Being a male is hairy business. From the top of your head to your toes, you're likely to be covered in hair, some of which you'll want to keep and some you might want to get rid of. Either which way, taking good care of it all is actually pretty easy provided you have the right tools.
A head start
Caring for the hair on your head usually just requires a good shampoo, conditioner and comb. If, however, you suffer from dry, flaky scalp that sometimes itches you could be dealing with dandruff which is usually caused by an easily treatable fungal infection.
In this case, make a point of using something like Head & Shoulders Anti Dandruff Shampoo and Conditioner to ensure a flake-free scalp in no time.
In regard to greys, on average, men will notice their first grey hair in their early 30s. This is because as we get older our melanin levels begin to drop. (Melanin is the pigment that gives hair and skin its colour). Many women find grey hair attractive, but if it bothers you, try a home box dye like Schwarzkopf Men Perfect Anti-Grey Toner Gel to cover them up. It’s infused with caffeine and keratin to help strengthen your hair and works its magic in just five minutes, offering results that last for up to 28 days.
If you’re starting to lose your hair and are not quite ready to part with it, you could consider drug therapy (minoxidil and finasteride have been shown to improve male pattern baldness), laser treatments or a hair transplant. Alternatively, you could simply shave it all off and rock a sexy close shaven look like Vin Diesel or Jason Statham.
About face
Stars like George Clooney and Brad Pitt have proved that facial hair can be sexy, still the secret to keep it looking stylish as opposed to sloppy lies in careful regular grooming. To keep your facial hair in check, consider investing in an electric shaver. This way you can shave as well as trim with better precision.
If you prefer a clean shaven look, you can remove any stubble with either a razor or electric shaver. Whichever tool you use, make sure you only ever shave after a hot shower or bath. The hot water helps soften your beard and open your pores which will reduce the incidence of post-shave irritation. You can also use a good alcohol-free aftershave, something like Nivea for Men Extreme Comfort Post Shave Balm to soothe your skin even further.
Dealing with very hairy eyebrows?
You can sort these out with simple tweezers, but be warned, if you don't know what you're doing you could end up creating an odd-looking shape that could take up to six weeks to grow out. In this case, your best bet is to visit a salon or brow bar to get them professionally plucked.
Unlike women, men tend to have more nose and ear hair. If yours is visible outside your nostrils or ears, don’t be tempted to break out the tweezers, removing hair in these areas can be rather painful. Instead, give these hairs a quick trim with a special tool like Babyliss Nose and Ear Trimmer.
A bit about body hair
Taking care of the hair on your body is easy. If you don't want any hair on your legs, you can simply shave it off using a razor and shaving cream. If you've got unwanted hair on your chest or back its usually a better bet to wax it off. This removes the hair from the root, keeping it off for longer, and won’t encourage ingrown hair or “razor bumps”.
Alternatively, you could invest in something like Philips Bodygroom. It trims and shaves all the areas of your body including your armpits, chest, back, legs and intimate hairy areas. It can be used wet or dry, is cordless and boasts a skin-friendly shaving head to help minimise the chance of creating those lumps and bumps due to skin irritation.
Like it long or prefer it short?
Weve got two on-trend star cuts for you to ask for next time you hit the hairdresser.
Will Smith's close shave
The look: Close cut crop gives Smith an air of professionalism.
How to get it: Use a clipper at 1.5 on the sides, going straight up and then square out the top being careful not to create a "flat" top.
Chris Hemsworth's longish do
The look: A medium to longish cut slick enough to belong in the office.
How to get it: Ask for a box-layer cut that falls on your collar at the back while four to five inches are removed around the rest of your hair.
Top tip
Once you're done shaving, rinse your shaving brush thoroughly and shake it dry. Store it in your medicine cabinet on its handle, not lying down. This will let the bristles air-dry nicely without actually damaging them.