Grooming For Men

Male Hair Removal

There  is a growing demand for men to be properly groomed not just on their faces but all over. Even on the face men are now removing excess hair between the brows, in their noses and on their ears and this is as it should be. Careful grooming should not be reserved for women only.

Due to the amount of work involved for a man to keep up with shaving all these “extra” areas, many of them are opting to have hair in these regions permanently removed. By far the best option for doing so is by laser hair removal.

Laser hair removal involves the use of a light from a specific device with a particular wavelength directed towards a small area on the skin targeting only the dark pigments of hair in that particular area.

This procedure has been around for a while but it is still relatively unknown. This process works because it is used in such a way as to cause damage to the hair follicles without affecting the surrounding area in any way.  Since the hair follicle is damaged in the process the further growth of hairs is impaired. The results vary from person to person and it is mostly recommended for individuals with darker hair on very light skin. Even so the results are not always guaranteed but still men are always willing to consider this as an option for male hair removal.  Though the results of permanent hair removal is not always guarantee laser hair removal will certainly slow down the growth of hair.

Other advantages of  laser therapy for male hair removal are that the side effects are minimal, hair growth is decreased if not stopped altogether and  it can be used to remove hairs from larger areas such as from the chest, back, legs and stomach. The best part of using laser therapy for male hair removal is the report that once this is done hair bumps will be a thing of the past.

Laser hair removal treatment though costly, certainly is the best option for fighting hair bumps and for general male hair removal.

Skin Care Is Essential for Men To Prevent Hair Bumps

Although proper skin care appears to have been favored by a fraction of the male population the greater percentage incredibly scoff at the thought of skincare. Currently, there are plenty of goods out there specially focused on men. A man’s skin is generally thicker than that of a female. Men are additionally at risk of have oily skin due to larger pores and sebaceous glands which are more active than that of women. Notwithstanding this, the skin care routine for men is similar to the regimen that a woman have to follow.

Men should keep these in mind when thinking of commencing an effective skin care regime.

Cleansing. A lot more than using a regular bar of soap to scrub off muck, a proper water soluble cleanser must be utilized. Thorough cleansing really helps to remove dirt, grease and also other contaminants from the skin’s surface. This will reduce build-up of these pollutants and stop clogging of pores that bring about acne breakouts and hair bumps. Cleansing must be completed no less than twice daily.

Proper selection and utilization of shaving products. If nothing else most men have to buy products for shaving and grooming. Foams, gels, creams, razors, brushes are part and parcel of the ensemble. As a way to reduce problems with ingrown hair and hair bumps considerable thought should be given when opting for products for shaving. Among the key considerations in selecting shaving products should be the type of skin (since the level of oiliness differs from individual to individual).

Alcohol-based aftershaves are generally not the best option. Top quality razors and shaving brushes should be decided on as a way to stop damage to the skin. Using the proper technique to shave can also be helpful in preventing shaving associated problems.

Moisturizing. A man’s skin is usually oilly, nonetheless, as a result of repetitive shaving along with the reaction of shaving products on the skin, dehydration can occur. Hence moisturisers form an integral part of skincare for men. Moisturising gel or cream ought to be used after shaving. In reality, a few shaving foams/ gel have an in-built moisturising influence which makes them dual purpose.

Protection from Ultra violet radiation. Every person should be shielded from the destructive results of uv radiation. Many moisturizers incorporate sunscreen with the moisturizing effect that it offers. Otherwise the purchase of a sun block lotion that has a minimum spf 15 is suggested.

Some ingredients to look for in the products purchased include aloe vera, sea salt, tea tree lavender etc. All these natural products serve to help the skin in one form or another.

With a continued regimen men will see that proper skincare is not as difficult and time consuming as envisioned and the results, glowing, healthy, and youthful skin free from hair bumps is a welcome reward.

7 Tips For Choosing A Good Shaving Brush.

In an earlier post I spoke about the importance of using a shaving brush to fight hair bumps. Today, I will like to present seven tips for choosing a good shaving brush because you will find out that not all brushes are created equal.

