If you’re new to pomades or curious about using this beloved hairstyling product, you might be wondering what are the long-term effects of using pomade on your hair. Nowadays, with so many ingredients being added to our foods, skincare, and yes even our haircare, it’s only right we do our due diligence and find out what exactly is being applied to our hair.

So, is pomade bad for your hair? The quick answer is no, pomade is not bad for your hair. Research has not validated claims that pomade is bad for hair, but not all pomades are made the same. While a pomade might not lead to damage and hair loss, making sure you are using a pomade made with natural ingredients is key to keep your hair healthy.

What is a pomade?

You might already know what a pomade is and have probably used one, or had a hairdresser apply it to your hair. But incase you need a reminder, a pomade is a hair styling product usually made out of oil, wax, water or clay. The pomade provides light to strong hold to the hair helping to prevent frizz and keep hairstyles locked in place all day.

Pomades can add shine to the hair depending on the type of pomade you use; they can also give you a matte finish if you’re using a clay-based product. They are usually package in a shallow jar allowing you to scoop up the product and emulsify it into the palm of your hands before applying. Pomades have been the go-to hair product in men’s grooming for centuries, but the product can be used by anyone.

What to watch out for when using a pomade

There is no research to show that pomades lead to hair damage or hair loss, but you should watch out for oil-based, strong hold pomades. Oil-based pomades are known for being extremely difficult to wash—some complain that they have to wash their hair multiple times to thoroughly remove the pomade. If you don’t remove all the product, you will end up with buildup in your hair which leads to flat, greasy hair and can make you scalp dry and flaky.

Strong hold products like oil-based pomades could lead you to pulling your hair too hard accidentally while styling. You might be overusing product and roughly combing through it—we’ve all been in a rush and brushed our hair too roughly. Just be careful when styling your hair, but if you do lose more hair strands than usual, stay calm, they will grow back soon enough.

Hair pomades and hair thinning

Maybe you’ve styled your hair and all of a sudden look in the mirror and see a little too much of your scalp showing. Shocked at the sight, you immediately assume you’re balding because of the pomade, but that might not be the case. Pompadour hairstyles takes a lot of product which could lead the hair to clump together, similar to when using hair gel. This effect should only last while you have the pomade in your hair, but after washing your hair, you’ll be fine.

Can pomade improve hair health?

A natural pomade like our Glacial Clay Pomade, will help improve and maintain your hair feeling its best. Our ingredients include jojoba oil known for moisturizing the hair; we also mix in vitamin E which is a natural preservative that nourishes the scalp and promotes hair health. Shea butter is another of our key ingredients that will promote hair growth, so you can rest assure you will not be experiencing any hair thinning when using the Glacial Clay pomade.

Our pomade provides a light to medium hold—layer in the product slowly to achieve the hold you need. Building up the desired hold, will allow your to manipulate and restyle your hair all day; the product will make your hair feel soft and not harden at all.

So, the bottom line is, no pomades are not bad for your hair, but using the right one will encourage hair health while helping you achieve any hairstyle. Hair styling product should not only style your hair they should be protecting your hair as you use them.