Man-Scaping

So, by now, most of you fellows know how to shower. At least I hope you do. Did you know that not all soap is created equal though? There are some soaps that have deodorant in them. There are some with moisturizers already in them. There are bodywashes that already have both deodorant and moisturizer in them, and there are even some that are hair and body wash.

Which is right for you? Let's try our best to go into that now.

I am personally not a fan of soaps that contain a huge amount of added stuff. I also don't care for multi-purpose soaps either. I like all of my personal care products to be separate. Now, this is just my personal preference. I take a decently long time caring for my personal hygiene. To me it is somewhat of a spiritual thing, a ritual cleansing if you will.

The soap you decide to use should depend on several things. Do you have oily skin? Dry skin? Is your skin particularly sensitive? Do you want soap or bodywash that contains fragrance? These are things you need to have figured out before you purchase your bath soap or bodywash. The dry, oily, or sensitive skin issue may lead you to drop by your local Doctor to see if there is anything he/she recommends. Yes, that can be costly, but what does damaging your skin cost you in the long run?

If you use a soap or bodywash that contains fragrances, you might be fighting with your choice of cologne or aftershave. Fragrances are generally made of chemical compounds or natural oils. These chemical and/or oils will mix with the chemicals/oils that are contained in your cologne or aftershave. That can often produce two smells that should never go together, much less be smelled by anybody else.

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No, moisturizing is NOT just for women. Not at all. Think about it this way. Do you really think the ladies want to touch your skin if it is dry, cracked, and used up looking? Let me go ahead and answer that for you. NO! They do not.

Moisturizers help keep your skin soft, supple, smooth, and attractive. Dry skin makes you look bad... really bad. Dry skin can cause stinging, painful cracking, and premature aging. That is something that we as men always seem to be worried about. We do not want to look old, wrinkly, and used up. I know I don't. I want to be young, vibrant, and healthy looking as much as I possibly can.

Choosing the right moisturizer is completely up to you, and you should even consult your dermatologist. Not only to be safe, but to maintain the proper hydration balance that is right for you.

Let's talk for a moment about the skin.

Our skin is made up of three main layers; The Epidermis, Dermis, and Hypodermis. Each of these layers is also comprised of other layers and regions. All of these layers work together to help protect our skin. Moisturizers improve the look and texture of dry skin by filling in the spaces between the outermost layers of the skin. They also serve as a barrier to keep moisture in the skin's deeper layers. Harsh chemicals and environmental factors strip our body of moisture and harm our skin by making it rough and scaly. Most moisturizers contain water and an oil-based substance, that recreates our natural barrier and revitalizes our natural protection.

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What do you mean, not just the face? What else do guys shave?

I'll answer that in one word... EVERYTHING.

That's right, these day more and more guys are realizing that it is not considered feminine to shave and groom more than just their faces. This might be something scary for some of you to read, but there is no reason to feel intimidated. Please bear with me and read on.

The old classic of shaving your face still stands. Though it is your own personal preference as to whether or not you do a lot of it. Some guys like having beards and some ladies like when the guys have those beards. The design of your facial hair is very important to your overall look too. You can have a full beard, sideburns, mustache, goatee, or just a classic and clean shaven face.

Men are also starting to shave other parts of their anatomy these days. Of course, we have always done it, but it is much more public now. Did you know that it is the presence of hair that adds greatly to body odor? That's right, armpit hair and sweat combine to cause odor forming bacteria. Yeah, I know, girls shave their pits... not guys. WRONG! Think about it this way (and I am not judging anybody) it is right quick turn off if you see a girl with hairy armpits isn't it? Guess what? A LOT of ladies think the same thing about guys.

Guys are also shaving their backs and chests now too. Some fellows have been doing that for years too. You will find that a lot of athletes shave their backs and chests (armpits too). Have you ever got a hair caught in the armpit seam of your favorite jersey? I have, and it hurts like there is no tomorrow. Just be careful if you shave these areas.

Guys are also shaving... ahem... "other" parts now as well. To be fair a lot of guys have shaved their groin area for a long time, you just didn't really talk about a lot until recently. Please, I cannot stress this enough; if you shave your undercarriage, use common sense and be careful! Why shave down there? Well, have you ever seen one of those optical illusions? Of course you have. When you shave your genital area, it creates an optical illusion. It usually gives you at least an "optical inch" to the size of your manhood gentlemen.

