skin care

Taking good care of it will keep you looking younger and, trust me, your daily life will be more comfortable without having to deal with irritating and embarrassing skin problems.Your skin is the largest organ of your body. It makes you waterproof, helps regulate your body temperature, keeps dirt and germs on the outside and your blood and organs on the inside. Your skin does a lot for you, and it is one of the things that people will notice first about you. So if you show it some appreciation in return, your skin will reward you with a healthy glow.

Skin Flaws

Some men are blessed with perfectly flawless skin. The rest of us will have to deal with our share of moles, warts, scars, and other blemishes. Scars. Here is where men have an advantage over women. We can get away with it a lot easier then they can. If you want to be ruggedly handsome, a scar or two will not lose you any points with your sweetheart. Talk up your scar…you probably have a good story to go with it. On the other hand, large scars from surgery, accidents or severe burns can be discomforting and even painful.If you have large scars that trouble you, I would suggest that you consult your physician or dermatologist. Small scars can be covered up with specialty scar creams (try saying that three times real fast) that will soften and hide the scar making it less noticeable. More drastic measures can include conventional or laser surgery.Moles: I'm not talking about those little trouble makers that are, at this very moment, tunneling through my front yard. AAAGH…I hate those little buggers…but that's another subject. I'm talking about those brown or black spots that show up more frequently as you get older.

Moles are caused by skin cells growing in clumps rather than spread out as they should. They can be hereditary, develop over time, or you can even be born with them.Do not attempt to remove any moles on your own. I say again…Do not attempt to remove any moles on your own. Take your moles seriously! Some can be cancerous. If you notice changes in a mole's color, height, size or shape, you should have a dermatologist evaluate it. You also should have moles checked if they bleed, ooze, itch, appear scaly, or become tender or painful.

Freckles: Most common in our fairer skinned male brethren, freckles are typically caused by skin exposure to sun light and appear mostly on the arms and face. Men who have freckles will notice they tend to become more prominent when spending a lot of time outdoors in the sun. Freckles are often hereditary. So, blame the sun and your Dad. The best way for men to reduce the prominence of freckles is to avoid skin exposure to sunlight or by using a good sunscreen. Use at least SPF 15 or higher.

Freckles are rarely a health concern and they don't detract much from your male handsome factor….so there is no need for their removal. But if you insist, your options are pretty much limited to makeup or more drastic measures such as chemical or laser treatment. Again…consult your dermatologist. Warts: Now here is a skin condition that will lower your score all day long. Your sweetheart is not going to want to hold your hand if all she is going to get is a handful of ugly, bumpy, (dare I say) hairy warts.

Warts are commonly caused by a virus and are readily treatable by over the counter methods available at your local drugstore or supermarket. Most typical are products that use a mild acid solution (like good old Compound W) or a freezing agent applied directly on the wart. Unlike moles, warts are safe to treat at home by yourself. However, I would suggest you have your dermatologist treat your warts if they are unusually large, widespread, or near your eyes, nose, or mouth.

"What can I do to get dry skin relief?"
Moisturize. Seems obvious doesn't it?
The best treatment for dry skin that men can do is apply a moisturizing lotion. But wait! Don't reach for your wife or girlfriend's favorite lotion. I suggest you get a good fragrance free lotion. You don't want to go around the office smelling like a bouquet of roses (unless, of course, you are into that sort of thing.) Most men think the best time to apply moisturizing lotion is when their skin is dry. Actually, the best time to apply lotion is right after you get out of the shower or tub. Use a soft bath towel to pat your skin dry (again, no need to rub off what is left of your natural skin oils that managed to survive the shower). Then, apply the moisturizing lotion while your skin is yet a little damp. Don't be too skimpy. You can always wipe off the excess lotion with a towel. Give your skin a couple minutes to drink the lotion in before getting dressed or hopping into bed.

"What kind of lotion should I use and how often should I apply it?"
These are good questions and I'm glad you asked. How often you moisturize depends on how severe your dry skin is. Certainly once per day is very good. Every other day if your skin is not too dry….twice per day if it is very dry. In any case, you should lotion up at least twice per week. Good lotions are not hard to find. You can go to some fancy upscale specialty store and put down some cash for designer lotion…or…you can go the other route and get your lotion at the local drug store or supermarket. I find that the expensive lotions are mostly hype and the mid priced ones are just as good….but don't go too cheap. The low end lotions tend to be too watery or too greasy.

"What else can I do to promote healthy skin?"
Here are some great healthy skin tips that you should use.
Improve your diet: Drink lots of water. Also important is maintaining a healthy diet. Good nutrition will improve the healthy look of your skin, hair, and nails. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and food low in processed sugar and saturated fats are best. Foods high in vitamin A, D, K and protein are best for promoting healthy skin.

Get off your butt: Exercise gets you sweating which is a natural way for your body to clean out its pores and produce healthy skin oils. It also plays a big role in how young and how healthy your skin looks and feels. Exercise gets your blood pumping and this increased circulation feeds your skin with the nutrients it needs. Exercise is also a stress reliever which can help curb acne and other skin irritations that flare-up under stress. One more reason to put down the bag of chips and do some pushups!

