Dry hair is a common occurrence which can affect both genders alike. However, men are often less exposed to hair care information that can help them identify and treat this condition. If you have noticed your hair has become flat, dull and fragile, dryness may be the culprit [1]. The good news is that dry, brittle hair is normally easy to treat. And we are here for you with easy and effective tips on how to fix dry hair in men.
This article will tell men all they need to know about their dry hair, including:
Men’s hair is just as exposed to drying out as women’s, and it can be uncomfortable to have hair that feels like straw. Here are some of the main reasons you may be experiencing dry, brittle hair as a man [2]:
It can be difficult to recognise dry hair in men if you don’t know what to look for. If you are unsure whether your hair is dry, here are some tell-tale signs that you should not ignore:
Here are some of the easiest and most effective treatments for dry hair that feels like straw.
Essential oils contain fatty acids that nourish dry hair and seal moisture in the strands [4]. They are very easy to apply, often have a pleasant aroma and can usually solve your dry hair problem quickly.
Moreover, if you are experiencing hair loss, essential oils for hair growth can help you on that front as well. Using rosemary oil for hair has been proven to be as effective against male pattern baldness as Minoxidil 2% [5].
Using some of the best hair growth oils can help improve your hair strength and elasticity, keep it well-hydrated and help stop your hair from falling out.
Not all men pay close attention to the type of hair-cleaning products they use. Some try to save time and money by picking a single product to use both on their body and hair. While some of these products are 3-in-1, others do not contain a conditioner. Other men aren’t aware of the benefits of hair conditioner and believe that using shampoo is sufficient for hair health.
Conditioning after every hair wash is important, as it helps restore some of the protective layer and reduces friction among your hair strands [3]. Most conditioners also use moisturising agents that hydrate your hair, preventing or repairing dryness. Moreover, it is generally best to avoid using 3-in-1 hair products, as they are more difficult to get the right ingredient balance and to tailor to your particular hair type.
The presence of conditioner is not the only thing to look at when choosing a hair product. Some formulations are specifically designed for dry hair. If your tresses have a natural tendency to dry out or are frequently exposed to the elements, it is best to opt for a clinically proven shampoo for dry hair.
There is a difference between hair products for dry, normal and oily hair [6]. For example, products that help fix dry hair in men contain essential oils, aloe vera, glycerin or dimethicone [3] which help moisturise and lubricate your strands. Products designed for greasy hair contain more powerful detergents, meant to clean excess sebum from your scalp and hair more effectively, making it less oily.
You don’t always need to be in the shower to condition your hair. Use leave-in conditioner on damp hair before you leave home or combine 1-2 teaspoons of it with a cup of water, put it in a spray bottle and use it throughout the day. Unlike regular conditioner, it does not need to be rinsed off and keeps your hair moisturised for hours.
Just like any conditioner, the leave-in kind can make your hair smoother and shinier, reduce dryness and make it easier to detangle and style.
Especially when busy, many men tend to ignore mildly annoying but common scalp problems, such as dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis. However, these yeast infections on the scalp are usually caused by a fungus called Malassezia furfur [7]. This fungus feeds on the oil on your hair and scalp, leaving them dry.
You can easily treat these conditions by using medicated shampoos (e.g. Nizoral shampoo) that contain helpful substances such as piroctone olamine, coal tar, ketoconazole for hair or salicylic acid [7]. If this doesn’t help, your dermatologist or trichologist can recommend an antifungal cream or oral tablet.
Keeping your scalp healthy will not only prevent hair dryness. It will also improve your overall hair quality and reduce itching which can cause unnecessary hair breakage.
Blowdrying your hair can be a convenient solution when you are in a hurry to leave home after a shower. However, the heat can dry out your strands, especially when used daily. It can cause air bubbles to form inside the hair shafts, making them even more brittle [8].
Heat-damaged hair can be hard to fix, so patting it gently with a towel and letting it air dry may be the best solution, especially if it is short. However, if your hair is longer and it is cold outside, you may want to try using a low-heat setting on your blowdryer and keeping the appliance farther from your scalp (at least 20 cm away).
If you often use hair styling products, such as hair gel, mousse, or hairspray, be sure to wash your hair at least 3 times a week. While gels can help you achieve your preferred look, they can also build up on your scalp and hair. This can lead to scalp dryness, itching and irritation and even hair follicle infections (such as scalp folliculitis). It can also make your hair duller, drier and flatter [9].
