Vitaman

[ faq's ]

Question: How do I get the best shave?

Answer:

Few men know how to shave properly. They have either learnt by trial and error or from memories of watching their fathers shave.
An incorrect shaving routine can cause a range of skin problems including ingrown hairs, sensitivity, pimples, rashes, redness, and razor burn.
The best time to shave is after a hot shower. This softens the skin and hair. If this is not possible then hold a steamy hot towel close to your face for a minute first.

There are 4 main steps to obtaining the perfect shave.

1. Know your beard growth
2. The Right Direction
3. Protection
4. Calming
5. Hottest Razor Blade possible!

KNOW YOUR OWN BEARD. It's important to analyse the direction in which your beard grows. Allow it to grow a little (perhaps over a weekend) so you can see the direction of the natural hair growth. Everyone's direction is different but you only need to do this once as it never changes.

THE RIGHT DIRECTION. This is important because you need to shave WITH the direction of the hair growth. Imagine an 'arrow' pointing in the direction the hair grows out of the follicle - this should be your first stroke, (ie WITH the direction of the hair growth). Always support the skin firmly with one hand then after a couple of short strokes WITH the direction, go ACROSS the hair growth (either way) to get a closer shave. Never shave AGAINST the hair growth as this causes the whiskers to be 'lifted' & pushed back into the skin, increasing the chances of ingrown hairs, as well as irritation from trying to get a close shave which leaves you with that 'burning' feeling.

Remember WITH and ACROSS not AGAINST!

PROTECTION. For the ultimate shave apply a thin layer of VitaMan's Shave Oil to soften the beard then on top of the shave oil apply a liberal layer of VitaMan's Shave Crème or Shave Gel to your face and neck. This gives you great protection with a barrier between the skin and the razor blade, reducing the friction and producing a softer smoother shave.

If you are wanting to 'design' your beard, VitaMan's Shave Gel is perfect as it's 100% clear which enables you to see where you are shaving.

CALMING After shaving, rinse the skin with cool water and pat dry. Apply VitaMan's After Shave Balm, to calm and soothe the skin. The balm also takes away any redness or irritation instantly.

NB. Foaming products (alcohol based) and general soaps will dehydrate and strip the skin of its natural oils thus leaving it dry, tight, red and flaky and more prone to razor burn.

HOTTEST RAZOR BLADE. An important key to the perfect shave is to use the hottest blade possible, as hot steel cuts more efficiently than cold steel. With a hot blade and in the direction of the hair growth, use small short strokes 2 to 3 times in the one place, then stroke across the hair at a 90 degree direction.

Insure you don't press too hard on the razor and make sure you rinse regularly in hot water. Continue over the entire face and neck. Leave the upper lip & chin area last.

HINT. Place your razor in a cup or basin of hot water before shaving. This enables the blade to become hot as hot blades cut better than cold ones . Rinse regularly to keep the blade continually hot and clean.

Lastly it's vital to use a moisturizer to complete the daily skin care routine. VitaMan's Face Moisturiser (for normal to dry skin) or VitaMan's Skin Protector (for normal to oily skin) are the perfect drink for your skin.

Question: What causes shaving rash? How can I get rid of it?

Answer:

The cause of shaving rash is varied.

Razor Burn. This is a graze that happens on the skin surface. It's caused from the razor taking off too much healthy skin. Razor burn appears red, irritated, and sensitive and in some cases gives a burning sensation.

Ingrown Hairs. This is where the hair is unable to grow out of the follicle. Infection usually occurs in the follicle creating small red, raised bumps or pimples on the skin.

Not cleansing the skin and shaving against the natural hair growth is the major factors that contribute to ingrown hairs.

Solution - Make sure you skin is warmed, cleansed and wet prior to shaving.

Use the VitaMan Shave Crème, Gel or Oil, and avoid shave foams.

Don't press too hard on your razor, but take the time to do short precise strokes.

Always use a hot razor blade, and rinse regularly throughout the shave.

Exfoliate weekly with VitaMan's Face Scrub, to remove dead skin cells, unclog the pores and help lift trapped hairs.

Use the VitaMan After Shave Balm after shaving to calm and soothe the skin. Follow through with the moisturiser to maintain and protect.

Never put cologne directly on the area you have shaved. This only dehydrates the skin and causes irritation and stinging. (Put it on your chest, behind your neck or any areas that haven't been shaved)

Question: Which is the best product to use to shave with, shave crème, shave gel, shave oil or shaving foams?

Answer:

They all have their unique qualities and benefits. However shaving foams are alcohol based. They dehydrate the skin, restrict the follicle that the hairs grow from, strip the natural oils and offer no protection to the skin from the blade. Best to avoid.

VitaMan Shave Crème creates a barrier between the skin and the blade, causing less friction and irritation. It also softens the hair, making it more pliable.

VitaMan Shave Oil is ideal for a dryer skin type. It also helps to soften coarse beards and can be used under the crème as well. It is transparent so you can see where you have shaved.

VitaMan Shave Gel is a non foaming gel that is totally clear, allowing you to see where you need to shave. Ideal for designer beards or for those who suffer from skin problems which may need to be avoided with a blade. The shave gel also contains a soothing natural plant extract that hydrates and conditions the skin.

Question: How are men's skins different from women's skins?

Answer:

Men's skins are generally thicker, usually produce more oil and have more elastin and collagen. The upside to this is that wrinkles usually come later, but when they do they tend to be deeper. The downside however is that the excess oil can clog the pores and lead to blackheads and blemishes.

