Wedding & Anniversary Grooming Tips for Men
Whether you’re the main attraction (groom) or a trusty sidekick (groomsmen), wedding days call for men to look their best. And even if your wedding is a thing of the past, you’ve always got anniversaries to deal with. Here are some men’s grooming tips to handle both the wedding and everything that comes after (or any formal event you are invited to). Grooming Tips for Men * Looking good takes some work and time, so begin a basic skin care routine of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing early to get the greatest results. Once a day (or twice if you have oily skin), wash with a liquid cleanser to remove debris and clear pores. Follow with a high-performance moisturizing product to keep skin smooth, hydrated and looking great. Two to three times a week, exfoliate with a face scrub to remove dead skin cells and improve skin’s surface. * If you’ve never spent time on a skin care routine before, consider purchasing a kit that contains all of the products you will need to get started. It takes the guesswork out of figuring out what products to use for what (and can make excellent groomsmen gifts, too!). * Treat individual problems, such as under-eye circles, fine lines and acne, with products specifically formulated for them. * For superior shaving without irritations like ingrown hairs, use products that are gentle and don’t contain irritants such as fragrance, menthol or alcohol. Avoid foamy products, as these do not lubricate skin adequately. Change your blade after 4-5 uses to keep from going over the same place more than once due to a dull blade. If possible, shave in the shower as the steamy air will open pores and allow hairs to be shaved closely. * For super-smooth shaving the day of the big event, skip shaving the day before and then shave in two steps: First, shave with the grain with very light pressure. Second, reapply a thin coat of shaving cream and shave against the grain for smooth results. * Regularly wash your hair with a gentle shampoo that will remove dirt without stripping away natural moisturizers. Make sure to get a haircut or trim a few days before the wedding or anniversary, but don’t opt for a new style the day before since this could turn out to be a disaster. * Nails & Hands: With all the hand-shaking and hand-holding going on, it’s a good idea to make sure nails are clean and trim, and hands are moisturized and free of grime. Why not splurge for a manicure? More and more men, from businessmen to movies stars, are getting them these days, and trust us: Sparkly polish will not be involved. * Wedding and event planning begins months, and sometimes years, ahead of time, so take advantage of the wait by getting fit with a nutritious diet and a regular exercise routine. * Don’t stink up the place: Make sure to wear deodorant. Keep breath mints handy for those slow dances. * Some wedding experts recommend men skip cologne at weddings, citing the fact that there will already be a lot of perfume in the air, as well as scent from the flowers. If you choose to wear cologne, keep the scent light and the application to a minimum. * For anniversaries, gifts don’t have to be elaborate or expensive. Plan a getaway weekend somewhere, even if it’s only two towns away. Book a spa appointment for the two of you and spend a day relaxing. Or instead of an expensive dinner, try revisiting a place you ate at when you first started going out, or a place you two have always wanted to try. The point is to celebrate your marriage any way you see fit.
About The Author
Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men's skincare and grooming company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at http://www.MenScience.com.
Solving Sports-Related Skin, Hair & Body Grooming for Men
by: Deidra Garcia
Sports are the perfect way for men to get in shape and have a good time doing it. But with greater exercise often comes greater challenges to your skin and body, and we’re not just talking about sore muscles here. Learn how you can control and eliminate common men’s grooming and skincare problems as you continue to work towards your fitness goals. Facial Acne: Exercise and sweat can lead to acne breakouts, as grime accumulates in blocked pores. But you can prevent reoccurring acne with a daily application of an acne treatment containing Benzoyl Peroxide. Back Acne (Bacne): Shower as soon you’re done working out and regularly exfoliate skin with a scrub brush. Keep hair from hanging on your shoulders and back, and wear exercise clothes that whisk sweat from skin’s surface. Body Odor: You can’t have exercise without B.O., but you can control it by washing as soon as you’re finished exercising and using a deodorant that doesn’t just mask odors with a heavy scent, but rather targets and neutralizes bacteria. Sunburn: A match on the courts is a great way to stay in shape, but forget to slap on sunscreen and you’re sprinting towards a world of pain (and future ages spots and wrinkles). Men require a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays and won’t wash away with sweat. Athlete’s Foot: Caused by moist conditions and friction in your shoe, athlete’s foot is an irritating problem that affects many guys. Keep feet as clean and dry as you can by washing your feet with a cleanser that contains antibacterial ingredients and drying them thoroughly after exercising. Damaged hair: Swim for long enough and you’ll develop sculpted waist, arms and legs…and brittle hair?! Rinse hair with fresh water before taking a dip (this will cut down on the amount of chlorinated/saltwater absorbed) and immediately after. Wash hair with a gentle shampoo to rebalance moisture levels and protect follicles, and wear a swim cap if you swim regularly.
About The Author
Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men's skincare and grooming company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at http://www.MenScience.com.
Out of the Shade and Into the Fire: Raising Awareness for Men’s Skin Cancer
by: Deidra Garcia
Over half the forms of cancer diagnosed every year are skin cancer, and it is one of the most common forms of cancer among men. According to the American Academy of Dermatology’s 2007 Skin Cancer Fact Sheet, one out of five Americans will contract skin cancer at some point in their lives, and if you’ve had more than five sunburns in your life, you’ve doubled your risk of getting the disease. In light of these startling statistics and with new scientific research about the dangers of sun exposure constantly being released to the public, why are people still choosing to forgo sun protection? Men seem to be especially susceptible to carelessness when it comes to protecting their skin from the sun’s rays. In a study conducted by the University of Texas, only 34% of men interviewed said they regularly used a sunscreen. This is in comparison to approximately 78% of women. Higher instances of sun carelessness could be attributed to athletic lifestyles, outdoor jobs and the fact that while a great deal of recent attention has been given to women’s skin health, men are often left to find information out for themselves. The true horror of skin cancer is that it is one of the most preventable forms of the disease. We at MenScience are very concerned about this epidemic among men and want to provide them with the tools and knowledge to prevent them from becoming future victims. With improved attention and awareness, the number of men who will contract skin cancer can be dramatically reduced. Some of the simplest things to keep in mind are protection and observation: * Avoid prolonged sun exposure from 10 AM – 4 PM. This is when the most intense rays appear. * Cover skin with shirts, pants, hat and sunglasses. * Every month or so, the American Cancer Society recommends that men check their skin, existing moles and birthmarks for changes in size, color or texture. Men are urged to see a doctor if changes are apparent. This is one of the most effective steps for catching problems before they can become life-threatening. * Regularly wear a sunblock that contains an SPF of 30 and shields skin from both UVA and UVB rays. These are the most harmful forms of sunlight, and all areas of your skin should be protected. Keep application consistent and try to repeat several times if you’re outside for long periods of time.
About The Author
Deidra Garcia is a freelance writer and communications manager for MenScience Androceuticals, a men's skincare and grooming company. You can find more articles by Deidra, as well as further tips and advice, at http://www.MenScience.com.