The same rule applies to powder shampoos. While dry shampoo does not cause hair loss, it can build up on your scalp and cause problems if not washed out of your hair regularly. That is because the powder absorbs oil (making your hair temporarily look fresher) but does not actually do any cleaning.
Dry hair alone cannot cause permanent hair loss in men. However, having dry and brittle strands that snap off at the smallest tug can cause enough hair breakage to make your hair look thinner. If you are already experiencing a type of alopecia, hair thinning can compound and make your balding appear worse than it is.
If you notice hair loss that doesn’t improve or worsens in 3-4 months, it is unlikely to be caused by hair breakage alone. The best thing you can do is to see a trichologist who will help you rule out conditions such as androgenetic alopecia (the leading cause of hair loss in men). Getting the right hair growth treatment early can keep this condition from progressing and may even reverse some of your hair loss.
Dry hair will normally persist until you tackle the cause. Sometimes, this can happen naturally. For example, your hair may dry out upon spending a few days sunbathing at the beach without a hat on. But, upon returning to moderate sunlight exposure, it will usually become less dry over time.
However, if you keep using harsh shampoo and no conditioner, or you have an unaddressed nutritional deficiency that impacts your hair quality, the dryness is unlikely to improve.
The best thing you can do is to moisturise and condition your hair when you notice it is getting dry. It only takes a few minutes and it can prevent having to treat and repair damaged hair, which can be much more difficult.
All men, regardless of their hair type, can develop dry hair at some point in life. However, some are more predisposed to this than others. Men with type 1 (straight) and type 2 (wavy) hair find it easier to keep it smooth and moisturised. That is because the shape and texture of their hair allow sebum to spread more evenly from roots to tips.
However, men with type 3 (curly) and type 4 (coily) hair may need substantial amounts of extra moisturising to help reduce their dryness and frizzing [13]. This is especially true if they are wearing longer hairstyles. If you have tightly packed curls, you will also need lots of patience and conditioner to work out tangles and moisturise your hair even if it’s only medium length.
If you are unsure what kind of hair you’ve got, here is a handy guide to the main hair types for men and the specific care each of them requires.
If you are concerned about your dry hair and all the at-home dry hair treatments have failed, let the experts guide you. Book a consultation with one of our top trichologists at your earliest convenience. They will carefully examine your hair and scalp and recommend the best hair care routines, fully tailored to your specific needs and hair type.
Moreover, our experienced hair doctors can easily spot the first signs of hair thinning and balding. So if you have signs of alopecia alongside your hair dryness, they will provide you with a timely diagnosis and recommend the best hair loss treatment for men. This way, your alopecia will never get a chance to progress and your hair will remain thick and full.
If you are curious to discover more about dry hair in men, take a look at the answers to the following frequently asked questions:
There are no fundamental differences in hair structure between men and women. This means that dry hair is the same for both genders. However, the reason hair becomes dry can sometimes differ due to gender-specific hormonal issues, differences in hair styling practices, and hair care routine variations.
Chlorine used to keep pools clean can be harsh on your hair. It can chemically interact with proteins in your hair fibres and damage your strands. This type of damage to the surface of the hair shafts makes them more porous, which leads to easier moisture loss. This effect accumulates with frequent chlorine exposure, so frequent swimmers are most exposed.
The simple way to avoid this is to wear a swimming cap that protects your hair from the chemicals. If you are uncomfortable wearing one, washing your hair with warm water, gentle shampoo and conditioner after getting out of the pool should help reduce dryness.
Dead hair refers to hair that is so dry and damaged that it is normally beyond saving. So if your hair reaches this point, the only way to fix it is to get a short haircut and let it grow out healthy again. However, be sure to avoid the practices that made your hair die in the first place, or the new strands will likely suffer the same fate.
Yes, dry hair can become frizzy and unruly, especially if you have a curly or Afro hair type [13]. Moisture keeps your hair smooth and keeps the strands gliding effortlessly over each other. However, dry hair is unlubricated, leading to more friction between strands and with hats or clothing (if it is longer). This can cause tangling and frizz, making it challenging to brush and style.
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