Growing and styling very long hair for men
Learn all about growing and styling very long hair for men by: Men’s Hair Blog The beyond-shoulder length hairstyle requires that you to grow your hair beyond shoulder length. A good length to aim for is chest length or mid-back because, at this length, your locks will be hanging down without the need of hair products while expressing great follicular volume: a true lion’s mane! Now, before proceeding on how to get the Beyond Shoulder Length hairstyle, let’s talk about what actually is beyond-shoulder-length hair. As I’ve documented on this site and in both my books (The Curly Hair Book and The Men’s Hair Book), you will need about 12 inches of hair length to reach your shoulders (i.e. shoulder-length hair); men with curly hair typically require 18 to 24 inches of hair length due to the intrinsic shape of curly hair eating up inches of visible length. Ergo, for hair that is longer than shoulder length (i.e. beyond-shoulder length), you will need at least 14 inches of hair length, which will take about 3 years if grown from a buzz-cut haircut. Long hair has become a trendy thing among young males ever since 2013 when males all across the United States and Europe had grown bored of those politically-correct medium hairstyles of the late 2000s and early 2010s. Thus, since 2013, we’ve experienced an increasing interest in long hair for men that still goes strong in 2016 and for which I’ve dedicated a whole section of this website to long men’s hair. Outside of this website, I recommend that you take a look at this useful website for long hair men which has all the great advice and information that is necessary for growing and styling your long mane as well as for keeping it nice and lustrous. Incidentally, you will also find that the Shoulder Length hairstyle is among the best long hairstyles for men in the aforementioned website’s huge hairstyle guide; not just that, but I personally have Beyond Shoulder Length hair with my coiled curls (currently on my way to hip-long hair), so I can attest to how useful that particular website is and to how awesome having (well-cared) long hair is! With regards to Beyond Shoulder Length hair and long hair in general, I do get a lot of questions from my readers on how to grow long hair and my main tip is to stay patient and to take care of your hair over the long haul (there’s lots more to growing long hair which I’ve covered in The Men’s Hair Book, but this tip alone is useful for all men regardless of their hair type or genetics). Anyway, enough with the talking of long men’s hair; let’s now go through the Beyond Shoulder Length hairstyle! Hair-length category Long: the Beyond Shoulder Length hairstyle falls under the category of “long hair” in my hair length guide. Informally, I do use the word “super long” for hair that is longer than shoulder length since, once your hair is over 12 inches in length, its care and daily grooming require more effort and time when compared to long hair that is between 6 to 12 inches in length. Suitable hair type Straight hair, wavy hair, coiled hair, kinky hair. Haircut for Beyond Shoulder Length hair: To grow your hair for the Beyond Shoulder Length hairstyle, you merely have to grow your hair from an initial haircut that had your hair trimmed all around the head at the same length. Avoid any further haircuts until your reach your desired length; only get further haircuts if you have damaged the tips of your hair. Haircut difficulty: 2 out of 5 (relatively easy, you can do it yourself). How to style beyond shoulder length hair for men: For the Beyond Shoulder Length hairstyle, you can have your hair slicked back, parted to the side, put into a ponytail or bun, or simply have the long locks worn freely. Likewise, for those of you guys with long curly hair, you too can straighten your mane with a flat iron, although I highly recommend that you use a heat-taming product prior to straighten your lengthy curls or that you simply avoid straightening your very-long curly locks as you can easily damage your hair by straightening it too frequently. Use a leave-in conditioner as your main hairstyling product, and add some hair gel, mousse or styling cream as you see fit. Styling difficulty 2 out of 5 (relatively easy). Male reference NFL player Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers is the perfect example of what coiled hair grown beyond shoulder length can look like. Recommended men’s hair products to use for Beyond Shoulder Length hair The following men’s hair products are the ones that I recommend for lustrous long locks: Leave-in conditioner: a leave-in conditioner is an exceptionally-handy product for long-haired men irrespective of their hair type. You can use a leave-in conditioner to style your mane every single day or with other styling products like hair gels, hair mousse or styling creams (see below). Conditioner: to be used every time that you shampoo your mane. Always follow your shampoo with a conditioner. A good frequency of shampoo use for men with such long hair is twice per week. Light-hold hair gel: this type of hair gel is best for styling (long) straight hair. Hair mousse: a good hair-mousse product is what I usually recommend for very-long wavy hair. Styling cream: a good styling cream works best for curly-haired men with very long hair as styling creams allow the curls to retain moisture and thus look their best. Use any of the 4 men’s hair products above to style your Beyond Shoulder Length hair. However, whichever product you choose should not be mixed with the others, except for leave-in conditioners. As described in my book The Men’s Hair Book, if you want to use a leave-in conditioner with any other hair-styling product, you must first (and always!) apply the leave-in conditioner to your hair and, once you’ve coated your long mane with the leave-in conditioner, you then apply the
Here’s How Often You Should Wash Your Hair.
