8 Things You Can do to Treat and Prevent Male Hair Loss
Although baldness is very common, the first signs of thinning hair can cause a lot of anguish for many men, particularly if they are younger. For some, hair loss triggers anxiety, poor self-image, and development of depression which can be the beginning of further mental health problems. If thinning hair is perceived as an issue, it is important to treat and prevent male hair loss as soon as possible.
Many men seem to think that once you start losing hair, it’s over. Others might think that hair loss is always caused by genetics, and that there is nothing that can be done. But you couldn’t be further from the truth. Hair loss can be caused by a whole host of issues, some of which you could have full control over. That is why it is important to know exactly why you might be suffering from hair loss, so you can make the proper corrections.
It is also important to remember that hair loss is not usually anything to be worried about but can occasionally be a sign of a medical condition, particularly if your hair loss is sudden or is falling out in clumps.
Here are some of the things you can do to treat and prevent male hair loss.
Start Looking at Medication
Some people are sceptical about hair loss drugs, but they can be efficient in many cases. These drugs will not only stop hair from falling but could also cause some regrowth.
There are many types of drugs out there and they all work differently. You have DHT inhibitors like Finasteride that block the production of the DHT hormone. This hormone shrinks follicles with time, which causes the hair to die. On the other hand, you have minoxidil that works by increasing blood flow to the scalp, along with the flow of nutrients. Minoxidil is usually used topically either as a spray or foam.
The NHS confirms that Finasteride and Minoxidil are the main treatments for male hair loss, but the medications are not available on the NHS.
If you are looking for male hair loss treatments online, we suggest you check out UK-based companies such as Manual that offer a free online consultation. They have an easy to follow ordering procedure. You can choose the hair loss treatment of your choice, which will usually combine a topical solution and hair loss tablets, which will be delivered direct to your door.
You should also know the side effects of some of the treatments out there before you make a decision. Finasteride, for instance, has been linked with erectile dysfunction in men, so that is something you should give special attention to.
Try Laser Combs
Another thing you could consider to treat and prevent male hair loss is trying a laser comb. While they may seem like another fad, the benefits have been proven and they are one of the only treatments to be approved by the FDA. In the UK, you must pay for it privately, as it is not provided by the NHS.
Laser combs work by sending a laser beam to the scalp, which promotes blood flow and follicles. They can look like an electric razor, while others will look like helmets that send one large beam of light all over the scalp.
If you are sceptical about them, know that there is significant research backing their effects. One particular study found that men who used hair combs all reported major hair density increases after using laser combs 3 times a week for 26 weeks in total.
We can expect laser comb technology to become even better in the coming years, and for it to become more mainstream as well.
Switch Hair Products
The hair products that you use can also have a major difference in the quality and health of your hair. You should also be careful if you are using a lot of styling creams or gels.
Evidence has shown that some of these hair products can have disastrous effects on the scalp and hair loss. This is because some of the chemicals in these products could accumulate on the scalp and clog up the follicles. This will eventually block any hair from coming out and cause the death of the follicle after a while.
If we were to give you one piece of advice, it would be to stay away from styling products altogether. But, if you must use them, we suggest you go with lightweight ones that are made from natural ingredients. Also, try to look for clarifying shampoos. These are made specifically to remove the gunk from your hair and help your follicles breathe.
Do also remember that as well as affecting your hair, toxic chemicals contained in our personal care products enter our bodies through our skin and hair follicles. This adds to the toxic load we are subjected to on a daily basis such as air pollution and pesticides that compromise our immune system and damage our health.
Protect Your Scalp from Hot Water
Everybody might love a nice hot shower, but their scalps will not thank you!. Hot water can be very bad for scalp health as it will strip the natural layer of oil, which will then lead to dehydration and inflammation.
While there is no concrete proof that hot showers cause baldness, we do know that scalp inflammation can lead to follicle miniaturisation and thinning hair.
Look for Anti-DHT Shampoo
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) has been identified as one of the main culprits when it comes to hair loss, and anything you can do to reduce its production will help. Thankfully, there are tons of products on the market that will allow you to do that.
Try to find shampoos that are made for that purpose. Look for things like ketoconazole on the list of ingredients that have been shown to stop the conversion of DHT from testosterone. Using these products could make a major difference in hair density.
Consider Scalp Massages
Scalp massages are another form of hair loss treatment some might be sceptical of, but they could actually work for you.
The same principle that makes so many hair loss treatments efficient is what makes scalp massage efficient too. One study found that scalp massages not only increased blood flow to the scalp but also the expression of the genes responsible for growth. Another reason why they can work is that they can help relieve stress, which leads us to our next point.
For a really effective scalp massage that focuses and providing a range of health benefits, consider Indian Head Massage which is a complementary therapy based on the Ayurvedic system of healing.
Reduce Stress Levels
If you are trying to treat and prevent hair loss, you absolutely must monitor your stress levels and do everything you can to reduce stress in your life.
Stress can cause a form of hair loss known as telogen effluvium, which will put a large portion of your follicles into a rest state. Your hair could then start falling after a few months simply from brushing or combing it.
If you are experiencing a lot of stress in your everyday life, then you will need to find ways to correct the situation. Try to stay away from caffeine, get active, and make sure that you get quality sleep. You should also try to stay away from drugs, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption at all costs.
Apart from hair loss, excess stress can also lead to a number of potentially serious health conditions. As men tend to take less care of their health than women, there’s definitely a health alert for the 21st century male.
Consider a Transplant
This is often seen as a last resort option for many, which is understandable. Some people might not want everyone to know they had a hair transplant and suddenly come back with a full head of hair. Others might feel like it will not look natural.
Hair transplant technology has greatly evolved, however, and the results look more natural than ever. You also have many more options nowadays. For those who do not want an actual transplant, there are units that can be attached directly to your scalp and sculpted like real hair.
Most hair transplants replace dead follicles with DHT resistant ones. You can also have treatments that use stem cells to regenerate hair. Options vary greatly, as well as success rates and costs, so, if you are going to try this solution, make sure that you speak with a few professionals and know exactly what you can expect.
Conclusion
Dealing with hair loss might be difficult for many men, but it does not mean there is nothing you can do. Accept the loss if you can, but if it is a problem for you make sure that you look at all the possible options available and don’t give up.