Personal hygiene is the process of keeping the body clean and well-groomed. While similar in many respects, male and female hygiene practices, such as shaving, hair care and skin care can differ in some ways. Understanding the differences between woman vs. man hygiene helps both genders assess their own hygiene practices while learning more about those of the opposite sex.
Features
Personal hygiene refers to many separate processes. Primarily, personal hygiene includes keeping the body clean through practices such as bathing, washing the hair and brushing the teeth. It can also be used to describe grooming techniques that include shaving, applying deodorant and use of products such as perfume, cologne and hair care products.
Methods
When it comes to personal hygiene, specific techniques differ slightly among men and women. Female-specific hygiene includes cleaning of the genital area and attention to menstruation-related processes. According to the University of Iowa, women should avoid using harsh perfumes or soaps on the vaginal area to prevent irritation and infections.
Men and boys also have gender-specific hygiene guidelines to follow. Young men who are uncircumcised should keep the penis clean by retracting the foreskin, washing the area gently and drying thoroughly to prevent infection, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Tools
Women and men often use different tools for maintaining personal hygiene. Although most soaps, toothpastes and hair care products are intended for either gender, grooming products that include makeup, deodorant and perfume are generally formulated specifically for women or men.
Shaving cream, cologne and hair re-growth products, including Rogaine, are targeted at male consumers, who use these products to improve appearance and maintain hygiene. Female-specific products, including hair spray, makeup and feminine hygiene products, such as douches and tampons, are used in a similar fashion by women.
Considerations
Every person, regardless of gender, has their own standards for personal hygiene. Due to individual sensitivities and health concerns, some people choose to avoid synthetic products that contain artificial ingredients--perfumes and dyes. Provided that a person maintains hygiene by bathing and following other basic guidelines, the decision to avoid such products will not affect overall cleanliness.
Significance
In addition to physical appearance, proper hygiene is important for maintaining good health in men and women. According to The New York Times, good oral hygiene practices, including brushing and flossing, may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. The connection between poor dental health and heart disease is thought to result from inflammation triggered by bacteria that migrate from the mouth to the heart and other organs.
Regular hand washing is needed to prevent infections, including hepatitis A and the flu, while hair and face-washing help remove oils and bacteria that can lead to acne breakouts and skin infections, including impetigo.
