There has been a lot of speculation regarding the difference between male-marketed and female-marketed products. Many research suggests that the difference lies mainly in the marketing of the products and not in the products themselves. For instance, men’s shampoo claims to target specific problems to men or affect them more heavily than women. But many have compared the ingredient lists of men and women’s shampoos and have not noted significant differences. And the few differences they observed weren’t even for targeting gender-specific hair issues.
So should men take care of their hair differently than women do? The answer is yes. But not by a big difference. This is because men and women tend to wear their hair differently — women tend to wear their hair longer, and men more commonly wear their hair short. It is also more common for men to shave their heads. Androgenic alopecia, also known as permanent hair loss, is more common in men than in women. For the most part, men have to care for their hair regarding their styling preferences and hair loss prevention.
Regular hair cuts
For men who wear their hair short or bald, hair growth is more noticeable, so more frequent trips to the barber are required. Short-haired men should get their classic men’s haircuts every six weeks to two months, while longer-haired men can get away with barber visits every three to four months.
Know your hair and scalp types
Regardless of gender, it’s important to know your hair type. This is what will determine how you take care of your hair and what products you will use. Dry scalps need to buy products geared towards moisturizing their manes, and oily scalps will need products that regulate oil and sebum production.
Styling
What you do to your hair also determines your hair care routine. If, for example, you color treat your hair, you may prefer to use hair products for colored hair. If you frequently use hair gel or other styling products, you may want to detox your scalp now and then to minimize product buildup in your scalp.
Going bald?
Androgenic alopecia is a condition that causes a person to lose their hair permanently. This is genetic and is more common in men than in women.
Some men decide to shave their heads to beat the hair loss to the punch — though other men are bald by choice. There is no shame in this. A lot of men bald men retain their sex appeal even without a full mane, such as Jason Statham and Bruce Willis.
If it’s your first time to go bald, start small. Ask your stylist to give you a cut that might help you slowly transition, such as a bald fade haircut or a buzz cut.
While going fully bald will take away hair that needs to be maintained, there’s one thing you now have to take care of more than ever: your scalp.
Make sure to cleanse and moisturize your scalp with the right products. And because your hair isn’t there to act as the first line of defense against the sun, you have to apply sunscreen on your bald head too. SPF prevents sunburn and premature skin aging and lowers your risk of getting skin cancer. It will also keep you from getting sunspots on your head.
Unfortunately, there is no known cure for androgenic alopecia as of now. But there are things you can do to lower your chances for it or delay its onset.
One is to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle. Experts recommend a diet high in vegetables and protein. You can also consult your doctor about medications or supplements you can take. Hair vitamins usually contain biotin and keratin. A short daily scalp massage might also help to stimulate hair growth on your head. There are also cosmetic or surgical procedures you can look into, such as hair transplantation.
Many hair loss cases are connected to stress and trauma, so it would also help you learn how to manage your stress levels. Exercise, meditation, and getting enough sleep can help reduce anxiety and depression levels and improve your overall mood.
Hair products for men and women may be marketed differently even when there aren’t any significant differences in the products themselves. The difference between male and female hair care is how men and women wear their hair. Because men tend to wear their hair short or sometimes bald, they have to visit their barbers more frequently. Bald men also have to take care of their heads as they would their skin, making sure to cleanse, moisturize, and apply sunscreen.
