Get Rid Of Those Dead Skin Cells - Keep The Surface Clean - Exfoliate!

Most of us don’t have soft -as-a-baby’s-butt skin, and would benefit from a quick way to get rid of dead skin cells that build up on the surface of our skin. It’s not just about brighter, fresher looking skin either: we can create clearer pores and reduce ingrown hairs (often caused by shaving) by doing a little periodic exfoliation.

Exfoliates fall under two general categories, with practically endless choices to be found under either type. The first types are mechanical, which include scrubs and some tools used by your pedicurist. The second types are chemical and are generally some type of topical, acid based product. We’ll talk about each type, so you can decide what’s for you.

Scrubs are the most common example of mechanical exfoliates. They contain tiny granules that, when rubbed gently into the skin, dislodge and lift away dull, dead cells. Use facial exfoliates once weekly, in place of cleanser. Keep in mind, you don’t have to be as gentle on your hands, feet and legs; so, choose a scrub with heftier granules for those jobs!

Chemical exfoliates are usually reserved for the face only, and come in various potencies: both over the counter, and by prescription through licensed professionals. We’re mostly concerned with what’s readily available to you over the counter. These products are usually some form of Alpha Hydroxy, Salicylic and or Glycolic acid based. They come in creams and liquids, and each is used slightly different from one another. Creams are generally applied to facial skin, avoiding the eye area, and allowed to activate from 5-10 minutes. Some liquids are swabbed on with a cotton ball. Find the product that is suited to your skin type and create a weekly routine, customized for you.

Glycolic peels and micro-dermabrasion are specialty services available through trained and licensed professionals. These options take your weekly regime to new levels. Don’t overdue these services and only deal with reputable professionals. Remember, the idea
is to periodically exfoliate, not excavate!

Basically, you want to be cleansing six out of seven days; then, exfoliating in place of cleanser on the seventh day. That’s right, skip the cleanser when you exfoliate, and follow with quality eye-cream and moisturizer formulated for the face. Oh, and consider a specialty firming serum if you want to combat fine lines.

Get going, and groom!

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Battling Ingrown Hairs...

One of the most annoying skin experiences for men are the lumps and bumps caused by hair that gets trapped beneath the skin’s surface, as an un-sightly result of shaving and some natural conditions of hair growth. Ingrowns caused by shaving happen especially when we get a good close shave, creating sharp spears out of our beard hair. These bad boys are perfectly engineered to imbed in the skin as they continue growing. Unfortunately, some men also have the additional challenge of hair growing at an acute slant to the skin surface, making it double likely that imbedding will occur: this is especially true of curly hair! Once imbedded, the skin of our body will quickly react to what it considers a foreign body by becoming inflamed-aka razor burn.

It’s recommended to follow the essential steps of shaving (see related article), especially shaving with your growth pattern, not against it! Topical crèmes/lotions designed specifically to encourage healthy skin turnover and reduce inflammation will speed healing and reduce adverse reactions to shaving. A once a week ritual of exfoliation and a daily regime of appropriate to skin type moisturizer will ensure long-term satisfaction of your smooth look. Face it: the goal is suave look, not ‘barber of ceville’ gone amuck! A little care goes a long way: don’t skip it!

Pluck Away...

If there is one thing that can make a guy feel uneasy and out of his depth, then it’s the thought of getting an eyebrow wax! It’s time to get over the grooming fear, and we’ve got just the advice you need!

Essentially, what every guy is wary of, is ending up looking like they just got their sister’s eyebrows…but it doesn’t have to be that way. The key is finding a brow technician (waxer, esthetician, et…) who understands how to remove only enough to separate, tame and sculpt. The idea is to go from Unibrow to Noble-brows!

Face it, men: nobody wants to date Cyclops! Nothing opens up the face and eyes better than a well shaped, neatly trimmed pair of eyebrows. Trust us, you won’t lose your masculinity; but, you will come off groomed and good looking. Don’t be surprised if it gives you back ten years in the process!

Remember, the key is finding a skilled and experienced technician who understands you want to look good, not feminine. Ask for just a simple cleaning up above and below the brows, and to create a clean, natural separation between your brows. Key words like “clean, neaten, natural and define” will help you confidently communicate what your going for.

Go forth and groom!

Spotty Back/Acne

The back is probably the hardest area to wash. The solution to solving back acne is to scrub the area religiously with an antibacterial product. You may need an extra hand to properly wash the back. If the daily wash/scrub is not working, you may need to treat yourself to an occasional back treatment at a local spa for exfoliation and extraction of infected areas.

Hands and Gnarly Feet - get rid of them!

Taking care of your self includes taking care of your hands and feet. Manicures and Pedicures will complete your well-groomed look. To keep it masculine, have your nails trimmed to an appropriate length with a buff finish that will provide an understated effect. Your hands should be moisturized daily to avoid splitting nails and hangnails.

Guys who regularly play sports, walk a lot, or hike, etc., should have pedicures to prevent unnecessary pain with ingrown toenails. Having the toenails clipped properly will help avoid ingrown toenails. Cutting your nails too short, thinking it will last longer, is not a solution either. This can cause you to cut in to the skin. Our feet also require exfoliating to get rid of the dead dry skin. Exfoliating can be done with a salt scrub and pumice stone. Finish off with a moisturizer. If it leaves your feet feeling greasy, or causes your feet to sweat, choose a moisturizer that is right for your skin type. Applying moisturizer just before bedtime is another helpful solution.

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