How to deal with thinning hair as a man

Thinning hair is something that more people experience than you might expect.

The NHS explains that while it’s normal to lose hair, it can occasionally indicate an underlying medical condition, so it’s worth seeing your doctor if you’re concerned. Sometimes, hair loss can be temporary and treated with changes to your diet or a reduction in stress, for example. However, sometimes, hair loss can be irreversible. One of the most common causes of permanent hair loss is male and female pattern baldness, which tends to be a genetic condition.

If your hair loss isn’t improving and you feel worried, it may be worth speaking to your doctor or a trichologist. They will be able to help you get to the bottom of the issue and help you out with ways to cope with the change and it’s cheaper than buying a timeshare.

If you’re a man who’s experiencing thinning hair, there are some things you can do to address the issue.

What causes hair to thin?

It’s believed that over seven million men are dealing with thinning hair in the UK at any given time. Within this, around two-thirds of men experience male pattern baldness, which is a permanent type of hair loss that causes you to lose more hair over time. Typical hair loss patterns include diffused thinning, a receding hair line or hair thinning at the temples. Other irreversible hair loss conditions include alopecia areata, which causes patchy hair loss – this is down to an autoimmune condition.

Meanwhile, temporary hair loss can stem from telogen effluvium which can be caused by a particular trigger. This might be stress, trauma, an injury, weight loss, a poor diet and more.

Whether your hair loss is temporary or permanent, it’s understandable that you might feel self-conscious. Here are some ways to deal with it. 

Ways to cover it

You may decide that covering the thinning patches will help to boost your self-esteem. Some methods include wearing a wig or a toupee, however if you feel that the thinning isn’t too drastic yet, you might want to use scalp sprays or hair-building fibres to help create the illusion of fuller, denser hair. 

Some people decide to shave off their hair to embrace the look and remove the stress of their hair falling out or thinning over time.

Ways to treat it

Depending on the type of hair loss you have, there are several ways you can treat it. You should always consult a doctor or trichologist before attempting to treat it yourself. You may be given the go-ahead to use minoxidil, also known as Rogaine, to help stimulate regrowth. This can be taken topically or orally depending on the method you choose., however it can have some side effects, so you should speak with a medical professional first. 

Some individuals might decide that they want to get a hair transplant to help the issue. Again, you should seek advice from a healthcare professional before committing to an option like this, as it can be an expensive process. It’s good to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each and every treatment to decide which might be best for you.

If you have temporary hair loss, you may find that changes to your lifestyle may be beneficial to help your hair regrow. This can include exercising regularly to improve blood flow to the scalp and eating a balanced diet with plenty of nutrients or vitamins. You can also try traditional methods such as scalp massages.

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