Men and Shaving

by Valerie Gladstone — December 5, 2007

I realize I have been remiss in dealing with men's natural and not-so-natural beauty, only a couple of times writing on subjects that might concern them. This blog hardly makes up for my oversight, but at least it's a start. Please tell the men in your life.

I thought no better place to begin than with shaving, for unless he's wearing a beard down to his shoes, he has to think about it a lot and every day. Something that sounds pretty terrible to a woman. All those worries about ingrown hairs, irritation, razor burn, and bumps on your face! So you and he might be interested in knowing that a couple of companies such as Clarins and Lab Series have developed aftershaves and night treatments that promise to slow the appearance of stubble, reducing the frequency with which men must shave.

Manufacturers say the products rely on plant extracts that interfere with the growth in the follicles that produce facial hair. One common ingredient, saw palmetto, an extract of the dwarf palm tree, inhibits the enzyme responsible for testosterone converting the hormone into dihydrotestosterone, which regulates hair growth. Palmatine, a plant extract, is another common ingredient in hair-growth delayers. Its exact function is unknown, but product developers such as Clarins suggest it slows the division of cells responsible for creating hair.

Hair retardants:

• Clarins Men Skin Difference (1oz for $35 at Sephora.com)
• Origins for Men Fire Fighter Plus after shave (1.7oz for $15 at Origins.com)
• Clinique Skin Supplies for Men Post-Shave Soother Beard Control Formula (4.2oz for $10 at Sephora.com)
• Lab Series for Men Triple Benefit Post-Shave Remedy (1.7oz for $25 at Labseries.com)

For soothing skin irritated by hair removal:

• Tend Skin (4oz for $20 at Sephora.com)