We sat down with Martial Vivot, owner and head stylist at Martial Vivot Salon Pour Hommes to talk Winter hair and what guys can do to avoid the most common problems.

The winter is pretty tough on skin but most guys forget that it can be equally tough on the hair and scalp. Are there things that guys can do/use to avoid an overly dry scalp and dandruff in the winter?

Well there are 2 different types of dandruff, the heavy, oily type and the flaky, dry type, which the majority of people have. This dry, flaky dandruff is the result of an overly dry scalp which is common in the winter since the cold can dry out not just your face but your scalp, something people tend to forget about. Because of this cold, dry air your hair and scalp need a greater amount of the natural oil it creates, so you should use a less detergent shampoo, something light that won’t be too harsh. You can also use a leave-in conditioner, a product most guys forget about or have some sort of stigma against, they think it’s too feminine, when in reality it could be your best friend.

It’s also important for guys to understand that using a dandruff shampoo when you don’t actually have any dandruff can severely damage your hair and can actually lead to more dandruff in the future. Only use dandruff shampoo when you actually have dandruff.

How often should a guy shampoo his hair in general? In the Winter?

I personally wash my hair everyday, but only with a gentle shampoo. In the Winter though I tend to wash only every other day.

Should a guy with normal hair (not too dry, not too oily) use conditioner?

It’s tough to say because it depends on so many factors, not just oil saturation. By in large however I think men should use conditioner, especially since many use very astringent shampoo and conditioner will help keep your hair from getting too dry and brittle.

While most guys we know take a shower in the morning and shampoo, what should a guy do when they leave the gym after work and want to go out without smelling like they’ve just been to the gym?

This is a very good question with unfortunately a limited answer. Since I’m French I may tell you to just use a spritz of cologne but that may not be so well accepted here [laugh].

For an average guy, will a generic shampoo from the local drug store be OK?

Yes, drug store shampoo is OK but it’s important to use it sporadically since they tend to be too strong for normal use and will quickly dry out your hair.

With a resurgence of the “classic” aesthetic in menswear and the ubiquitous spread of a certain tv show set in the 1960’s, are you seeing tighter, trimmer hair styles?

We’re aren’t necessarily seeing shorter hair, but certainly neater. It seems that guys need to show that they are “on top of their game”, perhaps a reaction to the economic times.

How should a guy manage his hair in the morning if there’s no time for a shower?

Though I mentioned it above leave-in conditioner is worth mentioning again because it works well in so many different situations. It not only hydrates your hair but you can actually use it as a light styling product since it gives a bit of hold. In the morning rush you can wet your hair, quickly towel dry it, run some leave-in conditioner through your hair and run out the door. It makes your hair look natural, not overly styled and is pretty healthy for it too.

If you had to pick a single actor in Hollywood with the best hair, who would it be?

Lucy: Mark Ruffalo, his hair is all about “less is more”. You almost can’t pay too much attention to it and really let it do its own thing, he never has a ‘hair-do’.

If you could give a single hair tip to the general male population that you see ignored or forgotten and could immediately enhance their hair, what would it be?

Like Lucy said, less is always more, never put too much product in your hair and let it be natural. Use well designed products in small amounts and you can’t go wrong.

Photos of Martial Vivot Salon Pour Hommes: