Haircare 101: A Definitive Guide For Men

Admit it – Men don’t take good care of their hair as women do. A little effort is all that’s needed on their part to achieve healthy and luscious hair. Excuses like the below ones are not very uncommon – 

 

  1. ‘Our hair is not the same as women’s.’
  2. ‘Hair fall is bound to happen anyway, why bother.’
  3.  ‘We don’t know how to take care of our hair.’ 

 

Now let us bulldoze through these three excuses.

  1. Clinically and structurally, there is not much difference between men’s and women’s hair. Only maintenance plays a key role. 
  2. Agreed! Hair fall is inevitable for men, but they can extend the onset of hair fall if they take good care of it. 
  3. We are there to help as we bring you a detailed guide for all the men out there. Read on…

3 Crucial hair care tips for men

1. Clean your scalp

Healthy hair needs a healthy base. In other words, you need to have a clean scalp. If you don’t clean your scalp regularly, it will disrupt the microbiome balance. This, in turn, will affect your follicles as it increases bacteria count and inflammation. 

 

But it doesn’t mean you should wash your scalp mornings, noons, and nights. Even over-washing can be harmful – it will strip your scalp of all essential oils needed for hair growth. Your hair will become brittle, weak, and dull when that happens. 

 

Shampooing your hair 2-3 times a week is generally a good practice. Even better – try talking to a dermatologist to understand your hair type, as that determines how often you need to wash your hair.

 

2. Condition your hair

As we pointed out earlier, washing hair regularly will strip some of the essential oils from it. This makes your hair weak against sweat and pollution, and your hair gets damaged as the days pass by. To protect your hair from such external factors, it is vital to use a good hair conditioner. 

 

Using the right hair conditioner provides you with a myriad of benefits such as:

 

  • Replaces lost essential oils
  • Strengthens and protects the hair cuticles
  • Nourishes scalp and hair
  • Maximizes hair health
  • Promotes hair growth

 

3. Groom regularly

It is important to visit a salon and get groomed regularly. A regular haircut should be a top priority in your to-do grooming list. Even if you wish to maintain long hair, it is worthwhile to visit a hairdresser once in three months to get it trimmed. 

 

Remember – Grooming your hair doesn’t only mean making it short. Over a period of time, your hair gets exposed to constant stress such as friction from clothing, day-to-day activities, and heat. This can lead to split ends, damaged-looking hair, and weak hair strands. Regular haircuts or trims will help you to get rid of these damages and make your hair look strong and healthy.

Taking care of particular hair types

Long hair

The good news is that long hair is the easiest to manage. Since you plan on having long hair, you need not cut it very often. Still, it is recommended you visit a salon once every 12 weeks and trim those ends. This way, you can be free of split ends. It would also help your hair grow longer. You must avoid hair products that provide a firm hold. Instead, use soft products to keep your hair bouncy and loose. Make sure to avoid heat styling tools as heat damages your hair. Air-drying is a better option.

 

Grey Hair

As we age, our hair will turn grey –  it is a natural part of the aging process. Studies and research show that most people start developing grey hair before they turn 50. The grey hair starts to appear as the melanin production in our hair slows down. 

 

There is no shame in embracing grey hair, but many prefer to ditch it to look young. If you are planning to dye your hair, then choose a color that blends with grey. For example, you can opt for a color that is 50% grey and 50% your original hair color. This will give you a natural look and make you look younger. 

 

Pro Tip: To maintain the color, you need to use a color-safe shampoo. A regular appointment with your hairstylist is also needed to maintain the color.

 

Curly hair

Curly hair is the toughest to manage. You may have to constantly deal with regular breakages, too much hair volume, and dry hair. A common problem for people with curly hair is frizz. It can happen due to natural texture or even due to humidity in the surroundings. 

 

Men with curly hair must make extra effort to manage their hair. At times you might want your hair to be set in a specific way but it unravels back to its original form. 

 

The best way to manage curly hair is to use the right products; you need to work along with your hair and not against it. You must use conditioner to keep your hair hydrated, as curly hair tends to get dry quickly. This is primarily because essential oils find it challenging to reach the ends of hair.

 

How to prevent hair loss?

Male pattern baldness has been a cause of major concern for most men. As per reports, more than 50% of men above the age of 50 are affected by male pattern baldness. There are various treatment options available to prevent it and even work on regrowth. At Renu’s clinic, we offer various treatments like PRP, Growth Factor Therapy, and Low-Level Laser Therapy. For those, who are facing extreme hair loss, we also have hair transplant procedures available.

Conclusion

Irrespective of your hair type, it is important to take care of it really well. As a first step, select the right kind of products for your hair type – it could be shampoos, conditioners, or any other hair products. Check the ingredients in the product while purchasing and make sure no harmful and unwanted chemicals are used in it.

 

But when you have doubts or more severe hair concerns like hair loss and heavy itching, it is best to visit a dermatologist. To book an appointment with Dr. Renu, click here.