Here’s How Often You Should Wash Your Hair, Depending on Your Hair Type by: Nashia Baker Follow these expert-approved tips to keep your strands healthy. When it comes to caring for your hair, sticking to a wash routine is pretty common. For some people, it’s once a day. Others, however, opt for anywhere from once to twice a week. But could you be washing your hair too often—or worse, not often enough? We asked experts to weigh in on the best hair washing frequency to make sure your strands look and feel their best. How to Often to Shampoo Based on Hair Type Your hair type plays a big role in how often you should wash your hair. But rather than just sticking to a strict schedule, you should let your scalp and hair tell you what they need, says Philip B, a scalp expert and founder of Philip B Hair Care. “Signs that you need to wash include itching, flaking, product buildup, greasy strands, or naturally any unpleasant smells,” he says. Straight Hair Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of Veluer Creative, recommends that people with fine, straight strands (type 1) wash their hair two to three times every week to help combat oil buildup. Since there’s less surface area for oil to gravitate to on the scalp, those with fine strands tend to experience a greasier feel quicker throughout the week, he says. Wavy to Curly Hair Those with wavy to curly hair have type 2 or type 3 strands, which are bendable “S” shape curls and buoyant loop curl patterns. This hair type requires more oil on the scalp to keep strands hydrated, so Dueñas recommends washing about once a week, possibly twice, at most. Coily Hair Coily textures have type 4 hair classification, which includes 4A, 4B, and 4C. 4A has an “S” or ringlet pattern, 4B is a tighter coil with a less defined curl, and 4C is a zig-zag pattern. If you have a coily texture, sticking to weekly washes is best. Washing too frequently can strip this more fragile hair type of oils needed to keep the strands hydrated, says Jasmine Rilington, a hairstylist, licensed cosmetologist, and the founder of The Glam Room. Shampooing once a week with the right products can allow the nutrients used on hair to absorb into the scalp. “If your curls are dry, you will need to use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner,” Rilington adds. The Impact of Over-Washing So, how often is too often to shampoo? The hair experts we spoke to all agree that washing your hair every day is excessive. “Your hair needs those oils to stay hydrated,” says Dueñas. “If you feel the need to wash every day due to working out, I recommend mixing shampoo and conditioner in one while washing, as this helps impart more hydration into the hair and makes the shampoo gentler.” Dulling One common side effect of over-washing is loss of shine, since your hair is being stripped of its national oils, says Rilington. This is especially true if you have color-treated hair and your product does not protect color and the keratin protein, says Philip B. Scalp Imbalance When you wash your hair too much, it can disrupt balance, scalp microbiome, and pH, says Philip B. The result? Your hair will be left with a straw-like feel and your scalp will feel dry, inflamed, and irritated. “The sebum, our natural scalp and hair food, is the oil produced by the scalp,” he says, adding that it provides moisture and smooths the strands. “Washing too much away leads to imbalance and that can lead to a tight, dry scalp and dry, coarse strands prone to breakage.” Dueñas adds that if you have an overactive, oily scalp, over-washing your hair can make it even oiler. Plus, hair can grow limp and struggle to hold a style. If your hair begins to become desensitized, Clariss Rubenstein, a celebrity hairstylist with MONAT, recommends using a thickening shampoo or conditioner, like the MONAT IR Clinical Thickening Shampoo ($46, monatglobal.com) and MONAT IR Clinical Thickening Conditioner ($52, monatglobal.com), to help it regain its strength and fullness. The Impact of Under-Washing While deciding how long to go without washing your hair really depends on you as an individual, Dueñas says that once you start to see oil buildup on your scalp and your strands start getting flatter, it’s likely time for a wash. “Once you have buildup on the scalp, you need to detoxify it to remove excess sebum and dirt,” he says. Scalp Conditions Like washing your face and body, you will avoid skin concerns on your scalp by washing your hair. “If you wash very infrequently, [oil] could start to build up in layers, which can plug scalp follicles, cause hair loss, and [stimulate] acne on the scalp,” says Dueñas. Philip B notes that not washing your hair can also cause psoriasis, alopecia, and dandruff. “Cleansing is also great for circulation, scalp stimulation, oxygenation, relaxation, and de-stressing the tresses to make it a ritual that works for you—not a cleaning ‘chore,’” he says. And stop in for a great haircut to help you feel confident!
