How Can Men Prevent Dry Hair?

Do you think men are immune to dry hair condition? Think again. Factors like frequent sun exposure, alcohol or chemical-based styling products, may cause scalding scalp and parched hair in men.

However, dry hair in men can be prevented and fixed. So, if you are fretting over your dry and lifeless hair, then don’t worry, as it is treatable with natural remedies and ayurvedic treatments.

Scroll down to know more about the tips and tricks to rehydrate your dry hair condition.

What Causes Dry Hair In Men?

Your hormonal health, daily hair care regime, and various environmental factors may play an important role in your hair texture and condition. These internal and external triggers are responsible for keeping your hair healthy, nourished, and hydrated.

Below are some known causes of dry hair in men:

1. Frequent Hair Cleansing

Excessive shampooing may deplete the protective natural oils present in your scalp and hair, resulting in dry and rough hair. Individuals with coils and curls hair type are more susceptible to dry hair condition. Cleanse your hair depending on your hair type and condition. If you experience dryness and roughness in your hair, then try cleansing your hair every third day.

2. Sun Exposure

Exposure to harsh UV radiation from indoor tanning or sunlight may adversely affect your skin and the outermost layer of the hair, known as cuticle. The cuticle shields the innermost layers of the hair and aids to retain moisture. When the cuticle gets damaged due to UV exposure, your hair becomes brittle, rough, and dry.

3. Usage Of Hot Water & Excessive Blow-Drying

Exposing your mane to direct heat while showering or blow-drying may result in dry and rough hair. A study indicated that the volume of hair damage increases when the temperature of the blow-dryer is high [1].

4. Thyroid Dysfunction

Present in the front part of your neck, the thyroid gland secretes essential hormones which regulate your metabolism. They also help in hair growth by activating stem cells present in the hair follicles. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism may adversely impact your normal hair growth, leading to brittle and dry hair.

5. Chlorinated Water

Prolonged exposure to chlorinated water may strip the natural oils found in your scalp and hair.

6. Chemical Hair Care Products

Hair care products containing harsh chemicals may leave your hair dry and damaged. Try and avoid any haircare product which has short-chain alcoholic substances such as:

• Propyl alcohol
• Propanol
• Isopropyl alcohol

How To Tell If Your Hair Is Dry Or Damaged?

1. Split Ends

This is a common sign of damaged hair. If you observe the end of your hair strand split in two halves with frayed ends, then it is a clear indication of split ends. Normally, the hair strands surrounding your face are more susceptible to frayed ends, as you tend to frequently keep touching and running your hands through your hair.

2. Dull Appearance

Hair which appears dull, lifeless, rough, and dry is a sign of damaged hair too. Healthy and nourished hair usually has a natural shine and bounce. It exhibits the natural hair colour in sunlight. This shine occurs due to healthy hair cuticles which reflect light more easily than dull and damaged strands.

3. Rough Hair Texture

Another easy hack to identify damaged hair is to simply run your fingers through your tresses.

If you feel that your hair is brittle, dry, and rough to touch, with a few strands sticking out, then it indicates damaged hair[2]. You should seek immediate expert help and treatment to avoid further damage to your hair.

4. Appears Lacklustre

Healthy and nourished hair is elastic, strong, and can withstand some tension. It can be stretched and pulled without breaking. On the contrary, damaged hair will easily snap with a pull. This lack of hair strength may be attributed to nutritional deficiency, brittle, dry, and rough hair condition.

5. Excessive Dryness

Dry hair alone isn’t a clear indication of damaged hair. It may happen if you have basked in the sun or spent a day at the beach. However, excessive dry hair is a concern. Deep conditioning your hair can help identify whether your hair is damaged. If deep conditioning also doesn’t improve your hair texture, then your hair is damaged and unhealthy.

6. Too Many Knots & Tangles

Run your finger through your hair, or brush it gently. If you notice any knots and tangles, then it may indicate damaged hair. Normally, the cuticles are flat so that the hair strands may smoothly glide. In damaged hair, cuticles tend to stick out and rise, leading to dry and rough hair, which has knots and tangles. While some hair knots are not a reason for worry, too many entangled knots are an indication of damaged and rough hair.

7. Noticeable Thinning & Hair Loss

Have you observed clumps of hair being pulled out while brushing your hair or accumulating in your shower area? While hair shedding is normal in the hair growth cycle, abnormal or extreme hair shedding is a cause of concern. If left undiagnosed and untreated, this may eventually lead to hair thinning and hair loss.

How To Get Rid Of Dry Hair In Men?

