How to Take Care of a Mohawk

Co-authored by Kana Ishii

Last Updated: November 2, 2022 References

A mohawk is a fun, edgy style that can help you stand out from everyone else. It's a little high-maintenance because you have to trim the sides often. If you dye your 'hawk, then you'll have to take extra-good care of it in order to keep your hair healthy. The results are worth the effort, however. With the right care, upkeep, and styling, you can have a truly impressive mohawk.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Maintaining the Cut

1
Brush your mohawk to ensure that it is knot-free. If the hair on the sides of your head is longer than 1 inch (2.5 cm), run a comb through it as well. This will make it easier for the trimmers to run through them.^{[1]
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- This is not for giving yourself a mohawk; this is simply for trimming an existing mohawk.
2
Sweep your mohawk to the left side of your head. Make sure that you have a clean part between the long hair on the top of your head and the short hair on the side.^{[2]
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- If your mohawk is very long, use some hair clips to keep it out of your face.
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3
Cut the hair on the right side of your head using trimmers. Run the trimmers through your hair against the growth. Stop right at the edge of the mohawk, then run the trimmers along the edge of the mohawk, from hairline to nape.^{[3]
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- For more definition, switch to a shorter guard to fade your sideburns and nape.
- If you liked the original length of your sides, start with the same guard that you used when you cut them.
- If you didn't like the original length, start with a higher guard, then work your way down until you get the length you want.^{[4]
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4
Brush your mohawk over to the right side, and repeat the process. Unclip your mohawk first, then brush it over to the right side of your head. Secure it with clips, if needed, then trim the short hairs on the left side of your head.
- Remember to move against the direction that your hair is growing in.
5
Undo your mohawk, then pinch it where you want to cut it. Remove the clips holding your mohawk and brush it out. Make a V-shape with your middle and index fingers, then pinch a strand from your mohawk between them. Slide your fingers upwards, then stop where you want to cut.^{[5]
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- The section should span the width of your mohawk and should be about the same length as your middle and index fingers.
- Grab a section that's closest to your front hairline. This way, you can work your way back towards your nape.
6
Cut the hair that's sticking out above your fingers with scissors. If you are new to this, cut your mohawk a little longer than you want to. Remember, it's easier to cut your hair shorter if it's too long, but you'll have to wait for it to grow back if you cut it too short!
- Use a good pair of hairdresser's shears for this.
- For more texture, use a pair of thinning shears to cut your hair instead.
7
Use 1 of the cut sections of hair as a guide for the next section. Take the last 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so of hair that you cut, and add it to the next section of hair. Pinch your hair between your middle and index fingers again. Slide your fingers up until you reach the cut strand. Cut the long hair that's sticking out above your fingers until it's level with the cut strand.^{[6]
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- Keep going like this until you reach the back of your head.
8
Cut the hair longer towards the back of your head for a gradated look. You can try to keep your mohawk the same length from forehead to nape, but it's much easier to gradually make the strands longer and longer until they match the hairs on the bottom of your nape instead.^{[7]
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- This completes the trim, but it would be a good idea to go back over your hair and fix any uneven areas.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Keeping Your Hair Healthy

1
Wash your hair at least once per week with cool to lukewarm water. Avoid hot water as this can damage your hair. If you dye your hair, the hot water can cause the dye to fade even faster.
- How often you wash your hair also depends on how many styling products you use. However, you shouldn't wash it more than 2 or 3 times per week. Use dry shampoo in between washing your hair to reduce the oils and keep it looking fresh.
2
Use a clarifying shampoo or shampoo made for color-treated hair. A clarifying shampoo is great for removing build-up, while a shampoo made for color-treated hair will help hydrate and nourish your hair. If you dyed your mohawk, you should definitely be using shampoo made for color-treated hair.
- You can also use sulfate-free products. Sulfates are what causes hair dye to fade.
- If you dyed your mohawk, you can still use a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo every once in a while to help eliminate build-up.
3
Use conditioner every time you wash your hair. While the shampoo will take care of cleaning your scalp and hair, you still need something to hydrate and nourish your hair—even if it's a thin strip. For best results, use the matching conditioner for your shampoo.
- Every couple of weeks, use a deep conditioning mask instead. Follow the instructions on the bottle.
4
Go product-free a few times each week to give your hair a break. When you style your hair, you have to use a lot of products. Unless you wash your hair every single day, these can lead to build-up over time. Unfortunately, washing your hair daily can strip it of its natural oils and make it dry.
- Comb your unstyled mohawk off to one side or wear a cool hat over your head.
- If your mohawk is wide enough, you could even pull it back into a man bun.
5
Sleep on your side to avoid crushing a styled mohawk. If you sleep on your back, the back of your mohawk will get crushed and you'll have to restyle it the next morning. If you sleep on your side, however, your mohawk should still be upright and rigid by the next morning.
- Leave enough space between the headboard and your mohawk so that you don't accidentally crush it.
- You may have to do some minor touch-ups the next morning, such as spraying down stray hairs.
6
Trim your hair every 4 to 6 weeks by yourself or at a salon. If you want to maintain those closely-shaved sides, however, you'll have to trim them more often. For example, you could trim the sides yourself every 2 to 3 weeks, then go for a full trim and styling at a salon every 4 to 6 weeks.^{[8]
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- Trimming your hair will not only help you maintain a consistent look, but it will also help remove split ends.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Styling Your Mohawk

