The next time you're sitting in your couch flipping through the channels, pay close attention to the commercial. If you notice most of the ads are about skin care are aimed towards women, but what about men? Men have skin problems as well, but sometimes the skin care industry just passes them by.

What we have to keep in mind is that skin care isn't just a vanity issue. It has to do with the overall health of our bodies. If our skin is damaged or weak, our internal organs will be exposed to disease and infection.

So, as you can tell, skin care is a vital part of our survival no matter if you are a man or a woman.

Skin Problems: Main Issues Plaguing Men

In general terms, men and women are plagued by the same skin issues. These include concerns of finding ways of dealing with aging skin, skin renewal, acne scars, and even dull skin. But there is an issue that seems to burden men more acutely than women, ingrown hairs. This is due to the fact that a large majority of men shave every day, and this exposes them to razor burn and razor bumps.

Implementing improper shaving techniques or having curly hair are the main causes of ingrown hairs. And even though there is not much you can do about the texture of your beard, you can learn how to prepare your skin for shaving and how to shave properly.

Implementing The Proper Shaving Techniques to Avoid Ingrown Hairs

Forgetting to prepare your skin before shaving is probably one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Most people will be in a rush to get to work or go out, and instead of taking the time to prepare their skin properly they'll splash on some water and hurry through the shaving process. If this is your day-after-day technique then you're well aware of what it feels like to have ingrown hairs or razor burn.

The Best Technique

The first thing you must do is use a product (foam or gel) to soften your skin and hair. Second, use a new razor. Men aren't always in the habit of changing the razor blade with every shave, however, this simple practice would help them avoid razor burns and ingrown hairs.

Another important step is to take your time shaving. Remember haste makes waste and, in this particular case, it can also make your face suffer unnecessarily. Once you've finished shaving don't forget to apply a soothing after shave product.

These tips will help men avoid razor burn and ingrown hairs, however, this isn't a surefire bet. In fact, you may still be getting the occasional ingrown hair or suffering from skin burns. If this is your case then try a more gentle touch.

Ingrown hairs are not dangerous or life-threatening, but they can lead to minor infections and weaken the skin. The best form of treatment is the use of a gentle exfoliating product that can help you gently break the skin and release the hair shaft.

You can use a scrub or certain natural skin products to help exfoliate your skin. If you choose a scrub, be gentle. There is no need to be aggressive.

Chemical exfoliants are another good choice especially if you have sensitive skin. These types of products work by helping promote the exfoliation process by breaking apart the bond between skin cells. Common chemical exfoliants include salicylic acid and AHAs.