Few men may admit it, but grooming often ranks high in their priorities. We often make fun of women for spending too much time preparing and grooming in the bathroom when we do the same. We brush our teeth and shower, cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize our skin, shave our beard, style our hair, and only then do we feel ready to face the world. A haircut isn’t just a chore, and our time at the barber is sacrosanct.
Many of us have a signature style, and we try to keep our hair a certain way. Every once in a while, we go to our favorite barber or hair salon. And even if we forget to get a haircut, we still make sure that we never run out of hair products at home. After all, that effortless look takes a lot of work.
Just as Samson got his strength from his hair, we wouldn’t feel complete if our hair doesn’t look good. However, with so many things to consider, many of us don’t even know where to begin. Here are a few hair care tips to get you started.
1. Avoid too much friction
After stepping out of the shower, most people rub their hair forcefully with a towel to remove all moisture. However, this is one of the worst things you can do to your hair. Your hair is at its weakest after it’s been exposed to water, and you need to be gentle when drying your hair. Applying friction to wet hair can cause breakage and stretching, which often leads to split ends.
The best way to dry your hair is to squeeze the water out gently and to dab your hair to remove excess moisture. Do not use a blow dryer to remove water. If possible, skip the towel and let your hair dry on its own. If you’re short on time, you can blow-dry your hair on the lowest heat setting.
2. Avoid heat
Using the lowest heat setting when blow-drying your hair is good, but hair and heat don’t go along well together, so it’s best to keep it out of your regular regiment. Even a hot shower, one of life’s many pleasures, can damage your hair. Hot water removes your hair and scalp’s natural oils, which can lead to dryness and dandruff.
I’m not saying that you need to quit hot showers altogether. Just make sure to tone down the heat before wetting your hair. Once you’ve applied shampoo and conditioner, you can dial up the temperature as long as you keep your hair out of the shower spray.
3. Wear loose head coverings
A stylish hat or cap can complete your ensemble, but overdoing it can lead to permanent hair damage. Putting on any head covering pulls the hair follicles from their roots. If the covering is too tight, your hair could fall out. If you’re concerned that loose-fitting hats might fall off your head, make sure to look for one with an adjustable string or strap.
4. Go easy on the products
Our haircare routine isn’t complete without the oils, waxes, gels, and sprays we use regularly. But using too much of a product can damage our hair and make it look sloppy and dense. As with everything else, moderation is key when it comes to hair products.
If you have more hair products than you can count, it might be best to dispose of those you haven’t used in a while. Only keep products you know you’re going to need. It also helps to avoid products that are heavy and greasy. For instance, a gel can work as well as wax to hold your hair in place, and it’s water-soluble. Sea salt sprays are also great for giving your hair some texture.
5. Invest in the right tools
Just as we need to have the right tools for basic maintenance work, we also need to be selective about what we use on our hair. For starters, a wide-tooth comb is an essential part of any hair routine. If you’re growing your hair out, consider buying a hairbrush with soft bristles.
The bottom line
These five tips will help keep your hair smooth and healthy. But all the hair products in the world won’t do much if you don’t practice a healthy lifestyle. The secret to good hair isn’t that complicated. All you have to do is to drink lots of water, get enough sleep, and to follow a balanced diet.
