Men’s Hair Loss Prevention: Tips and Treatments for Thinning Hair

Hair loss is recognised as a symptom of ageing that, unfortunately, many men find it difficult to avoid. Due in part to genetics, with a touch of lifestyle and self-care habits thrown in for good measure, hair loss is something which men from all walks of life dread – contributing to the rising popularity of hair loss treatments and tips to balance, halt, and even reverse thinning hair in its tracks.

Of course, there are more permanent and invasive hair loss technologies and treatments which you can explore if the issue is one you feel unable to live with. However, these treatments such as hair transplants are long-winded and expensive and are not particularly accessible to the broader market.

That’s why we’ve created this guide to men’s hair loss prevention, sharing insights to help you embrace boost hair growth and retain that essence of youth for longer.

What causes hair to start thinning / hair loss to become a problem?

Hair loss is caused by a number of contributing factors. While many blame their family tree and genetics, other explanations range from medical issues and underlying deficiencies to high levels of stress, a low immune system, and damage caused by hair care products and grooming.

The other thing you need to be aware of when it comes to hair loss is a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is one of the biggest culprits. Derived from testosterone, DHT is responsible for enhancing male characteristics throughout your lifespan, as well as maintaining muscle mass and promoting sexual health and fertility. However, one of the negative side effects of DHT is that when it flows through the bloodstream, it links to receptors in the scalp and causes them to shrink. This renders the scalp less capable of supporting healthy hair growth, contributing towards hair loss.

Medications and supplements that can help to reverse hair loss

There are two medications which have been approved for use in the fight against hair loss. These are called Finasteride and Minoxidil, with the latter used by men and women while Finasteride is only suitable for men (though there can be unwanted side effects). These drugs work by first inhibiting the production of the sex hormone DHT which causes hair follicles to shrink, and then by stimulating the flow of blood and nutrient to those follicles – nurturing them for optimum health and strength.

In addition to halting the process of hair loss by inhibiting the production of DHT, the right medication and supplements can help to promote hair growth – with vitamin D one such nutrient which can help to stimulate the hair follicles for better growth. Other potential medical interventions include anti-inflammation treatments which can help to balance any inflammation in the scalp which causes hair loss, and a boost of iron which is known to help counterbalance hair loss by vitamin deficiency.

With that said, what are some everyday and lifestyle changes that you can make now to help slow down thinning hair and prevent future hair loss?

Lifestyle changes that will help to prevent hair loss

This is where it becomes important to recognise hair loss as not just a medical issue but as something which is directly linked to health and nutrition, mental health, and overall wellbeing.

In order to keep your head of hair in place for longer, men in particular need to make sure that they are consuming the right levels of nutrients such as iron and vitamin D from the right sources. For example, getting iron from eggs and shrimp as opposed to just plants is crucial; likewise, vitamin D helps to stimulate the hair follicles for healthy hair growth and so supplementing sunlight with vitamin tablets and other sources of the vitamin is important all year round.

Another easy change to make which can help to counteract hair loss and promote a healthy head of hair is swapping a standard shampoo for one with an ingredient called ketoconazole. This is often listed in anti-dandruff shampoos, though is also linked to preventing hair loss as the ingredient is a potent anti-androgen – that is, it helps to block the production of DHT.

Finally, in order to nurture your hair and help to fight unnecessary hair loss, it’s important to focus on mental wellbeing as well as physical symptoms and causes. Stress can play a major role in exacerbating hair loss, and so working regular exercise and meditation into your routine is a crucial for establishing healthy hair growth which will last well into middle age.