Sure he's nice to look at, but does he wash his hands after using the bathroom?

Fifty-four percent of college-age men, mainly from the New England states, New Jersey and New York, have an above average perception of their looks, according to a study conducted by the Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Technology Program, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI.   The report assessed the self cleansing and grooming practices and attitudes of 193 college men ages 18-24.

Most men (61.8%) showered at least once a day, preferring showering to bathing.  Seventy percent preferred to wash their hair during showering and 33% used hair conditioners.  Most did not have shampoo or hair conditioner brand preferences but said they preferred fruity scents.  Respondents perceived their hair as healthy and full and 78.7% claimed they rarely had dandruff.  Only 13.5% used anti-dandruff shampoos.  After going to the bathroom, 29.7% said they wash their hands with soap and water, 23% with only water and 36.8% with sometimes soap, sometimes water.  Slightly more than 10% said they don't wash at all.

Shaving was a general practice with 99.5% responding they shaved regularly.  More than 52% said they shaved several times a day, while 35.5% shaved daily.   More than 42% said they use replaceable razor blades.  The subjects perceived traditional razors as providing a close cut, effective and convenient to use.  Only 23% of the shaving population used aftershave lotions regularly.

The respondents said they brushed their teeth twice a day, rarely or never using tooth whiteners or dental floss.  They preferred moisturizers that contain aloe and applied it mainly to the face, hands and arms.  Deodorant use was routine practice (97.4%).  Among solid, spray, roll-on and gel deodorants, the most preferred form was the solid (49%); followed by spray, gel and roll-on, respectively.  The most preferred scent for deodorant was sport (45%) followed by the fresh, musk, unscented, fruity and powder scents, respectively.

Less than 33.5% of college men said they have had a reaction to a personal care product and the highest irritation or allergy incidents were experienced with deodorant, which was followed by soap and cologne.  Lip moisturizers were used at least once daily by 30% of respondents.  Lip balms were mainly used to protect chapped lips.  Regular sunscreen use was low (13.5%).

Back