Haunted by hair loss? Male pattern hair loss is usually caused by genetics, but other factors like your health, diet, or hair care practices can result in early loss of hair. This is not a life-threatening disorder but it can affect how a person carries himself, his confidence, and his way of living.
All over the world, almost two-thirds of men will have receding hairlines by their mid-30s. Depending on genetics or lifestyle, you may experience hair loss earlier or later in your life. Some men are not bothered by this and consider it as a normal phase in life. Others attend to this problem because of a need to preserve self-image – which is not a bad thing to do also!
The bad news is, Canada is probably one of the worst places for men who have hair loss. A water system company conducted a survey and found out that 72% of people in the country find bald men unattractive as compared to their more thickly endowed counterparts. That is why Canadian men must put in more effort into taking care of their locks.
What are the things that you can do to prevent hair loss and avoid spurning your chances at love or career? Here are some tips that you can try:
1. Choose the right shampoo.
Try to ask yourself: What kind of shampoo have you been using on your hair and scalp? Regular scalp cleaning is vital if you want to also take care of your hair. If you can, try buying shampoos that are sulfate-free because these chemicals can dry out your scalp and your hair. Also, get ones that have biotin and at least 1% of ketoconazole. Biotin helps make your hair grow thicker and some studies say ketoconazole has anti-androgen properties and blocks the formation of dihydrotestosterone that shrinks hair follicles in men.
2. Improve your food options.
As much as possible, eat more foods that are beneficial to your hair. You can incorporate the following natural ingredients in your dishes to promote hair retention:
- Food rich in iron. Lack of iron can result in a thinning hairline. Men need to consume about eight mg of iron per day. You can get this mineral from shrimps, lentils, spinach, and eggs. Iron-fortified foods are also a good option.
- Walnuts. These nuts are full of biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E which are known as major players when it comes to encouraging hair growth.
- Gelatin. Gelatin is a hair strengthener. The common ones in the market are animal-derived but there are also plant-based alternatives like agar and carrageenan (from seaweed) for those who are ethically conscious about animal rights.
- Brown rice and oats. These grains are rich in biotin too. And some manufacturers fortify these grains with iron.
- Leafy greens, beets, root crops, and cucumbers. These plants are rich in silica, which promotes hair repair.
3. Load up with vitamin D.
According to a study in the UK, hair loss can be attributed to insufficient vitamin D. These vitamins can encourage hair re-growth. But instead of exposing your bald head to the sun for hours on end, you can try incorporating vitamin D rich food into your diet. Frequently eat salmon, tuna, or swordfish which are rich in vitamin D and protein. Milk and orange juice can also give you this vitamin. Otherwise, you can always turn to supplements to compensate for the deficiency.
4. Invest in the right hair tools.
Women are more meticulous when it comes to hair care and they can own an assortment of hair tools, but that does not mean men can skimp on hair products. Choose the right brush for your hair type. Get one with wide bristles if you are combing your hair after taking a bath. Use brushes and other types of comb only when you are styling your hair, but not after a bath. Make sure to clean your combs and hair tools regularly with dishwashing soap or liquid.
5. Exercise more and stress less.
Do physical activities daily. Schedule aerobic or dancing exercises at least 30 minutes a day. Or you can alternate it with yoga and meditation exercises. Physical activities are known to reduce stress levels in the body. Too much stress can cause hormone imbalance, which in turn, can result in hair loss.
6. Reduce alcohol consumption and smoking trips
Want to improve hair growth? Try to lessen alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking. Both activities can cause hair loss and discourage hair growth.
7. Calling a dermatologist for medical treatments.
Sometimes, a man’s hair loss may be due to medical conditions. Inflammations from auto-immune disorders can result in hair loss and your only way to prevent it is to manage your swelling scalp. Call a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment. If you cannot get an appointment at a walk in clinic Edmonton, you can surely find an available dermatologist at online clinics. Online doctors can give you digital prescriptions of corticosteroid treatments to manage the inflammation and encourage hair growth.
If there is a will, there is definitely a way. Don’t lose hope because of your thinning hair. Try these things and start improving your self-esteem with your thicker locks.