How to care for men's hair

While hair type and texture can vary around the world, identifying the correct care regime for your hair can be a challenge. Dyson's Global Education Manager, Amy Johnson, dispells the myths and explains the science behind our hair, revealing her top styling tips for all hair types.  

Is there any difference between male and female hair?

There is no difference between male and female hair in terms of growth cycle and structure. Biologically, they are the same. However, there is a clear difference in the hair styles that men and women follow, which leads to the thinking that the makeup of their hair is different. If men had longer hair like women, it wold be more apparent that they will have the same shine, curls, waves and textures similar to women.

What about differences in Asian and Western hair structures?

Everybody’s hair is different but overall, Western hair is finer than Asian hair. Asian hair is coarser in texture which means that each strand of hair is thicker. Coarser hair can hold styles better. However, it may be prone to frizz and is harder to manipulate into certain styles, drier and will need more moisture. It also has more shine than finer hair as it has a thicker cuticle layer which makes hair reflective, more robust and shinier.

It’s also useful to understand hair density and hair texture. The former refers to the total strands of hair on your head while the latter is how fine or coarse each hair strand it is. So a man with less hair density but coarser hair can appear to have a fuller head of hair.

Any tips in taking better care of hair, especially for men?

The global male grooming market has seen growth in recent years and is set to be worth US$81.2 billion by 2024. While it’s on a strong uptick, there is always room for men to know more about how to care better for their hair.

For example, improved hair quality can be achieved simply by using the right shampoo and conditioner according to hair types. The shampooing process is a routine considered fundamental to hair health but some men overlook this by using two-in-one shampoos or shower gel which can be too harsh for hair and scalps.

Another observation is how men tend to be very vigorous when drying their hair with a towel. This can cause mechanical damage as drying too harshly overstretches the hair strands and weakens them to breaking point. Instead, men can use a lighter hand and pat hair dry between a towel to prevent breakage.

Any styling tips?

Many men struggle to style their hair’s natural shape to emulate popular styles. Another styling concern is the manageability factor - once hair has enough length to wave or curl, men may feel that it’s uncontrollable which is why they default to short hairstyles to minimise styling mistakes.

To address these, the first thing men need to think about is what styling tools they have at their disposal to use. The right hairdryer, with the right attachments, is essential for achieving specific looks and allows for greater experimentation with different styles.

Dyson’s Supersonic hair dryer is engineered for fast drying, with intelligent heat control to help protect shine. The attachments also cater to different hair types to help achieve varied hairstyles.