Mens Aftershaves

How did the emergence of mens aftershaves come about and why are they so popular today. It is alledged that mens aftershaves began as a form of embalming fluid for the ancient Egyptians in order to clean a dead body before mummification. Whether this is true or not, it makes sense, and the use of mens aftershaves over the centuries has continued to the stage where today, they are more and more popular than ever.

Some will blame the femninisation of our society today, some will point to the emergence of the metrosexual, however no-one can doubt that a good mens aftershave will help keep a man's skin feel fresh after a shave and, by effect, will help him look younger with continued use.

Shaving the face and neck can be quite traumatic for many men. Having a harsh blade scratching the soft surface of your skin, leaving tiny cuts and microtrauma which can cause redness and swelling as blood flows to these areas to being the repair process.

A good quality mens aftershave can aid this process in different ways. Firstly, regular use of a mens aftershave gel or balm can help keep the skin soft and supple, allowing a good blade to travel over a smooth surface and limit the risk cuts and nicks. Secondly, use of a mens aftershave following a shave can help limit the redness caused by shaving and it acts as a disinfectant as well.

Most mens aftershaves are alcohol-based however there are a range of non-alcohol solutions that are less harsh on a mans skin. Which type is best depends entirely on the user as some men do not like the stinging sensation caused by alcohol-based aftershaves, while others find the more natural mens aftershave to be less effective. As with most things, it is entirely an individual preference.