Men’s Hair Loss Prevention
50% of men will experience hair loss before the age of 50 and 95% of hair loss is treatable. Here are some tips for how to get ahead of thinning.
How can I stop my hair from thinning?
Consult an expert
Hair loss can happen because of many reasons. Consulting a doctor or hair loss specialist is an important first step. Different types of hair loss often require different treatment approaches.
Hair loss medications
Thinking about a medicated solution for hair loss? You have options. Finasteride, dutasteride and minoxidil are common ingredients. Our doctors can help decide what’s right for you.
Topical treatments
Topical treatments make it possible to apply hair loss treatment directly to the scalp. They may help reduce the risk of side effects by limiting absorption of medication into the body.
Lifestyle changes
There are also daily habits that you can adopt to help with thinning. Eating a balanced diet, keeping stress levels under control and maintaining a clean scalp can all benefit hair health.
Can hair grow back after thinning?
In many cases, some hair regrowth is possible. Pattern hair loss occurs when hair follicles undergo a process called miniaturization (shrinking). DHT (dihydrotestosterone) causes hair follicles to shrink, disrupting the hair growth cycle and preventing healthy hairs from forming. Treatments that focus on blocking the effects of DHT can help slow down this process and give hair follicles a chance to recover.
Science shows that different areas of the scalp may be affected differently by DHT and that some men may respond better to certain types of treatment than others. The key is to treat thinning hair early and consistently. Men with early signs of thinning or moderate hair loss are more likely to be able to regrow hair.
What vitamins should I take to prevent hair loss?
Promote growth
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can help prolong the active growth phase or the hair growth cycle. It also plays a role in the development of melanocytes (cells that produce hair color) and how oil glands function.
Strengthens hair
Vitamin B7 (Biotin)
Biotin plays a role in the production of a protein called keratin. Keratin is an important structural protein that gives hair strength and flexibility. It may also help protect hair against UV damage and keep your hair hydrated.
Reduces inflammation
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is involved in regulating the immune system, the hair growth cycle and the normal growth and development of keratin-producing cells. It helps prevent the body from attacking its own cells and reduces inflammation in the scalp.
Protects cells
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant. It helps protect against and neutralize molecules called reactive oxygen species that can damage hair and skill cells over time and disrupt the hair growth cycle.
Does laser therapy work for hair loss?
Potentially. Low light laser therapy, or LLLT, may be an effective complementary treatment for some men experiencing hair loss. LLLT is a non-invasive procedure that involves aiming a low-level laser at affected areas of the scalp to stimulate tissue repair and growth. Researchers believe that it could trigger hair follicles to resume active growth after the rest phase, make the active growth phase longer and help stimulate cell production (Pillai and Mysore, 2021). It may be an option for men who haven’t seen results with other treatments or used together with another therapy like minoxidil to maximize its benefits. Still, it’s a technology that would benefit from more research and data.
What lifestyle changes can help prevent hair loss?
Healthy hair starts from the inside out. Set the foundation for optimal hair growth by following a balanced diet. Vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, D and B7, iron and zinc are involved in making the building blocks for hair and the hair growth cycle. It’s a fine balance because sudden changes to caloric intake or getting too much of a single nutrient can trigger hair loss.
Physical or emotional stress can cause excess shedding. This type of stress-related hair loss is called telogen effluvium and has been connected to high levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Unlike pattern hair loss, stress-related hair loss usually affects the entire scalp. Most cases resolve within a few months once you’ve identified and resolved the stress trigger. Depending on your needs, meditation, yoga or even counselling could be helpful.
Not all hair products are created equal and there are good reasons to maintain a regular hair washing schedule. The buildup of oils, dirt and bacteria on the scalp can create problems like itching, irritation and flaking. These issues don’t directly cause hair loss, but they can point to inflammation in the scalp, which can have negative long-term impacts on the quality of hair growth.
Contrary to popular belief, exercise doesn’t cause or make pattern hair loss worse. Strenuous exercise can temporarily increase testosterone, which is needed to make the hormone that causes hair loss, DHT. However, these changes are so short-lived, they don’t have a lasting impact on hair loss. In fact, the benefits of regular exercise outweigh the risks because it can be an effective way to manage stress. Just remember to take it easy because serious injuries can put the body under stress.
Can I use natural remedies to prevent hair loss?
Although many natural ingredients could be beneficial to hair growth, we don’t recommend relying on these for hair loss treatment. There often isn’t enough evidence to support their safety and efficacy and usually no standard formulas or dosage information available. However, we understand that medicated options aren’t for everyone. There are ingredients like saw palmetto, a natural DHT blocker, that are more likely to have a positive effect on thinning. It’s why we’ve included it in our men’s hair care line, designed to complement the rest of your hair growth routine.