The gym buff's guide to post-workout grooming

Nothing feels quite as good or as satisfying as pulling in a long session at the gym, working out muscles and breaking into a sweat.

It's a great way to detox and destress, as exercise opens up your pores and floods your body with happy hormones, like dopamine and serotonin, which help you feel good. 

And while people typically do not interfere with each other at the gym, hygiene becomes everybody's business when a stink is sensed by all. There's a stark difference between a sexy, musky scent and just plain stink. Guys, don't confuse the two. 

After working out and shaping up, don't forget to wash up – especially if you're heading off to work or meeting other people – as sweat can harbor bacteria that cause body odor. 

If you've already invested time and effort in working out at the gym, you should also invest in a good grooming regimen. It doesn't take much or that long to put together an effective one. 

Here, we give you a run-down of basic grooming essentials for every gym buff. Don't forget to pack these items in your bag:

1. GOODBYE BACTERIA: Antibacterial soap or shower gel

Old sweat and a warm body is a bad combination. The body can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which not only causes body odor but can trigger acne. 

To prevent breakouts, gently and effectively wash off sweat, dead skin cells and sebum on your skin, as well as odor-causing bacteria, with antibacterial soap. Some variants promise to kill 99% of all germs. 

Shower gels are also effective options as these are formulated with moisturizing ingredients that leave your skin feeling smooth. They also come in a variety of refreshing, masculine scents that last all day. 

2. PIT STOP: Antiperspirants 

Contrary to popular belief, sweat is virtually odorless to humans. Rather, it is the rapid growth of bacteria, and the breaking down of sweat by bacteria that cause your body to reek. This is why areas with hair, such as the armpits and groin area, tend to develop odor.

Hair strands prevent the quick evaporation of sweat, making these areas danger zones for stench. While others have taken to shaving and trimming the hair in those areas, a hardworking deodorant also does the trick. 

There are numerous antiperspirants that promise all-day dryness and protection, and they come in a slew of fresh and masculine scents. A note though: it's good to switch up brands every so often, because just like how bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, your deodorant can become ineffective as your armpits can become resistant to the active ingredients.

3. GREAT HYDRATION: Moisturizer or moisturizing lotion

While deodorants are meant to help keep armpits dry, it doesn’t mean that all your grooming products should be drying. After a good wash-down, rehydrate your skin and prevent it from cracking (which can be painful) with lotion and facial moisturizers. 

It's best to choose products that are packed with skin-loving ingredients that cleanse, refresh, hydrate, and protect skin from UV rays. Another reason to commit to moisturizing: you'll look instantly younger!

4. A MANLY MUSK: Cologne

Of course, head out the door smelling fresher with your preferred cologne. A spritz or two of your signature scent will give you a boost of confidence to power you through your hectic day. Plus, it draws in people, too!

5. MUST-DO FOR YOUR 'DO: Hair Gel

Polish off your post-gym grooming regime with light mousse or hair wax. A little subtle styling of your hair can do a lot to help you look more presentable and put-together. 

Feel like a king by making sure that your crown looks impeccable. 

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While working out is hard, looking polished and put-together in a jiffy can be as easy as 1, 2, 3!

NOTE: BrandNews articles are promotional features from our sponsors and not news articles from our editorial staff.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

How to keep your hair healthy

MANILA -- Frequent styling and treatments can damage your hair. Here are some tips to take care of your crowning glory.

According to Dr. Michelle Manuel, a dermatologist, having healthy hair means keeping the scalp healthy.

In an interview on DZMM's "Magandang Gabi Dok," Manuel compared the scalp to soil, noting that the plant's growth is directly related to the quality of the soil.

She also shared some tips on how to take care of one's hair.

* Do not abuse hair treatments (i.e. rebonding, perming)

According to Manuel, frequent hair treatments like rebonding, perming and coloring can cause severe damage to the hair.

"'Yung mga cosmetic that we put on our hair, nakaka-dry din kasi nasi-strip off 'yung oil," she said, adding that chemicals often used in salons can sometimes be too strong for the hair and scalp.

"Ang hair natin can take a lot of abuse. Medyo matibay ang buhok. Kaya lang, kung every day mo inaabuso, rurupok at rurupok din siya."

* Do not use shampoo every day

Shampooing can strip the scalp and the hair of natural oils.

"Ang advice is not to wash your hair every day. Ang pagsa-shampoo, every other day, that is, kung hindi naman masyado ikaw nasa labas nagta-trabaho, mga field work, hindi naman masyadong nadudumihan buhok mo, okay lang na every other day mo i-wash," Manuel said.

* Do not apply conditioner on the scalp

According to Manuel, applying hair conditioner on the scalp can cause hair fall.

"Don't condition every day and don't condition up to the roots because that will soften the roots and it will make the hair fall."

She also advised using conditioner only on the tips of the hair.

* Consult specialists before using any medicine for the scalp.

Different people have different hair and scalp quality, and using medicines may do more harm than good.

Manuel advised those who are interested in using medicines on their scalp to consult a doctor or hair specialist first before doing so.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

How PH ranks in dental health

MANILA -- The Philippines has nine million denture wearers in urban areas, making it the country with the highest number of people wearing dentures in Asia, according to a study by an international pharmaceutical company.

The information was revealed in the study "Oral Care U&A: Market Understanding Study Middle East & Asia" conducted by Ipsos Marketing for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).

Based on the study, majority of the nine million denture wearers are in the 35 to 69 year old age group. Eighty-four percent of denture wearers reside in Metro Manila, with nine percent in Cebu, and six percent in Davao.

Another study, "The Emerging Consumer Denture Journey" by Nick Newall and Rachel Kern also outlined the causes for such spike in denture wearing, among them the limited access to oral hygiene, expensive dentist fees, and lack of awareness of importance of oral hygiene and its effects to self-confidence.

The study also showed that Filipinos' oral and dental health care practices are very limited.

"The Filipinos' oral and dental health care practices are limited to very simple routines like brushing the teeth using regular toothpastes and toothbrushes. Some even use alternative household products such as salt water for cleaning the teeth," cited the study.

The study also discussed the fact that in the Philippines, dentists are rarely a source of awareness in terms of oral care. It reported that there is a forced relationship between dentists and patients who meet only during emergency cases. Some people, according to the study, even have others pull their teeth off.

However, the most damaging of these is the loss of practice of revisiting the dentist for follow-ups.

"We must create value for our teeth regardless of financial difficulties. In terms of dental relationships, people neglect returning to their dentists for maintenance purposes, doing so only when the damage has been too great to bear," said Dr. Danny Magtanong of the Philippine Prosthodontic Society (PPS).

Magtanong, who specializes in reconstructive dentistry and is an associate professor in prosthodontics at the UP College of Dentistry, also explained that Filipinos have become apathetic toward their teeth.

"Not only is the "bahala na" attitude of Filipinos alarming, but also the lack of value for teeth. For example, people in the past would have attitudes like "okay lang 'yan, masisira din naman ngipin mo," these attitudes have evolved to be damaging towards the total dental health of the individual. So now, many become more and more subject to dental problems not only because of this attitude, but also largely due to Filipinos' inadequacy to acquire proper dental health implements. What Filipinos largely know of is only to brush their teeth; on some occasions, gargle with salt if financial circumstances are not favorable."

PPS, in coordination with GSK, has been undertaking an education and information campaign both in urban and rural areas to promote dental health and proper denture care.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com