Many men with coarse hair struggle to find styling options beyond the traditional short or buzzed haircut.
Many men with coarse hair struggle to find styling options beyond the traditional short or buzzed haircut. However, coarse hair in men is often thick, with lots of natural volume, which can be a real asset when it comes to haircuts and styling options.
If you’ve got this type of hair, you’re probably here with some questions, like: What are the best styling products for males with thick hair? And how do I style stiff or wiry hair?
Here, we’ll cover styling tips for men’s coarse hair, including which hair products work best and what to avoid to keep your mane healthy and looking its best.
Coarse hair can look a bit different from person to person, but it’s generally described as stiff or wiry. Coarse is one of three types of hair texture, which is determined by the width or circumference of each individual strand of your hair. The other hair textures are fine and medium.
To figure out your hair texture, take one strand of your hair and roll it gently between your thumb and forefinger. If you have coarse hair, you’ll feel the hair easily, similar to a piece of sturdy thread. If you barely or don’t feel the hair at all, you likely have fine hair. Medium hair texture is somewhere in between coarse and fine. You can also ask your hairstylist if you’re unsure.
Two other factors come into play that affect how your hair looks and behaves:
Understandably, many people confuse coarse and thick hair. They’re different qualities, but it’s common to have both. Hair density refers to the amount of total hairs on your head (technically speaking, it’s a measure of the number of hair follicles on your scalp per square inch).
If you have a lot of hair, your hair is considered thick, but if density is low, your hair is thin. Density can change over time (which happens with male pattern baldness).
Here’s the tricky thing, though: You can have coarse, thin hair or coarse, thick hair.
Hair type can get pretty complicated, but for the sake of simplicity, hair is either straight, wavy, curly, or coily. Curly and coily hair types are often associated with coarseness, but you can also have straight, coarse hair.
You can learn a whole lot more about this in our guide to men’s hair type and texture.
If you’re just beginning to embrace your naturally coarse hair, you may not know exactly how to care for it. Start with these tips and strategies, which also work for very thick hair:
Shampoo less frequently: You don’t need to wash your coarse hair daily. Washing too often can strip the scalp of natural oils and dry out the hair. Coarse hair does best with moisture, which helps keep it hydrated.
Plan for an adjustment period: If you’re used to having a buzzcut or very close-cropped hair, there will probably be a period of trial and error as you grow out your hair and learn what it needs. If you have curls, for example, it may take some time for the natural curl pattern to settle in. You may have to experiment with a different combination of products to learn what works best (more on that in a minute).
Get trims: You'll still need to trim your hair occasionally when you’re growing out medium-length or long coarse hair. Yes, it’s counterintuitive, but small trims help your hair look and feel healthy.
Style with texture in mind: Coarse hair tends to be naturally voluminous (lucky you), so embrace styles that work with that, like messy waves or defined curls.
Use a satin pillowcase: This may seem a little extra, but sleeping on a satin pillowcase can help reduce friction that often causes frizz, split ends, or breakage in coarse, stiff hair.
Opt for the right haircut: Work with a barber who understands your hair type and will consider factors like your face shape and how much regular styling you’re willing to do. Textured cuts, fades, or layered styles can help manage volume, whereas overly short cuts may cause coarse hair to stick out or feel stiff.
Incorporating certain styling products into your haircare routine is a great way to manage coarse hair.
Moisturizing shampoo: Next time you’re in the drugstore, look closely at different shampoos. You’ll see clarifying shampoos, volumizing and thickening shampoos, and moisturizing or hydrating shampoos, to name a few. Coarse hair often needs extra moisture to look its best, so a hydrating shampoo is a great starting point.
Conditioner: Wondering how to soften coarse hair? Conditioner can really help. While many men skip this step, using conditioner every time you shampoo your hair helps replenish moisture and makes hair more manageable.
Deep conditioner: To restore moisture and reduce frizz, treat your hair with a deep-conditioning mask once a week. Look for products with ingredients like shea butter or coconut oil.
Leave-in conditioner: As the name suggests, leave-in conditioner is a product you don’t rinse out. A little goes a long way in helping to keep hair hydrated and manageable throughout the day.
Anti-frizz serum or styling cream: These products help smooth out unruly, coarse hair and protect it from humidity.
Texturizing pomades or clay: Pomades and clays can provide hold and definition for coarse hair that feels unruly. Both have a natural matte finish.
Mousse: Lightweight mousse can enhance your natural waves without making your hair stiff or crunchy.
Gel: If you’re creating a slicked-back style, use gel to help hold the hair back. You can mix it with a little hair oil or leave-in conditioner for a softer hold. One of the great things about coarse hair is that it tends to hold style and volume well.
Heat protectants: Heat-protectant sprays or balms are essential to protect your hair from damage if you use a hair dryer or other hot tools (although this isn’t generally recommended on coarse hair).
We don’t want to give you a long list of things you shouldn’t do if you have coarse hair because each person’s hair is different, and something that doesn’t work for one person with coarse hair may work well for someone else. Consider these to be general guidelines about what’s best to skip with coarse hair, but also consult with your hairstylist on the best way to keep your hair healthy.
Thinning shears: Many barbers and hairstylists use thinning shears on their clients to add texture to hair. Coarse hair tends to have natural texture, and enhancing it with shears can make hair look bushy.
Brushing dry hair: Brushing coarse hair while it’s dry tends to make it look frizzy and unruly. Instead, use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to gently brush through your hair in the shower, or wet your hair with a spray bottle before brushing, then let it air dry naturally.
Overusing hot tools or chemical treatments: Be mindful not to overdo chemical treatments (like perms) or overuse hot tools like blow dryers, which can damage hair if used excessively. When coarse hair gets damaged, it tends to look frizzy or rough. If you plan to try heat styling, make sure to use a heat-protectant spray.
Rubbing hair dry with a terrycloth towel: Towel-drying your hair after the shower may seem like an obvious thing to do, but the roughness of the towel can create friction on the hair, which leads to frizz. Instead, use a soft, microfiber towel or even a T-shirt, or simply let your hair air dry instead.
Coarse, wiry hair may feel unruly at times, but once you learn how to style it, you’ll see all the benefits of coarse hair — it tends to look full with natural volume and often holds its style well whether you wear it curly, long, or slicked back.
Here are a few key things to remember about coarse hair in men:
Coarse hair’s natural thickness and fullness can be a great asset. Work with styles and products that enhance its texture and shape rather than fighting against it.
Coarse hair thrives with moisture, so invest in hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and occasional deep-conditioning treatments to keep your mane manageable and frizz-free. Mousse and pomade can help hold hair in place, and heat protectants are important if you plan to use a blow dryer.
If possible, stay away from harsh heat tools, excessive dry-brushing, and rough towel-drying to prevent unnecessary damage or frizz.
To learn more about your hair type and how to care for it, check out our guides to men’s curly hair types and hair care tips for men.
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