Shelly-Ann Thompson, Freelance Writer

Left: Managing director of Avery's Beauty Concept, Comar Campbell, gives his personal touch to client, Michael Campbell.   Right: Men, too, should have a facial as this decreases the risk of facial hair bumps. Aesthetician Anna-Kay Samuels of Avery's Beauty Concept gives a facial to male client, A. Clarke. - photos by Shelly-Ann Thompson

A man should be well groomed at all times. His nails, hair and skin should be impeccable. Unlike women, beauty care is new to most men. This ought not to be, said Comar Campbell, managing director of Avery's Beauty Concept Limited.

"I always like to be groomed. As long as I can remember I have liked to have my nails clean and my hair well cut," he said. A botched haircut he received at age 15 led him into the field of barbering.

"I got a 'hair spoil' - as they call it - and I went home and corrected the trim with a razor I had at home." After that, he occasionally shaved and trimmed himself, receiving commendation from his friends. So, after completing high school, his career search led to barbering.

"Now, beauty is what I like. I like to see men with a decent haircut and women looking nice."

Not Gay

He added: "And, yes, I am straight," correcting the oft-held notion that men who go into the beauty field are all homosexual.

Ten years after starting out, he opened his first shop in 2002, at M's Plaza on Molynes Road in St. Andrew.

Avery's Beauty concept now consists of a hair, barber and day-spa salon, with two locations - another located at 20 Phoenix Avenue, also in St. Andrew. They offer grooming, and hair and skin care for men and women.

Some Jamaicans also feel that a man's hands must not feel soft, and only meterosexuals, and homo-sexuals, get a manicure or pedicure.

But Campbell disagrees. "It is really sick if men think this way," he answered.

"Grooming is about getting a haircut, keeping the underarm clean, getting a pedicure, manicure, sometimes a wax - it's about being clean."

Campbell said for men in the spotlight, grooming and proper hygiene are essential. "It attracts ladies, it's not about being feminine."

Hair Bumps

Campbell offered a few tips for men with facial hair bumps. Men of African descent are prone to getting bumps. To avoid getting facial hair bumps refrain from having a close shave. The skin layer of black men is thick, so the hair has to force itself through the follicles and, as a result, a bump may occur. The softer the skin layer, the easier for the hair to grow out, lessening the occurrence of facial bumps.

Often, it is not about dirty razors or allergy to shears, but that their beard line was shaved too closely, forcing the hair to grow out from beneath the skin. "If not necessary, do not shave closely," says Campbell.

Facials are important in removing and preventing hair bumps. Facials remove the dead cells of the skin, as moisturisers used during a facial softens the skin layer.

Skin Care Sol and Tend Skin and Bump Eraser "are two of the best products for preventing and removing facial hair bumps," advises Campbell.