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From “Anchorman” Ron Burgundy to the Hulk’s handlebar stash, throughout history the mustache is considered a symbol of virility and power. While the month is every beardsmen favorite, there is more to it than just growing a mustache/beard. Movember originated in 2003 in Australia by 30 men. Their goal, raise awareness and funds for men’s health issues like prostate cancer and mental health.
One men’s health condition that is starting to generate more attention is skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. One way to prevent it is to have yearly screenings. What many might not know is that some salons across the U.S. are trained by the Eyes on Cancer organization. As a licensed beauty professional, we have the training and ability to detect back of the neck and scalp skin cancer early. For men, those spots receive the most exposure to the sun. When booking your next appointment, be sure to ask your stylist if they are certified.
Once you receive the green light that your skin is clear, the next step is to begin growing out your mustache/beard. There are several easy-to-follow steps that can help transform a clean-shaven face to a beardsmen look with little to no grit discomfort.
First, to achieve that even hair growth, start with a clean shave, this means no goatee. This will help to ensure the hair grows evenly.
Once your mustache/beard is at the optimal length, keep the hair smooth and manageable with a daily shampoo/condition wash. What many forget is that your facial hair is like the hair that grows on your head. So be sure to take good care of it. Make it a rule of thumb. Every time you wash your head’s hair, be sure that your facial hair receives the same treatment.
Next, invest in a good beard balm or oil to keep your hair soft, manageable and conditioned between washes. A travel beard brush is also a great investment. It will help keep your facial hair clean and polished.
Come December, many men will have to make a choice. Keep the facial hair or go back to the clean shave. If you choose to keep the hair, but want to shorten it a bit, be sure to blow dry your mustache/beard fully dry before cutting it. Dry hair will opt for an even cut and distribution. If you’re one that chooses to go back to a clean shave, don’t do it at home. Your hair is fully grown at this stage, so trust an expert to remove the hair carefully with a straight-razor shave to prevent razor bumps, burns and skin irritation.
One great thing about Movember is its sense of community. So, enjoy those 30 days of no-shave and give the mustache/beard a try.
Photo Credit: Getty Images