Is Dry Shampoo Bad for Your Hair and Scalp?
Is Dry Shampoo Bad for Your Hair and Scalp? Here’s What the Experts Say by: Madeline Buiano While the product quickly refreshes greasy hair, using it too often may have adverse effects. When your hair needs a quick refresh, but you don’t have time for a shower, dry shampoo is an easy solution—with just a few sprays, your greasy strands look clean again. While the hair product certainly works, concerns about the product’s safety, and whether or not it contributes to hair loss and damage, have recently surfaced. Although dry shampoo does make your strands look better temporarily, it can also block the hair follicles and negatively effect your scalp over time. How Dry Shampoo Works Dry shampoo absorbs the dirt and sebum on the scalp that build up between washes. Sebum is produced by the hair follicles and softens the scalp, says Paul Rus, an Irresistible Me hair stylist partner. While it’s essential for a healthy hair environment, the oily substance also makes your hair look greasy, which is where dry shampoo comes in. “The active ingredients used in dry shampoo soak up the sweat from our hair, making it look clean and fresh,” he says. Dry shampoo is most commonly made up of chalky powders and alcohols, which soak up moisture in the hair. According to Helen Reavey, board certified trichologist and founder of Act+Acre, the product also contains aerosols that allow for an easy spray application and artificial fragrances to mask odor. How Dry Shampoo Affects Your Hair and Scalp Despite the immediate benefits of dry shampoo, it can cause unwanted damage to your hair as it accumulates on the scalp. Reavey says that the harsh ingredients in certain dry shampoos can also strip away the healthy oils the scalp needs to thrive. Hair Loss As dry shampoo builds up on the scalp it can prevent nutrients from being able to reach the hair follicle. Reavey says overusing the product can result in inflammation of the scalp and blockage of the follicles. “Over time, this can weaken the follicle, causing increased shedding and hair thinning,” she says. Dandruff The most common issue people run into when using dry shampoo is dandruff. “Dandruff is typically caused by an oil imbalance that causes skin cells to build up, then shed liberally,” Reavey says. “To help prevent dandruff, it’s incredibly important to keep your scalp clean and balanced, which is hard to do if you continually rely on dry shampoo to extend the life of your hair.” How Often to Use Dry Shampoo To avoid overusing dry shampoo, Reavey recommends against using the product more than two times in between washes. “Ideally, you should never use dry shampoo to replace washing your hair, only as a means to freshen up your look as needed,” she says. But if you need a quick fix for greasy hair, Rus recommends choosing a product that has a safe formula. He says to avoid six specific ingredients: sulfates, parabens, polyethylene glycols, synthetic fragrances, talc, and alcohol. Alternatives to Dry Shampoo The best alternative to dry shampoo isn’t a true swap—you should wash your hair more frequently. “Your scalp and its follicles are the bedrock of healthy hair growth and a clean scalp provides an optimal environment for hair to flourish,” says Anabel Kingsley, the owner and consultant trichologist at Philip Kingsley. She adds that dry shampoo won’t remove the oil and grime in your hair. It will only mask it and keep your scalp dirty. If you’re concerned that washing your hair daily can damage it, Reavey says not to worry. “It really is a myth that you shouldn’t wash your hair too often,” she says. “Dead skin, pollution, and sweat can all contribute to the hair shaft weakening and causing unhealthy hair growth.” And stop in for a great haircut to help you feel confident!
