I’ve always said that mistreated hair on a guy’s head is like money laundering. At a certain point, it becomes pretty damn hard to ignore. And you best believe it’ll always come back to haunt you with a vengeance.
Unlike money laundering, these mistakes aren’t always intentional. But they do happen all too often. Fear not, however, as not only will we point them out – we’ll also prescribe some tips and tricks as a “fix” of sorts (results not 100% guaranteed, who do you think we are… Ashley & Martin?).
Washing your hair every day (and the way you dry it)
Contrary to popular belief, washing your hair every day holds some dire consequences. For one, overwashing with shampoo robs the hair of its natural oils, rendering the strands dry, brittle, and weak. This is obviously damaging in the long term, and can actually accelerate the hair loss process.
So while it’s important to keep the noggin clean and hygienic, avoid using shampoo/conditioner every day (running it under regular water is fine).
A bonus to washing your hair a little less often is how it will hold and look when you style it. Expect to see a little more volume in general as well as improved cooperation with hair styling products and so forth.
On the same note, be more mindful of how you dry your hair post-wash. The common practice where you place a towel over your hair and rub it all over is highly damaging to the hair follicles, and can also accelerate the hair loss process. Instead, it’s recommended by experts that you adopt more of a gentle press and dab process. For the love of God, think of the receding hairlines.
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Using a 2-in-1 shampoo
Each strand of hair is covered in cuticles. In order to be cleaned properly, these cuticles need to be “opened up” using shampoo to release all that nasty build-up and pollutants. On the other side of the coin, conditioners moisturise hair by closing these very same cuticles, thereby locking in all the good stuff you want kept in.
What I’m saying is that 2-in-1 shampoos scientifically do not work. No single product can simultaneously open and close the cuticles.
The solution? It’s pretty straightforward. Have separate bottles that each do one job.
Using too much product
This one isn’t just about looking too greasy or crunchy. Although, admittedly, it is quite off-putting to see a grown man having half a tub of Vasoline slathered on their scalp. Unsurprisingly, the overuse of products also damages the hair.
In terms of styling, the amount of product to use per styling should cover no more than the surface area of two fingertips. Any more is too much. For the thicker haired fellows, maybe an additional two fingertips worth. If you’re really worried about whether it’ll hold, a super light spritz of hairspray will do the job.
Getting complacent with your do
There’s an old saying that the hairstyle older fellas stick with is the one they had when they got laid the most.
While I’m unsure about how much truth is behind that statement, I do look at George Lucas and James Franco – and part of me wonders. But anyways…
While I’ll happily applaud anyone for finding something that suits them to the T, I also happily encourage everyone to experiment with something different every five years at the very least. As we know, life is about growth and change, and who knows what brilliant results could be had with doing something drastic.
A poster child for this is Arctic Monkeys’ frontman, Alex Turner, between the years of 2010 and 2014. Google it, get back to me, and tell me why I’m right.
And, if you need some fresh ideas for your next trim, hit up our compilation of the best short hairstyles.
Jumping to conclusions
On the opposite end of the spectrum to the previous point, there are many who cash their chips out at the first sign of danger and just shave it all off. When the opposite should be done. The best thing about catching the early signs of a receding hairline is that you’ve caught it before anything has gotten out of hand. Or rather… out of head.
There’s an entire myriad of things one can do to stop this in its tracks. Enrich the diet, get more sleep, pay more attention to the hair’s treatment, and worst-case scenario, seeking professional help. Don’t just surrender to the forces that be (like genetics or whatever that bullshit is). Stand your ground and fight back.
RELATED: How To Stop Your Hairline From Receding & Prevent Baldness
