As those bonds are broken, the hair becomes straighter, but weaker.' 'They actually break apart the bonds on the outer layer of the hair that maintain curls. 'Chemical straighteners are notorious,' says Joshua Zeichner, Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC. Harsh chemicals and treatments can destroy hair, like severe dye or chemical hair relaxers.
'But guys who wear their hair shorter, they clip that damage right off.' Culprit 2: Salon-Level Damage 'Yes, the ends can dry out or become brittle,' says Julian. Or if you want to be uber-gentle, style with a leave-in conditioner-Julian likes the spray from Bed Head for Men.īut even if your hair suffers a bit of damage, guys who favor close haircuts get a pass. Water-based products wash out the most easily, so you don't have to shampoo more than you would anyway. Pro tips: look for styling products that say 'alcohol-free' on the label, and are water-based. This leaves it weak and susceptible to breakage. Alcohol can especially dry your hair out, says Albert Julian, a master barber based in NYC.