By including an exercise programme in your weekly or daily routine, you can improve your body shape, your health and your skin`s appearance. With only 30 minutes exercise 3 or 4 times per week, you can slow down the physical ageing process to your body and feel energised and healthier as well. An exercise that causes the body to sweat will improve the skin`s condition and de-stress the facial expressions. For those people who do not wish to take part in a form of exercise that is physically challenging, or for those who simply want to alleviate stress, there are various types of yoga that do not make the demands on the body that other forms of exercise often do. Yoga is a great way to alleviate stress as well as tone the body and remove toxins via stimulation of the organs. There are certain types of yoga exercise that can focus on, for example, increasing liver or kidney function, helping to improve the quality of the skin.

As we age, our bodies produce less collagen which helps to keep the skin looking young. The skin loses its elasticity, but with exercise, collagen levels are boosted, resulting in a slowing down of the ageing appearance of the skin. Collagen growth promotion via exercise will result in a plumping up of the facial skin, giving an appearance of less pronounced lines and wrinkles. Exercise causes an increase in the release of natural oils to the skin, which can help to moisturise the skin and prevent it from becoming dry. Exercise can help to regulate the body`s hormone levels. Cortisol, for example, which is a hormone that produces sebum, can be stimulated by stress into overproduction mode. Sebum is excreted via hair follicles and helps to loosen and removes dead skin cells. However, an overproduction of sebum can result in greasy skin, blocked pores and ultimately spots and blackheads. Reduction in sebum production can improve the skin`s condition greatly. Exercise boosts the production of new skin cells, to replace old cells. It is best to moisturise the facial skin before exercising to avoid dry skin. Always remember to rehydrate the body by drinking water before, during and after prolonged exercise. Wash the skin following exercise to remove the toxins that have been sweated out, otherwise you run the risk of a fungal skin infection occurring. Remember to kit yourself out with a good pair of comfortable mens trainers when taking part in regular exercise.

What do I do?

Ingrown hairs can be simply treated by following the instructions below and you will need to arm yourself with a clean washcloth and some warm water, a mild antiseptic, pointy nosed tweezers and a small needle you have sterilised in boiling water.

• Gently apply a washcloth to the ingrown hair until it grows cool down and repeat again – this often helps bring the hair closer to the surface and softens the top of the skin covering the hair.

• Use a small needle to pierce any pimple that has formed over the ingrown hair and gently try to remove the ingrown hair by teasing it out.

• If a head has formed gently squeeze with a tissue until it has all gone and you can see the ingrown hair.

• Don’t try to pull the hair out – it may form again – you are trying to release the hair to grow normally.

• Apply an antiseptic to the area with a cotton wool ball to minimise the chance of infection.

How do I minimise ingrown hairs?

• Wear looser clothing if you suffer from ingrown hairs, tight clothing is a big cause of causing ingrown hairs to form, especially on the legs.

• Exfoliating regularly will help ingrown hairs. Exfoliating gloves are easy and quick to use and can be thrown in the washing machine to keep them clean of bacteria.

• Don’t use harsh exfoliators that can strip the skin of oils and dry it out making ingrown hairs more likely to form.

• Don’t use loofahs as they can’t be washed very easily and can harbour bacteria.

• Use cleansers and moisturisers that are non comodegenic, that is they won’t block the pores and make ingrown hairs more common.

• Cleansing the skin morning and night will keep the hair follicles and pores clear and remove grime and dead skin cells allowing the hair to grow more freely.

• Do not use products with alcohol that dry the skin.

• Use a long lasting hydrating moisturiser that will keep the hair soft all day and help prevent it in growing.

• Many men suffer ingrown hairs from shaving. Try leaving the hair fractionally longer by not using a multi blade razor as the hair is less likely to become ingrown if it is not shaved too closely.

• Don’t pull the skin too tight as this also makes the shave closer than you need.