Face it, some men are just able to pull off long hair, and others just look like they’re really not caring for it. Long hair requires a lot of maintenance. If you’re looking to grow your hair long, you’re probably unaware of what to do to keep it looking smart.

Have Patience

It’s going to take time to make your longer hair look good. You’ll actually have to work to keep looking full bodied rather than sticking to your scalp.

You’ll start to notice that your using more shampoo and conditioner, and that your having to use much more gel, mousse, or hairspray to keep it under control. This is all part of the burden, it’s all quite expensive.

Equipment is Key

Get the right tools for the job. You’ll need the right equipment to keep your hair in shape. Get a wide tooth comb that can work tangles out of your hair without breaking it off. You’ll also need a good hair brush that will smooth the cuticles of your hair to keep it from being frizzy.

Of course, you won’t be wearing hair accessories, but you may tie your hair back. If you plan to do so, get cloth-covered bands that won’t break your hair off. This creates fly-aways and side-lines your plans to have long hair, as rubber bands continue to break off hairs every time.

Be Careful

If you have always had short hair, you’ll have to learn how to dry it more carefully. Towel drying tends to break off your hair and damage the cuticle. This will make your hair frizzy and contribute to split ends. It will take a little longer to get your hair dry, but the payoff is better than rubbing it with a towel.

To properly dry your hair, gently squeeze out the extra water and then wipe your hair off with a towel from root to end, squeezing as you go along. Once you have done this to your hair for a little while, and get it trimmed a few times, you’ll find that it looks much shinier and healthy. It also won’t tangle as badly, because the ends are not split, and there are no frizzies to tangle together.

To get a full look to the hair, flip it over your head, upside down, after you’ve combed out the tangles. Add mouse at the scalp, and dry the scalp area without overdrying it. Blow some of the water out of the rest of your hair, and then leave it a little damp.

Don’t Put Too Much Strain On Your Hair

If you constantly pull your hair back in a tight ponytail, or wear tight-fitting hats or caps quite often, you can get “traction alopecia”. This is when you develop baldness where the root of the hair is damaged from hair being pulled out too often. Loosen your ponytail and caps, and you can avoid this wear and damage to the roots of your hair.

Avoid Chemicals and Sun Damage

If you must swim and spend time in the sun, take the time to protect your hair. Leave conditioners in your hair to protect it from chlorine, and use sun protection on your hair. UV rays can damage your hair just as it does your skin.

If you know what you’re getting into with long hair, it can be a real asset to your looks and career. Clean, healthy hair on a man can be really sexy.

Bio

Nina Edwards enjoys helping others and has just taken up writing as a hobby. She currently works for The Pink Rooster supplying Masai and Sandwich clothing.