Hair loss is a common sign of aging among men. It is natural, it affects most people, and it should not be a cause of insecurity. There are a select few who won the genetic lottery and will likely not experience thinning and balding until after they reach their senior years. However, for most, it is inevitable.
Around 25% of men who have a history of male pattern baldness will start losing their hair as early as age 21. By the age of 50, most men (about 85% of them) will have significantly thinner hair.
Although there is nothing to be ashamed of, some men may feel embarrassed to lose their hair, especially early in their lives. Here are a few solutions to hair loss among men.
Visit Your Hair Stylist
A haircut, in the hands of an expert, can hide a receding hairline and thinning hair.
A hairstylist that specializes in men’s haircut and beard trim can give you several options to choose from to hide the problem. You can, for example, shave all your hair off but maintain a full beard to balance it out. The shaved sides are also a very popular style among men right now.
There are surprisingly a lot of haircuts that will suit men who have receding hairline and thinning hair.
Try Hair Regrowth Products
Minoxidil is a drug specifically made to slow the rate of hair loss and even promote hair growth. It can be acquired from any drug store without a prescription in 2% and 5% formulations. Apply it to your scalp regularly and, eventually, you may regain your crowning glory.
The drug, which was originally developed to regulate blood pressure, works by increasing blood flow on the scalp and dilating the blood vessels. As a result, hair strands are strengthened and growth is boosted.
There are other products in the market that claim to prevent hair thinning. Products that contain argan oil are known to maintain the health of hair and scalp, preventing hair loss.
Add More Nutrients to Your Body
Your diet affects your hair, too. If you are losing your hair, you might not be getting enough vitamins and minerals. In that case, eating healthy and adding supplements can keep your hair looking lush.
Biotin (vitamin B7), for example, plays an important role in hair health. If you are deficient, you will experience hair loss in addition to brittle nails and skin rash.
Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked to hair loss. Vitamin D is known for its benefits on bone health and in boosting the immune system. You can get it primarily by spending more time outdoors during the day, but deficiency becomes more common among older folks. It may be a contributing factor as to why hair loss is a prevalent problem within the aging population.
Hair Transplant: Worth the Cost
If you have ever wondered how male celebrities continue to have a thick head of hair in old age, here is the answer: hair transplant. The procedure is not uncommon, especially among the wealthy. Famous personalities such as Sylvester Stallone, Matthew McConaughey, and David Beckham have, in the past, admitted to going through the procedure to bring their crowning glory back.
The procedure involves taking hair from an area that remains unaffected (donor area) and embedding it where there is thinning or balding. There are two ways to do it. With follicular unit transplant (FUT), strips of tissue will be removed from the donor area and then placed onto the scalp. With follicular unit extraction (FUE), only the individual follicles are extracted and transplanted. It is very effective. After the procedure, most people will see 60% of new hair growth after around six to nine months.
There are other options, too, like wearing a wig. Regardless of which solution you choose, remember that most men will experience hair thinning and balding at some point. Women lose their hair, too, with age. It is nothing to be ashamed of and it is time that men destroy the stigma around hair loss.
