MenScience: March 2009 Newsletter

It’s a fact that men care about their hair. Even guys who generally don’t fuss with their appearance pay attention to how their hair looks – they notice the style, the hair loss, the grays, and the flakes. And it’s critical to get it right, since hair is a big part of a first impression.

If you’ve ever woken up to a bad hair day, have thinning hair, or simply think that your hair can look better now’s the time to discover the antidote – a combination of proper hair care and a great haircut, complemented by the right hair care products.

We’re excited to introduce a new revolutionary men’s hair care product this month – MenScience’s Hair Styling Pomade. It’s the most versatile hair product in your toolbox and it’ll help you gain control over your look by getting a handle on your hair. Our March newsletter focuses on the style and look of your hair. We’ll discuss how to improve your hairstyle, and to best apply hair pomade for a natural look.
 

Make every day a good hair day,
Christine Cabral, Editor
 
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A good hairstyle works wonders for your confidence and overall appearance. Your first impression on the job or in a new relationship can be immediately helped or hurt by how your hair looks. Everybody notices how your hair looks and most people find ragged, unclean-looking hair to be a turn-off. Prospective employers and your boss take notice, too. They’re looking for someone who takes care of himself.

Every man has struggled with his hairstyle at one point or another. Most men consider changing their style, the amount of maintenance needed, and their styling techniques. If you need a low/no maintenance style or want a change from the hair you’ve had since before you could drive, don’t just chop it all off. Here’s how you can find the style that works for your look and lifestyle.

Consider the following factors: height, race, skin color, texture of hair, hair thickness, lifestyle, and the amount of hair on your head. Use this style guide to choose the ‘do that best suits you:

  • Classic Cut: All-around short, "neat" hair. It's no fuss, low maintenance and requires only some pomade to give it a bit of style. Use pomade in specific spots to put those random hairs back into place.

  • The Shag: A "shaggy" look with hair cut fine and bangs completely swept to one side rather than parted in the middle. Keep the style tousled and side-swept by running a bit of pomade through damp hair, arranging hairs in the proper direction.

  • Bald-By-Choice: Guys that are balding may consider taking control and shaving it all off—it’s a trendy alternative to the dreaded comb over, and its becoming increasingly popular with guys in their 20’s and 30’s.

  • Low Tide: For those with a receding hairline, cut the front of your hair very short, with the rest of your hair short all around.

  • Controlled Curls: For guys with curly hair, preventing frizz is key. A great haircut and the right products will help achieve this. When getting your haircut, ask your stylist about balancing the weight of your hair (a good stylist should know.) Most will tell you that weight should be removed from the hair according to a guy’s face, head shape, and features—certain places like the sides should have minimal weight to avoid a frazzled look, while the top can maintain some weight to give it the right body and structure. Use pomade to prevent frizz and keep curly hair defined.

     

After you’ve found your perfect cut, be sure to finish and maintain the look by following these cutting edge hair care tips:

Match your hair care products to your hair.
Most men don’t realize how important using the right hair product is to the overall look of your hair. Too much of the wrong kind of goop and you’ll end up looking like a greased up guy who’s trying too hard. A great product can give the hair texture, style, movement, and control. Pliable products are best to use because they aren’t too stiff and a little goes a long way. MenScience’s Hair Styling Pomade helps you get control without the greasiness or rigidity.

Don’t forget about the scalp.
Your scalp can become over dried or too oily, and both conditions lead to embarrassing flakes. You don’t have to be afraid to wear dark-colored shirts! Keep your scalp healthy by using a gentle shampoo that can be used daily that’ll dissolve build-up from the hair and scalp and rinse away leaving a clean, residue-free finish.

Moisture is your friend.
Men with dry hair will benefit from styling products that help condition the hair and scalp. Gels and sticky styling products can get hard, and many make the hair look greasy or crusty, especially if you use too much product. MenScience’s Hair Styling Pomade contains nurturing ingredients that condition the hair.

