How to Properly Wash Your Hair: A Complete Guide for Men

No matter what you try, you can’t get your hair to cooperate with you today. It’s so dry and brittle. Every attempt to style it falls flat. 

It could be that you're washing your hair too often. Believe it or not, you’re not supposed to clean it every day. Don't worry, you're not alone.

Many people make this hair washing mistake. That's why we’re here to take you through how to properly wash your hair. 

To help you get the most out of your look and keep your hair around through your adult years, check out this hair washing guide for men.  

Choosing a Shampoo and Conditioner 

You may not think about this when you're shopping around but different products have different effects depending on your hair type. If your scalp tends to be more on the dry side then you should pick up products that promote moisture. 

If you have an oily scalp then you'll need shampoo and conditioners that can strip some of it away. Thin hair needs volumizing shampoo. As you can see, there is a lot to consider.   

How Much Shampoo and Conditioner Should You Use? 

You want to use enough shampoo and conditioner to get the job done but use as little as you can get away with. A dime-sized amount of shampoo should be enough for you to get a good lather going and cover every strand of hair. 

As far as conditioner goes, a small dollop will be fine. Keep in mind that the amount you should use can vary depending on how much hair you have.  

Is There a Proper Hair Shampooing Method? 

Once you've figured out how much shampoo will do the trick for your hair, gently work it into your scalp with your fingers. Make sure to use a little bit of pressure when you do. That will help stimulate blood flow through your scalp which is amazing for your hair follicles. 

When most people apply conditioner they cover their entire scalp with it. This is the wrong way to do it.

Conditioner clogs your pores so you want to keep it as far away from your roots as possible. Don't rub it into your scalp. 

Leave Your Conditioner In 

After you put in your conditioner you want to let it sit for a bit instead of washing it out right away. If you flip the bottle over it will tell you how long you need to leave it in. 

Most of the time it's going to be three minutes or less. If you don't want to awkwardly sit in the shower, shampoo and condition your hair first and then move on to wash the rest of you while the conditioner sets in.  

Avoid Washing Your Hair Everyday 

Washing your body off once a day is one thing. Washing your hair once a day is a little different. Doing this can make your hair weaker and strip it of the healthy oils that it needs. 

The idea of this may be gross but you only want to wash your hair about every three days. You can get away with five days in the winter because your hair won't attract as much dirt and oil. 

The same goes for the conditioner. You want to use that about as often as you do the shampoo. You don't have to use them on the same days though. 

If you want, you can apply the conditioner on days that you don't shampoo. This will give your hair a bit more luster between shampoo sessions. 

Can You Just Use Dry Shampoo?

Dry shampoo is a good method to use if you're in a hurry in the morning and your hair is a little oily. You don't want to rely on it or use it that often though. 

It makes it look like you washed your hair but it doesn't actually clean anything. All it does is soak up oil and make your scalp look less greasy. No matter how thorough you are when you brush out the dry shampoo it will still leave particles behind too. 

These particles will build up and do more harm to your scalp than good. So, use dry shampoo sparingly. It's no substitute for the actual thing. 

Calm Down on the Hot Water 

Hot showers do feel nice but using scalding water to wash your hair isn't the best idea. The water will weaken your hair and make it become brittle. 

If you don't want to lose your hair, you should switch over to washing it with slightly warm or cold water. This being said, you don't have to give up hot showers in their entirety. You can still use it to wash the rest of you. 

Use Your Fingertips to Scrub 

Going back to hair washing technique, you've got to be a bit gentle with your scalp. As good as it feels to use your nails to rub in your shampoo, use the pads of your fingers instead. 

Your nails will do a ton of damage to your scalp that your finger pads will not. Also, don't go too crazy with the scrubbing. You want to work the dirt out of your hair, yes, but you can do that with a gentle rub. 

How to Properly Wash Your Hair As a Man 

There is a right and wrong way to do everything. This includes washing your hair. If you learn how to properly wash your hair you'll be able to keep it from breaking and fight off hair loss long into your adult life. 

Part of keeping your hair happy and healthy is choosing the right products. Go here to check out our brand.