Get that suave look

Why should women have all the fun?
Yes, you read it right. When it comes to skin and hair care, men find themselves lost in the world of different products, not too sure which one is right for them. Here is an easy guide for all men out there to follow so that even they can have flawless skin and thick and shiny hair.

Skin
Invest in a good facial cleanser: Wash your face with a good pH balanced cleanser and NOT the soap you use to clean your body. Men are often guilty of using harsh soaps and steaming hot showers. This dehydrates your skin and makes it look dull and lifeless and is one of the causes of wrinkles and premature aging. Instead, use a gentle cleanser to remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells. 

Choose your weapon wisely: Choose a razor that is sensitive to your skin’s sensitivity and beard coarseness. Do NOT buy the ones with multiple blades. These are the main culprits that give you razor burns and ingrown hairs. Also avoid disposables with cheap quality blades that can irritate your skin. Instead, choose a quality razor. It can be your lifetime companion. Use a shaving gel or cream to keep your skin from drying out.

Use after-shave: Don’t skip this step. It works almost like a toner. Hydrates and soothes the skin. Do NOT use the one with alcohol as it will dry out your skin. Instead,  just use plain and simple after-shave.

Get that soft & kissable skin: Apply a dedicated face moisturiser. Do NOT use a body lotion on your face as it tends to be thicker and may clog your pores. Instead, use a fragrance free face moisturiser that keeps your skin hydrated and protects against dirt and grime.

Use protection: We are talking about sunscreen. If your moisturiser has sunscreen, great! Else, make sure you use a separate sunscreen to avoid redness, irritation, sun damage. 

Hair
Exfoliate your scalp:  Gently brush your scalp before washing your hair. This will help loosen dead skin cells, which are ready to shed off so that you can wash them out.

Condition your hair: Remember to deep-condition  your hair once in a while—ideally once a week. This will keep your hair well hydrated.

Give a cold rinse: Wash your hair less often and with cooler water. Hot water strips the natural oils from your hair causing it to feel rough and dry.

Stay away from these things: Shampooing too often in hot water, too much sun exposure, extreme heat, alcohol-based styling products and excessive blow drying. Simply shampooing less often in cooler water and using a moisturising shampoo and conditioner will often be all that most guys need to do to correct their hair dilemma.  

See a professional before it’s too late: Of course, see your doctor when you have a concern related to hair and scalp! Extreme damage to your scalp and follicles can result in hair loss which may be permanent. Your doctor will be able to properly diagnose your condition and recommend or prescribe products and routines to manage your hair!

By: Dr Chytra V Anand 
The writer is a Celebrity Cosmetic Dermatologist & Founder of Kosmoderma Skin & Hair Clinic