Speaking of heads, some guys like a clean shaven look on the head that is supposed to contain the brain too! I sure do. I love being bald. It makes it easier to hide the one tiny bald spot that I have! It also looks a LOT better than trying out that "Old Man Comb over". I mean, really... We all make fun of those guys with the comb overs. You know you do. Then why start becoming one of those guys?

Okay, let me give you just a few general tips on shaving off hair. First, if your hair is longer than whiskers (on any of the place mentioned above) then get yourself some clippers and trim yourself up before trying to shave. It will make it easier and allow more shaves out of your razor blade. Second, make sure to use some sort of good shave cream or shaving soap. It helps soften the hair and makes it a lot easier to shave. After you shave, you guessed it, moisturize! Why? because remember those layers of skin we just talked about? You just took part of that first layer of protection off with a sharp instrument! It also helps to reduce itching and shaving bumps (ingrown hairs).

What about shaving cream? Yet again, this is a personal preference. There are literally hundreds of shaving creams and soaps out there. They are just as varied as regular soap. Find one that you like and is right for you. Personally, I use a natural menthol shaving soap that I mix up with a shaving brush and almost boiling water. It gives a thick, rich, tingly, and relaxing shave.

What type of razor you decide to use is also very important. I have used several, and still do sometimes. I generally use a Gillette Sensor 3 for my shaving purposes. I have been known to go to my local barber, who uses an antique straight razor, for a shave every once in a while. If you have never had your whiskers shaved like this, I highly suggest it. It is one of the most relaxing experiences you will ever have.

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I would think we all practice this still from our parent's constant reminder from our childhood of "Don't forget to brush your teeth!". Still, let's at least touch on this subject. There are, much like every other product in the world, hundreds of different toothbrushes and toothpastes out there. There are still even tooth soaps out there. They used that before toothpaste was invented guys.

Toothpastes and soaps are formulated for many different conditions. Sensitive teeth, sensitive gums, whitening, and the list goes on. The first thing I will tell you about this is, ask your dentist what he/she uses and then ask if there is any sort of condition in your mouth that you need to be aware of before selecting a good, solid, tooth cleaning agent. Make sure to also choose a flavor that you like too. There are hundreds of those too. The most important thing is to choose one that works well.

Get yourself a toothbrush that works well too. There are so many out there these days, and every one claims to be better than the others. Yet again, talk to your dentist and get suggestions. You want something that is durable and works really well. You don't have to rush out and get one of those motorized deals to keep your choppers clean and white. Some of them aren't even any good to tell you the truth.

Dental floss is, in my opinion, the cornerstone for good dental hygiene. You can get a roll and keep it in your pocket or desk drawer at work to maintain flossing between meals. They even have toothpicks that have a small bit of floss stretched out on one end. Yes, I use those constantly and they come is decently sized bulk packs at most drug stores and pharmacies. Just be careful when flossing and do not cut into your gums with the floss.

Mouthwash will also help you out between meals. They make just about every kind of mouthwash in small easy to transport bottles. Again, ask your dentist which one he/she recommends. Also make sure to choose one that you like the taste of as well. Make sure it kills germs well and has a fresh taste and smell.

My over all suggestion when it comes to dental hygiene is to buy two or three of everything you use. You'll want to keep a set at your home, for regular use. Keep one set in a small travel bag in your automobile, just in case you find yourself "sleeping over" somewhere. Keep the last set in your desk or some safe place at work as well, for those between meal touch ups during the day.

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Okay, this one is ALL about personal preferences. Smelling good is always a sure way to grab attention. Smelling too good will grab attention too though. When you choose what your scent will be, make sure to only use a little when you apply it. The general rule, and the ladies use this one too, is to use a small bit on your pulse points. That means dab a small bit on your wrists and a little on your neck. You do not need to bathe in cologne or aftershave. If you do, you will get noticed the wrong way.

Here is the fun part! Remember all that talk we've been doing about moisturizing and skin layers? Well, guess what? Most colognes, aftershaves, and deodorants contain alcohol. Alcohol is an astringent, and sucks moisture out of your skin to a point. Usually not too much of a problem, just remember to make sure to keep that moisturizing going!

Of course, there are plenty of scents out there that are derived from natural oils and ingredients, just make sure you are not allergic to to them before wearing them. The same goes for your deodorant. Make sure to choose one that is right for you. You want one that will last at least most of the day and keep you smelling nice and fresh. This is another item you can put in your travel bag and office pack. Believe me, you DO NOT want to be caught in public when your right guard takes a left turn.

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