Key Considerations When Choosing Shampoo for Men

Cleansing Power (The Short Hair Advantage) 

Men with short hair have the advantage of prioritizing scalp health over hair strand condition. This allows you to choose from a wider range of high-cleansing products, ranging from alkaline to acidic.

Shampoos designed for long hair (mostly targeted at women) often contain heavy conditioning (moisturizing) ingredients to prevent tangling and protect the strands. These types of shampoos can lack sufficient cleansing power for men, whose scalps typically produce excess sebum. 

Identify Your Scalp Type 

Just like skincare, men often struggle more than women to accurately identify their own scalp condition. 

• If your hair becomes oily or sticky less than 12 hours after washing, you have an Oily Scalp. Frequent itching in addition to oiliness may indicate Seborrheic Dermatitis.
• Conversely, if your hair remains clean and odor-free for about 24 hours, you likely have a Dry Scalp. If your hair isn't oily but you experience persistent itching or flaking, it's a sign that the scalp has become damaged due to lack of care (Sensitive Scalp). You should also check if you are routinely using too much shampoo. 
  

Once you understand your scalp type, choose a shampoo based on the type indicated on the product label. 

Factor in Your Hairstyling Routine 

If you have no underlying scalp issues and style your hair regularly, you should choose a shampoo that complements your styling routine.

Opt for mildly acidic or moisturizing shampoos that contain keywords like ‘Moisture’ or ‘Hydrating.’ If necessary, you can use a specialized scalp shampoo first, followed by a second wash with a moisturizing shampoo. 

While hair treatment or conditioner is essential for proper styling of long hair, men with short hair (above the ears) who have not bleached their hair can generally skip these steps without a major difference. 

Hair Loss Prevention Claims (Not a Priority) 

Many people check for hair growth-related features, such as Caffeine or Beer Yeast, hoping they will help mitigate hair loss. Naturally, your precious hair draws your attention to these claims.

However, we do not recommend prioritizing this functionality when choosing a shampoo, as dedicated use rarely provides substantial benefits. Instead, the focus should be on checking whether your scalp is itchy or excessively odorous, overly dry, or experiencing heat from dryness. A healthy scalp is the foundation for protecting your hair.