Key Takeaways
- Preventing hair loss starts with a consistent hair care routine that includes essential steps like conditioning, scalp exfoliation, and using gentle products to maintain a healthy scalp and strands.
- Overwashing, using harsh chemicals, or tight hairstyles can weaken hair and contribute to hair loss. Prioritize gentle care, such as loose styling, avoiding hot tools, and skipping heavy product use.
- A balanced diet, stress management, and regular trims give you the foundation for a daily hair care routine that prevents hair loss.
Trying to regrow hair? Looking for a hair care routine to prevent hair loss and pair with your hair loss treatment?
Maybe you’ve got gorgeous locks and you’d like to keep them healthy.
Or maybe you’re noticing some hair loss and you’re wondering what you can add to your routine to make a difference.
We’ll start with the bad news — some of the most common causes of male pattern balding are out of your control…
The good news?
Proper hair care and regrowth treatments can still make a difference. With the right habits, products, and attention to your hair and scalp, you can promote stronger, healthier strands.
Here’s 9 do’s and don’ts you need to know for hair loss care and prevention.
Hair loss do’s:
Learn your hair porosity
Learning your hair porosity is key for finding the ideal hair care routine. Hair porosity is a measure of how much moisture the hair strands can hold.
So, how thirsty is your hair?
- Low porosity: Water bounces off your strands like rain on a waxed car. Products can sit on top instead of absorbing.
- Medium porosity: Balanced absorption — hydration comes easy.
- High porosity: Your hair soaks up moisture fast but loses it just as quickly. Damage can make this worse.
Hair that is high porosity is more prone to breakage.Try a coconut mask to soothe high porosity hair and lock in moisture, but keep in mind that porosity often comes down to genetics.
Condition after every wash
Conditioning after every wash hydrates and strengthens your hair.
Look for strengthening products with proteins like collagen or keratin, or smoothing products like oils, silicones, or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), to protect the strands and prevent breakage.
This step shouldn’t be skipped in any hair care routine for men aiming to reduce hair loss.
Exfoliate your scalp
Weekly scalp exfoliation is the foundation of a good hair care routine for growth.
You’ve got two options for exfoliation: physical or chemical.
Physical exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the surface of your skin using a product that contains abrasive particles, like a scrub. We recommend using your finger tips in small, circular motions if you go this route.
Chemical exfoliation removes dead skin cells from the skin's surface using acids or enzymes. Two common chemical exfoliants are salicylic acid and glycolic acid. These ingredients work by breaking down the bonds between dead cells, allowing them to shed more easily.
Unlike physical exfoliation, it doesn’t involve scrubbing, making it a gentler option when used correctly.
Dial back the dandruff
Dandruff irritates your hair roots.
Use an anti-dandruff shampoo with active ingredients like pyrithione zinc or ketoconazole to keep your scalp healthy.
Incorporate essential oils
Massaging your scalp with essential oils like rosemary oil is a great home remedy for hair loss and growth.
These oils are proven to stimulate blood flow and improve hair growth.
Eat a balanced diet
Eating a balanced hair-friendly diet rich in protein, zinc, iron, and vitamins C, and D is vital for hair health.
Adding foods like eggs, nuts, spinach, and salmon to your diet supports your hair care routine from the inside out.
Protect your hair from heat
Heat protectant is essential in a hair care routine that prevents hair loss.
Any type of hot tool, including blow dryers, can cause undue stress to your locks via heat damage. Opt to use the cool setting after the shower and consider a heat protectant that includes silicone or keratin to shield your hair.
Use a satin pillowcase
Switching to a satin or silk pillowcase can reduce friction while you sleep, preventing breakage and thinning — a simple yet effective step in any men's hair routine.
Trim regularly
Regular trims prevent split ends, which can travel up the hair shaft and cause further damage. Incorporating trims into your hair care routine for growth keeps your hair looking and feeling healthier.
Hair loss don’ts:
Don’t overwash
Washing your hair too frequently can strip away natural oils, leaving your hair dry and brittle.
For most men, washing 2-3 times a week is sufficient. Men with dry or textured hair may need a wash even less frequently, every 2-3 weeks.
Don’t wash your tips
When you do opt to wash, don’t spread shampoo down the entire hair shaft.
Focus your energy at the scalp, where oils and dead skin cells build up.
Don’t skip scalp care
Neglecting your scalp can lead to clogged follicles, scalp issues, and dry hair.
Don’t style your hair tight
Styles like ponytails or man buns that pull on the hairline can cause traction alopecia, a type of hair loss caused by tension on the hair.
Keep hairstyles loose to prevent undue strain.
Don’t comb your hair when it’s wet
Hair is at its weakest when it’s wet and combing your hair when it’s wet can lead to hair breakage.
Wait for your hair to dry and use a wide-toothed comb to be gentle on your hair and prevent hair loss.
Don’t weigh your hair down with too much product
Overusing strong-hold gels, pomades, or waxes can clog pores and weigh down your hair.
Use lightweight, water-based products to keep your men's hair routine clean and healthy.
Don’t towel dry your wet hair
Rough drying wet hair with a towel can lead to breakage — often, hair strands are no match for coarse towel fibers and friction.
Gently wrap your hair in a towel without agitation, or opt for a cotton t-shirt to dry your hair after the shower.
Use gentle scrunching and patting to remove excess water from your hair.
Don’t stress
Regulating stress is essential as part of a holistic hair care routine. In some cases, chronic physiological or emotional stress can lead to telogen effluvium, a condition where hair falls out prematurely.
Mindfulness practices, like meditation or exercise, can improve both mental health and your hair care routine for hair loss.
Don’t delay professional help
If you notice sudden or excessive hair loss, consult a dermatologist or mens hormone specialist right away.
Professional intervention can get to the source or hair loss due to health conditions and enhance your hair care routine.
Building the right hair care routine
Figuring out how to start a hair routine is an important step in preventing hair loss.
Start with the essentials: shampooing, conditioning, scalp care, and proper styling.
Invest in high-quality products and establish a weekly hair care and hormone routine that works for your lifestyle.
Men often overlook the importance of daily habits in their hair care routine. Here are some quick tips:
- Morning: Wash and condition your hair with gentle products. Apply a lightweight serum for shine.
- Evening: Massage your scalp with a nourishing oil or use a leave-in treatment for overnight repair.
- Weekly: Deep-condition your hair and exfoliate your scalp to keep it clean and healthy.
Final takeaway
A good hair care routine that prevents hair loss requires consistency and intentionality.
By following the do’s and don’ts outlined above, you can create a tailored hair care routine for yourself that supports healthier, stronger hair.
Remember, patience is key — results take time, but the investment in your hair health is worth it.
Disclaimer: The contents of this article, including, but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other information, is for information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition. You should consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting any health protocol and seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of something you have read on this site. Maximus does not recommend, endorse, or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness, or suitability of any specific test, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, healthcare providers or other information contained herein. Maximus is not responsible for, nor will they bear any liability for, the content provided herein or any actions or outcomes resulting from or related to its use.
