As a family medicine physician, I’ve spent years guiding women through preconception care—discussing ovulation windows, vaccines, stress levels, and chronic disease screening. I’ve had countless women ask me for fertility labs and lifestyle guidance, eager to take the lead on their reproductive health. But one glaring omission in my training—and in most of our conversations—was the environment. Specifically, how everyday toxins and chemicals in our homes, food, and products are silently hijacking not only women’s health, but men’s too.
June 2025 L+A Report
The Modern Man’s Guide to Medical + Spa Aesthetics
Let’s just say it—men want to look hot. Period. They’re not confused. They’re not timid. They’re not “warming up to the idea.” They’re here, they’re booking treatments, and they want results. If you want more male clients, here’s a guide to getting my guys on your treatment table.
It’s 2025, and guys are part of the same ultra-visual society as everyone else. They see themselves on Zoom calls, on IG Stories, in gym selfies, on dating apps. They know what they want to improve—and they don’t need a permission slip or a pep talk to book a facial, laser treatment, or neurotoxin.
So let’s stop making men’s aesthetics feel like a special event or a delicate subject. It’s not. If your marketing is still trying to “make men feel comfortable,” maybe check in on your comfort level with it. Because here’s the truth: Men don’t need coddling. They need results, just like every other client.
It wasn’t until I went through my own fertility challenges, including egg freezing, that I began diving into the research. What I found was disturbing. Many of the self-care rituals I loved and promoted working in the spa industry—luxurious body lotions, skin care, candles—were quietly contributing to hormone disruption. And even more disturbing? The mounting evidence that men are just as, if not more, vulnerable to these environmental toxins. Yet, no one is talking about it.
What do you mean cologne can contribute to conditions like erectile dysfunction and poor sperm quality?
Yes! The very fragrances marketed to us to make us more “attractive” are linked to infertility, reduced libido, and erectile dysfunction (ED) in men, among many other everyday items. Fortunately, there are increasing treatments and technologies aimed at treating ED, including PRP injections, and potentially a smartphone app! [1][[2][3]. But before adding MORE, I always advocate to simplify and be intentional with what we are already doing. First, let’s start with how exactly these chemicals disrupt our hormones.
Many of the chemicals found in plastics, synthetic fragrances, and industrial pollutants act as xenoestrogens—foreign compounds that mimic the body’s natural estrogen. Phthalates, BPA, and parabens have molecular structures similar enough to estrogen that they can bind to estrogen receptors in the body. The problem? These receptors weren’t designed to handle a constant influx of artificial estrogens.
When these xenoestrogens bind to hormone receptors, they lead to an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. In men, this results in suppressed testosterone production, poor sperm quality, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, mood issues, and fat gain—especially around the abdomen and chest. These chemicals also impair the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which regulates testosterone production and sexual function. Xenoestrogens have also been implicated in increasing the incidence of chronic disease.
What makes them even more dangerous is their persistence—they accumulate in fat tissue and often aren’t broken down efficiently by the body, leading to a chronic internal chemical burden.
Contribution By Dr. Chantal Lunderville, L+A Medical Editor
Dr. Chantal Lunderville is a board-certified physician specializing in skin health, aesthetic medicine, and Women’s health. She attended medical school at UCLA School of Medicine, followed by a residency at UCSF Family Medicine, and on graduating opened her own concierge aesthetics practice in the San Francisco Bay Area focusing on hormone health, skincare, and longevity.
Since then Dr. Lunderville has grown her practice to include overseeing nurses and aestheticians as medical director to over 15 practices across California, and through Dr. C’s Academy helps to launch new practices across the US and Canada through consulting and online courses in business, compliance, aesthetic procedures including neurotoxin, fillers, lasers, microneedling, and lasers. Read Full Bio
The Real Endocrine Offenders
Sure, an app for ED is novel, but I would much rather see how much improvement my patients can get from regularly airing out their home in the morning, and swapping out 2-3 items in their routine for cleaner alternatives. Overhauling can be overwhelming, so I emphasize making one small change per week. Let’s explore the basics that I cover with them and see where they feel strongest to explore.
- Mold exposure from water-damaged buildings or hidden household leaks, which can elevate estrogen activity and suppress testosterone.
- Phthalates and BPA, found in plastic bottles, food packaging, and receipts, which mimic estrogen in the body.
- Fragrance-heavy skincare and grooming products packed with endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
- Ultra-processed foods and seed oils that fuel inflammation and oxidative stress, impacting hormone production.
- Flame retardants in furniture and mattresses, which accumulate in fat tissue and have been linked to poor sperm quality and reduced testosterone.
5 Easy Ways to Reduce the Chemical Load (Without Going Off-Grid)
1. Upgrade Personal Care Products
Switch to fragrance-free, EWG-verified grooming products. Start with cologne, deodorant, body wash, and shaving cream. The most impactful change is ditching the cologne- I normally suggest at first cutting back from daily use to weekends only or special occasions.
2. Eat (and Store) Real Food
Reduce consumption of ultra-processed snacks, and stop using plastic containers. It can be expensive, but most families switch out products at least once a year. I suggest the next buying cycle head to their local Container Store or Amazon and invest in glass or bamboo kitchen products. These are meant to last years and can save you hundreds over the long run.
3. Filter Your Water and Air
Invest in a high-quality water filter to reduce chlorine, heavy metals, and microplastics. Use HEPA air purifiers, especially if you suspect mold exposure. Costco is a great place to grab these.
4. Detox Your Home Environment
Ditch synthetic candles, dryer sheets, and heavily fragranced products. Swap out old mattresses and couches that contain flame retardants, if possible—or use covers that block chemical off-gassing.
5. Sweat Often (and Clean It Off Right After)
Men’s health is brimming with cold plunge and recovery care. It not only boosts your heart health but also actively helps eliminate toxins. Whether through sauna, cardio, or lifting, sweating is one of the most effective ways to mobilize and eliminate xenoestrogens. Shower promptly after to prevent reabsorption.
As a family medicine physician, I’ve watched countless women take charge of their reproductive health—while the men in their lives often avoid the doctor altogether. The men in my family avoid medical visits unless absolutely necessary. But here’s the truth: optimizing men’s health doesn’t always require a clinic visit. It starts right at home. This article breaks down how everyday exposures silently sabotage male hormones. With just a few intentional swaps in your home and daily routine, you can begin to reduce chemical burden and reclaim hormonal balance, energy, and longevity—no white coat required.
Did you like what you read? Share with your favorite man in your life and tell them how much you appreciate them, because we all need that!
Dr. Chantal Lunderville, L+A Medical Editor
Ask Dr. C
Dr. C AKA Dr. Chantal Lunderville, L+A’s Medical Editor, is here to help you learn and grow! If you have a question about the medical / spa skincare industry, this is your opportunity to ask a Board Certified Physician!
Ask questions about regulations, compliance, procedures, combining modalities, protocols, injectables, lasers, how to build your sales revenues, or how to build yourself as an expert!
[1] Front Reprod Health. 2022 Aug 16;4:944765. doi: 10.3389/frph.2022.944765
[2] Masterson TA, Molina M, Ledesma B, et al. Platelet-rich Plasma for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial. J Urol. 2023;210(1):154-161. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000003481
[3] Ella Walker, Health Features Editor. Published: 7:54, 29 Apr 2025 | Updated: 7:54, 29 Apr