Male vanity is clearly growing as a record number of men are taking part in the typically feminine pass time of grooming and pruning. With a growing interest from younger men, estimates have been produced that the male grooming market will be worth over $33billon by 2015. 

Male Vanity is on the Increase…But so are the Consequences

This increase in interest coincides with the growth of fitness supplements, as notable sporting personalities and Hollywood stars become ever more present in every day media. Typically rough and ready male celebrities are leading the way, showing you can maintain a typical ‘manly’ look and still look and smell great – Mr James Bond himself, actor Daniel Craig, shows men how to maintain a beauty routine that’s super manly, while rugged actor Gerard Butler was named 2012s ‘Best Groomed Celebrity’ in the UK.

Perhaps also to thank is the recent vintage trend across beauty and fashion for all genders, as the 1950’s appear to be making a comeback. The success of TV shows like Mad Men depict men suited and booted, freshly shaven and looking swish as they work their high-flying executive jobs. Suits, shiny shoes, meticulous haircuts, and gorgeous female companions feature heavily in the 21st century’s version of the fabulous fifties, and modern men are embracing this trend as much as women.

Compared to the popular indie grunge phenomenon of the 90’s (ripped jeans, baggy shirts and not-quite-clean hair being the biggest perpetrators of that time), the 21st century man has made a lot of changes. While razors, shampoo and shaving foam have always had a strong customer base, aftershaves, moisturisers, balms and hair finishing products are becoming ever more popular.

Some men are also embracing the ‘manscaping’ trend; getting rid of unsightly body hair on their chest, back, legs and other, erm, delicate areas has seen a huge increase with more and more men braving the salons to achieve the perfect look.

These new trends have not been without their consequences though. First4lawyers.com has revealed in a recent survey that male grooming injuries are also on the increase. The most common injuries come from UV tanning (20%), spray tanning (16%), haircut and dyeing (13%), eyebrow waxing or threading (12%), and leg waxing (10%). Perhaps the most shocking part of these stats come when compared to the female counterparts; men are four times more likely to have injury inflicted from using a UV tanning bed, and eight times more likely to be injured while having a spray tan.

Maybe this is due to the fact men are relatively new to the beauty game. As male specialised salons inevitably increase, the men will become more used to the tips and tricks women have picked up over the years.