How guys should take care of their hair, according to hair experts

I’ve been observing Dad’s personal care routine these days and I realized he really doesn’t give a damn about his hair. While he sets aside time to pamper his skin (he even exfoliates twice a week), his hair is a different story. He uses whatever shampoo is available in the bathroom and that’s it. “My hair doesn’t really need much care. Less hair means less maintenance,” he said. And I guess this is how most men think, right?

First of all, please drop that narrative already. Your hair needs care and maintenance—full stop. I understand that you want to spend as little time as possible to get ready for the day, but haircare isn’t much of a hassle—you just have to know what to do.

Avoid tight-fitting hats

We get it, you wear a cap to protect your scalp and face from UV rays. But wearing a really tight cap can likely decrease blood flow to your hair follicles, which can eventually cause fallout. “The hair loss would be temporary at first, but it could progress to permanent hair loss over time,” said a Cleveland Clinic dermatologist.

What you can do is use hair sunscreen (yes, it’s a thing) instead. Aside from UV protection, hair sunscreen may also help minimize drying and frizzing. You can also use shampoos, conditioners, oils, or hairsprays that contain SPF (sun protection factor), in case you can’t find an actual sunscreen.

Now if you really can’t leave the house without a cap, a loose-fitting fedora may be safer than a tight-knit beanie or a baseball hat.

Don’t use two-in-one products

I know what you’re thinking: Why buy a separate shampoo and conditioner when there are two-in-one products available in the market? Very wrong. Shampoo opens your hair cuticles to remove dirt while conditioner closes them to protect your hair from any damage. Shampoo cleanses the hair, conditioner moisturizes it. Going by that logic, one product can’t close and open your cuticles at the same freaking time (unless it has some black magic, which I doubt).

There’s no shortcut for this one, honestly. If you really love your hair, just spend some extra time on shampooing and conditioning. Besides, you don’t need to shampoo your hair on a daily basis. At least twice a week is enough—but it still depends on your hair type. Conditioner, on the other hand, should be used every day whether you shampoo or not.

Remember, two-in-one shampoo-conditioners might save you time in the bathroom, but it certainly won’t save your hair. If anything, it will only cause more damage.

Get a haircut in a good shop

Whether you just want a trim or a real haircut, you have to visit a barbershop at least once a month. This is one of the easiest ways to maintain the shape of your hair. “Find a barbershop or salon where you’d feel comfortable paying the price—and you vibe with their work. You might not think anyone can tell the difference, but they can,” says a hair expert.

What you shouldn’t do is cut your hair on your own, especially when you have thinning issues. A barber can offer expert advice on how to deal with a hair loss situation—which cut can hide the bald areas and which products can help hair grow faster.

Originally published in Shopmag Online

Header photo courtesy of Allyson Carter on Unsplash