MANSCAPING: Men’s Grooming Essentials

Mom always told us guys to wash our face and comb our hair. Gone are the days of the ‘milk mustache’ and mud puddles of boyhood bliss. Make way for the millennium men of today! In today’s harried pace there is no need for men to look haggardly and unkempt. In fact, it is macho to moisturize—your skin demands it.

Father Time can be a friend or foe. While I don’t advocate plastic surgery, a simple routine of proper skin care and hair care is essential. Consider the alternative: flaky, dry skin and oily complexion, or beard and hair care that looks like you emerged from your man-cave centuries ago.

Skin Care

At one time the male demographic with regard to skin care was neglected and untapped. Today companies are emerging that specialize in men’s skin care. For example, Nivea compels men to “Look like you give a damn.” Products from Lab Series claim to maximize skin performance and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles so you look younger, longer. If organic products appeal to you, consider the Aveda product line, which was inspired by the Hindu science of longevity (Ayurveda). Select spas and salons sell these products locally, like CECO Studio in Richmond’s Carytown, and Animare in Peninsula Town Center in Hampton.

The following tips will keep your skin, your body’s largest organ, looking great:

• Keep your skin clean. Wash your face thoroughly with a mild soap and water. Avoid rubbing or pulling on it and use your hands as opposed to a harsh washcloth.
• Exercise and eat healthy. Staying well hydrated and getting enough sleep negates those raccoon eyes and keeps the skin looking stellar.
• Reduce your stress. Practice relaxation exercises and meditate for 15 minutes each day.
• Limit your exposure to the sun. Wear a sunscreen (SPF 30 or above) and take note that some moisturizers have a built-in sunscreen component. So when you are frolicking around the beach this summer, practice the Australian strategy of “Slip, Slap, Slop:” slip on a shirt, slap on a hat, and slop on some sunscreen. It is better to eat lobster than look like one.
• Examine your skin. Periodically scan your skin for moles or other indications of skin cancer. See a physician if you have a growth or discoloration that changes size or color.

Source: Men’s Health Healthy Living Guide

Hair Care

The commanding presence of healthy looking and well-groomed hair can convey a sense of confidence. It would serve us well to switch our focus from worrying about thinning hair and instead taking steps to revitalize what we have. Tawana Marshall, stylist at SportClips cautions men to be aware of excessive hat-wearing as a contributor to receding hair-lines. “For those who wear hats every day this prevents hair follicles from breathing and leads to wear and tear,” says Marshall. She advises men to be wary of certain types of hair conditioners as they often contain more alcohol, which strips hair of its softness. SportClips is a unique venue that caters to men. Men can choose from such extras as a scalp massage, hot towel treatment or neck massage. “Most men like the services as it reminds them of the old-school barbershop and gives them a much needed break,” says Marshall.

Shaving

Every day your face is under siege from razor blades. The quest for the perfect shave should include: softening the hairs by showering first, using a good shave cream or gel (avoid soap as it will dry the skin), shaving in the direction of the hair’s growth, and rinse with cold water. Be cognizant of aftershaves that contain alcohol as they may sting and further dry out the skin. For more on shaving visit theartofshaving.com. Don’t forget about the notorious “uni-brow” and unsightly ear and nose hair. You can purchase a quality trimmer at Brookstone or Sharper Image to thwart this unwanted hair.

Looking for a more permanent solution? “More and more men are asking for hair removal to achieve a smooth clean look about the torso, face and extremities, especially those that exercise,” says Yvonne Knight, M.D., a dermatologist at West End Dermatology, which is affiliated with Medi Spa West. According to Knight, many businessmen will have neck hair eradicated to avoid the ‘Peeping Tom’ effect. “Women don’t hold the market on appearance enhancement and men aren’t settling for less,” she says.

Personal Hygiene

In prehistoric times, cavemen relied on their unique aromatic musk—a combination of sweat, dead animal skins and decaying food that somehow attracted mates. Fortunately we have come a long way from yester-year. If your lifestyle or the climate in which you live makes you perspire a lot, shower more often. (Using something as tried-and-true as Johnson’s Baby Lotion after your shower in an inexpensive way to combat dry skin.) If you use cologne, keep in mind that your body’s natural scent will mix with cologne and aftershave, further enhancing your own distinctive smell.

Pampering

Equating the use of spas with women is so yesterday. The fact is men work hard and play hard. There is nothing wrong with treating yourself to some stress-free R & R. According to Matthew Punsalan, assistant general manager for the Red Door Spa at Short Pump Town Center, while men make up just under 10 percent of all spa visits, he has seen a 20 percent increase in visits from male customers. Punsalan points to stress relief and pampering as the two main reasons men seek solace in spas and that grooming seems to be a more tertiary male motive. “The trend for men is to start with a massage (which makes up 70 percent of Red Door visits by men) followed by nail-care (such as the Red Door Signature Pedicure) and finally skin care in the way of facials. “Men want to feel comfortable and they want things simplistic,” says Punsalan. He attributes the increase awareness in men’s skin care as a result of exposure to magazines such as GQ and Esq. that feature sections geared toward men’s grooming essentials. Punsalan cites that there is a difference in how men and women view relaxation: “Women view the experience as a serene moment void of noise and enhanced with calming aromas,” whereas the men’s locker room “is a place where men can unwind, watch TV, and be personally escorted to their spa treatment by an esthetician.”

Being a sophisticated gentleman does not have to be painstaking. After all, who wouldn’t want to optimize themselves to be the best that they can be? Being physically active is just part of the package: good hygiene and grooming seals the deal.