Apr 7, 2026 | Blog, Men’s Hair Care
Almost every year in late June, the same question arises in our barbershop. One of our regulars takes the place in the chair, looks into the mirror, and claims his hair has taken over his entire head since the last haircut. The hot summer days are finally here, and it turns out that men cannot survive without a haircut every two weeks instead of the traditional four.
Our clients at First & Mane say that very often, and, in the majority of cases, they turn out to be right. Indeed, when the weather is nice, men go out, become healthier, and their hair grows faster.
But is there any scientific evidence to prove this assumption? Having seen thousands of haircuts, we decided to analyze this issue. Today, we are going to explain how your follicles react to rising temperatures, especially if you are looking for a Scottsdale, AZ, barber shop near you.
The Process of Natural Hair Growth
It is impossible to discuss the impact of weather on hair growth without understanding how hair grows naturally, including the common question, does hair grow quicker in the summer? There are three stages that a hair follicle goes through before becoming visible on the head. The first phase is the anagen phase. This is the stage when hair follicles grow actively. It takes two to six years for one hair to reach the end of this cycle.
Next, it is replaced by the catagen phase. This is a short transitional period when hair stops growing and detaches from the bloodstream. The final stage is the telogen phase. During this resting period, hair follicles remain inactive for several weeks and fall off, allowing for new hairs to start growing.
The whole cycle depends on different external and internal factors. Of course, genetics plays the leading role in this process. Still, your diet, hormonal balance, and the overall state of your health also affect how healthy and fast-growing your hair is.
The Influence of Summer Weather
In the summer, everything changes around you, and your organism reacts to it. Firstly, the sun becomes brighter, and you spend more time outdoors under direct sunlight. Thanks to this, you obtain more vitamin D. This specific vitamin helps you to create new hair follicles. Increased levels of this substance can even activate dormant hair follicles and force them to enter the growth phase, which helps explain the question of…do hair grow faster in summer?
Physical warmth also contributes to the accelerated hair growth process. With rising temperatures, your body begins to struggle to reduce heat. To achieve this goal, your cardiovascular system pumps a lot more blood to the skin surface, including your scalp. In such a way, you receive increased oxygen levels in the hair follicles.
Dispelling Myths About Hair Growth in Summer
As far as science goes, it seems that the hair follicles indeed become more active in the summer. According to several studies, hair growth rates peak during this time of the year thanks to increased blood circulation and hormonal changes triggered by additional daylight, which helps answer. why does hair grow faster in the summer.
Or does it? The difference may be insignificant. We are talking about just fractions of millimeters per month.
Your hair grows faster, but barely so. The fact is that you have the feeling that your hair grew faster in the summer only because you perceive it differently. With the help of humid weather, your hair follicles swell up and become more noticeable. While there is some evidence for faster hair growth during summer days, it is hardly strong enough to change your styling routine entirely.
FAQs on Summer Hair
Do summer months prevent hair loss?
Yes, many men claim that in summer, they find fewer hairs on the floor of their bathroom. In reality, we tend to retain a lot more hair during summer to prevent the sunburn.
Does excessive sweating spoil your scalp health?
There is nothing wrong with sweating. This process consists of just two components – water and salt. However, the combination of salt and natural hair oils can cause problems. In order to avoid this situation, you should cleanse your scalp after sweating intensively.
How frequently should I get haircuts in the summer?
Even though hair follicles grow a bit faster, the increased humidity levels mean that it will seem that you have gained a lot more volume. As a result, you may need to see a barber once every three weeks rather than four. Trimmed hair will look neat and tidy no matter how hot it is, even if hair grows faster in summer.
Maintain Perfect Hairstyle in Summer
The secret of increased hair follicle activity during the summer is revealed. Yes, the sunshine causes some slight changes in your scalp. However, the main contribution to increased hair volume comes from high humidity levels and outdoor activities. If you notice the growth of your hair has accelerated, do not wait for summer to pass. Instead, you should immediately come to us to get rid of your worries! very morning. At First & Mane, we feel proud of being able to offer personalized styles and cuts to our clients based on their lifestyles, head types and hair structure. Come to us and enjoy an amazing taper hairstyle!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Mar 31, 2026 | Men’s Hair Care
As professionals dealing with clients’ scalps every day, we often come across thinning, changes in hair texture and the presence of pesky white flakes. There are people who ask us in the chair if these pesky white flakes are the ones responsible for causing hair thinning. Indeed, you are not the only one thinking about the link between dandruff and hair loss.
