With dandruff, you’ll see large, greasy flakes fall onto your shoulders, and your scalp could be red and itchy. It can be treated with either an anti-dandruff or prescription-strength shampoo.

Dry scalp, on the other hand, includes powdery flakes when you brush or wash your hair, and your scalp might feel tight. It can be a result of anything from product buildup to an underlying health issue. Many people find relief by using conditioning treatments that focus on the scalp.

It’s important to not use anti-dandruff shampoo on a dry scalp, as it can dry out the scalp further.

*Source NewBeauty.com

Well, I wouldn’t give up on shaving so quickly.

Depilatories (i.e. Magic Shave, Nair…) can be a great hair-removal alternative for some, but I’ve consulted with men who have experienced nightmares with their use, and I’ve also tried my share of them with mixed results.

The main concerns are: (1) Can your skin handle the aggressive nature of these products, and (2) Can you wait two to three days for your face to heal before you are able to use them again?

In short, since everyone’s face has different sensitivities, I feel that it’s much easier to control a razor’s cutting ability rather than depend on the effectiveness of a chemical. The skin quality (oily vs. dry) can also play a role in the success of a depilatory. Unfortunately, finding out whether it will work with your skin could result in an increased level of skin sensitivity. My suggestion is to practice proper shaving techniques, buy a good razor and shaving cream, and give that razor another try before going down an alternate route.

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**From Craig the Barber’s expert Q+A at Men’s Life Today

D&G  LA FORCE No. 11 (Anthology series) by Dolce & Gabbana

Rating: ★★★★¾ 

I was on my way to an event in NYC when I looked over at the cab driver and saw his neck hair was long enough to consider his hairstyle a mullet. *pause* Yep, that long.

Now, I completely understand that neck hair can get long in-between haircuts, but allowing it to grow to the point where it’s fighting your neck for space in your shirt is UNACCEPTABLE.

Quick remedy, consider a tapered neckline (See post: Men’s neckline choices: Squared, Rounded, or Tapered). With this option, the back hairline will grow out in a manner that keeps the style looking neater longer. If you happen to be one of the many men who struggle with a fast growing neckline, ask you barber to work out a deal for you where you can come in for a quick clean-up between haircuts. Or, worst case scenario, you can ask a friend, girlfriend, wife (you get the picture) to trim the area with a pair of trimmers. Hey, it doesn’t matter the method you choose, just choose one!

Trust me, it will be worth your “visual” while!

Why? Because I care. And, that’s the job of a barber - to make sure that his/her clients always look their best!

The beginning – Prep: Cleaning and exfoliating allows for the skin and beard to be in the best condition (clean & soft). Sticking with a moisture rich shave cream not only aids in further softening the beard, it also protects the skin from the blade. Because the job of the blade is to cut the hair, not the skin. Adding a pre-shave oil adds to greater comfort and closeness… consider it!

**If you feel that shaving across or against the grain is necessary after your 1st pass (with the grain), make sure you always, always, always re-lather prior to changing direction! (Remember my “baby-butt-smooth” rule.)

The end – Post Shave/Refresh: A wet-shave is an exfoliation of the skin; therefore, the skin is far more susceptible to being dry. To prepare for this possibility, always use a mild fragranced or unscented after shave balm that is designed to quicken the healing process while also moisturizing the skin. This puts you – the shaver, in a better position to handle your next shave without fearing any pain.

For the step-by-step process of my recommended shaving techniques – click here!

Join me, this weekend at Bloomingdale’s - White Plains, Bergen and 59th Street.

• Friday – January 27th, 3 – 8pm (White Plains)
• Saturday – January 28th, 12 – 5pm (Bergen)
• Sunday – January 29th, 12 – 6pm (59th Street)

I will be partnering up with Lab Series Skincare for Men to help every man look his best at all three of these locations. Come in to get a free grooming consultation from yours truly!

Hope to see you there!

So the short answer is … no, shaving daily does not cause shaving bumps. You can rest your skin as long as you’d like, but unless you change the way you shave, you’ll keep getting those bumps.

The primary cause of shaving bumps — also known as “ingrown hairs” — is hair growing back into the skin. So the frequency of shaves isn’t the root of the problem; it’s the method of shaving. Proper preparation, along with shaving with the grain, is the best way to keep the hair above the skin line. As long as you keep the hair above the skin line, the hair has more of an opportunity to continue growing outside of the skin, therefore greatly reducing the chances of getting shaving bumps.

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**From Craig the Barber’s expert Q+A at Men’s Life Today

My answer…

Yes, I always follow these steps!  Why? Not only do these steps work, but they work well.

You know,  we should all take time to consider pushing the reset button on how we perceive proper grooming, especially in the shaving category.  The face is the first thing someone sees, and first impressions still reign supreme.  So take a look at my steps and consider following them.  In no time you will see better results both on your face and in your social life!

Remember, the goal is to shave the hair to give a cleaner visual appearance.  Sometimes “baby butt” smooth should be left for babies!

Side Note:  From time to time I personally notice irritation on my neck from shaving multiple times a week.  So there is nothing wrong with shaving your face with a razor and your irritated area with trimmers for a few days.  Or, switch it up all together and  just use trimmers for a couple days to give your face a rest.

But with that being said, I’d have to admit that when it comes to shave foams, I truly prefer other methods of achieving a great lather.  Hey, I completely understand the rationale for their use… “to allow for the development of a quicker lather”. With shortcuts; however, there will always be sacrifices, and in this case it’s the most important one- moisture. Without enough moisture, there is a greater risk of razor burn, nicks, and hair-pulling - which can lead to ingrown hairs. At this point, I’m not convinced that the current foams on the market offer enough moisture to be considered a preferred aid to shaving.

You see, in a world of sharper blades and men finding ways to shave faster (slow down guys, really…), there should never be a question of whether there’s ample moisture on your face. So try to stick with one that will leave no doubt. Trust me, if you Dad or Grand-dad had these many choices today, he’d completely agree!

*For those of you willing to take the challenge of finding an alternative to the old school shave foam, you can start by trying out the 2011′s Must Have Shaving Cream!

Video Review

The truly fog-free shave mirror by The Shave Well Company

Rating: ★★★★★