When it comes to priorities in life, us men don’t tend to put hair at the top of the list – until we start losing it. It’s about time for things to change!
It’s not just about the hair. Looking after and feeling good about yourself is important in so many ways – for health, mental health, life satisfaction and more. No small things, if we may say so!
Here’s how to look after your hair without too much fuss. You and your hair can thank us later!
1. Get yourself some quality hair products
Before we move on to what you should actually do for your hair, make sure you have some quality hair products in your corner. Or, in your bathroom cupboard, more like.
Hair health is inherently linked to scalp health, so you’ll only want to put some genuinely good-for-your-skin products on that precious head.
In addition, you should choose products that match your hair type. To figure out your hair type, start by asking yourself these questions about your hair:
- Is it fine or coarse?
- Is it dry or oily?
- Is it frail and prone to breakage?
Then, choose your products accordingly – hydrating products for dry and brittle hair, and volume-inducing products for limp and fine hair. Soothing products are particularly important for those who tend to have an itchy, sensitive scalp. If your hair is damaged, a repair mask would be a good addition to your repertoire.
2. Wash it, wash it real good
Getting your hair wash routine right is the cornerstone of any hair care routine.
The right frequency is different for everyone and will depend on your hair type. A general guideline is to wash your hair 2-3 times a week, and if you’ve been washing your hair daily, definitely stop!
Here are some additional tips for washing your hair:
- While washing, give your scalp a good massage to increase blood flow and stimulate the hair follicles.
- Turn the heat down! Use lukewarm water when washing your hair.
- Spot or pat dry instead of towelling roughly.
3. Style gently
If you use styling products, it’s best to choose ones that are gentle on your hair. In the best-case scenario, styling products could even help nourish your hair! Take this hair wax which consists of nutrient-rich natural ingredients, for example.
The main thing is, don’t overdo it with heat styling tools to avoid damaging your hair.
Use small quantities of a gentle pomade or gel and apply with your hands to the hair. Comb through to spread the product evenly.
If you have long hair, it’s important to look after the ends, because they can easily become brittle and dry. A hair oil is a great way to give the delicate ends that extra nourishment.
4. Visit the barber regularly
Getting regular hair cuts ensures your hair stays healthy and vibrant! Some men start to avoid hair cuts when they first experience hair loss, which is more of a distraction tactic. Hair growth happens on the scalp and follicle level, so avoiding cuts will not help with hair loss. Unless you’re happy rocking a combover, which is totally fine too!
Even so, getting a cut once every 1-3 months (depending on your hairstyle and length) is a good rule of thumb to go by.
5. Show your hair some love with healthy lifestyle choices
Hair is not a necessity for survival, so if your body is lacking energy or nutrients, it’s often the first thing to go. Stress, nutritional deficiencies and lack of sleep are amongst the many possible causes of hair loss.
Leading a generally healthy lifestyle ensures your hair has optimal conditions for growth – eat healthy whole foods, sleep plenty and exercise regularly.
While nothing replaces a healthy diet, a dietary supplement is always a great insurance policy against nutritional deficiencies.
Does your hair need more help?
Are you noticing signs of genetic hair loss, such as more hairs on your pillow or in the sink? If you have genetic male pattern hair loss, that doesn’t have to be the end. Genetic hair loss can be slowed down, stopped or even reversed with hair loss treatment.
There are two clinically-proven treatments on the market. We can’t name them here for legal reasons (Australia has some pretty strict legislation on the promotion of pharmaceuticals), but it can look as simple as taking a tablet or using a topical spray daily.
