Aww Nuts! A Quick Guide To Grooming "Down Below"

It's the thorniest of all grooming issues - how a man can keep his tackle looking tip-top. And with a rash of articles coming out lately about manly missteps in this most tender of regions, we thought it important to offer up some solutions for downstairs' dilemmas.

PUBIC ENEMIES

A little hair is fantastic, but when it starts to appear as if Don King's 'do is residing in the Calvins, it's time for some pubic pruning. Not only do surveys show women prefer men neat and tidy -- it's also a hygienic advantage since body hair is the ultimate home for odor-causing bacteria.

The other big advantage of a tidy trunk line is the addition of an "optical inch." To cut those oversized "pubic enemies" down to size, the simplest thing to do is invest in a body hair trimmer. Easy as mowing the lawn, simply start on the trimmer's longest setting and work on down as the look and feel dictates (no pun intended). When trimming the pubic area, also make certain to trim hair around the stomach and navel to give an even, natural-looking appearance.

BATTLING A STINKY SACK AND "BAT WINGS"

It's widely known that the male groin has a distinctive (if not universally appreciated) aroma. This musky smell is largely a result of the concentration of apocrine sweat glands in the region, some of which produce a modified form of sweat that some people find sexually attractive (hmmmmmm?????). Unfortunately, after a hard day's work, these odors can become more toxic than intoxicating.

The solution? A quick dust with a refreshing talc-like powder designed just for 'the boys'. Not only will such powders keep the fellas clean and fresh, they're also a great solution for "batwings" -- the unfortunate affliction where a sweaty sack temporarily bonds to the thighs. Application is simple – just sprinkle or spray a moderate amount of these miracle powders in the ole' boxer briefs and then hit the road.

SAYING SAYONARA TO MAN-CHAFING

Chafing in those most-intimate of areas is a rarely discussed, but surprisingly common (and painful) issue for men. The area between a man's legs is especially prone to chafing due to the combination of friction and sweat, especially for an athletic gent.

Staying chafe-free is easy though with the aid of an anti-chafing powders that keep skin dry and friction free. As mentioned above, just sprinkle one of these miracle powders in the drawers before suiting up. Should man-chafing still rear its ugly head, a little skin-soothing balm can calm, repair and protect. Additionally, if all else fails, an underwear switch might be in order.

TAKING IT ALL OFF

The ball-shaving movement originally started in adult films -- and not just for aesthetic reasons. Removing that hair is a trick of the trade that makes "the boys" look more impressive. As everybody knows, optically, anything that's light tends to look larger.

If you fancy the XXX-look, begin by cropping longer hairs with a body hair tool, trimmer or scissors. Before applying blade to balls, a steamy shower is recommended to soften up skin and hairs. Once out of the shower, pat that unit dry and generously apply a sensitive shaving cream or shave oil to the base and the boys. From there, carefully (like you need telling) shave with a fresh razor and blade that you feel comfortable with (no straight-edge surprises needed here), making sure to rinse the blade often. When finished, apply a gentle after-shave balm to calm everyone down.