If you are looking for expert advice, you can always contact First & Mane in Old Town, Scottsdale. Such thoughts are completely reasonable because having an itchy scalp is already frustrating enough. But don’t worry! We have prepared everything you need to know about this matter.
What is Dandruff?
To begin with, it is very important to learn what dandruff is before finding out how it influences hair. Firstly, it must be mentioned that dandruff is a common scalp condition which can happen to anyone regardless of the frequency of hair washing. It occurs due to excessive skin flaking and can either be caused by dry skin or triggered by a yeast-like fungus named Malassezia. This fungus feeds on the natural oils produced by hair follicles and causes excessive shedding of the skin. Therefore, when suffering from this condition, one may see small white flakes on his or her shoulders.
How Does Dandruff Affect Hair?
Healthy hair requires a healthy scalp environment for its normal functioning. It is quite like a garden with soil. In case the soil in it becomes either too dry or too inflamed, the plants growing in it cannot develop properly. Hence, severe dandruff creates unfavorable conditions for hair growth.
Thankfully, the flakes that occur during dandruff do not influence the hair shaft directly and are completely harmless. However, the unhealthy scalp environment makes it difficult for hair follicles to function normally. Many people wonder, can dandruff cause hair loss or impact the overall quality of their hair?
Can Dandruff Cause Hair Loss?
Fortunately, the answer is negative. White flakes do not cause any damage to hair shafts because of their soft structure. So, if hair falls out, dandruff is not the reason behind such a problem. On the other hand, one of the symptoms of dandruff is an intense itching of a person’s scalp.
When it appears, it is hard for a sufferer to resist the feeling and start scratching. This leads to the physical destruction of hair follicles which results in hair breakage and thinning. So, can dandruff lead to hair loss? It’s important to understand the effects of continuous scalp irritation.
Types of Hair Loss Related to Scalp Disorders
There are several kinds of hair loss associated with scalp disorders. Among them, the first thing to mention is friction alopecia. It is simply an outcome of scratching and rubbing your scalp. It leads to hair follicle damage, thus, resulting in hair fall-out. Telogen effluvium is another kind of hair loss which happens due to severe inflammation of a person’s scalp. Such inflammation can put excessive stress on hair follicles which then enter the resting phase and consequently lose hair.
In some cases, dandruff hair thinning can occur as a result of persistent scalp issues. Besides, sometimes people confuse male pattern baldness with dandruff, even though it is a completely genetic issue and unrelated to the problem under discussion.
Conclusion
Now you have learned more about dandruff-related hair problems. While some people think dandruff can cause hair loss, it’s usually scalp irritation and not the flakes themselves that lead to trouble. Remember that a healthy scalp is the guarantee of healthy hair.
In persistent cases, scalp problems could be linked with concerns like dandruff and balding or the feeling that dandruff causes hair to fall. In case you are having some trouble with white flakes, try not to scratch and seek professional help. During your haircut, talk to your stylist who will offer you proper shampoo suggestions and give useful recommendations!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Feb 16, 2026 | Men’s Grooming Tips, Men’s Hair Care
A dry and flaky scalp is uncomfortable. And it also affects one’s self-confidence as well as self-esteem. So not the best way to start a Monday!
At First & Mane, we’ve seen many men who have itchy, irritated, and flaky scalps. The weird thing is that their regular shampoo is actually making their condition worse. For men who prefer styles like the French crop haircut, maintaining scalp health is especially important.
The good news is that the best shampoo options can help, and it’s easy to make more informed decisions. To assist you in finding the best shampoo, we will now discuss the key factors you need to consider!
Why a Dry Scalp Shampoo is the Best Choice for You
Unlike other shampoos that are meant to clean your hair but end up removing the essential oils that your scalp requires to stay healthy, the best men’s shampoo for a dry scalp is meant to moisturize your scalp while cleaning your hair. This is the reason why we have seen many men in our barber shop who are unaware of the fact that their regular shampoos can actually make their scalp worse.
Key Ingredients Found in the Best Shampoo for Your Dry Scalps
It’s always important to consider the ingredients used in the best shampoo (you just can’t ignore this anymore – sorry!). For many, choosing a men’s shampoo for a dry scalp can make a noticeable difference in comfort and scalp health. It’s important to note that not all moisturizing shampoos are the same.
