Elements of Style – Summer Protection
The sun is out and the courses are calling, days are getting longer and nights shorter; summer is quickly approaching. Time for Fridays on the golf course, baseball games under the lights at the ballpark, and backyard barbecues … and unfortunately, grooming concerns due to warm, humid conditions and the glaring rays of the sun.
Contemplate how upgrading your grooming routine can help you look great and feel confident. Boardroom Salon for Men’s teams of expert stylists and barbers are here to share a few essential grooming tips to help you put your best foot forward during the summer months – on and off the course.
Though shorts season makes everyone feel the pressure to clean up, it’s summer’s heat and humidity that has most men running in search of shears to cut their hair. Emily, salon manager at Boardroom in Dallas at Inwood Village, says regular maintenance can make your hair (and beard if you’re sporting) less uncomfortable during the hottest months.
“If you usually schedule a trim every four weeks, this summer make it every three, and keep hair short on the back of the neck,” she advises. “Neck trims are quick and keep you looking and feeling your best in between cuts.”
If your hair is naturally starting to thin, keep your hair cropped short. This makes the receding hairline much less noticeable. If your hair is starting to thin on top and your scalp is becoming visible, then make sure to keep your hair short all around, as well. This will help minimize the obvious look of someone who is losing his hair and potentially going bald.
“By cutting the sides short you’ll balance your scalp exposure, which will take the attention away from your sparse strands,” says Alicia, stylist from the Boardroom in Fort Worth at West 7th Street.
Just as a quality driver or putter is necessary to get you started on achieving a great golf score, a quality haircut tailored to your hair type and style is necessary to get you started on achieving your perfect look.
The moment the temperature rises, the importance of SPF protection rises with it. SPF protection for your face and body is essential. We’ve all seen (and maybe been) that guy walking around with beet red shoulders, and while it’s funny at the time, the damage to the skin is alarming. With decent SPF protection the minimum you’ll get is protection against painful and unappealing sunburn. But you’ll also get protection against skin aging, pigmentation damage and skin cancer. It’s a no-brainer, guys.
According to the American Melanoma Foundation, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 is recommended for year-round skin protection for most, and be sure to choose a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen that protects against both UVB and UVA radiation. Consumers need to be aware that SPF protection does not increase proportionally with an increased SPF number. While an SPF of 2 will absorb 50 percent of ultraviolet radiation, an SPF of 15 absorbs 93 percent and an SPF of 34 absorbs 97 percent.
Stay hydrated! We’re not just talking about guzzling H2O here, although that’s unquestionably important too. But we are talking about your skin. The sun can do some serious damage to your skin, drying it out quickly, and keeping your skin “hydrated” can protect you during the summer and protect your skin long-term.
“Hydrate your skin with a daily facial moisturizer to prevent your face from overproducing oil and leaving you with a shiny nose and forehead,” says Karie, stylist from the Boardroom in Frisco. “Plus, many moisturizers come with built-in SPF, which could allow you to cut one step from your skincare routine.”
We can’t blame guys for wanting to look and feel their best even when the summer heat makes it tough to do so. Armed with the above advice, there’s no excuse not to look your finest come the first day of summer.
Bruce Schultz is the CEO and founder of Boardroom Salon for Men. 21 locations are strategically placed across Texas and Tennessee: 12 throughout the DFW Metroplex plus Austin, Houston and San Antonio. For more information on products and services, to find the nearest location or to schedule an appointment, visit www.boardroomsalon.com