Page 27 - 6-19-15 Friday's Edition

Men’s Health
Natural Remedies For Razor Bumps
Razor bumps, also known by the
much longer name pseudofolliculi-
tis barbae, are a shaver’s night-
mare. They can be painful,
irritating, and a flat out nuisance.
The bumps are caused when hair
that has been shaved takes a U-turn
and begins to poke back into the skin, leaving it red, inflamed, and itchy.
• Lemon juice has long been known to be an anti-inflammatory for the skin. It also has anes- thetic effects that are soothing and can relieve irri- tation. This method works best if you use a fresh lemon. Cut the lemon in half, squeezing the juice into a small bowl. Coat a cotton ball in the juice and gently dab it onto the irritated area. Allow it to sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
• Black tea is also an effective soother because it contains tannic acid. Tannic acid is known to re- duce inflammation and redness. Buy some inex- pensive black tea bags because the cheaper brands actually contain more of this miracle ingredient. Place the bag in some warm water and lightly rub it on the affected area, then let sit for a few min- utes. Repeat over a few days if necessary.
But the best way to treat razor bumps is to stop shaving. If you can- not stop shaving, use a clean needle to release the embedded hair shaft. This usually stops razor bumps from developing, depending on how bad
they are. But if shaving is restarted, razor bumps typically return.
Severe razor bumps that do not go away with home treatment may be treated with medicine you spread on the skin, such as hydrocortisone, antibi- otic, or tretinoin cream.
Following these shaving instructions can help prevent razor bumps from forming:
• Take a hot shower before shaving, to soften the hair and open the pores.
• Use a thick shaving gel. Don’t stretch the skin when shaving, and always shave in the direction your beard grows. Use the fewest razor strokes pos- sible. Rinse with cold water.
• Use an electric razor if it can be adjusted to a higher setting.
• After shaving, press a cold, wet cloth against your face for five minutes, or you can also use a mild astrigent to help close your pores.
The 10 Best Foods For Men
Eating the right foods can also enhance performance, as well as maintain muscle mass and prevent prostate cancer. But what are these foods?
No. 1: Oysters. Are oysters really the food
of love? Well,
it’s true that
just a few oys-
ters each day
will deliver a
full day’s supply of the antioxi- dant mineral zinc, which is in- volved in hundreds of body processes, from producing DNA to repairing cells.
No. 2: Bananas. Bananas are a great portable
source of quick en-
ergy and are rich in
potassium, which
is needed to regu-
late nerves, heart-
beat and, especially,
blood pressure. Diets rich in potassium and magnesium (which is also found in bananas) can reduce the risk of stroke. As a super source of vitamin B-6, bananas can also help your im- mune system, help form red blood cells, ensure a well-func- tioning nervous system, and as- sist protein metabolism.
No. 3: Fatty Fish. No list of super foods would be complete without the healthy fat, omega- 3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are potent anti-inflamma- tory foods that can help lower triglyceride levels, reduce aches and pains in athletes, and offer relief with certain kinds of arthritis.
No. 4: Broccoli. Crucifer- ous vegetables like
broccoli are help-
ful in preventing
heart disease and
cancer. They’re
loaded with vitamin
C, beta-carotene, potassium, and a phytochemical called sulphoraphane, which has strong anticancer (prostate and colon) properties.
No. 5: Brazil Nuts. These large nuts from
Brazil are
packed with
magnesium and
selenium, pow-
erful antioxi-
dants that may help prevent heart disease and cancer and protect prostate health.
Selenium also helps lower LDL or “bad” cholesterol and re- duces the incidence of blood clots and heart disease.
No. 6: Whole Grains. Most men get enough carbs in their diets, but they tend to be the wrong kind. Adding whole grain to your diet will help to keep your body balanced.
No. 7: Plant Stanols.
Stanols are naturally occurring substances in fruits and vegeta- bles that have been shown to lower mildly elevated blood cho- lesterol levels. Manufacturers are now adding concentrated versions of them to products like margarine, yogurt, orange juice, and granola bars.
No 8: Soybeans. Soy is rich in isoflavones,
which protect
prostate health
and have been
shown to lower
prostate cancer
risk. And according to a recent study, eating 25 grams or about 1 ounce of soy protein a day can help decrease cholesterol.
No 9: Berries & Cherries.
The violet,
blue, and
red colors in
all kinds of
berries and
cherries are responsible for the healthy properties of these fruits. These little jewels are chock-full of the health-protect- ing flavonoid, anthocyanin. Adding berries to the diet may even help slow the decline in brain function that can occur with aging.
No 10: Red-Orange Veg- gies. Vitamin C and beta- carotene are antioxidants that help preserve healthy skin cells and prevent oxidation from the sun. Vitamin C is involved in collagen production. Beta- carotene converts to the active form of vita-
min A, which helps to repair epithelial or skin cells.
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