5 Quick Steps on How To Wash Hair for Men

How To Wash Hair For Men

Surprisingly, there is a lot of debate on how to wash hair for men.  Additionally, there are a lot of nuances to consider when it comes to how often to wash hair and what type of shampoo to use.  Throw in hair products, dandruff, or thinning hair, and everything becomes a confusing mess.

It shouldn’t take a dissertation to write about how to wash hair for men or condition, contrary to other articles that you might have read.

This is a quick, no B.S. guide on how to wash hair for men.


1. Know Your Hair Type

If your hair is fine, thin, or oily, shoot for shampooing about every other day.

men's-guide-hair-products-thin-hair

If your hair is coarse, thick, or dry, try shampooing every fourth or fifth day.

men's-guide-hair-products-thick-hair

On days you don’t shampoo, you can use a conditioner if you want.   Otherwise, rinsing and massaging hair with water will suffice.

2. Choose the Best Shampoo for Men

Ideally, invest in a quality shampoo.  Here are two of the best:.

Best Overall Shampoos for Men

K + S Men’s Shampoo + Conditioner ($28.50 for Both)

Brickell Men’s Daily Strengthening Shampoo ($20.00)

If you are frugal, like me, check out this kind.

Best Budget Shampoo for Men

Dove Men+Care 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner ($16.99 for 4)

Best Budget Shampoo for Men

If you have fine, thinning hair or dandruff, get shampoo that tackles these problems.  Look for buzzwords like “anti-dandruff” or “thickening”.

Best Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men:

Nizoral A-D Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($13.29)

Best Thickening Shampoo for Men:

Every Man Jack 2-in-1 Thickening Shampoo & Conditioner ($3.99)

3. Apply Shampoo and Conditioner Properly

Using warm water, not hot or cold, get your hair saturated.  Hot water strips away essential oils.  Cold water decreases needed blood flow and circulation at the scalp.

Apply a quarter sized amount of shampoo into your palm, rub between palms, and apply to your hair.  Massage your scalp for about 30 seconds.  Don’t use your nails, just the pads of your fingers.  This will increase blood flow and nutrients to your hair.

Rinse, and apply the same amount of conditioner to your hair.

Keep in mind, shampoo is for the roots and scalp.  Conditioner is for the strands.  Try to focus on these areas specifically while avoiding the others when shampooing versus conditioning.

Leave the conditioner in your hair while you complete the rest of your shower routine, then rinse.

Note: For those with long hair, you can condition the strands before shampooing to provide a protective coating from the stripping effects of shampoo.  Condition again after rinsing the shampoo out.

4. Dry Safely and Effectively

Use a towel to pat dry your hair or stroke your hair with a towel in the same direction it grows.  Rubbing vigorously back and forth weakens the strands and damages the hair follicle.

5. Extra Credit: Try an Egg Wash

I originally suggested this in 20 Vital Hair Care Tips for Men, but whisking an egg together with a teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil and applying it to your hair can have a lasting, positive impact on your hair.

Protein deficiencies can leave hair dull, brittle and unhealthy.  Since eggs are full of proteins, minerals and vitamins, applying an egg wash to hair can increase volume, elasticity, thickness and root strength.

Apply the mixture to clean, dry hair and let it sit for 20 minutes.  Then, get into the shower and rinse with cool water to avoid cooking the egg.  After rinsing, apply a conditioner and follow Tip #4.


That’s it!  Follow these simple steps, and you will have set the foundation for a healthy, strong, and luscious mane.

Thanks for reading 5 Quick Steps on How To Wash Hair for Men!

Learn about the extraordinary benefits of taking cold showers at: 5 Surprising Benefits of Cold Showers

Check out some of our other popular grooming articles: A Wingman for Your Face: CC Cream Tinted Face Moisturizer for MenA Complete Guide to Men’s Hair Products & Best Haircut for Your Face Shape, a Men’s Guide.

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  1. […] more of our popular articles: A Wingman For Your Face: CC Cream Tinted Face Moisturizer For Men, 5 Quick Steps on How to Wash Hair for Men, Best Haircut for Your Face Shape, a Men’s […]

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