Thinning Hair? Here's What You Can Do.

Hair loss affects men of all ages, but as you age, the odds of keeping your thick locks are not in your favor. According to an article in GQ, Dr. Alan J. Bauman, Hair Restoration Physician, says that 30 percent of men will experience hair loss in their 30s, 40 percent in their 40s and so on. So what can a man do to help treat or prevent hair loss?

First, let's understand why hair loss happens. A hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a byproduct of testosterone, is ultimately responsible. It's not the production of DHT, but the sensitivity (often genetic) to DHT that causes hair loss. So a man that is highly sensitive to DHT will experience thinning hair and hair loss earlier in life, usually around the temples and crown first.

Knowing this, it makes sense that certain behaviors that increase DHT production can result in hair loss, depending on the man's sensitivity to DHT. Bauman says these behaviors include "smoking, creatine supplements, resistance and weight training exercise, stress, and taking anabolic steroids or testosterone hormone replacement." Adjusting these behaviors can help slow down hair loss, as well as getting a good night's sleep.

Men may also want to seek treatment, which could be medical or natural. A different GQ article has some great suggestions: oral medication such as finasteride, topical medication such as minoxidil (Rogaine), herbal supplements such as saw palmetto and Nutrafol for Men, and plasma injections (this last option is just beginning to enter the dermatology field). All of these will vary in cost, effectiveness, and length of time before you see results. So before you begin any treatment, do your research and consult your doctor to find the option that would be best for you.

Lastly, certain hairstyles work better than others for men with thinning hair. Changing your hairstyle may help hide hair loss and boost your confidence at the same time. An article from Trendspotter has some great examples of hairstyles you may want to try.

An easy solution to hide hair loss, of course, is to wear a hat. Baseball caps and beanies are great at hiding hair loss, so if wearing one makes you feel more confident and handsome, then go for it! But wait, you've probably heard that wearing a hat can contribute to hair loss. Is that true? Dermatologists repeatedly turn down this notion and say that wearing hats will not cause you to lose your hair. Genetics are the main factor. If you wear a tight hat often, you could experience traction alopecia (gradual hair loss resulting from repetitive pulling or tension of hair). So just skip super tight hats.

A word of note: sometimes stress can cause temporary hair loss, which is not permanent. Learn more.




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