Appearance is a major factor of how we perceive others; 64% of adults living in America prioritize looks when determining another individual’s attractiveness, and in the case of teenagers, a UK study shows that around 79% of 11-16 year olds tend to follow this behavior as well. Unfortunately, when it comes to “perfecting” our looks, we typically think of grand procedures to “fix” ourselves: botox, chemical peels, red light therapy, and other fancy terms that social media has continued to usher into the spotlight. However, the first path to good looks is not through intrusive surgeries, but instead by prioritizing a strong hygiene routine throughout the day and night. Basic activities catered towards your hair, skin, nails and teeth, although small, can drastically improve your day-to-day hygiene and by extension your attractiveness to others.
Firstly, maintaining a consistent hair care routine is crucial for ensuring the health and appearance of your hair. Regular cleansing with a shampoo removes dirt and oil from the scalp and hair strands, while conditioning adds nourishment and hydration for a smoother look. It’s ideal to wash your hair every 2-3 days, however oilier, straight hair should be washed more regularly, while washes for thicker, curlier hair can be spaced out across the week. Also, try to find hair products tailored to your hair concerns, such as heat damage, frizz, or color treatment. For instance, incorporating a deep conditioning treatment or heat protectant spray into your hair routine can repair damage from heat styling. Additionally, if you start to notice things such as split/dry/stringy ends, lack of volume, or more difficulty styling your hair, it’s likely time for a trim or full on haircut depending on your needs.
Our skin makes up 15% of our body weight, so it’s definitely important to keep its appearance hydrated and healthy. Firstly, your face: the basic steps would first start with cleansing; cold water for the morning and warm water for the night have proven benefits. Next would come your toners, serums and essences, which supplement your skin with hydration, rebalance your pH levels, brighten skin tone and more. Finally, moisturize with facial lotion and apply sunscreen: it should have a minimum SPF of 30 to protect your skin from aging and skin cancer caused by the sun’s UV rays. Alongside the routinely use of such products, drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep ensures the skin remains nourished, balanced, and glowing.
We use our hands for basically everything, so it’s important to wash them for 20 seconds with water and soap after performing any work that may bring germs and dirt. By extension, our fingernails should also become a significant part of our day-to-day routine. Prioritize trimming your nails once every 2-4 weeks depending on your level of activity and age, as blood flow increases their rate of growth. Avoid destructive behaviors such as chewing or biting your nails and even the skin around them, which can lead to infections including paronychia and pinworms. There are many ways to reduce nail biting by identifying individual stressors/triggers, but ultimately, having regular manicures as aforementioned can help nip this habit in the bud.
Finally, a confident smile can go a long way- oral hygiene is important to prioritize so we can avoid age-related issues such as toothaches, gum disease and tooth loss. You should brush your teeth twice daily with fluoride toothpaste to remove plaque and bacteria. Flossing at night also helps to clean between teeth and along the gumline to grab any particles your toothbrush may have missed. Furthermore, invest in a tongue scraper and antibacterial mouthwash to prevent cases of bad breath. Make sure to regularly visit the dentist for checkups to watch out for any oral-related health issues you may not be able to spot on your own.
Essentially, your skin, hair, teeth and nails are all connected throughout your body; failing to properly provide nutrition for one will affect the others. Adopting a hygiene routine that fits this criteria as well as your own personal needs will ultimately boost your confidence, health and attractiveness overall.