How to Repair Damaged and Dry Hair in Men
You may feel like your hair is going through a dry spell, or maybe it still hasn’t recovered from your lengthy experimental period with bleach. Damage can feel irreversible, but there are plenty of options out there to save your strands from the point of no return. To avoid falling victim to the lure of buzzcut season, we’ve laid out some pointers for you to follow on your journey to healthy hair.
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How to Fix Damaged HairÂ
Trim Those EndsÂ
A good trim helps more than you’d think. On average, you should be getting a trim every 6-8 weeks if you’d like to retain length, but those who prefer to keep things short would benefit from a cut once a month. This keeps any split ends from traveling up the hair shaft and corrupting the rest of the strand.
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Switch Up Your Shampoo
Sometimes it’s worth it to be choosy. Before using any product, check out the ingredients. Are there any ingredients on the list you’ve had a spotty history with? Are there sulfates and artificial fragrances?Â
If so, you should consider trading in your shampoo for a different formula. Shampoos with organic components, such as our Daily Strengthening Shampoo, contain botanicals that replicate the natural oils your hair produces. This allows your scalp and strands to maintain moisture, while also lowering the chance of adverse skin reactions.
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Blow Dry Your HairÂ
Your hair will become weaker if you let it stay wet after a shower for an extended period of time. When your hair is wet, the strands swell, creating tumescence, which when handled by a brush or comb can cause massive breakage.Â
After a wash, allow your hair to become about 75% dry before finishing the job with your trusty blow dryer. Don’t forget to apply a healthy dose of heat protectant to your ends before using any heated tools to prevent any further damage. By sticking to this routine, you will find your hair is much stronger and way softer than it was in your air-drying days.
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Adjust Your Washing Schedule
For some men, washing their hair is a daily ritual. Others may have a designated wash day where they cleanse and scrub the previous week away in preparation for the next.Â
When it comes to washing your hair, there is no one-size-fits-all regimen. And depending on your hair texture, you may benefit from less frequent washing than your peers.
Generally, you should avoid washing your hair every day if possible. This process depletes your hair of the oils it requires to thrive, resulting in dry, shapeless hair that refuses to cooperate. Instead, space out your washes a little more, perhaps every other day or even less frequently if that works for your hair.
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Treating Specific Hair Concerns
Dryness
Keeping your hair moisturized can seem like an impossible task. But having a good conditioner handy, such as our Revitalizing Hair Conditioner, and avoiding shampoos with harsh sulfates are two very simple ways to gain lasting hydration.
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You may have also noticed that a persistently dry scalp leads to dandruff, which can lead you to washing your hair a little too frequently to avoid flakes and buildup. In this instance, you should be using products that are formulated specifically for flakes, like our Relieving Dandruff Shampoo. This shampoo contains Ziziphus Joazeiro Bark Extract, an antifungal component that addresses dandruff at the root, softening your scalp and eradicating those irritating flakes.
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Oily Roots
Slick roots may also be a symptom of a dry scalp as well. When your skin is not receiving the moisture it requires, it overproduces sebum to make up for the loss of hydration. While taking into account the tips above for combating dryness, you can also keep a few other things in mind. Â
First, avoid applying conditioner to your scalp. Instead, work the product through your ends, as it is the part of your hair which requires some extra attention in the moisture department.Â
In addition, don’t forget to keep your combs and brushes clean. Old hair in the bristles can collect oil, dirt, and bacteria, which you’ll be repeatedly applying to a fresh scalp if you do not detox them once in a while.Â
Pick out the impacted hair with the end of a rat tail comb and then submerge your brushes in a bowl of water with a bit of shampoo. After letting them soak for a few minutes, allow them to air dry and voila! You now have sparkling clean brushes and way less greasy roots.
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Brittleness and BreakageÂ
Fixing damaged hair and breakage require some extra effort for sure, but it’s not as complicated as you may think. One of the main ways to avoid weak hair is to just let it do its thing.Â
Guys with long hair should avoid high buns or ponytails, as they can cause damage to your edges as well as unnecessary stress to the same part of your hair shaft every day.Â
If you’re already beginning to notice some thinning and damage from manipulation, our Daily Strengthening Shampoo contains Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, which increases the thickness and integrity of each strand.
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Keeping Your Hair HealthyÂ
Even if you are in the process of fixing brittle and damaged hair, there are things you can do alongside targeted treatment that will ensure optimal growth and a healthy scalp.
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Stick to a Solid Routine
Constructing a solid regimen for yourself can do wonders for your hair and scalp heath. Consistency is key, and you will never see any real results without it. Set specific wash days for your hair, and organize which products will help you achieve your hair goals for the next month.
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Consider Satin Pillowcases
Not only will your romantic partners love staying at your place, you’ll notice significantly less breakage. Cotton or polyester pillowcases have a rougher texture than satin, which can cause the hair to frizz up overnight. This leads to an aggressive session of detangling, which is a nightmare for your hair. Avoid the drama and invest in at least two satin pillowcases, changing them every week or so to ensure any sweat or oil from the previous week does not give you acne or irritation.
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Don’t Skip the Conditioner
Even if your hair is oily, don’t exit the shower without conditioning your hair. Shampoo can leave your hair feeling a little dry at times, so it is important to apply conditioner to your ends to keep split ends and dryness from getting worse.Â
Want to upgrade your (or start using) conditioner? Try our Revitalizing Hair Conditioner, which includes borage oil to stimulate hair growth and avocado oil for weightless hydration and protection. It’s the best conditioner for damaged hair that doesn’t like to feel suppressed by thick butters and heavy textures.
Now that you have a detailed hair care outline, you’re ready to take matters into your own hands. Remember: your hair will only get better with time, and with some effort and a variety of the best hair care products as your first line of defense, the odds are most definitely in your favor.