Quit smoking: Smoking is bad for you on so many levels. I could go on for pages about that…but lets stay focused on your skin. Smoking constricts the blood vessels in your skin. This cuts down on circulation and your skin will not get the proper amount of nutrients it needs to maintain its health. It ruins the collagen and elastin in your skin, making it more prone to wrinkles. This is not limited to your facial skin either. Also, smoking tends to enlarge your facial pores making you more prone to acne. Need I say more? You get the picture. Quit smoking! Get started on some kind of plan to stop smoking. You can find them all over the internet, but beware of plans that promise results overnight. I've done some digging around and discovered this plan No gums, patches, or hypnosis with this program...just common sense program for help with kicking the habit.

Face Care

Ask yourself this question: "What is the most important physical feature of your entire body?"

The answer - your face. Your face is your identity. It is the first thing you see when you look in the mirror and it is what people remember about you the most. This is very important because you only get one chance to make a good first impression. You owe it to yourself to "put your best face on."Proper male facial care is vital to making that good first impression. Men should not neglect taking good care of their face. You see, your face is a measure of the health of your entire body. Healthy skin looks young, smooth, and wrinkle free.Following a simple male facial skin care regimen will ensure you have the best skin possible, and will promote a youthful appearance for much longer. Explore each of the featured article links and begin learning what you can do to be kinder to your face, so you may look better and feel better.

Medieval beauty treatments

Thinking of having a professional makeover at a cosmetology salon? Wait a minute! Shouldn't you go to a skin care salon instead? Well, cosmetology is more than just hair care. It covers a wide range of services that focuses on surface-only treatments such as hair, nails, and skin. In some beauty centers, a cosmetologist is also known as a beauty specialist or an esthetician. Usually women patronize cosmetology salons but more men today are seeking these upmarket services at these salons. Cosmetologists need licenses in order to practice. Usually they attend a cosmetology course for about a year before applying a license from the state Board of Registration of Cosmetology. They are adept in various kinds of skin and beauty care besides offering hair and nail treatments. Some of them specialize in specific fields as hair stylists, beauticians, shampooers, manicurists and electrologists. So, don't be surprised to find the salon offers a variety of services. Among them are

* manicures
* pedicures
* application of artificial nails
* haircutting
* hair shampooing
* hairstyling for special event
* hair extensions or wig treatments
* straightening hair treatment
* permanent or curly waves
* bleaching, coloring and highlighting of hair
* body hair removal
* skin care and cosmetic
* massage

Some people think barbers and cosmetologists are the same. The distinct difference between both of them are the way they cut their clients' hair. Unlike barbers who use scissors, electric clippers and comb technique to cut hair, cosmetologists skillfully use their fingers to keep the hair steady while using similar tools. For shaving, barbers use straight razors. But cosmetologists only use razors for trimming hair. To keep themselves abreast with new techniques in the skin care industry, cosmetologists usually take courses from time to time.Can you imagine how cosmetology salons can pamper you with their wide range of services? You can choose to improve your appearance from top to bottom. More importantly, they should cater to your skin care needs.

Tips for Glowing & Smooth Skin

Transform your dry skin into a super smooth, soft, supple, and glowing skin by using these home remedies.

1. Mash a banana with milk and apply on face and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water to get a skin that will glow.
2. Apply honey on your face and neck for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water. Your skin will glow and become soft and smooth.
3. Mix egg white with honey and apply on the face for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.
4. Make a paste of one teaspoon of walnut powder, honey and lemon juice. Scrub your face with this paste and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.
5. Rub a piece of papaya on your face and neck for 15 minutes.
6. Make a paste by mixing 2 tablespoon turmeric (haldi) powder in orange juice. Scrub it on your face and neck and leave it for 20 minutes. Wash it with cold water.
7. A paste of the fresh fenugreek leaves, applied on the face prevents pimples, blackheads, dryness of the face and early appearance of wrinkles.
8. Make a paste by mixing mashed banana, honey, lemon juice and margarine. Apply on face for overnight. Smear on hands and feet, and wash off in the morning (wear gloves in hands and socks in feet).
9. Boil cabbage in water. Wash your face with this water.
10. Powder mango peels and mix 1 teaspoon milk powder and rub on face, neck, and hands. Wash it off after 15 minutes.
11. Mix one cup of sugar with 1 tablespoon fresh lemon / lime juice. While taking bath, lather your body and face heavily with a soft soap like Dove. Scrub the whole body and face with the sugar mixture on the lather.
12. After a shower apply Vaseline over your entire body. Shower again after one hour. Repeat twice a month.
13. Mix corn (polenta) flour with egg white and apply on your face. When your face is dried completely in about 1/2 an hour, put your fingers in warm water and massage your face. Repeat daily for 10-15 days.
14. Soft and smooth hands for life:
Mix 3 teaspoons of baby oil and 2 teaspoons of sugar together. Rub your hands, feet or any part and leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse it off with warm water.

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