The root of the nail grows outward from
pockets in the epidermis much as hair grows from a follicle. The nail is made
up of living cells as far as the pale lunate, visible at the base of the nail.
The rest of the nail, virtually all the visible portion, is made up of dead
cells. Nail growth rate varies, depending upon such factors as age and season
of the year. Nails tend to grow faster in young people and during summer
months.
SKIN CARE Regular cleaning of normal skin
with soap and water is desirable for both health and cosmetic reasons. Cleaning
removes oily secretions, sweat, dead skin, and bacteria as well as any dirt
present. There is no particular mystique about the cleaning process. A clean
washcloth or complexion brush serves the purpose. Soap need not be massaged
into the skin. It should always be rinsed off thoroughly. Normal skin tends to
become dry with middle age, and a plain cold cream or oily lotion can be
helpful. If the skin tends to be excessively oily, washing with a moderately
drying soap two or three times daily and use of a non-greasy cleanser often
will help. If the oiliness still persists, an astringent may be used two or
three times a day on such oily areas as nose, chin, and forehead. If, however,
any redness or unusual irritation develops, such preparations should be discontinued.
Germicidal soaps and antiseptics are not
essential. Healthy skin is not bothered by germs that land on it. You should,
of course, take proper care of cuts and scrapes.
SHAVING
Most men develop their own individual
routines of shaving-and if they work well, if there are no problems of frequent
cuts or infections, they need no change. For those, however, who do have troubles;
a few guide- lines may be helpful. It is not commonly appreciated but actually
the most effective beard softener in preparation for shaving is water. Two
minutes' contact with warm water hydrates and softens bristles-and the warmer
the water, the shorter the time needed. Soap or cream helps to accentuate and
maintain the softness achieved with water. Apply the soap or cream after the
water exposure, employ a sharp blade in a good quality safety razor, stretch
the skin ahead of and in the path of the blade, and a good shave should result.
After shaving, it is helpful to wash the face completely with warm water, and
follow with an after-shave lotion. If you don't react well to Preventive Body
Care perfumed lotions, ask your druggist to supply pure 70 percent alcohol.
Finish the job with powder, especially over any areas that appear chafed. For
cuts: Usually a small cut will stop bleeding if treated with cold water and
some clean tissue paper.
By the time you have finished shaving, you
should be able to remove the tissue gently with cold water and there should be
no further problem. If there is, however, use a styptic. For infections: If
there is any infection of the Face, shave around it. With infection present,
discontinue using a shaving brush. Use a new blade for each shave, and shave
non-infected portions of the face first. If infection covers a wide area, your
physician may want you to continue shaving daily, even over the infection, in
order that medicine he pre- scribes may penetrate more thoroughly into infected
hair follicles. Electric razors: Men who use them insist that anyone who gives
them a fair try will be converted.
For men with heavy beards whose work requires
freedom from "five o'clock shadow," keeping a spare electric razor at
work may be advisable. An often-useful procedure for men with excessively tough
beards is to shave quickly with an electric shaver to remove 80 to 90 percent
of the obvious stubble, then finish with lather and safety razor. This often
produces an elegant result even with the toughest type of beard.