Trim the dead ends regularly.
Men should get their haircut every 4 weeks—if you go longer than this, hair will generally lose its shape and structure. Plus, if you get regular trims, you’ll have low maintenance hair.

Use the right washing and styling techniques.
You can do more for your hair than just wash and rinse. Use the quick and easy tips outlined in this article to wash, condition, style, and protect your hair.

   

Apply a dime-sized amount to either dry or towel-dried hair. Simply rub pomade between fingers to warm and soften and run fingers through the hair to distribute evenly. Pomade is a unique hair styling product which was first introduced centuries ago. Modern pomade is made to provide superior hold, shape, and structure, and allow for a style that focuses on a particular area to create definition and contrast.

If you want more hold, apply slightly more product, and rub vigorously between hands before applying. Maximum hold can be achieved by applying to dry hair. For best results, blow dry wet hair and apply pomade immediately after. If you want a softer hold, you can hair dry and use your hands to soften the finish after applying pomade.

To get an all-day hold, use throughout all of the hair and arrange hair into desired style. Allow to set naturally. Restyle as desired throughout the day.

Challenging hair responds well to hair pomade because of its consistency and ingredients. Try it on curly or wild hair that tends to have a mind of its own. For more hair, increase the amount of pomade used.

 In this issue:
How to Get the ‘Do That’s Right for You
Cutting Edge Hair Tips
Treatment: How to Apply a Hair Pomade
Spotlight: Hair Styling Pomade
Expert Advice: Hair Loss
The Lab: Lanolin and Panthenol
Hair Styling Pomade

This super-versatile styling product provides structure, control and strong-hold without stiffness or residues. If you have been turned off from traditional styling products like gel, mousse, or hairspray because of the crunchiness, greasiness, stickiness or flakiness – try pomade. It leaves hair looking naturally styled thanks to the matte finish. It is ideal for a wide variety of styling options and hair types. Use with textured cuts to create definition and curly or wavy hair to get control and create definition.

Hair pomade may look thick, but it goes on lightly. This formula has a completely clean and invisible finish without residues, flakes or stiffness, making the hair look natural and full of life.

MenScience Hair Styling Pomade is a water-based formula that washes off completely with water and will not dry hair. It works for you while you wear it by nurturing, conditioning, protecting, and strengthening your hair.

Even though some men are genetically pre-disposed to hair loss, it doesn’t mean you can’t take good care of the hair you have and work with what you’ve got! Here are a few more tips on how to care for your hair and prevent it from falling out:

  • Be gentle with your hair. Lightly massage your scalp when washing it. Towel dry gently when you get out of the shower, and go easy on the brushing. When blow drying avoid super hot settings and over pulling to prevent breakage. If you treat your hair gently you can reduce the number of hairs that break or fall out.

  • Try taking biotin, which is a major part of the natural hair growing process. It’s key to new hair growth. Small amounts of biotin are taken in through foods like egg yolks and liver, but 2-3 mg per day taken as a supplement is typically recommended by dermatologists and hair loss specialists.

  • Try green tea. While there are no official studies that support it, it has been said that by drinking 3 or 4 cups of green tea per day (or taking a supplement) DHT levels may be reduced. DHT is the male sex hormone that has been tied to male baldness.

  • Stop smoking and binge-drinking. Both of these vices can cause hair to be less-than-healthy, which results in more strands on the bathroom floor!

Lanolin & Panthenol

Lanolin is a fatty substance found naturally on sheep's wool. Skin lotions and hair products made with lanolin leave your skin and hair soft and supple. Hair products using the ingredient help protect the hair from drying out by preserving moisture.

Panthenol, also know as Vitamin B5, is a moisturizer with penetrating abilities to support cellular proliferation and tissue repair. It is an excellent hair nutrient credited with helping increase luster and elasticity, repair damage and increase hair thickness. Panthenol is great for revitalizing the hair. It is a humectant, which means it helps retain moisture in the hair and helps in absorption of nutrients.

 
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