the pleasure of life, including an exfoliating pedicure?

2011 Plastic Surgery Statistics ReportBeverly Wilshire HotelHawaiiJohn Allan'sputting the man in manicurespa treatments for men
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About the Author

Catherine Toth Fox

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5 Comments

  • Reply Annoddah Dave July 16, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    CAT: YES! First time I went to a spa…did the whole enchilada! Loofa scrub, hydro shower, seaweed soak, massage, whirlpool, cool down session. Fell asleep a couple of times…I was so loose it was hard to walk. I spent almost 3 hours. At first I thought what a “muff” thing to do. But it did not take long to really enjoy it.

  • Reply WildeOscar July 17, 2012 at 2:27 am

    Without judging how others spend their time and money, I’ll say ‘I don’t get it.’ Maybe if I tried it, I would. Nothing to do with manliness, I’ve given gift certificates to my wife for spa treatments and massages. When our daughter was a baby, I once waited in the car for about two hours entertaining a few-month-old during a spa appointment that ran very long for my wife. So, I would spend the time, and I would spend the money, just not on spa treatment for me.

  • Reply jaydee July 17, 2012 at 3:30 am

    I do get a massage from time to time and I use facial products that I guess are expensive; Biotherm Homme, mail order only. I don’t see anything wrong with it and my wife appreciates it.

    There is a salon/spa close by that offer services exclusive to men. For a fee, the lovely ladies working there will even provide “manscaping” for you, though I myself have not partaken in that. I can take care of that myself. Hah!

  • Reply M July 17, 2012 at 6:51 am

    Hello Cat, I never been to a spa but I did have a massage every now and then. Because I’m out in the sun a lot my skin is not in to good shape and I should take better care like using sunscreen.

  • Reply eddyo July 17, 2012 at 7:33 am

    Good Morning,

    Not for me! Don’t have a problem with guys getting the treatment, but don’t have the time, money or inclination. Therefore I must be sore, with unoptimized body shapes, have bad skin & lest I forget–stink! But the what the hell, I’m an old guy… (lol)

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About Me

About Me
Born and raised on O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi, Catherine Toth Fox has been chronicling her adventures in her blog, The Cat Dish, for more than a decade. She worked as a newspaper reporter in Hawai‘i for 10 years and continues to freelance—in between teaching journalism, hitting the surf and eating everything in sight—for national and local print and online publications. She’s currently the editor of HAWAIʻI Magazine.

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