There are lots of simple things you can do to help your hair look its best, and they don’t take a lot of time or money to achieve. Whether you want to know how to get thicker hair or how to avoid a dry scalp, these hair care tips are here to help.
The Right Way to Wash Hair…
It might seem strange to give advice on how to wash your hair, but this is one area that trips up a lot of people. If you’ve got short hair, or exercise a lot, or shower every morning, you might well wash your hair daily. But over-washing actually strips your hair of its natural oils. These oils help protect your hair and scalp, so getting the balance right is essential.
Of course, it’s important to keep your hair – and scalp – clean. Regular cleansing will help to remove styling products and dirt, keep bacteria levels down, and protect hair follicles. But you don’t want to do this every day. The exact regularity will depend on your hair texture, thickness and length, but shampooing two or three times a week is a useful general guide.
As for the products you use, that’s crucial to your hair health too. Figure out what hair type you have (fine, thick, curly, thin, etc.) and choose shampoos and conditioners that are designed for that particular type. All hair benefits from nourishing products with active ingredients that help strengthen, protect and fortify the strands from within.
… And Dry Hair
Many people briskly rub their hair dry with a towel, but this is not recommended. The friction that towel drying creates can damage your hair – particularly because wet hair is weaker. It’s best just to gently pat your hair and then leave it to air dry, if you can.
It’s also best to avoid heated styling tools and hair dryers, but if you do like to use them, apply a heat protectant spray first.
Styling Tips
On the subject of heated styling tools, how you choose to style your hair will also have a big impact on how healthy it is. Men’s hair care tips aren’t just about washing, drying and shampoo, they’re also about how to care for your hair while wearing it your favorite way.
A little bit of product can go a long way, if you choose the right type for your needs. It’s a good idea to be sparing with molding paste, pomade, gel, mousse, wax or hairspray, otherwise you risk clumping your strands together and irritating your scalp.
Choose a styling product that matches your needs, whether your priority is how to get thicker hair or how to achieve long-lasting hold. Products with a matte finish, for example, make your hair look thicker because they absorb light. Lightweight products help control your style without stiffness.
The Importance of Cut
Your style will look much sharper, and your hair will be much healthier, if you have regular trims too. The general suggestion is to go for a haircut around every six weeks, but your stylist or barber will be able to give you personalized advice on how often to get your hair trimmed.
Loosen Up
Wearing your hair in a tight ponytail or man bun, or wearing tight-fitting hats, can put unnecessary pressure on your strands – to the point that it can cause hair loss. There are various types of hair loss, like pattern hair loss, and this one is called traction alopecia.
Eat Your Way to Healthy Hair
You are what you eat, or so the saying goes. And you can boost your hair by enjoying a healthy diet. Hair is made of protein, so a good source of protein is essential, such as nuts, legumes, eggs, dairy, fish and poultry. A range of vitamins will help your hair grow, stay strong and look glossy, and the best way to get a variety of vitamins is to “eat the rainbow” – through an array of brightly colored fruit and veg.
Omega-3 fatty acids help create the oils that hydrate your hair and scalp, so get these in your diet through avocado, walnuts, pumpkin seeds or oily fish. Drinking plenty of water every day will also help keep your whole body – as well as your hair – well hydrated.
With these men’s hair care tips, you can keep your locks looking and feeling their best.