How Much Hair Is Normal to Lose Every Day?
How Much Hair Is Normal to Lose Every Day? by: Audrey Noble When you start to notice some extra hair in your brush or circling the shower drain, it’s natural to be come worried about hair loss. But shedding—even a lot of it—is often normal and happens to everyone. “Light shedding is normal and part of the hair’s life cycle,” affirms Amy McMichael, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the spokesperson for the Reflections of Alopecia Areata campaign. “You may see this type of hair shedding when you shower or brush your hair.” Serious hair loss, on the other hand, happens when more hairs fall out than grow in, says Dr. McMichael, who specializes in hair and scalp diseases. Outside of genetics, this can be caused by stress, illness, tight ponytails and other hairstyles that cause traction, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune conditions, thyroid issues, and other medical conditions, says Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Skin Medicinals and Hairstim Labs. But how can you tell the difference between normal shedding and serious hair loss? While all experts agree that it is best to ask your dermatologist, there are a few things that you can keep in mind to help you gauge where you fall on the hair loss spectrum. Identifying your normal hair shedding rate is the first step—and there are a few places you should look to do so. Related: These Are the 7 Most Effective Hair Loss Treatments, According to Dermatologists and Trichologists General Hair Shedding The average number of strands that you should expect to lose each day depends on how thick and long your hair is, says Dr. McMichael. But if you’re looking for a range, she says it is generally normal to lose anywhere between 50 to 100 hairs per day. There is a discrepancy in this hard-and-firm amount, due to the difference in length of each person’s hair growth phase, says board-certified trichologist David Kingsley, FWTS, of the World Trichology Society. For this reason, he recommends not getting too hung up on the numbers: Hair loss amounts in this so-called-average range can still be considered excessive hair shedding if it’s abnormal to you. “For instance, if you count your hair over a few weeks and notice that about an average of 90 hairs fall out, you might decide that this is okay, because it fits nicely in the ‘normal’ range,” he explains. “However, if you were only losing 45 hairs per day [at one point], 90 is twice your normal average. This could mean that you have excessive hair loss.” The takeaway? Compare your own hair fall with your history—not with someone else’s, says Kingsley. In Your Brush There are a few instances when we notice hair shedding most, the first being when we brush our hair. The more often you brush (and shampoo) your hair, the less strands you should see fall out each time, says Kingsley. So, if you lose 45 strands per day on average, but also brush every day, you should see a smaller, consistent number in the bristles; you’ll see the bulk of normal shedding in the shower. If you brush your hair less often, like a few times a week, you can expect to see an uptick of hair shedding, since strands will accumulate from not being brushed everyday. Ultimately, how much you see in your brush is dependent on your daily habits. In the Shower The next place we notice hair shedding is in the shower, post-shampoo. What’s considered a normal amount depends on how much hair you have to begin with. Those with shorter and thinner hair tend to shed less than those with thick, long hair, explains Dr. McMichael. The range of how much hair you lose when washing it varies. The less you shampoo, the more hair you’re going to see shed when you do, says Kingsley, who explains that 75 to 80% of the hair you lose during the day comes away when you shower. Ultimately, tracking a pattern of hair loss that deviates from your baseline, as opposed to monitoring a numerical amount, is a better indicator of a problem, notes Dr. McMichael. In Your Hands Again, this is dependent on the person. It’s common for a person to lose five to eight strands when they run their hands through their hair, says Dr. McMichael—but you still have to take certain factors into account, such as hair type and texture, products, and stress levels. “Every person is unique,” she says. The normal amount of hair you lose daily shouldn’t change rapidly—and it’s important to differentiate between running your hands through your hair and pulling on your strands, notes Kingsley. The latter doesn’t accurately indicate whether your hair loss is normal or something to worry about, and Kingsley cautions about using this as a barometer due to its addictive nature. “I find that if a person pulls on his or her hair and does not see any hair the first time, he or she will repeat the action four or five times until hair comes out,” he says. “It is almost as if people want continuous proof that their hair is falling out.” When to See a Doctor According to Dr. McMichael, some obvious signs that your hair loss or shedding is abnormal include bald spots and patchiness; losing large clumps of hair and experiencing scalp symptoms, such as irritation and itchiness, should also be cause for concern. Remember that hair loss is not limited to the hair on your head: These symptoms might also apply to your eyebrows, lashes, and face—or anywhere on your body that normally has hair. Excess hair shedding lasting longer than 2 to 4 weeks requires medical attention, says Kingsley. And if you notice that your ponytail has grown thinner or that you can wrap a band around it more times than you could previously (assuming that the band is not stretched out), seek treatment—this could be another sign of abnormal hair loss. Whatever you do, all experts advise checking in with your doctor before taking any action. “Every form of hair loss is different and treatment depends on
Does Your Hair Shed More During the Spring and Fall?