1. Shampoo With Lukewarm Or Normal Water

While daily hair cleansing isn't a challenge for most men, those with brittle or dry hair can benefit by tweaking their routine to alternate days. Also, use only lukewarm or normal water while shampooing, as hot water can adversely impact your hair.

By avoiding hot water, your hair doesn’t lose its natural oils, which impart moisture and shine. If you want to rinse your hair everyday, then try rinsing with diluted apple cider vinegar or normal water instead.

2. Switch To A Milder Shampoo & Conditioner

Prolonged use of the same type of shampoo and conditioner may not yield the desired benefits. Hence, switching to a mild and herbal formulation every 3-4 months is a great hack for your hair care regime. Always look for hair care products which use natural ingredients and are labelled as nourishing, hydrating and moisturizing.

3. Say No To Alcohol-Based Products

Avoid using alcohol-based hair care or styling products. However, do note that not all forms of alcohol are harmful for your hair. In fact, specific types of alcohol called fatty alcohol aid in locking moisture in your hair. Such beneficial types of alcohol include

• Myristyl Alcohol
• Behenyl Alcohol
• Cetearyl Alcohol
• Lauryl Alcohol
• Stearyl Alcohol
• Cetyl Alcohol
• Benzyl Alcohol

Avoid using products that contain:

• Propyl Alcohol
• Isopropyl Alcohol
• Propanol
• SD Alcohol 40
• Alcohol Denat
• Ethanol

Always read the labels carefully and choose natural products which have a wide-range of nourishing oils.

4. Swap Your Hair Styling Technique

Style your hair with a nylon brush or boar-bristle brush. These have extremely close-lying bristles that help to spread natural oils evenly across your hair shaft. Also, they help to stimulate your scalp, which helps promote new hair growth.

5. Switch Your Hair Drying Technique

If your hair lacks luster and feels dry and rough, then dry your hair naturally in air instead of blow-drying. A blow-dryer will always dry your hair excessively, thereby stripping its moisture content.

Also consider blotting your hair with an old cotton t-shirt or soft fabric towel instead of rubbing it with a rough towel as it may cause brittle, dry hair to fall off. Once your hair is dry, use a natural serum or oil to style your hair. If you want to use a blow-dryer to style your hair, then use the low-heat or cool setting on your dryer.

Important Note:

Remember to deep condition your hair at least once a week. Just leave the nourishing conditioner on your hair, while you cleanse the rest of your body. Rinse with normal water for shinier, softer hair.

How To Care For Specific Hair Types In Men?

1. Straight Hair

Usually grimy and greasier as compared to other hair types, here natural oils can effortlessly spread from the scalp to the tip of your hair. If you have poker straight hair, you may need to cleanse your hair more often than individuals with other hair types. Switching to a dry shampoo variant between rinses can help too.

2. Wavy Hair

Usually frizzier and uncontrollable than straight hair, wavy hair doesn’t get as dry and rough as a coily or curly hair type. You can prevent the frizz by applying any type of dry oil like grapeseed oil or avocado oil to your hair.

3. Curly Hair

This is generally dry and unmanageable as the curls make it difficult for natural oils to spread evenly from the scalp to the tips of your hair.

You can prevent dryness by avoiding blow-dry and hot water washes. Apply a small amount of specially formulated conditioner for managing your curls. If your hair is also frizzy, you may apply a type of dry oil. Try to minimize brushing your curls frequently as your comb may get entangled with your curls and harm your hair. Use a wide-toothed brush or comb.

4. Coily Hair

Also known as ‘kinky’ hair type, it tends to be brittle, dry, and rough as natural oils secreted in your scalp spread slowly and circulate across your hair. If you have a coily hair type, then reduce the frequency of shampooing and heat styling your hair. You may apply shea butter or cocoa butter on your hair to keep it soft, moist, and deeply nourished.

A. Home Remedies

1. Coconut Milk

It deeply nourishes and hydrates your hair as well as promotes hair growth. Additionally, it makes your hair soft, moist, and lustrous.

How To Use Coconut Milk:

Apply freshly extracted coconut milk onto your scalp and hair. Leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

2. Aloe Vera

To strengthen your hair and add natural sheen, massaging your scalp with aloe vera gel would greatly benefit [3].

How To Use Aloe Vera:

Massage your scalp and hair twice a week with freshly extracted aloe vera gel. This will help heal infected scalp, rejuvenate dry hair, and prevent hair fall.

3. Neem Paste

The traditional, therapeutic remedy effectively restores the natural alkaline balance of your scalp and hair. It also helps prevent hair fall.

How To Use Neem Paste:

You may apply fresh neem paste along with olive oil and honey to deeply condition your hair.

4. Egg

Studies have found that protein-based hair treatments are necessary for haircare and healthy hair growth. To flaunt thicker and stronger hair, apply protein treatment 3-4 times a week.

