You might be leaving it unprotected

In simpler times, a man’s grooming ritual involved taking a breather from bear wrestling to have a pal hurl handfuls of gravel at his face:

‘Stop when my hangover’s gone. Then I’ll be ready for some more carousing.’

Now, thankfully, we take much better care of ourselves. But that does bring complications. The debate about how often you should ‘poo yourself, for example. Every day? Three times a week? When Venus is retrograde with an elliptical orbit?

For the answer, look within. Your hair is unique, so your rituals should be tailored to your hair type. Always seek the advice of your barber on such matters.

And also without. With this post Huckle casts light into the seedy pit of hair washing legend and lore. So you can adjust your regime accordingly.

Let’s make sure your hair is strong and healthy for many years to come.

How often to wash your hair

It’s generally accepted that every day is too often. Shampoo is basically soap. And while soap is great for cleaning, it does strip hair of natural oils.

Sebum is an oily substance, produced by glands in the scalp, that protects hair and prevents it drying out and breaking. Excessive shampooing can leave your scalp bereft of this wonderful stuff.

The result? Dry, brittle hair. Or, your body overcompensates and produces too much sebum. Then you end up with very oily hair.

Washing 2-3 times a week is a good guide for men with ‘average’ hair. If your hair grows straight and strong you can probably get away with washing more frequently. Conversely, if your hair is wavy or curly, fewer washes can help make your hair more manageable.

But (there’s always a but), if you use a lot of hair product each day, make sure you wash it out. If you don’t rinse product out of your hair, it can accumulate, block your pores and cause greasy, unhealthy hair.

What to do if you work out a lot

If you exercise every day, you might find the thought of not washing your hair after each workout unpleasant.

But washing your hair doesn’t have to involve shampoo. On the days you’re not using shampoo, massage your scalp with your fingers under warm water. This helps to remove grime without stripping oils.

You can also use a light conditioner (you don’t want to weigh down the hair with something too thick) with warm water to break down the sweat and dirt.

What shampoo to use

Not all shampoos are created equal. Many cheaper products contain chemicals that can do your hair more harm than good.

Washing with harsh products can dry the scalp. A dry scalp can lead to flakiness. At this point lots of men reach for big brand antidandruff shampoos. They might work. But adding more harsh agents onto an already unhappy scalp could make things worse.

Sometimes less is more. Try upgrading your shampoo and using it less frequently. Your scalp’s ecosystem will balance out and you should notice a difference.

We use Davines shampoos in-store and we recommend their Purifying Shampoo as part of a well-rounded approach to keeping your hair and scalp healthy.

Of course, if dandruff is a real issue for you, read the Huckle guide on how to get rid of dandruff.

Is your hair product friend or foe?

Good hair products don’t just help you style and manage your hair. They nourish and protect it too. Crappy products do the opposite, coating the hair with suffocating layers of rubbish. A good product should feed your hair while its in, and be easy to rinse out when you shower.

We use Kevin Murphy’s excellent range of styling products. Their antioxidant-rich formula hydrates and strengthens hair. Plus they’re made with ethically sourced ingredients: neither animals nor the environment is harmed in the process.

Now, we’re ready for a dust up. Send the bears in!

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Huckle the Barber provides high-quality grooming services, including haircuts and wet shaves, for discerning London gents. Visit us in Shoreditch or Holborn. Book your Huckle appointment online.