We’re here to help, however, with our hair care tips for men. We’ll cover everything from how to take care of hair daily, to how to improve hair quality, and what to do (and not do) when you’re letting your hair grow out.
In the end, we think you’ll have enough knowledge to make your daily hair care routine more effective than ever.
THE BEST HAIR CARE TIPS FOR BEGINNERS
1. DRYING YOUR HAIR THE RIGHT WAY
If you’re like a lot of men, you step out of the shower after washing and/or conditioning your hair and rub it vigorously with a towel to help dry it. Don’t do it.
The fact is, your hair is very susceptible to damage when it’s wet, and rubbing wet hair with a towel causes some of the hair to become caught in the threads of the towel and stretches hairs past their breaking point. In turn, this causes damage to the outer layers of hair, as well as split ends and frizziness.
Instead, pat dry your hair after you shake out excess water while gently stroking it in the direction it grows.
You also need to take caution when blow drying your hair. Honestly, the best way to dry your hair is to air-dry it, but blow drying may be your best option on those days when you’re running short on time. Some important things to remember when using a hair dryer are to use the lowest heat settings possible, and to always leave your hair slightly damp to make sure you aren’t over-drying it.
2. GO EASY ON THE HEAT
We just talked about using a lower heat setting if you have to blow dry your hair, cutting down on any heat is a general rule for the typical men’s hair care routine.
There’s nothing like a hot shower, especially when the temperatures outside dip below freezing, but hot water wreaks havoc on your hair because it strips much of the essential oils from your hair and scalp, which leads to dryness.
Again, the best way to dry your hair is to let it air dry. If you use a hairdryer, cut back on the heat, and leave your hair slightly damp so you won’t be tempted to over dry it.
3. WEAR HATS SPARINGLY
Sometimes you just want to rock a hat or a cap but don’t overdo it. Tight hats can cause hair damage and loss because they pull too hard on the hair’s roots. Wear loose-fitting hats if possible.
4. DON’T DO A COMB-OVER – EVER
OK, so your hair is thinning on top while you still have a fair amount of it on the sides. Please don’t make the awful decision to cover the bare spots on top of your head with a comb-over. It’s never a good look and may remind people of the creepy uncle that keeps showing up at their family reunions. And most women will run – make that sprint – from a man with a comb-over. Do yourself a favor and get a haircut that suits your thinning style instead.
Hopefully these tips will help you achieve the look you want in a hairstyle but, most importantly, help you to keep your hair as healthy as possible. Like anything else, strong, healthy hair is achieved through consistent effort and the right knowledge.
5. DON’T OVERDO IT WITH PRODUCTS
There’s nothing wrong with using hair gels, waxes, and even hairspray for getting the style and look that you want. But, using too much product can make your hair look unnatural and heavy, so use only the amount that you really need instead of applying excess amounts.
Here’s a quick primer on products that can help you make the right choices for your hair type:
• Gel – Gives you the wet look that stays in place. It’s a high-shine, high-hold product.
• Putties – Putties are high-hold, low shine and aren’t as stiff as gels.
• Wax – There’s no question that wax holds your hair in place. It is tougher to get out of your hair because it’s oil-based.
• Pomade – Pomade is great for achieving retro looks and also have a high shine. Pomades tend to have a lesser hold than other products.
• Paste – Paste is a good option for you if you have medium to long hair. They usually have medium shine and hold.
• Muds & Clays – Because muds and clays are dryer than other products for men’s hair, they tend to have lower shine. Muds and clays range from low to high hold and everything in between.
6. WASH, BUT DON’T REPEAT
One of the great myths about washing your hair is that you need to shampoo it, rinse it, and then repeat the process once more. Not only is a double-wash unnecessary, but it may also dry out your hair.
HAIR TIPS FOR DIFFERENT HAIR TYPES & STYLES
7. GROWING LONG HAIR: A GUIDE
Deciding to let your hair grow long is not much different than deciding to grow a full beard, i.e., you need time, patience, and an idea of what you want. Let’s break it down and take a closer look; you’ll also want to check out our video to gain a better understanding of what we’re talking about.
