Men in the UK are no strangers to hair thinning. In fact, the NHS states that over 6.5 million men up and down the country are dealing with male pattern hair loss. Those are some significant figures.
Unfortunately, a cultural taboo still engulfs the topic of male hair loss. With that in mind, we’ve gathered together ten tips for preventing hair thinning and helping you limit the effects of male pattern hair loss.
Let’s get to it.
1. Use hair-thickening shampoo
Using DHT-blocking or hair-thickening shampoo is a simple way to keep your hair healthy and stop signs of thinning, especially when used with consistency. However, there are a whole host of products out there, and picking one that is suitable for your hair can be tricky. We recommend using DHT-blocking shampoos that contain all-natural ingredients, such as saw palmetto, caffeine and iron.
2. Improve your nutrition
It’s no secret that a healthy, balanced diet is crucial for all aspects of physical health. When it comes to hair, that principle is no different. Eating a diet rich in a wide variety of foods will supply your body with the tools it needs to enhance the health of your hair and potentially assist in thickening it.
3. Take multivitamin complexes
Multivitamin supplements can be a fantastic way to boost your daily nutrition intake. Men have a wide choice of options when it comes to these kinds of supplements, including hair growth complexes. When taken daily, the right complex could give you a helping hand in thickening your hair. We suggest choosing complexes that contain ingredients such as anagain, marine collagen and biotin.
4. Take biotin supplements
Biotin, otherwise known as vitamin B7, is critical for healthy hair. Found in a variety of foods, biotin increases the production of keratin, a protein vital for the healthy maintenance of hair, skin and nails. A biotin deficiency has been shown to result in weaker hair and may be a reason for thinning strands. In addition to including the vitamin in your diet, daily consumption of biotin supplements could also help thicken your hair.
5. Consult with a professional on treatment options.
For those with more established hair loss who are looking for treatment options, there are medications that are licensed and effective ways to treat male pattern hair loss in those who are suitable for them.
Finasteride and Minoxidil are the only two medications clinically proven to stop hair loss, the former helping to inhibit the production of DHT (the hormone responsible for hair loss) and the latter thought to enhance blood flow to follicles. When used in conjunction, these two medications can be particularly effective at halting male pattern hair loss and thinning in approximately 90% of people who use them in combination. It’s essential to consult with a medical professional who will recommend a suitable hair loss plan based on your medical history and level of hair loss.
6. Quit bad habits, such as drinking and smoking
Yes, you read that right: excessive drinking and smoking are harmful to you. However, studies suggest that abusing alcohol and cigarettes may have a negative impact on your hair, too. Stopping these bad habits will only help your journey towards thicker, healthier hair, as well as developing healthier habits.
7. Be gentler to your hair when washing, drying and styling
An aggressive care routine won’t do your hair any favours. When washing, drying and styling, try to use a gentler touch. Whether you’re drying aggressively or styling with extra product, you may be doing more damage than you think.
8. Use a softer brush for longer hair
Have you got a longer hairstyle? The brush you’re using could be harming your hair. Using a softer brush will give your hair a much better chance to recover and won’t put it under any unnecessary stress that could hamper a thicker, healthier style.
9. Choose a hairstyle that doesn’t pull
Guys with longer hair should also be conscious of their hairstyle. Man buns or ponytails, especially those that are extra tight, can be disruptive to thinning hair. Try using looser methods to tie up your hair or choosing a style that doesn’t put that extra, unnecessary stress on it.
10. Use a lower heat setting on your hair dryer
An extra hot hair dryer could also negatively impact the health of your hair. We suggest turning your hair dryer to a lower, less powerful setting to prevent damage to hair structure. Another tip is to hold the dryer slightly further away from your hair; while the drying process may be slower as a result, thinning is less likely to occur in the long run.
Conclusion
Remember: most men will deal with hair thinning or loss at some point in their adult lives. The question is how we decide to react to it. When used simultaneously on a day-to-day basis, these ten ways to prevent hair thinning will be particularly effective.
All of our blog articles are reviewed by our Medical Director before publication.
