You have been taking excellent care of your body and skin. Putting in a lot of effort to eat well, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy appearance.
This is fantastic. But how does your hair look these days?
If your response is "let's not even go there or not perfect," or that you really haven't thought about your hair much, then you are in trouble, mister. It is time to consider this: good grooming doesn't end with your skin, or stop at the hairline! So, if you want to keep looking great, you must properly treat and style your hair.
To step up your game, here are 5 basic, easy-to-follow hair care tips for men.
1. Use Natural, Gentle Shampoo & a conditioner
Your hair needs to be cared for with a gentle cleanser made entirely of natural ingredients. Avoid shampoos that carry chemicals and unknown ingredients in them. Start reading the labels and paying attention to details.
Pick out shampoo or hair cleansers that contain non petrochemicals, sulphates, parabens, phthalates, or silicones. Also remember to pour a small quantity in your palm, dilute with water and then apply to the scalp. Wash and use conditioner at the end and rinse well. It helps nourish your scalp, promotes hair growth, strengthens cuticles and replaces any lost oils.
2. Wash your hair couple of times a week
Many men develop the habit of washing your hair and using shampoo every day. They believe that they should be washing their hair every time they shower. No that is not true.
The natural oils secreted by your scalp are intended to nourish, preserve, and maintain the health of your hair. Shampooing too often strips your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dull, brittle, and thin. But that said, if you have sweated, or feeling sticky and unclean, then go ahead shampoo your hair. Alternatively, you can go for volumizing, strengthening shampoo and alter your hair wash schedule as required, depending on your hair type and other factors [any preexisting conditions, dandruff, etc]. The most important point to remember is your hair should feel light after the shower.
3.Drying your hair after a wash
Be gentle, be kind and go easy on your hair. It doesn't matter that you don't have time for a relaxed towel drying session, or are worried about a big meeting and therefore the stress is reflected on how you dry your hair. Take a few minutes off and give your hair some love and care after the shower.
Use a soft towel to dry, or a hair dryer and then a styling product that is suited for your hair type to set your hair. When using a hair dryer, remember not to stay focussed on one area for long as it could dry the hair out and leave it brittle. For those with long hair, don't run a brush through wet tangled hair in a hurry. Using the right kind of conditioner will make your hair smooth and easier to deal with.
4. Barber or salon is your best friend
Do you put off visiting the salon till it becomes absolutely necessary? Don't do that. It is recommended you visit the barber at least once a month. It need not just be for a haircut, the ends of your hair might need some trimming as they are exposed to heat and pollution, or you could indulge in a head massage that rejuvenates the scalp, all of which will ensure your hair is taken care of.
5.Hair Loss
Men start worrying about receding hairline as they inch closer to 40. This kind of male pattern baldness is called androgenetic alopecia. It affects not only their looks but also takes a toll on their self confidence.
While hair transplants are an option, there are quite a few medically suggested treatments and products available to help control the condition. Propecia is the most popular among them all - it prevents dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from forming in the scalp, subsequently allowing hair follicles to fully develop.
For those who are not too keen on medication or treatments, they can try home remedies such as massaging the scalp on a daily basis, eating a healthy diet, and ofcourse quit smoking [for those who are addicted]. But then if the condition persists or there is inflammation in the scalp, book an appointment with your dermatologist.
Bottomline hair care is a crucial and good habit to develop. You can create a quick and easy-to-maintain routine once you know your hair type and understand the basics.