Tea Tree Oil
This is an antiseptic that reduces inflammation and helps in killing fungi or bacteria that cause dryness in your scalp. In addition to that, it also has a cooling effect that will bring you instant relief from an itchy scalp. When you are purchasing a dry scalp shampoo for men with tea tree oil, you have to ensure that it is included in the shampoo’s ingredients early on to ensure that it is included in sufficient quantities.
Ketoconazole
If you have more serious cases of dryness and flakiness in your scalp, then you might want to use a shampoo for dry scalp for men with ketoconazole as an antifungal that targets the source of dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. We recommend this shampoo to you if you have failed to find relief from other shampoos. However, it is essential to use it correctly to avoid abuse.
Moisturizing Agents
Glycerin, aloe vera, and natural oils like argan and jojoba assist in moisturizing your scalp. These are essential to the health of your scalp, and choosing a men’s dry scalp shampoo with these ingredients can make a noticeable difference.
Washing Techniques to Prevent Further Dryness
Sadly, it doesn’t matter how good the shampoo you’re using is if you’re not using it correctly. We have seen many men make mistakes in washing their hair that cause them to have an itchy and dry scalp. We’re here to guide you through the washing technique so that you will be able to have an itch-free scalp in no time.
Use Lukewarm Water
While hot water feels great and is soothing to an itchy scalp, it is also drying. Ensure that you are only using lukewarm water to wash your hair. When you are done washing your hair, use cool water to rinse in order to shut your cuticle and ease your itchy scalp.
Shampoo Your Scalp and Not Your Hair
Next time, you should try and massage the shampoo into your scalp, using your fingertips rather than your nails. This will ensure the blood is flowing, and the shampoo is getting to the parts of your scalp where it is needed the most. Leave the shampoo in your hair for a minute or two before rinsing it out.
Don’t Over-Wash Your Hair
Over-washing your hair is only going to dry your scalp even more. We recommend washing your hair two or three times a week. On the other days, try and rinse your hair with water.
Condition Your Hair After Washing
This is yet another area where men are getting it wrong. This is a crucial step in ensuring your scalp is moisturized and hydrated.
Conditioner is supposed to be used only in your hair ends and lengths, never your scalp. This is because it will lead to buildup.
Finding the Right Product
At the end of the day, every person’s scalp is different. What works for your friend may not work for you. You will have to try a few of the products mentioned here and find the right one for your use.
If your problem still persists even after you have done your best with the special products and the right methods of washing your scalp, it is time to book an appointment with your doctor.
There is no need to complicate the process. With the right ingredients and the right methods of washing your scalp, you will have a better experience and a better head of hair too. If you need personalized advice, don’t be afraid to ask the next time you’re in First & Mane!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Jan 29, 2026 | Men’s Grooming Tips, Men’s Hair Care
We see guys in the chair daily at First & Mane who think about their hair as if it were the rug in their house and wash it vigorously with strong soap each morning. You’ve got to clean your hair, but you might be doing more harm than good with what you’re doing. Your hair needs a little bit of thinking outside the box when it comes to the rinse and repeat cycle. If you’re ever in town, a Scottsdale men’s haircut can help you determine the best approach for your individual needs.
Our clients are always surprised to learn that shampooing not only cleans one’s hair but also helps to maintain the natural oil produced by one’s scalp. The natural oil produced by one’s scalp has its name as sebum, and it plays a crucial part in ensuring that one’s hair remains hydrated. Over-washing one’s scalp leads to the removal of these oils, hence making one’s skin look dry and irritated, while under-washing leads to clogged pores and dull skin.
Understanding Your Profile
Before giving you schedule advice, it is important that you analyze the variables that are involved. There is no one set rule that applies to all men because all heads of hair are distinct and unique in their own way.
How often should men wash their hair? The first variable that we look at is the type of hair that you have. It is important that you understand that the role of genetics is vast with respect to how oily your head is and how fast the oils travel on the hair shaft.
Your lifestyle and environment also play a huge role in this. If you are spending five days a week in the gym sweating it out, your scenario will be entirely different compared to a person sitting at a desk in an air-conditioned environment. If you are working in an outdoor setup in a polluted city or a construction site, your hairs will be exposed to dust that will need more frequent washing.
Another common question is, should men wash their hair every day? The answer is likely no, but let’s break down some different hair types.
