Hair care for men: 3 tips to try

Men in the UK spend more on grooming and fashion per month than women, on average. And one of the most important components of a man’s look is his hair.

A proper hair care routine is crucial to keep your locks strong, healthy, and at their best. But it can seem tricky to get right, especially if you struggle to find time in your day for serious grooming.

And you have options even if you’re struggling with hair loss. Modern treatments can restore hair growth and achieve natural results, thanks to advances in hair transplant technologies. And nowadays, clinics cater to diverse budgets with affordable hair transplant costs.

Nonetheless, improving and expanding your hair care regimen is easier than you might think. Here are three quick tips to get you started.

Wash your hair less often to protect your natural oils

You love the way your hair feels after you’ve washed it. You love running your fingers through it and knowing it’s as clean as can be. And you do it every single day to keep it that way.

But shampooing your hair too frequently could do more harm than good. 

Excess washing will strip away the natural oils that help to keep your scalp hydrated. This is a big mistake if you have dry hair and want to reduce the amount of dandruff you find drifting down to your shoulders during the day. 

So, what should you do?

Cut down to washing three times per week instead. This might seem odd at first, but it’ll probably do your hair and scalp good. 

Just take care to invest in quality shampoos and conditioners. Look into what your favourite products contain. Read the list of ingredients on the label before you buy: aim for something free of sulfates and packed with natural ingredients. 

Massage the shampoo into your scalp. Not only does this feel blissful, but it’ll help to remove dead skin cells that tend to amass at the roots. Even if you only have a couple of minutes in the shower, give it a go. 

And while it’s tempting to shampoo without conditioning to save time, try not to. A quality conditioner will restore the hair’s moisture and nourish it. Certain conditioners are designed to repair damaged hair and combat split ends. 

One final tip on washing your hair: only buy shampoos and conditioners designed for your hair type (e.g. oily, dry, etc.). Otherwise, you won’t get the maximum bang for your buck.

Apply products the right way to avoid buildups

Trying out a new hairstyle is a great way to spice up your look. 

With the right products it is easy to add shape, definition, and shine to your hair. But no matter how good they are, you won’t get the best results if you use your hair products wrong. 

One of the major issues is putting too much product in your hair. This will clump together, make your hair harder to style, and can even be a struggle to wash out. 

And that’s an issue because products (such as wax) could build up on your scalp, along with natural oils. These can mix and break down between washes — potentially causing irritation and dandruff. 

So, while we recommended washing your hair less often above, make sure you shampoo thoroughly enough to remove styling products. 

The best technique is to be sparing with your wax, clay, or pomade in the first place. Start by rubbing a pea-sized amount between your palms, until they’re coated, and run your fingers through your hair. 

This ensures even application and reduces the likelihood of harmful buildups. Add more if you need to, but again, keep each scoop small.

Be gentle and stay cool when drying and styling your hair 

The quicker and harder you rub your wet hair with a towel, the faster it dries. Right?

While that might seem to be the case, overzealous rubbing with a towel after you step out of the shower is a big no-no — especially if your hair is already thinning. 

Being too rough when drying your hair can lead to breakage, as wet hair is weaker and more vulnerable to damage than dry hair. With thinning hair, this extra stress could exacerbate the issue and pull more strands from your scalp than you expect. 

If you’re starting to go bald, you might find yourself not wanting to shampoo your hair at all, in case that makes your hair fall out faster. But you should keep washing your hair gently to keep it in good condition. 

And even if your hair is as strong and healthy as ever, you still need to take care when drying. Pat it gently all over with a towel, and take your time, even if you’re in a hurry. 

Prefer a hair dryer instead? Make sure you keep the heat low. Blasting your hair on the highest setting can dry your hair out and ultimately break it, particularly if you use a dryer every day. 

Opt for a gentle towel dry or leave your hair to dry naturally. If your hair’s on the longer side, consider washing it at the end of the day instead of in the morning: it might be more practical to let your hair dry naturally in the evening than while you’re out and about.  

Try these three tips to keep your hair healthy. You might find implementing changes challenging if you’ve followed the same routine for years — but you’ll be glad you did if they make your hair look and feel better than ever.