Sporting a stylish head of hair is an important part of a first impression.

And, if you’re a man, you might think it’s not a huge deal. But hair is equally as crucial for you as it is for women — especially if you’re under a certain age.

Because of this, your hair’s state may lead to a lot of anxiety and a ton of questions; “Does my hairstyle look good?” or “Do I have enough hair?” or even “Is my comb-over noticeable?” Fortunately, we have the answers. See our list of healthy hair mens’ tips to incorporate into your daily life.

How to take care of men’s hair

First up, here’s a rundown on men’s hair care: the products and practices you should use as your baseline for daily maintenance.

1. Use conditioner

This sounds basic, but it’s true. Conditioner is a step that many of us skip or skimp on, but it’s essential to men’s hair health. 

One of the leading causes of hair damage is your roots being stripped of essential oil during shampooing, which eventually turns them dry or brittle. Conditioner replaces these oils, moisturizes your hair, and makes it easier to comb through, too. If you have long or dehydrated hair, you’ll need more conditioner to repair it. 

Want to start on this step right away? Check out Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner and Pantene Conditioner Sheer Volume.

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2. Work regular haircuts into your men’s hair care routine

For anyone who’s lived through a pandemic lockdown, you’ll know first-hand what it’s like to go without a haircut for an extended period. Spoilers: it sucks.

Not only will your buzz cut grow longer than you bargained for without a barbershop, but it’ll turn straggly and develop product build-up. 

Dead ends are dealt with by having a stylist cut your hair every 4-6 weeks. Layers of texture are added to your hair, which helps short haircuts grow without losing their style. 

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3. Use the best styling products for your hair type

Not every hair type is the same. Each hair type will require its own self-care routine when you’re learning how to make your hair soft, which is the same for guys as anyone else.

For example, curly hair requires moisturizing products because the natural texture produces less oil. Straight, longer hair can become oily too fast, so lighter hair care products are essential. 

If your hair is naturally oily, try mint menthol shampoos: they’ll dry out the scalp and cut back on excess sebum. On the flip side, if your scalp is too dry, choose products with tea tree oil, coconut oil, or aloe vera extract. Soapbox Tea Tree Clean, Herbal Essences Hydrating Coconut Milk, and Planet Coconut Water are great options.

Some men’s hairstyles just aren’t possible, depending on your hair type. If you don’t have naturally wavy hair, you’ll struggle to achieve that look with hair products. (A curling iron might be a good investment, but you need long enough hair to use it.)

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4. Massage your scalp

When you’re in the shower lathering yourself up with bath and body products, don’t forget to massage your scalp. By doing so, you exfoliate the surface, preventing the build-up of dead skin cells and items like pomade, mousse, or hair spray. All you need to do is scrub at your scalp when you shampoo instead of just lathering it.

Another way you can protect your scalp — especially if you have bald spots — is by applying sunscreen as part of your skincare routine for men. 

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5. Use the right products to style men’s hair

The products you pick will depend on your hair type, but exercise caution with the ingredients. Cheap shampoo will damage thin hair. Two-in-one products strip away essential oils.

You should use gentle products like Dove Daily Moisture Conditioner to clean your hair and other nourishing styling products to achieve the perfect side part or pompadour. If you usually wear your hair slicked back, make sure your hair gel is appropriate for your hair texture.

When learning how to get fluffy hair of style your undercut, make sure you don’t use too much product. It can make your hair look greasy or weigh down the volume. Your stylist or barber can recommend the right products for your hair type or desired style. 

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6. Be consistent with your hair care routine

Above all, be consistent with your routine. All of these steps are great in isolation, but if you want long-term results to look great on game day, you’ll need to use these products consistently. 

How do you keep your hair healthy naturally?

Of course, you’ll find a couple other ways to keep your hair looking great, sans product.

1. How to style my hair: men, don’t “scrub”

One of the biggest mistakes people make when drying their hair is that they’re too rough with it. By scrubbing at your scalp like you’re deep-cleaning the floor, the friction can weaken the hair root. This leads to potential hair fall and can decrease the volume in fine hair. 

When you step out of the shower, gently blot at your scalp with a dry towel instead.

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2. Be careful with heat

If you run a shower at a scorching temperature, it will strip the natural oils from your hair, drying it out. If you blow-dry your hair, it can turn brittle and dehydrated, especially if it’s left under the hairdryer for too long.

3. Use natural hair brushes

Should men brush their hair, even if their hair is short? Absolutely, but you’ll want to use a brush with natural bristles. Natural brushes will distribute those oils along your hair shafts more evenly, keeping your head moisturized and your scalp clean. Long hair also benefits from detangling to proevent breakage and keep your hair growing.

4. Take care of your overall health

Some vitamin or nutrient deficiencies can stunt hair growth or contribute to your hair’s lackluster appearance. Consider chatting with your healthcare provider and working in a supplement to keep yourself — and by extension, your hair — at your best.

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How often should men wash their hair?

While it may feel “good” to wash your hair every day, over-shampooing can strip essential oils from the hair and damage the roots. Instead, shampoo your hair every 2-3 days. You can have your daily shower; just skip the products. 

How to stop hair loss in men

Because so many men suffer from male pattern baldness, you’ll find products and procedures to alleviate some of the symptoms, including hair transplants, wigs, and dermatologist-recommended creams.

However, if you’re looking for some over-the-counter preventive care, consider the following routines:

• Be gentle with your hair when you style it with a matte product or something similar. If you yank with the hairbrush, you can pull hair out. 

• Use daily scalp massages and a balanced diet to improve your overall health.

• Quit smoking. The chemicals from your cigarettes can affect your hair.

Taking care of your hair health is difficult, but not impossible. If you need to shop for some additional products, Gopuff will deliver right to your door.