Any licensed estheticians have advice for male beard care?

Question

I always wear stubble (like "House MD") or a full beard (like Al from "Home Improvement"). I'm presently sporting a full beard.

I can't shave because I get painful boils if I do. Growing my facial hair out is the only way to effectively prevent and avoid them.

I shampoo and condition my beard, and keep it well-groomed, but I have one small problem, the skin underneath gets dry. How can I moisturize my underlying facial skin without cutting or shaving my beard off and without getting my facial hair all gooey?

Answer 1

For the first part of your problem:

Have you tried washing with a salycilic face wash when you shave and using a salycilic face tratment? Its made for acne, but it can work miracles for ingrowm hairs and other problems related to facial hair removal.

To answer your question. Sporting a beard, you should not have dry skin in the beard area. The beard acts as a natural barrier over the skin and keeps moisture in, especialy after a shower when your beard is wet. To tap into your beards natural abilities, you may want to use a pure hyaluronic acid gel. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturaly in the skin and is a humectant (draws moisture from the air). You can easily find this, just make sure it is mostly hyaluronic acid, without all the additives.

Your skin is probably dry due to using shampoo and conditioner on your facial areas.

Shampoo often contains sodium laurel sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate. BOTH are irritants, and terrible on your scalp, let alone your face! Propylene Glycol is often used as a humectant, but it is also an irritant.

While it is not appropriate to use shampoo or conditioner on your face, it IS appropriate to use face wash and moisturizer on your facial hair. My advice would be to begin using a natural face wash like Burts Bees. They also have good moisturizers like the radiance night cream.

If you want to use a professional brand, I suggest cosmedix. If you are going to shave use the Purity Clean, if you are not going to shave use the Benefit Clean. I couldnt suggest a moisturizer as I dont know your exact skin type, condition, or age. Since its more of a medical line the products do actual WORK on your skin (like stimulate sebaceous glands, or slow them down). The website can direct you to a dr or spa that carries the line.

Answer 2

Sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil are very hydrating, and are very permeable (easily permeates the skin), and have great nourishing properties. Put some in a small spray bottle from the dollar store and spritz it on the area. Neither are strong smelling either, and are easily available at most grocery stores in the oils aisle. You could make a scrub mixing 2 tbsp oil to 1 tbsp sugar and a few drops of lime juice, and use it as a scrub, and rinsing well under warm water. You could also try finding dry oil sprays, made with cylcodimethicone, if the other oils are too heavy for your skin to tolerate.

To work on the ingrown hairs, look for "Kalo Ingrown Treatment" at finer salons or salon outlet stores. I have male clients that swear by this stuff!!! Using razors with more than one blade can be an irritant, as can shaving against the hair growth. Shave after a warm shower so the skin and hair are soft and pliable, and follow with the Kalo treatment.

Answer 3

Cosmo. You can do any beauty service with it including nails.