Managing Oily Hair
If you realize that you have greasy hair or flat hair by the end of the day, it means that you either have fine hair or that you have an oily scalp. For such men, we would advise them to wash their hair either on a daily basis or every other day.
You may ask, how often do men wash their hair when it’s oily? The goal that you want to achieve in this process is to get rid of the extra oils without drying your scalp. This is because your scalp might end up producing more oils as a result.
Dealing with Dry, Coarse, or Curly Hair
On the other hand, for clients with thick, coarse, or curly hair, it is difficult for the natural oils to run down the hair strands. If these clients were to wash their hair on a daily basis, it is bound to become brittle and frizzy. That is why we recommend that our curly or dry clients only wash their hair once or twice a week. If one is required to shower on a day when one is not supposed to wash one’s hair, one only needs to wash the hair with water or co-wash with conditioner only. Can guys wash their hair every day? Yes, but it’s not advised if you have these hair types.
The Routine for Normal Hair
You are one of the lucky ones if your “normal” hair isn’t either excessively oily or dry. In any case, we always recommend washing your hair every two to three days. This means your natural oils can condition your hair as it was intended to, but it keeps any product or grime from building up on your locks. This is your call to wash your hair if it looks like it needs it or if it lacks its natural shine.
Find Your Rhythm
In short, we think that listening to your hair is the most important thing we can tell you. Perhaps you are washing it too frequently if you have an itchy scalp or a tight feeling on your scalp. Perhaps you are not washing it enough if you notice flakes or if your hair looks oily. We encourage you to try this guide to help you determine what’s best for your hair. Also, visit First & Mane for personalized advice during your next cut!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Jan 15, 2026 | Men’s Grooming Tips, Men’s Hair Care
We see it time and time again, right in our chairs at First & Mane. The client comes in, describes what they are looking for, and confesses that they can never quite capture the look on their own at home. The trouble, more often than not, isn’t their skill or the quality of the cut. It simply has to do with the fact that they are working with the wrong product. The hair care section of the drugstore can be overwhelming, and it is common practice to simply grab what you see and go.
To help you upgrade your daily routine, we are going to break down two of the biggest players in the male grooming industry: pomade vs hair gel. Knowing how each works and their chemistry will give your hair the same look whether it’s been cut or not.
Understanding the Classic Pomade
Pomade is the traditional gentlemen’s grooming product. If you can picture the slicked back hairstyles of the 1950s, or the pompadours and quiffs we cut today, you can picture pomade. Traditionally, these products were oil-based, which means that they were very hard to wash out of the hair.
In today’s market, we’d suggest you look for water-based pomades. They provide you with the same pliable hold without the grease, and they come out easily at the end of the day. Flexibility is the main attribute you want to remember in this regard. Pomade does not crunch or harden. It allows you to comb your hair at 2 PM and restyle it with the ease you had at 8 AM. It is made to work with your hair, not against it.
The High Hold of Hair Gel
Hair gel is probably the first styling product you used in high school. It is renowned for its maximum hold and extreme high shine. In contrast to pomade, hair gel uses alcohol and hold polymers to hold hair in place. Once it dries, it will stay in the position you placed it in until you wash it off.
This formulation gives it a stiff hold, which is nearly wind-resistant. Although it went out of fashion for a short period when natural hairstyles became the fashion, gels work well for a particular kind of styled hair where the enemy is movement. It gives a wet look that will last all day, although it is not touch-friendly.
Comparison of the Finish and Feel
The largest difference between gel and pomade is in finish and feel. The gel dries into a shell around the hair shaft that has an extreme hold but no give. If you try to touch your hair after you have dried it with gel, you’ll see that your hold is broken and often comes out as white flakes on your shoulders. It is a set it and forget it type of product.
The pomade can still be worked with throughout the day. Also, it won’t dry out the hair. As for its components, gels contain high amounts of alcohol, which dries out the scalp when used on a daily basis without using an appropriate conditioner. The pomade is less harsh on the scalp area compared to gels when it comes to shine finish – matte to high shine.
Picking the Right Choice for Your Hair Type
Choosing the winner is completely dependent on your hair type and the look you’re trying to create. For instance, if you have really thick and frizzy hair, and you’re looking for something to help you defy gravity and create spikes or a sharply defined side part, then you’re looking for the help of the former in the hair gel vs pomade debate.
