While longer hair might make a man appear more laidback and chill — and, of course, many men with lengthy locks are indeed quite cool — the truth is that long hair often requires more thought and effort than shorter hair. Breakage, frizz, split ends, excess bulk, and poor styling can all threaten your quest for an effortlessly attractive mane. To ensure your hair not only looks good but also feels soft and healthy as you grow it out and maintain the length, you might need to learn a few new things about hair care and styling. Let’s explore some long hair tips for men.
How to Grow Out and Maintain Long Hair
Be patient.
Though the rate of hair growth varies from person to person and largely depends on genetics, generally, hair grows about half an inch per month. So, if you’re aiming for longer locks, you’ll need to wait at least a few months to see some progress. And if you’re hoping for a shoulder-length style or longer, it may take a couple of years or more. Patience is key! Try to enjoy having your hair at different lengths throughout the grow-out process.
Visit a barber when starting your journey.
One of the most common mistakes men tend to make when growing out their hair is forgoing the barber completely. This leads to messy, unkempt, ragged hair with no definable style. Instead, visit a barber and tell them your goals. They can give you a style that helps your hair look good as it begins growing out. As the months pass and you reach new lengths, your barber can adjust your cut to ensure your hair lays well at every stage.
In addition, your barber can let you know if you’re a good candidate for long hair. Generally, it’s best to have a full head of thicker hair if you’re hoping to grow it out. Thin hair may look stringy and unattractive, and longer locks can actually intensify hair loss because many forms of styling pull at the hair.
Schedule regular trims.
It’s a myth that trimming your hair regularly leads to faster hair growth. However, frequent trims will help ensure that your hair remains healthy through the grow-out process by removing split ends and breakage. A split end is a point at the end of a piece of hair where the hair fiber has split or frayed. Split ends can be caused by over-styling, over-brushing, using products with harsh chemicals, using heat-styling tools, and more. When split ends aren’t trimmed, they can lead to breakage, making your hair appear thinner or frayed. So, find a good barber and schedule routine trims. This is one of the most essential long hair tips for men.
Limit heat styling.
Styling tools that employ heat, like blowdryers and straighteners, can damage your hair and lead to breakage. Try to limit how often you use these tools, and when you do use them, apply a heat protectant product beforehand and select low heat settings. Many men find that hairdryers are unnecessary anyway, as they can make hair look poofy and overly polished. Stick with air-drying when you’re not in a rush.
Use a gentle shampoo and conditioner.
Choose products that suit your hair type and don’t contain harsh chemicals. Gentle shampoos are less likely to irritate or damage your hair, so you can feel confident that your hair will grow healthily. And don’t forget about conditioner! Conditioner helps seal in moisture and keeps your hair feeling strong, healthy, shiny, and moisturized. It also helps prevent tangling and reduces frizz.
Don’t overwash your hair.
Shampooing your hair too frequently can strip away your scalp’s natural oils, which nourish and protect your hair follicles. This may cause your hair to feel dry and brittle and make it more prone to breakage. How frequently you choose to shampoo will likely depend on how oily your scalp is, but generally, you should try to wash your hair no more than three or four times per week. On the days when you don’t shampoo, rinse your hair with water to remove unwanted buildup and condition the ends to rehydrate them.
Avoid tight buns and ponytails.
Pulling your hair back tightly into a ponytail or topknot can damage your hair and even lead to traction alopecia — a type of hair loss caused by “chronic pulling force being applied to the hair” — at the front of your hairline. Although it’s okay to wear these styles occasionally, try to choose gentler styles like loose ponytails and braids when you want to pull your hair back.
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Growing out your hair takes time, but we hope these long hair tips for men help you maintain the style and health of your hair as it reaches new lengths.
Are you looking for a barber shop that promises good vibes and a quality cut? If you live in Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, or Oklahoma, stop by your neighborhood Hudson / Hawk. In our modern, comfortable spaces, people of all ages enjoy stylish haircuts and good conversation. We offer a variety of cuts — from zero fades to shear cuts and everything in between — as well as shaves, beard grooming, and waxing. Book your next haircut today.