Guys, your hair is mad at you.
You're killing it every day by making simple mistakes.
These simple mistakes damage your hair and scalp.
It's alright – you're not alone – most men make these mistakes.
In today's article, I'm going to show you the seven worst hair mistakes most men make and how to fix all of them.
Let's jump in!
This article is sponsored by VITAMAN. Gents – whether you have long or short hair – you need to use the right products. I'm talking about natural men's hair products that nourish your scalp and hair from the follicle up – leaving it strong, shiny, and manageable.
Hair Mistake #1 – Damaging Your Hair with Heat
The biggest mistake men make with their hair is showering with water that's too hot. A hot shower feels so great, but you're risking damage to your hair.
I'm not saying you need to have a cold shower – you need to control your shower's temperature. 100 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) is the sweet spot for showers. This will give you a nice warm shower without causing any harm to your hair or scalp.
Extremely hot water strips your hair of its natural oils or sebum, which leaves your hair dry and brittle. Hot water leads to expediting hair loss and grey hair by weakening your hair roots.
“Hot water dries out the scalp skin and promotes flaky conditions like dandruff,” says Dr. Soman Yadav, a medical director at JUVERNE.
Be careful when using a hairdryer as well. Most of the “hot” settings on hair dryers are far too hot for your hair.
Opt for using the warm or cold option (100-140 degrees Fahrenheit) and always keep the hairdryer moving. By keeping the hairdryer moving, you will reduce your hair from being damaged and dry your hair quicker.
Mistake #2 – Not Conditioning Your Hair
It's time to start conditioning your hair. If you haven't – what are you waiting for?
Oh, it's “girly.” Well, I guess you don't like “girly” girls to run their hands through your hair then, huh?
That's what I thought. There's nothing feminine about conditioning your hair. It's a critical step.
Every time you clean your hair, you need to re-hydrate your hair and supply it with nutrients to keep it strong and healthy. If you only use shampoo and skip the conditioner, you will be left with frizzy hair, dried out, and brittle.
Make sure you are using the right water temperatures to get the most out of your conditioner. You should use cold water (70 degrees Fahrenheit or cooler) to rinse out the conditioner.
The cuticle is the outermost part of the hair and resembles the shingles on a roof. These “shingles” will open and close depending on the temperature of the water you use to wash your hair.
The warm water you shower with helps open your hair cuticles and allow the shampoo to clean them out. It also helps a conditioner to moisturize these cuticles, much like a skin moisturizer.
Mistake #3 – Picking The Wrong Hairstyle
I get it – you see a celebrity, and you love their hairstyle. So you try to replicate the look. But it never turns out quite right…
You have to understand your hair type and what styles are best for it. Hair types come in two main categories – straight & curly that you can see below.
Now that you know your hair type let's try to find a hairstyle that will fit well. Below are a few options for different hair types.
- Thin Straight Hair: short quiff, undercut, side-swept, short and tousled, hard part, or subtle spikes.
- Thick Straight Hair: pompadour, quiff, slick back, side part, or textured crop.
- Wavy Hair: textured fade, side part, slicked back, high and tight, or tousled waves.
- Coiled Hair: hockey cut, high and tight with curls on the top, beach curls, fringe, or side part.
- Kinky Hair: buzz cut, high top fade, short afro, long afro.
Find a style you like the most that fits with your hair-type and rock it with pride. Be careful not to get stuck with the same haircut forever. Variety is the spice of life. “Spice” up your hairstyle.
Mistake #4 Not Using the Correct Styling Products
It can be hard to find the correct styling product for you in a world with thousands of styling products with different claims. I’ll make it easy for you:
The type of hair you have plays a big part in choosing what kind of product to use.
If you have thin hair, you want a lighter product like a gel or cream that won’t weigh down your hair. A heavy product like a pomade can make your hair look even thinner!
Let's say you have thick straight hair or curly hair – you need a stronger hold product like a pomade, clay or putty.
Remember, high shine products are suitable for a formal, “Don Draper” look, while low shine is better for a more casual style.
Don’t be afraid to try many different products until you find the one that you are happiest with! Just make sure they're natural hair styling products – otherwise you're doing yourself a disservice!
Mistake #5 Using Too Much Product
Odds are you’re using too much product.
Many guys “glob” a bunch of gel into their hair and think they are doing fine. They're wasting money and weighing down their hair by using too much product.
How much product should you use?
- Short hair (shaved – 2 inches) use a nickel-sized amount of product.
- Medium length hair (2 inches- 5 inches) use a quarter-sized amount.
- Long hair (5 inches or more) use two quarter-sized amounts or more.
If you are using the recommended amount of product and still don’t have enough control over your hair, it may be time to switch to a product with a stronger hold.
To emulsify, put your product in your hands and rub them together to warm it until you can’t see the product on your hands anymore. Then gently run your hands through your hair until you have spread the product evenly.
Also, don’t apply your product to your hair when it is sopping wet. Excess moisture will prevent the development from coating your hair correctly. Your hair should be slightly damp, not soaking wet.
Mistake #6 – Not Knowing Your Brushes
All you need is one comb to get whatever style you want, right?
Wrong!
The shape of the brush and the number of bristles can dramatically affect the volume of your hair, the way it lays, and the perceived thickness. Even combs can create very different looks depending on the thickness of the tines (bristles).
The infographic above does a great job of showing you all of your options. Some hair-types have more options for brushes and combs than others.
Don't be afraid to try out more brushes and combs than the standard ones you can find at the local drug store.
Want to learn more about how to comb your hair correctly? Click here to check out my ultimate guide on combing your hair correctly.
Mistake #7 Being Too Rough with Your Hair
You need to be gentle with your hair, especially when it is wet. Many men beat up their hair with a towel to dry it. This is horrible for your hair!
I understand; you're in a hurry and want to get your hair dry so you can finish everything else in your morning bathroom routine. Trust me – it's not worth it.
Being too forceful with a towel can “rough” up the cuticle (outer layer of the hair), causing it to look frizzy or fluffy.
It can also leave your scalp irritated and itchy. If you suffer from hair loss, it can speed up the process and lead to your hair looking thinner.
The correct technique is to pat your head dry gently. Take your time. Another excellent method is to utilize a hairdryer. As mentioned before, keep the hair dyer on the cooler setting to not damage your hair. If all else fails, gently pat dry your hair and let the air do the rest of it.
Horrible Hair Mistakes – Summary
Good job – you've taken the first steps to making your hair hate you a little less.
Fixing all 7 of these horrible hair mistakes will make your hair look and feel better, and others around you will notice!
What to read next? How about shower hacks that will change the way you shower forever!
Click here to check out 7 shower hacks that will change the way you shower forever or check out other related articles below.
Click here to watch – STOP Doing This! 7 COMMON Hair Care Mistakes Men Make