But for those with thinner hair or those who like a natural flow, we highly recommend the use of the former between pomade or gel. This not only gives your hair volume and texture, it also doesn’t weigh your hair down and doesn’t show your scalp by matting your hair together in chunks.
If you like to run your fingers through your hair, don’t use gel. If you like your hairstyle to look exactly the same when you get home as it did when you left the house, gel may be the solution.
The Hunt for the Perfect Finish
A good start to upgrading your grooming routine involves knowing what goes on your head. If you’re a man who requires the sturdy hold of a gel or the refined and flexible hold of a pomade, the key to your confidence boost begins with the right tool.
But if you’re still not sure which tub you’d rather grab, gel or pomade, just come on down to our shop for your next haircut. We’d be happy to evaluate your hair type and walk you through exactly how you can apply our product for that freshly barbered look every morning. For expert advice and a great cut, experience our barbershop services firsthand at First & Mane!
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
Apr 15, 2025 | Hairstyles by Face Shape, Men’s Hair Care
Male pattern baldness is a difficult condition for men to go through, both in how it affects self-confidence and also in how it changes appearance. Balding happens to many men, but does not have to be something that leaves your personal style compromised. A well-groomed balding man’s haircut can be a big difference maker, highlighting your face and putting you in top shape to feel and look the best. No matter if you newly start to suffer from thinning hair or already show considerable loss, there are many steps you can take.
Learning Hair Loss
It’s important before you choose a haircut to understand how hair loss happens. The most prevalent, male pattern baldness, is actually genetic and involves hormones such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) that act over time on hair follicles. Other causes may include stress, diet, or health conditions. Regardless of the cause, making the best of what you have and adjusting to your appearance according to your own pattern of hair loss is most essential. Whether you’re looking for a haircut in Scottsdale or elsewhere, understanding your hair loss will help you make the best choice.
Best Haircut Styles
Balding does have some haircut styles that are excellent at concealing thinning hair and accentuating your best features.
For light male thinning, an all-over crew cut is a surefire winner. This cuts everything right down to the head and gives an even look with not much visual distinction between thinner and thicker spots. It’s neat, simple, and low-maintenance.
If your balding is more severe, the buzz cut is probably your best option. This very short cut prevents the frustration of having to deal with areas where the hair will not grow back, and shifts attention somewhere else on your head, such as your jawline or beard.
The other option is the clean shave. When baldness is advanced enough that it can no longer be hidden, eliminating it entirely by shaving is a liberating choice. The shaved, bald look is confident and is part of an unassuming personal image.
For those who want to maintain some length, the cropped textured cut is a contemporary option. It involves maintaining some length on top but shaving close on the sides and adding texture that fills thinning areas discreetly. It’s particularly wonderful with light styling products to provide volume. This is one of the most stylish haircuts for balding men today.
What to Avoid
Not every haircut is equal when balding is involved. Some haircuts or styles of grooming will accentuate balding areas, and loss of hair will be more noticeable.
The comb-over is a haircut that will most likely be hurtful rather than helpful. While it might seem like an easy fix for covering up a bald spot, it will look phony and call attention to the problem rather than concealing it.
In the same way, don’t try to grow out your hair in order to hide bald spots. Bald spots under long hair create contrast and call attention to hair loss. Instead, keep your hair short with a style that gives a neat, solid look. Consider trying men’s hairstyles for a bald spot that blend seamlessly with your hairline.
Finally, don’t overdo heavy styling products like gel. They weigh your hair down and make the scalp show through underneath, adding to thinning. Light matte products are a better choice for volume and natural texture.
Style, Confidence, and Hair Loss
Hair loss doesn’t have to dominate your style. By choosing haircuts for men who are balding that work with, rather than against, your natural balding line and hairline, you can remain sleek and cool. From the rugged sex appeal of a close shave to the chic edge of a textured cut, there are many hairstyles for bald men that keep you looking fashionable.
Remember, your haircut is just one aspect of your overall look. Pair it with a great outfit, a well-groomed beard, or an accessory that reflects your personal style, and you’ll turn heads for all the right reasons.
Take the leap, experiment with some new styles, and own your look with confidence.
Dru Meskan is the owner and master barber at First & Mane in Scottsdale, Arizona. With 19 years of haircutting experience, including 11 years as a professional barber, Dru is known for precision cuts, modern grooming techniques, and personalized service that keeps clients looking and feeling their best.
