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8 Hygiene Offenses Older Guys Often Make
Over time, it’s not unusual for some simple personal hygiene habits to go missing from the average man’s daily routine. And when that happens, it can stifle or sideline friendships, intimate relationships, and interactions with coworkers.
“Hygiene matters because it shows that you care about your partner and you take the effort to be presentable for them,” says Emily Morse, PhD, a sex therapist, podcaster, and coauthor of Hot Sex: Over 200 Things You Can Try Tonight.
The same theory holds true at work, where being mindful of your appearance can make or break your reputation with your peers and clients.
Fortunately, just adopting some simple head-to-toe tips can ensure you look — and smell — great in every situation.
Give Body Odor the Boot
Each of us has a distinctive scent caused by bacteria on our skin reacting with sweat and sebum released from our pores, and this natural smell changes over time.
In fact, one substance in human body odor, 2-nonenal, marked by an unpleasant greasy, grassy odor, has been found to increase with aging, according to a study.
Still, it’s not always easy to sense potentially unpleasant body odor on yourself, so it’s wise to be preemptive by showering daily with a deodorant soap followed by an effective antiperspirant.
Dr. Morse also advises paying special attention to grooming in the groin area, specifically the testicles, trimming the hair there if needed, and she also suggests keeping the area dry and fresh by using an intimate personal care product, such as Gold Bond Ultimate Men’s Essential Body Powder.
Another key to minimizing body odor is to be mindful of what you eat. Certain foods, including onions, garlic, and spicy dishes, contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that make some people’s sweat particularly pungent, as noted by the American Society for Microbiology. Pay attention to see if this happens to you, and eat accordingly.
And if you’d like the extra insurance of using a cologne, consider a simple, refreshing pine scent, which appeals to many women, says Morse.
Make Dry, Flaky Skin Glow Again
Dry, flaky skin can become more and more of a problem as you age, says Jason Reichenberg, MD, a dermatologist and associate professor of medicine at Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. If you find that happening to you, save your deodorant soap for strategic areas, such as your underarms and groin, then use a soap-free cleanser that locks in moisture, such as Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Wash or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser, everywhere else on your body. Apply moisturizer afterward while your skin is still damp.
If scalp flakiness is a problem, try an anti-dandruff shampoo, and be sure to follow the instructions on the label carefully, advises the American Academy of Dermatology. There are many different dandruff shampoos, and each contains different active ingredients for controlling symptoms.
Master the Art of Beard and Moustache Grooming
Facial hair is definitely trendy, and that includes stylish gray beards. As a general rule, the longer the beard, the more careful you should be to groom it, shampoo it, and check it after meals to be sure the hair is pristine.
More specifically, nourish it daily with beard oil to keep the hair soft and the skin underneath moisturized. The oil will also give your beard a natural shine that makes your whiskers look more youthful.
Trim Away Nose and Ear Hairs
As the years go by, you may find hair suddenly sprouting in unwanted places, such on your back, ears, and knuckles. In fact, Dr. Reichenberg says, unwanted hair is the most common complaint men bring to him. “Ear hair and nose hair can get very unruly and needs to be clipped,” he says.
The easiest way to handle this grooming job is with a nose or ear hair trimmer, Reichenberg says, adding that longer-lasting professional waxing, laser hair removal, and electrolysis are other options to consider.
Banish Bad Breath for Good
Bad breath is another hygiene turnoff that’s hard for us to sense in ourselves. And aging can bring on health issues, such as dry mouth, gum disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which make bad breath more likely.
Seeing your dentist at least every six months can help you sidestep the stink by keeping oral issues in check, suggests Judith Jones, DDS, emeritus professor of general dentistry at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in Massachusetts.
Dr. Jones also recommends practicing good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth for a full two minutes twice a day, flossing, and then brushing your tongue, which can harbor a lot of bacteria and food debris that can contribute to bad breath.
Put the Handsome Back in Your Hands
“Nails get brittle and discolored with age — yellowish and opaque,” notes Morse. If that describes your nails, a dermatologist can advise you on proper nail care and check that there’s no underlying medication cause for your nail problems.