How To Use Egg:

Mix a raw egg for smooth consistency and apply it directly onto your wet hair. Leave it for 15-20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water.

5. Fenugreek Seeds

Fenugreek seeds help prevent hair fall and breakage as well as promote hair growth. It also helps in preventing dandruff.

How To Use Fenugreek Seeds:

Soak at least 2-3 tbsp of fenugreek seeds in normal water for 8-10 hours. Drain out some water and grind it to a fine paste. Apply this directly onto your scalp and hair.

B. Essential Oils

Essential oils are extracted from specific herbs and plants, and several of them greatly benefit your scalp and hair health. These are generally diluted with different carrier oils. A few such beneficial essential oils for dry and rough hair include:

• Geranium
• Rose
• Ylang-ylang
• Eucalyptus
• Ginger
• Clary sage
• Thyme
• Rosemary
• Sandalwood
• Lavender
• Tea tree

How To Use:

Add around 3-5 drops of any essential oil directly into your hair care product like shampoo, conditioner, or serum.

You may also prepare a hair mask by adding a few drops of any essential oil with a suitable carrier oil, and apply it evenly onto your hair. Focus on applying at the tips of your hair. Leave it for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it thoroughly with normal water.

“Regular head massage, before head wash, is a gold standard treatment to treat dry hair”

Once mixed with a suitable carrier oil, a few essential oils can be directly applied onto your scalp, such as peppermint and rosemary.

C. Ayurvedic Remedies

1. Amla Powder & Shikakai

Shikakai is a renowned ayurvedic herb for strong, healthy, and well-nourished hair. Enriched with potent antioxidants, it helps naturally maintain the pH balance of your scalp as well as lock in the natural oils in your hair to keep them healthy and lustrous. It also keeps your hair deeply nourished and minimizes hair breakage.

How To Use:

• Blend half a cup of pure amla powder and shikakai in lukewarm water to form a thick paste.
• Apply the paste onto your scalp and hair.
• Leave it for 25-30 minutes before rinsing off with normal water.

2. Neem & Amla Pack

Both herbal ingredients are enriched with powerful antibacterial properties and antioxidants. Additionally, this ayurvedic hair mask also helps in minimizing the occurrence of dandruff, which is common in winter.

How To Use:

• Make a thick paste of fresh neem leaves.
• Soak the neem paste overnight in warm water with 3-5 tsp of amla powder.
• Apply the hair pack onto your scalp and hair and leave it for 20-25 minutes.
• Rinse with lukewarm water.

3. Yogurt Hair Mask

Packed with many essential nutrients, yogurt benefits and rejuvenates dry hair. It has riboflavin which restores dull hair, niacin which prevents hair breakage, and biotin which revives damaged hair. Another essential nutrient, Vitamin B12 helps promote hair growth and prevent dandruff.

How To Use:

• Drain the excess water from plain yogurt and apply it evenly across your scalp and hair.
• Leave it for 20-25 minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water.

Prevention Tips For Dry Hair In Men

Your genes play a major role in influencing your hair type and health. However, healthy dietary and lifestyle choices can also prove beneficial.

A few tweaks that may benefit your hair health include:

1. Adding protein & micronutrients in your daily diet: As your hair is primarily composed of the structural protein keratin, a protein deficiency may lead to brittle, dry, and weak hair. Eating a healthy and balanced diet may also help you avoid micronutrient deficiencies which may adversely affect your overall hair health. Biotin and zinc deficiencies are known to affect hair growth.

2. Quit smoking: Tobacco adversely affects various parts of your body. A study had established a link between smoking and hair breakage. Try to seek your doctor’s help to quit smoking.

3. Avoid prolonged sun exposure: Continued UV exposure may deteriorate your hair texture and health. Wearing a wide-brimmed hat, light-fabric scarf, and using an umbrella while stepping outside in sunlight can help shield your hair from further damage.

4. Exercise regularly for good skin, hair, and overall health: Any form of exercise and physical activity helps boost blood flow to your scalp and hair. This in turn promotes hair growth and improves overall hair health.

Vedix Tip: After shampooing your hair, towel dry or use a blow dryer for around 30 seconds. This will help your hair to become relatively dry for application of any mild and herbal hair care product.

The Last Word

Dry hair is a common challenge faced by men. If your hair tends to be brittle, rough, lifeless, and dry, you should try to switch your hair care regime, dietary, and lifestyle choices to clean, healthier alternatives. Cleansing your hair less, rinsing your hair with only lukewarm or cool water, and minimizing blow-drying will greatly benefit your hair health and prevent dry hair condition.

Know Your Dosha Now