The Male Guide to Grooming - Hair and Skin Care

A toner may be used for those with excessively oily skin.

Moisturise after toning and then use sunscreen with an SPF of 30. If you are likely to be exposed to sun for long hours, reapply the sunscreen every 2- 3 hours. Sun protection through full-sleeved breathable clothing, wide sunglasses and use of a sunscreen is a very vital part of skincare for men and helps them look young and fresh & prevents signs of ageing such as pigment spots, fine lines and wrinkles.

To prevent the harsh effects of shaving on the skin, one should have a standard razor kit with good quality razor, moisturising shaving cream and a gentle after-shave preferably with moisturising properties. Shaving should be done in the direction of hair to avoid having razor bumps. After shaving, it is essential to moisturise the skin with a product that has no alcohol in it. Alcohol is harsh on the skin and can cause dryness. It is also important to avoid fragrance-based after-shave products as they can irritate the skin and lead to allergies.

Deodorant or antiperspirant is a must for men who sweat too much. This will prevent bacterially as well as fungal infection. Antifungal dusting powders may also be used to prevent fungal infections and smelly underarms and feet. Do not rub your face to wipe sweat, instead use a tissue or cotton napkin and dab the sweat. Frequent rubbing causes pigmentation, commonly seen as a dark band on the forehead in males.

For those between 15 -30 years of age, a moisturiser is enough at bedtime.

For those above 30 years, a fragrance-free anti-ageing cream containing any of the contents such as peptides, retinol, Ferulic acid, kinetin, AHAs, and polyhydroxy acids may be used at night.

Exercise promotes improved capillary function that can decrease premature ageing. Exercise also increases oxygen saturation in the tissues which help keep skin looking healthy and youthful.

A well-balanced diet is a must. Ensure that your daily diet consists of green vegetables, brightly coloured fruits and vitamins such as C and E. It is important to stay away from excess alcohol, smoking, fatigue and stress. All of these factors can lead to premature ageing by exposing your skin to harsh chemicals and increasing free radicals.

Hair on ears can be embarrassing; however permanent laser-assisted hair removal gives cosmetically acceptable results.                 

Don't be cheap about styling products.

Cheap ones will either dry out your hair or grease it up. Find good quality gel, pomade, mousse, and whichever other products are best for your hair type. They may be a bit expensive, but you only need to use them sparingly. Too many of these products may make the hair frizzy or brittle.

If you keep your hair cut very short, you probably won't need any styling treatments, as the oils from your scalp will be sufficient for your hair, and the short hair basically styles itself.

Get regular haircuts and trims from your trusted hairdresser.

Massage your scalp with your fingertips or the pads of your fingers--not with your fingernails in order to prevent those boils in the scalp.

Finally, stay stress-free and have a high-protein diet to have healthy hair.