HAVE A PLAN
Take an honest look at the reasons and your goals for growing long hair. It’s a commitment, as well as something that needs to fit in with your lifestyle. You also need to make sure you have the extra time for your grooming routine, because longer hair requires a bit more time to maintain than shorter hair.
STAY STRONG
One of the best things you can do while growing long hair is to own it. By that, we mean stay committed to the process, even when your hair looks bad when it’s growing out. There are going to be mornings when you wake up and, no matter what you do, it looks bad. It’s much easier to “train” shorter hair, but with longer hair you need to endure those moments of annoyance when your hair is at different lengths.
It’s a lot like growing a beard. There will be moments in the process when you want to shave it off because of how it looks, but staying on track through the tough times truly pays off in the end. How long should you let it grow? Ideally, if you truly want long hair, you should give your hair about a year’s worth of growth before deciding your next move. Your hair will go through a lot of phases along the way, so be patient.
When you’re growing your hair out it’s like a new look every month and the ability to train it completely vanishes, as we discuss in this video.
Not that it’s always a hassle, because one of the beauties of growing your hair out is that there a lot of things you can try out – like ponytails – and play around with during the process.
HAVE THE RIGHT TOOLS
Investing in good tools is important whether you’re working on a car, doing a DIY project around the house, or when you’re taking care of your hair during the growing process. A wide-tooth comb is a good tool to have for hair care, as is a hairbrush with natural bristles. If you’re going the ponytail route, buy cloth-coated bands to hold things in place because they’re gentler on hair.
HAVE THE RIGHT PRODUCTS
That $3 bottle of shampoo from your local drugstore is fine for when you have short hair, although, we still recommend using higher quality stuff. But any damage caused by cheaper shampoo when you have short hair is lessened by the fact that you’re going to cut your hair in a few weeks, anyway.
On the other hand, using shampoo of lesser quality, one that’s less gentle on the hair, isn’t the best idea if you have long hair or are in the process of growing it out. Cheaper shampoos will cause split ends, frizziness, and dry out your hair because they’ll strip it of sebum – the natural oils from your scalp.
It’s also important to find a shampoo that’s right for your type of hair, whether it’s oily, dry, or somewhere in between. If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to ask your barber or stylist.
Another helpful tool for many men is hair oil, which helps prevent dryness. Just work a little bit into your hair at the roots and distribute it evenly over your scalp. A word of caution about oil, however. Make sure that you read the label carefully to see that it consists of all-natural ingredients. Some companies use non-natural ingredients such as silicone that may damage your hair. But, overall, hair oil is an excellent tool to have in your grooming kit if you have dry or frizzy hair.
WASHING IT
After you’ve found the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type, it’s time to wash your hair. It’s a good idea to use a wide-toothed comb to get rid of any tangles before you step in the shower and also when you hop out of the shower. Wet your hair with warm – not hot – water and then work the shampoo into your hair gently for a couple of minutes, then rinse. Next, apply your conditioner, which you also leave in for a couple of minutes before (ideally) rinsing it out with cool water.
There’s plenty of debate about how often you should wash your hair. One school of thought says daily washing will eventually dry out your hair, but you’ll want to wash your hair more frequently when you’re growing it out. In any case, you may want to scale back a bit regarding how often you wash your hair, and always use gentler shampoos.
DRYING IT
We already touched a bit on drying your hair and the same basic rules apply to long hair as they do to all lengths and types of hair: 1) rubbing your hair with a towel to dry it makes it susceptible to damage; 2) pat dry or air dry your hair instead; 3) be careful of overdoing it with a hairdryer, so keep the heat lower and your hair should be slightly damp when you finish.
AVOID TOO MUCH SUN
We all know how excessive exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays can damage skin, but it can damage your hair, as well. The good news is that there’s a variety of hair products designed to protect your hair from the sun, including shampoos and conditioners.