Without further ado here are the recommendations:

1. Bristle type. Without any apologies I recommend the use of badger brushes. They are usually on the higher end of the price spectrum but this is one case where price matters. The bristle of the badger brushes feel soft and luxurious on your skin and unlike boar bristles retain a lot more water. Another type of bristle that is making strides in the market are synthetic brushes. They can be used you are sensitive to the use of animals for creating products.
2. Grade of badger hair. Badger brushes come in four grades and are classified according to the part of the badger from where the hair is taken. The lower end or standard badger is usually taken from the tail or back of the badger and the higher end or silver tip is taken from the neck. Choose the grade that feels most comfortable to you and meets your budget.
3. Size of the knot. Knot sizes vary from 17 mm to 35 or more mm and is determined by the size of the knot within the handle of the brush. The size you choose will be determined by the area of the skin where the lather will be applied.
4. Bristle loft. The bristle loft is the length of the bristle that extends from the handle. Longer lofts are more prone to floppiness while shorter lofts are more firm and controllable.
5. Shape of the bloom. Badger brushes come with two bloom shapes, bulb or fan and the type chosen can be based on preference since there does not seem to be benefits of one over the other.
6. Handle. Another aspect based on preference. Whether you prefer a firm grip with your handle or a loose grasp with your fingers the size if the brush will be based on preference.
7. Price. The final determination for the type of brush that you will choose will be based on what you can afford. As with most products investing a little more up front may mean savings for you later on.

Find your favorite brushes at your local beauty counter or on Amazon.com.

Speaking of favorites what are your favorite shaving brushes?

Shaving Tips For Men to Reduce Hair Bumps

Here are some great tips for shaving presented by Nicholas Perricone, M.D. on Discovery Health:

Shaving Tips for Men and Women

• Always shave after or during a hot shower, to soften the hair, open the pores and cleanse the skin.
• Use a pre-shave oil (you can pick this up at health food stores). These silicon oils help soften the beard, cut down on friction and protect the skin against razor burns.
• Use a glycerin-based shaving cream or shaving soap that lathers with water. Avoid foams, gels or products that contain numbing agents such as benzocaine or menthol, which tend to close pores and stiffen the beard.
• Try a Badger shaving brush to help generate a rich lather while it softens and lifts the beard.
• Use a blade with a firm handle such as the Gillette Sensor or Gillette Mach
• Always shave with the grain. To do to otherwise can cause ingrown hair and razor burn. For a closer shave, re-lather and shave lightly across or against the grain.
• Glide the razor gently over your face. Avoid applying pressure, which can cause skin irritation.
• In case of a nick or cut, apply a moist alum block on the area to stop the bleeding. You can also use the alum block as an antiseptic after-shave.
• Rinse with cold water.
• Use a nourishing alcohol-free after-shave to restore moisture and soothe the skin.
• Always hang your shaving brush with the bristles facing downward so that it drains completely and cuts down on bacterial growth that can exacerbate razor bumps. This will also help maintain the shape of the brush.

Source: Discovery Health.

Exfoliation: It’s Not Just for Women

The thought of exfoliation will summon the deep sighs, adamant protests, and rolling of the eyes from the 90% of the male population who are not familiar with the benefits of exfoliation. Men, especially those who are coping with the discomfort associated with ingrown hairs, should welcome the procedure with open arms.

So what is exfoliation anyway?

If men can disassociate the term from the visions that they conjure of women primping and fussing  they may very well welcome the process of exfoliation. Exfoliation in its simplest form means the removal of accumulated dead skin from the skin’s surface in order to expose the underlying skin. The skin revealed is softer and more even-toned and frankly I cannot imagine anyone who would not want that.

Research has proven that men’s skin is thicker than that of women, therefore they will ultimately reap greater benefits from exfoliation.  For men suffering from the effects of ingrown hair exfoliation is key!  Men in general can reap the benefits of all body exfoliation especially in problem areas likes chest, back, hands and feet.

Methods of Exfoliation

Men who prefer to exfoliate without the intrusion of prying eyes can do so in the privacy of their own home. There are a number great products that can be purchased at local beauty counters on online. For special occasions men can go all out and use the services available at nearby spas.

Available options include specially made loofah pads, gloves, stones, scrubs or creams whose main active ingredient consist of Glycolic, Salicylic, and Alpha-Hydroxy Acids. Often it takes trial and error to find the one that works best. An exfoliating solution containing salicylic acid is best for those with ingrown hair.

Other more expensive options for exfoliation include deep down treatments like like micro-dermabrasion. This process involves the use of tiny crystals to remove deeper imperfections.  Spa versions are the more expensive options but there are a number of over the counter products that will cost less than a trip to the spa.

Men, especially those prone to breakouts and ingrown hair, should exfoliate at least once weekly. It all depends on the skin type and intensity at which you exfoliate.

As a final note, I caution you to reduce exposure of the exfoliated skin to sunlight until the skin is back to normal.

If you are considering adding exfoliation to your routine especially if you have ingrown hair I will like to recommend Anthony Logistics For Men Mud Scrub. It is an absolutely amazing product and leaves your skin feeling so refreshingly soft and smooth. I purchased this for my husband and I love to feel his skin after he uses  it. He says that it feels like he has dropped ten pounds of skin after he washes it off.

Get Anthony Logistics For Men for an affordable cost of $11.95 on Amazon.