VitaMan have developed a natural range of products that are specific to the male skin. They are easy and effective to use and treat all skin concerns with powerful natural ingredients.

Question: What skin type am I?

Answer:

There are typically 4 different skin type categories.

DRY. The skin often feels dry, rough, tight and uncomfortable particularly after washing or shaving. It tends to lack luster and can be quite thin with an uneven texture. Dry skin is vulnerable to flaking and peeling.

OILY. This skin type tends to be shiny with a fine film of oil over it. It is often thick with visible open pores which are prone to clogging, blackheads and pimples.

NORMAL. This skin is well balanced, neither feeling oily or dry. It is smooth in texture and rarely suffers from pimples or blackheads.

COMBINATION. This is where the T zone (the forehead, nose and chin) is oily and prone to blackheads and pimples and the rest is either normal or dry.

SKIN CONDITIONS:

SENSITIVITY. This is a skin condition and can occur on any skin types. Sensitive skin is easily irritated when exposed to heat, wind, sun and harsh products. It often appears red, blotchy, dry, itchy and sometimes stings.

ACNE. This is a condition that affects the sebaceous follicles and hair follicles of the skin. It is most common on the face, but can occur on the neck, chest back and shoulders. If you suffer from persistent acne you should visit your GP for a referral to a Dermatologist.

It is important to follow a strict skincare routine with excellent hygienic procedures to remove the excess oils and bacteria that are associated with acne. Ensure that you use products that are not pore clogging and always use lukewarm (never hot) water on your skin. Hot showers contribute to chest and back/shoulder breakouts as it stimulates the sebaceous glands producing excess oil flow.

VitaMan's Face Masque is a great way to help refine the skin and absorb excess oil. Finish off with VitaMan's Skin Protector the perfect oil free anti-oxidant.

VitaMan Natural Grooming products are designed to balance the oil, restore hydration and dryness, unclog the pores, calm irritation and redness, even the texture and protect the moisture.

Question: What are the basic steps in looking after my skin?

Answer:

Making sure your skin stays clean and healthy only requires a few basic steps incorporated into your normal daily routine.

Cleanse your face twice a day to remove the dirt, grime and excess oil. This prevents clogging, bacterial infection as well as maintaining a healthy acidic balance.

Moisturise your face twice daily, after cleansing, to maintain optimal hydration and protection. It also encourages the healing process on problem and sensitive skins.

Normal to Dry Skin use VitaMan's Face Moisturiser

Normal to Oily Skin use VitaMan's Skin Protector

Exfoliation assists in the removal of dead skin and the unclogging of blocked pores and blackheads. Exfoliation also helps to lift up trapped hairs and prevent ingrowns. Use VitaMan Face Scrub after cleansing, twice a week, in or out of the shower.

Masque. Apply a masque, after cleansing and exfoliating, once a week. It will assist in the cleansing and healing of blemishes, smooth skin tone and texture and reduce redness and sensitivities. A masque is a fantastic boost for the skin and is ideal to use for that special occasion.

Age Control. For more specific concerns like fine lines and age prevention, the VitaMan Wrinkle Smoother Serum and Skin Protector will treat these conditions. VitaMan's new i-zone eye and lip reviver gel, specifically addresses fine lines and wrinkles, darkness and puffiness around the eye area as well as intensively hydrating the lip area.

Question: The skin on my body gets rough and dry. What can I do to stop this?

Answer:

Our body, as well as our face builds up dead skin cells. Sometimes this is accelerated by external factors like exposure to sun, wind and heat. It also could be a form of eczema or dermatitis. There are several things that can be done to help obtain a softer, smoother and well hydrated body.

1. Don't have showers that are too hot. This causes dehydration.
2. Cleanse daily with the VitaMan Face & Body Cleanser or the VitaMan's Exfoliating Soap.
3. Soaking in a spa or bath helps to soften the dead skin and assist with its removal by exfoliating
4. Exfoliate with the VitaMan Sea Salt Scrub once a week. While in the shower, redirect the nozzle and gently apply the scrub to the body (avoiding the face). Using circular movements massage all over until the skin is smooth. Rinse off with warm water.
5. Moisturise with VitaMan's Body Moisturiser after each shower on a daily routine, especially on any rough areas.

All this can be done in the normal routine of washing without too much extra effort.

NB. Always protect the skin form excessive sun exposure and use a sun block when outdoors.

Question: Can I get rid of Dandruff?

Answer:

Yes. Dandruff is caused by the build up of dead skin cells, that leads to itching, irritated, flakey scalps. Use the Vitaman's Oil Control Shampoo, followed by Oil Control Lotion daily. VitaMan's Scalp Treatment can be used daily until the condition improves then 1-2 times per week for maintenance.

Question: My hair is starting to thin. Can I do anything?

Answer:

Thinning hair, or baldness can have several causes. Internal, dietary, external and hereditary factors. The good news is we can help to strengthen and slow down the hair loss process.

Firstly using the Volumising Shampoo and Conditioner adds body to fine hair.

Secondly, you need to stimulate the circulation to the scalp and hair follicle, to ensure they are obtaining as much nourishment as possible. A scalp massage or rub will help increase the blood flow. Also VitaMan's Hair Food is a potent tonic to help increase the circulation and nourish the hair with strengthening minerals and proteins. Use daily - it's the perfect food for your hair. Taking minerals that are essential for hair growth can also assist, like zinc, saw palmetto, silica and evening primrose.