PROTECT YOUR HAIR FROM CHLORINE
The chlorine found in swimming pools can easily dry out your hair and cause it to become brittle. But you can protect your hair by wetting it first – with regular water, that is – and then apply a mild conditioner before you take a refreshing dip.
8. KNOW YOUR SCALP TYPE
It’s extremely important to know your scalp type before you buy hair products such as shampoo and conditioner.
OILY SCALP
Nothing too complicated here; if your hair often feels oily or greasy then you have an oily scalp. Chances are you’ve tried a variety of shampoos to cut down on the greasiness, but some things to keep in mind when you’re considering your purchase include avoiding shampoos that are labeled as moisturizing or hydrating while choosing those that are called “strengthening,” “balancing,” or “daily clarifying.” You should also make sure that you work your shampoo deeply into your scalp to help break up excess oils.
DRY SCALP
A dry scalp is the type that often feels dry and itchy, and plagued by dandruff. But there are varying degrees of a dry scalp and you should buy shampoos and conditioners accordingly. If you have minor dryness, a shampoo that promotes moisture and hydration will help.
If your scalp is extremely dry, then it’s a good idea to look for ingredients, such as tea tree oil, that have extensive moisturizing properties. Shampoos that you don’t want to purchase if you have a dry scalp are those called ‘strengthening’, ‘fortifying’, or ‘volumizing’ on their label.
NORMAL SCALP
Good for you if you have a normal scalp. That means your hair is generally easy to manage, has the right amount of oil, and that you don’t have to over-complicate things when shopping for products. Your primary mission is to find shampoo that has a balance between moisturizing and cleaning.
9. HAIR CARE TIPS FOR BLACK MEN
Many of our hair care tips apply to all men, regardless of race. But African-American men need to follow a slightly different routine to keep their hair healthy and looking its best. There is a breakdown here, as well as some tips to follow:
SHAMPOO LESS FREQUENTLY
Perhaps the biggest reason to shampoo less is because of a chemical called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) found in most off-the-shelf shampoos. SLS strips away your scalp’s natural oils – oils that help protect your hair. The result is hair that’s dry and brittle.
Many experts recommend shampooing only twice a week (with a shampoo that doesn’t contain SLS). Look for shampoos that contain natural oils and other ingredients that hydrate your scalp and hair.
MOISTURIZE FREQUENTLY
While you may want to cut back on shampooing, you should moisturize your hair daily. Why? Because your hair tends to dry out during the day, whether it’s from indoor heating in the winter or from wearing hats in the spring and summer.
Whatever moisturizing product you choose, be sure to massage it evenly throughout the scalp and hair to get the best results.
STYLE ACCORDINGLY
A low-maintenance hairstyle often works best for a lot of reasons, including that it will save you time while still looking good. But, you never know when you might find a look that you really like.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PRODUCT
Avoid products that contain alcohol, mineral oil, or petrolatum – which work to hold your style in place but may dry out your hair. Look for products with natural ingredients.
USE THE RIGHT COMB
Always have the right tools on hand when taking care of your hand, not the least of which is using the right comb. So, invest in a good afro comb because it has specially designed teeth that can detangle clumps of curly hair much better than other combs or brushes.
10. GO EASY ON GREASY HAIR
It’s a natural reaction to want to scrub your greasy hair with the force of a MMA fighter to get all the oil it. Don’t do it. Over-scrubbing tends to stimulate the oil-producing sebaceous glands that are already active enough. Another tip for taking care of greasy hair – or for all types of hair, for that matter – is to avoid washing it with overly hot water.
BARBERSHOP & TRIMMING TIPS
11. TRIM YOUR HAIR REGULARLY
Unless your goal is to grow longer hair, it’s wise to keep your hair trimmed because it’s the best way to get rid of damaged hair such as split ends. You should trim your hair every six to eight weeks, even if it’s just a light trim. You’ll be amazed how healthy your hair looks after a modest cut. Whatever you do, however, don’t believe the old adage that your hair will come in stronger and fuller if you cut it. That’s an old wives’ tale that’s actually b.s., so don’t get a haircut because you think you’ll be able to grow thicker hair because of it.