Don’t hate me because I’m handsome.
Well, okay, beauty really is in the eye of the beholder, but is it vanity for a man or woman to want to look his or her best?
I think not. And it’s especially important in a competitive professional environment to put forward your best self.
So for the first time on Fried On Business, we had a dermatology expert come in to give me a live, on-air, tire rotation and oil change – cosmetically speaking.
Martin N. Zaiac., M.D., of Greater Miami Skin and Laser Center, certainly understands the value of appearance in the workplace. Once upon a time, he said, it was thought that women were the only ones who needed to worry about their looks on the job.
But the tide is turning, he said, and more men are starting to make small changes designed to enhance their appearance and, perhaps, gain a professional edge.
That’s especially important as otherwise competent people get older. I have a friend who was just turned down for a position. He was told he didn’t have enough “runway” left.
Translation: He was too old, in their opinion.
“The experience of someone that’s a little bit more mature is probably better in the long run for a workforce. So, we’re trying to get those people that have that maturity, that excellent experience, and make them look and feel better,” Zaiac said.
“If you feel better, you portray a better personality, and if you’re well-liked in a job interview you have a better chance.”
Zaiac said a simple, 5-minute treatment will go a long way toward taking away some wrinkles and improving the texture and quality of the skin.
The first part of the treatment, for me, was a bit of Botox between the eyes and around my crow’s feet. You may not realize it, but your face is in a tug of war with itself. There are muscles that pull up and muscles that pull down. The idea behind Botox is to weaken the muscles that pull down.
Zaiac said it opens up the eyes, gets rid of that tired look, and generally freshens up the appearance. It takes about 10 days to achieve the full effect.
Then I got a “Miami Peel” to improve the luminosity of the skin. The face cream is left on overnight and washed off the next morning.
The Botox was nearly painless – just a little pinch here and there.
Be advised: The Miami Peel is odoriferous. In other words, it smells a bit. But it’s totally worth it. Zaiac said there will be some fine peeling of the skin, but nothing serious. Not like a huge sunburn or something.
I consider treatments like these and others to be just one more tool in an executive’s toolkit. If there are things you can do up front to improve your odds in the workplace, do them. Right now, everyone at the table is qualified. The employer is going to pick the person they feel the best about.
And besides, it’s okay to treat yourself every once in a while.
Right?
Click here to listen to the full interview with Martin N. Zaiac., M.D., of Greater Miami Skin and Laser Center. Contact him at 305-532-4478 or miamiskinandlaser.com.