1
Start with damp hair. Misting your hair with water from a spray bottle will work just fine, but you can also take a quick shower. If your hair is soaking wet, pat it dry with a soft towel.
- Starting with damp hair will allow you to blow dry it upwards, which will help you style it into a mohawk.
2
Blow dry your hair upwards to help give it lift and volume. If your hair is the width of your palm, you should be able to just brush it upwards while blow drying it. If your hair is longer than that, lean forward so that it hangs down, and blow dry it that way.^{[9]
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- Don't worry about getting your hair to stick up perfectly straight at this point.
- If your hair is thin, limp, or doesn't hold styles very well, apply some volumizing mousse first.
- If you have curly or wavy hair, you can blow dry it straight, flat iron it, or leave it curly. If you choose to flat iron it, do so after it's completely dry.
3
Rub some styling product between your palms. Wax, gel, or pomade are all great options here. Place a coin-sized amount into your palm, then rub the product between your palms until your skin feels sticky. This will help keep you from applying too much product.
- Pomade and wax work the best on thick, curly, or dry hair. Gel works best on thin or straight hair.^{[10]
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- Use super hard gel to help make your hair stay up for the entire day.
- If you use too much product, the mohawk will become too heavy and flop over.
4
Press your mohawk between your palms, then pull your hands upwards. Lean forward first, so that your hair hangs down towards the floor. Press the mohawk between your palms, then pull your hands towards the end of your hair. Do this down the length of your mohawk, from forehead to nape.^{[11]
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- Wait a few minutes for the product to dry before moving on.
- You can use this opportunity to shape your mohawk into a fan or spikes.
- If your mohawk extends to your nape, you'll have to lean back in order to get the hair to stick out.
5
Lean forward again and mist your mohawk with hairspray. If all that leaning forward got tiring for you, you can take a break and straighten up for a moment. When you're ready, lean forward again, and mist both sides of your mohawk with hairspray.^{[12]
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- Wait for the hairspray to dry before moving on.
- If you need to do the hair on the back of your head, wait until the hair on top has set, then lean backwards, and style the back.
6
Blast your mohawk with a hairdryer for about 5 minutes. This is where the magic happens and the key to getting your mohawk nice and rigid. Use your hair dryer on low heat for one minute before switching to the cool setting. Leaning forward will help, but you can do this while standing upright too.^{[13]
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- Once you have set your style, you are ready to head out and rock your 'hawk.

Expert Q&A

Question

Where do you apply styling wax on your hair?

Kana Ishii
Licensed Cosmetologist
Kana Ishii is a Licensed Cosmetologist in the US and Japan, currently based in Beverly Hills. With more than 18 years of experience, she specializes in hair styling and coloring services such as balayage. Her work has been featured in Elle Girl Magazine, Cosmopolitan Magazine, and Modern Salon Magazine. She has also worked at major events, including The Academy Awards. Kana has won several hair competitions at some of the biggest beauty expos in the world such as the International Salon and Spa Expo and the Premier Orlando International Beauty Event.

Kana Ishii

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

If you want to change the direction of your hair, apply styling wax to the roots rather than the ends.
Question

How do I grow my hair fast?

Community Answer

Just trim it regularly and avoid curling irons or any heat-related hair tool.
Question

What is the hairstyle called when you stop at Method 2 and put it to one side?

Kevan Green

Community Answer

It's called a side parted mohawk mullet. It looks amazing and requires less effort.