Question: I've been applying a lot of gel to my hair every morning for years—it's so stiff I can't run my fingers through it anymore. My girlfriend says it's really bad for my hair. Is she right?
Answer: Daily styling gel use on normal hair is fine, as long as you wash it out regularly. Always check the ingredients for alcohol, which can dry out your hair.
That said, ultra-strong gels (like "ultrastrong" or "megahold") can make fine hair brittle. On thinner hair, they might even make the scalp more visible. Another issue: heavy gel often leaves white flakes once it dries.
These problems are easily avoided with more versatile options like pomade, wax, styling cream, or paste. These keep hair supple and flexible, reducing breakage risk. Plus, creams and pastes add volume by thickening individual strands, making hair look fuller and denser.
In short: Styling gels aren't harmful to hair, but switching to a different texture could give you better, healthier results.
Olivier Schmitt, American Crew Benelux and Switzerland, www.americancrew.nl
