5 Hairstyling Mistakes to Avoid for Men

Our hair is an important part of our physical appearance, and it can be a source of great confidence or great insecurity. One of the best ways to feel good about how your hair looks is to properly care for your hair, but this can be difficult when everyone’s hair is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all method. There is plenty of information out there for women who want to care for their hair, but what about the guys? 

Many men are unaware of how to properly care for and style their hair, which can lead to lots of money and time spent on trying to achieve a certain style. If you feel that your hair is uncooperative, hard to manage, too greasy, too dry, or your scalp is flaking, this is likely not “just the way your hair is.” There are plenty of reasons why people experience these common hair issues, and they all boil down to 5 hairstyling mistakes that many men make. Let’s talk about the 5 most common mistakes and how you can avoid them below:

1. Using too much product 
   Do you find that in order to achieve the look you want, you have to sacrifice the texture and feel of your hair? If your hair looks great but feels heavy, greasy, or sticky, you are probably using way too much product on your hair. Whether you are applying too much of just one product or mixing too many heavy products together, the result is the same: hair that is not soft to the touch and that requires frequent washing. 
   
   Using too much product isn’t just an inconvenience, but it can actually cause damage to your hair over time. Heavy products that coat your hair strands in a thick layer can actually create a barrier that stops important moisturizing oils from penetrating the strand. This causes your hair to lack moisture, meaning your scalp will produce excess oil in order to try and remedy the dryness. 
   
   If you find that you may be using too much product, follow these two golden rules: start at the back, and start with a small amount of product. Since a lot of your hair density is at the back of your head, start in that area and work your product towards the front. Also, start with a small amount of product, and go back for more if you feel that you need some. Otherwise, you will have to wash out some of the product and waste both your time and money! 
   
2. Using the wrong products on dry or wet hair
   Are you using the right product at the right time? Many people don’t think about whether their hair should be wet or dry when they apply a styling product. The truth is that some products are made for wet/damp hair while others are made for drying hair. If you are using a cream, paste, or gel, it can usually be applied to wet or damp hair. This allows you to spread the product throughout your hair more evenly to achieve better coverage and hold. If you tend to use a wax or pomade, you should apply it when your hair is dry instead. 
   
3. Using poor quality products 
   What you put on your hair matters! When you consistently use styling products that are on the cheaper side, you might experience some common issues, including flakiness in your hair, strong fragrances, or an overly oily or greasy look to your locks. Many of the products found on the shelves of your local drugstore are filled with preservatives and additives that are not beneficial to your hair and scalp. Always check the ingredients list on your products and do your research to find out which products are bad for your hair. That is not to say that you must spend hundreds of dollars on your styling products – but definitely spend a few extra dollars to get products from a reputable company that has more natural ingredients. 
   
4. Not using a hairdryer
   Many sources out there warn of heat damage to hair caused by hair dryers or other hot styling tools. This may have led you to believe that using a hairdryer is a bad idea altogether! Hairdryers are actually fantastic tools that can help add volume to your hair while also making your style last longer. When used correctly, they make a great addition to your styling routine. 
   
   While your hair can definitely be damaged by heat, there are techniques that can be used to use your hairdryer while mitigating any potential damage. When drying your hair, be sure to use the lowest temperature setting and always keep a distance of 5-6 inches away from your hair. If you are especially concerned about damage, you can use a heat protectant product on your locks before applying heat. 
   
5. Not washing out shampoo and conditioner fully 
   If you find yourself feeling rushed or short on time during your morning shower, you may be tempted to spend a little less time than you should on rinsing out your shampoo and conditioner. While this may save you a few seconds at the time, it is actually likely contributing to additional styling time later on. One of the reasons your hair may struggle to hold a style or may look greasy is that you have leftover shampoo or conditioner sitting in it, which causes you to spend more time adding in additional products or attempting to tame your hair. Be sure to thoroughly wash out your products when you wash your hair by starting at the roots and working your way down to the ends. And if you are reading this and thinking, “I don’t even use conditioner,” – now is your sign to start! 

Avoid these 5 common hairstyling mistakes by visiting Nick’s Hair Salon, and you will notice huge improvements in the growth and manageability of your hair. Many of the most common issues that our customers see with their hair can be easily addressed with just a few simple routine changes. Even the guy who doesn’t want to spend more than five minutes on his hair in the morning can notice a difference and feel the boost of confidence that comes with having great hair!