The Ins and Outs of a Healthy Face and Scalp
Face and scalp health are crucial to giving you the complexion and hair growth you need to look your best.
Personal grooming is a core component of health and wellness. When you look good, you feel good. As your face is one of the first things people will notice about you, caring for your skin and hair is essential.
The trouble is, there are so many options that most men don’t know where to start. The reality is that personal grooming doesn’t need to be complicated.
The Importance of Scalp Care
The skin is the largest organ in the body, so keeping it healthy is essential for your physical health, self-confidence, and appearance. Many people don’t think of their scalp as part of their skin, especially when they have a full head of hair. However, the skin on your scalp is the same as the skin on the rest of your body. It’s just more sensitive and has more hair follicles. It can be helpful to think of your scalp like soil, and your hair like the plants that grow out of it. Similar to how plants struggle in poor soil, your hair will struggle to grow if your scalp isn’t healthy.
So how do you make sure your scalp is healthy? It’s pretty straightforward—your scalp is susceptible to all the same things that irritate the skin on the rest of your body. A dry scalp can cause dandruff, which in turn can lead to scratching, irritation, and even hair loss.
You can often treat dandruff with lifestyle changes. Sometimes it’s a simple case of needing to wash your hair more or less often. Although it can be embarrassing, dandruff is relatively harmless unless it causes you to itch and scratch, as excessive irritation can cause damage to your hair follicles.
If you suffer from an itchy scalp or dandruff, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. While it won’t cause you to go bald, the irritation and inflammation can accelerate existing hair loss resulting in patchy, thin hair. You can combat a lot of these issues by altering your grooming regimen. There are countless natural ways to get thicker hair.
While there are a lot of tools to fight hair loss at home, if lifestyle changes aren’t working, you may want to consult with your doctor about using a medication like finasteride for hair loss. The majority of men will experience some hair loss in their lifetimes, so there’s no reason to go it alone.
Scalp care is an oft-overlooked component of healthy hair. If you’re having trouble with thinning hair, addressing the health of your scalp can make a huge difference.
The Face in the Mirror
Taking care of the top of your head is important, we’ve established that— but what about your face? Whether or not you’re going for a clean-shaven look or want to grow a thick, full beard, taking care of the skin on your face is a crucial component of personal grooming.
The skin on your face is particularly thin and requires a different level of care than the rest of your body. This is why those 3 -1 shower gels that claim to be shampoo, conditioner, and body wash tend to be so bad for your skin.
Your face has many pores, which are actually simply hair follicles that have opened up. Sometimes these pores can get clogged with oil and become enlarged, making them more visible. Regularly washing your face and using a mild exfoliant can help to reduce the visibility of facial pores. Never forget the importance of a high SPF sunscreen either, as sun exposure can dry out the skin, cause enlarged pores, and increase oil secretion.
If you plan to stay clean-shaven, keeping your face clean and using a simple moisturizer or conditioner can do wonders for your complexion.
If you’re looking to grow great-looking, even facial hair, then you’ll want to spend a little more time on your skincare routine. There are countless beard care products out there, like beard oils and shaving brushes—the number of options may feel overwhelming.
Gentle exfoliating scrubs are a refreshing option for people prone to developing ingrown hairs, suffer from oily skin, or are susceptible to acne breakouts. Follow up with a mild cleanser containing salicylic acid for the perfect glow.
People with dry skin may find that a moisturizer does wonders for their complexion, and there are plenty of options. From moisturizing shave gels and cream, to lotions that can be applied before or after shaving, chances are there’s something out there that’s right for you.
Ultimately, there aren’t a lot of right or wrong answers, and you should feel free to try different products until you find one that’s right for you.
A lot of companies offer free samples, so you can try different products without having to spend a lot of money.
Does what I eat affect my hair and skin?
Absolutely it does. Probably the most overlooked element of skin health is your diet. Healthy skin is crucial to hair growth, so if you want to have thick full hair or are trying to grow a great beard, don’t make the mistake of overlooking your diet.
A balanced diet is the best way to eat for healthy skin, and by extension, healthy hair. Getting enough vitamin A in your diet is crucial to healthy skin. Additionally, dairy products are a great way to get your vitamin A as well but try to avoid those high in fat.
Omega-3 fatty acids are also essential to skin health, as they help to reduce inflammation. Salmon and other fatty fish are chock-full of these healthy fats. If meat isn’t on the menu, avocados and walnuts are a great way to get these nutrients as well.
Foods rich in antioxidants are another great addition to your skin-healthy diet. These include most green vegetables, tomatoes, red grapes, and green tea. These foods have antioxidants that can actually help to reduce the harmful effects of the sun on the skin.
You don’t need to make radical changes to your diet to keep your face and scalp healthy. However, if you’re not eating well and you’re having issues with your hair or complexion, your diet could seriously be working against you.
If You Want to Look Good, Get Out and Get Moving
Closely connected to your diet is the amount of physical activity you get. You may eat well, but if you’re living a sedentary lifestyle, your health is still at risk.
Just as your diet has a profound impact on the health of your skin, so does physical activity. Exercise helps increase blood flow and brings more oxygen to your skin, giving it that glowing, radiant look. Sweat, however, has a tendency to irritate your skin, so if you know you’re going to be moving around and sweating a lot, it’s a good idea to look for moisture-wicking fabrics like nylon or polyester.
If you’re going to be working outside, regularly applying sunblock is a must. Keeping a clean towel with you to wipe the sweat off of your face is also a helpful way to prevent sweat from causing clogged pores and unhealthy-looking skin. One of the simplest things you can do to protect your skin is to take a quick shower after any rigorous workout. Whether you’re going to the gym or working in the yard, you want to get that gross, sticky sweat off of you as soon as possible.
The world of men’s grooming can seem a bit daunting at first, but it doesn’t have to be. Keeping yourself well-groomed and neatly put together can do wonders for your self-confidence. Add glowing skin and healthy hair to that, and you’re well on your way to looking your best.
If you want some inspiration, check out our guide on some of the most popular beard styles of 2022. Bearded Colonel is committed to helping you find the look you want!
