Men’s |
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Thoroughly massage shaving cream into stubble. A vitamin and Aloe
Vera based shaving cream or gel will provide a close, soothing shave
and protect against razor rashes and burns. -
Use a sharp blade. A dull blade is responsible for many shaving cuts
as it drags over your face and catches your skin along with the
hairs of your beard. -
Rinse the blade often in hot water when shaving and use slow short
strokes. Don’t rush. -
Always shave in the direction that your hair grows on your face.
Shaving against the grain can cause redness, rashes, razor burn and
ingrown hairs. -
After shaving, apply an oil-free moisturiser to soothe and protect
the face. If you prefer an after-shave, check the label for
alcohol.
(alcohol
can irritate and dry out skin)
Avoiding
razor burn
The technical
term for this condition is pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) and the
primary cause is shaving with a blade. Men with curly, coarse or even
fine hair often experience razor burn or razor bumps after shaving
because the hair curls back, punctures the skin and becomes ingrown. You
could eliminate the problem by simply growing a beard or rarely shaving.
But of course you many not want to do this and unfortunately, for many
professional men this is not an option. Here are some tips to help you
recover from razor burn:
Prep
your skin before shaving by using a face scrub to exfoliate and help
lift the hairs from under your skin.
Liberally
wet your face and apply shaving cream. Wait 2-3 minutes before
shaving. The use of a shaving cream that contains vitamins and Aloe
Vera is preferable over brands which may contain skin irritants such
as sodium laurel sulphate.
Use
a high quality razor and change the blade often. Dull blades are
often the cause of skin irritations and shaving nicks.
Shave
in the direction the hair grows on your face.
Do
not pick at the bumps, as this tends to make them worse.
If
possible, take the weekend off from shaving to give the irritation
time to improve.
TIP
You can find a very
comprehensive article on all the different types of razors and the art
of shaving
here.
Skin Care
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Nose
and Ear Hair
It’s an
unfortunate reality for men, but they generally start noticing hair
begins to sprout from their ears and nose as they age and the chances of
them emerging and multiplying increase as you get older. The purpose of
this hair is to act as a barrier to prevent unwanted dirt from entering
your ears and nose-just as your eye lashes protect your eyes.
Remember,
your ear and nose hair has always been there, it has only changed its
growth pattern over time as a result of hormonal changes in your body.
Some hair experts link this growth to the male hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone),
although the exact relationship of DHT to nose and ear hair growth is
still unclear.
The best way to deal with it is to get yourself a good
quality hair trimmer. Hair
trimmers work in two different ways. Some trimmers feature a rotating
blade that spins in one continuous direction, while other trimmers work
with an oscillating blade that rotates from left to right. Both types
work extremely well.
Keeping
Your Teeth White
Everyone
likes a brilliant smile. Teeth can become stained for a number of
reasons, the most common being consumption of coffee, tea, berries,
fruit juices, smoking, and aging. Here are the most common teeth
whitening procedures:
Bleaching
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You’ll then be instructed on proper use of the mouth guards
and bleaching gel.
You’ll probably be told to squeeze a thin line of the
gel into the mouth guards and wear them for several hours nightly, or
even overnight (not to exceed eight hours). You must be consistent in
using the gel-apply it nightly usually one to two weeks, without
skipping any days.
The dentist will compare your teeth with a
shade guide, and will probably ask to see you again in a week in order
to monitor your progress.
The most common side effect associated with
bleaching is tooth sensitivity. However, it’s generally mild and
temporary, usually only lasting as long as the duration of the bleaching
procedure.
Whitening
Toothpaste
Whitening
toothpastes can slowly help remove surface stains and keep yellowing
from returning once you’ve had it bleached away, but by themselves the
toothpastes won’t cause the quick, dramatic changes you’ll see with
bleaching.
Lip
Care
Your lips
have fewer than half the cellular layers of the rest of your face, and
no sebaceous glands to provide protective body oils. A good lip balm
will preserve this delicate skin. There are many gender-neutral versions
out there, and some specifically made for men. Look for natural
ingredients like shea butter, vitamin A, jojoba and avocado oil.
**** I have been
informed that some recent scientific research have found no proof that
drinking 8 glasses of water benefits skin or wellbeing.