Stay on top of good grooming to keep your nails clean and neatly trimmed using a round-blade clipper made for fingers. Consider the merits of a professional “buffing” manicure and pedicure to give all of your nails a nice shape and healthy shine, and to smooth any ragged cuticles and calluses on your hands and feet.
Stomp Out Stinky Foot Odor
If your feet sometimes smell like Pepé Le Pew after your take off your shoes, focus on keeping them dry, since foot odor is usually due to excess moisture, says Reichenberg.
Fortunately, that makes stomping out the stench easy: After showers and sweat-promoting activities like exercise, simply clean and scrub your feet using a pumice stone to scrape off dead skin cells. Dry your feet thoroughly, including between the toes, and then liberally apply foot powders like baby powder or cornstarch. If you’re prone to getting athlete’s foot, after treatment with your doctor, there are medicated powders to use preventively, like Lotrimin AF Athlete’s Foot Daily Prevention Medicated Foot Powder. If your feet get sweaty easily, roll on a strong antiperspirant nightly, such as Certain Dri Prescription Strength Clinical Antiperspirant.
You can also help keep your feet dry no matter how much you sweat by wearing socks made from naturally antibacterial, breathable merino wool, or synthetic fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin. Change from athletic to street shoes after your workout, and consider using odor-control insoles in all of your shoes.
Pay attention to other aspects of foot hygiene, too — see your podiatrist promptly if you notice any ingrown toenails or a possible fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot or onychomycosis (aka toenail fungus).
Regain Control Over Incontinence
Leaking urine can be the result of prostate problems, a urinary tract infection, or other health issues that may arise with age. In addition to seeking medical treatment, consider using underwear guards that absorb urine, prevent odor, and protect clothes.
The National Association for Continence also advises drinking six to eight glasses of water a day to dilute your urine, which reduces the odds that it will have an unpleasant odor.
To help stop the problem, avoid sitting for long stretches of time. One study evaluated 69,795 healthy men and found that those who spent five or more hours sitting were more likely to develop lower urinary tract symptoms, such as a sudden uncontrollable urge to urinate.
Also important: Ask your doctor about doing Kegels, simple exercises that strengthen the muscles that control the flow of urine, which, in turn, help prevent, treat, or delay incontinence, says Morse. The muscle movement to practice is the same one you’d use to stop the flow of urine midstream.
Justin Laube, MD
Medical Reviewer
Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, and trauma healing.
He graduated with a bachelor's in biology from the University of Wisconsin and a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School. During medical school, he completed a graduate certificate in integrative therapies and healing practices through the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. He completed his three-year residency training in internal medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles on the primary care track and a two-year fellowship in integrative East-West primary care at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine.
He is currently taking a multiyear personal and professional sabbatical to explore the relationship between childhood trauma, disease, and the processes of healing. He is developing a clinical practice for patients with complex trauma, as well as for others going through significant life transitions. He is working on a book distilling the insights from his sabbatical, teaching, and leading retreats on trauma, integrative health, mindfulness, and well-being for health professionals, students, and the community.
Previously, Dr. Laube was an assistant clinical professor at the UCLA Health Center for East-West Medicine and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he provided primary care and integrative East-West medical consultations. As part of the faculty, he completed a medical education fellowship and received a certificate in innovation in curriculum design and evaluation. He was the fellowship director at the Center for East-West Medicine and led courses for physician fellows, residents, and medical students.
Madeline R. Vann, MPH, LPC
Author
Madeline Vann, MPH, LPC, is a freelance health and medical writer located in Williamsburg, Virginia. She has been writing for over 15 years and can present complicated health topics at any reading level. Her writing has appeared in HealthDay, the Huffington Post, Costco Connection, the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Huntsville Times, and numerous academic publications.
She received her bachelor's degree from Trinity University, and has a master of public health degree from Tulane University. Her areas of interest include diet, fitness, chronic and infectious diseases, oral health, biotechnology, cancer, positive psychology, caregiving, end-of-life issues, and the intersection between environmental health and individual health.
Outside of writing, Vann is a licensed professional counselor and specializes in treating military and first responders coping with grief, loss, trauma, and addiction/recovery. She is a trauma specialist at the Farley Center, where she provides workshops on trauma, grief, and distress tolerance coping skills. She regularly practices yoga, loves to cook, and can’t decide between a Mediterranean style diet and an Asian-fusion approach.