Do You Find Your Hair Sheds More During the Spring and Fall? You Might Be Experiencing Seasonal Hair Loss by: Rebecca Norris If your strands fall out during seasonal transitions, give this a read. When the seasons change, we often think about two things: our wardrobes and allergies. For some individuals, however, this transition can also lead to hair loss. Like seasonal allergies (or even skin concerns), seasonal shedding occurs when a shift in temperature puts stress on the scalp and follicles, which leads to strands falling out. Of course, there’s more biology to it than that. To give you the full rundown on seasonal hair loss, we tapped two of the industry’s top trichologists. Below, discover how to combat this common concern. Spring and Fall Shedding According to Penny James, a trichologist and the owner of Penny James Salon, most people experience extra hair shedding in the fall. While we typically shed up to 100 hairs a day, during the more moderate months of the year, that number can reach 150, she says. The reason? Our hair rests in the telogen phase in summer and enters the exogen phase (or the shedding phase) in fall—and occasionally spring, she adds. While this phenomenon isn’t widely understood, a 2009 study by Swiss researchers found that, of 823 women evaluated over six years’ time, more entered the telogen phase during summer than any other time of year; more research is needed, however, on fall’s connection to the exogen phase. Seasonal Hair Loss Versus Telogen Effluvium As you may have guessed, the number-one symptom of seasonal hair loss is an increase in shedding during a particular time of year. You might notice more strands in your brush after combing or more a clogged shower drain, which is the result of a diffuse shed pattern. “Hair falls from all over the scalp—not in one area,” James says. “This is often confused with telogen effluvium [which is temporary, stress-induced hair loss].” The difference between seasonal hair loss and telogen effluvium? The only stress associated with the former is a temperature change which triggers your scalp and follicles to enter a shedding phase. Of course, without a degree in trichology or dermatology, it can be difficult to know the root cause—which is why James advises checking in with a professional if you notice an unusual increase in hair loss. Lacking Research Anyone and everyone can experience seasonal hair loss, but women report the condition most frequently. Ultimately, more research is needed to determine exactly why we shed when we do, notes James. “We used to need hair to protect ourselves from the elements—naturally we would shed that hair in the spring as the weather gets warmer,” she explains, noting that beyond that line of thinking, in-depth research is lacking The Importance of a Healthy Scalp To avoid seasonal hair loss, keep your hair and scalp as healthy as possible at all times, say our experts. “It is always a good idea to make an extra effort to keep the hair and scalp hydrated and moisturized. A dry scalp can cause inflammation and more hair loss,” adds Bosley MD certified trichologist Gretchen Friese. “Using a deep conditioning mask once per week is important. Also, limiting heat styling can be helpful for the same reasons.”Regrowing Hair There is good news: Seasonal hair loss is temporary. It’s not even technically considered “loss”—it’s simply an accelerated shedding phase that James says should subside within a couple weeks into the season. So long as you tend to your hair and scalp and eat a protein-rich diet to heal your hair and scalp from the inside out, you should regrow those strands in no time, she explains. And stop in for a great haircut to help you look great in those perfect T-shirts!