It’s normal to find some hairs in your brush or on the bathroom sink every day. But if that number seems to be ramping up and you notice your hair is looking thinner than it used to, aging or related factors could be to blame.
As we age, changes in hormone levels and reduced blood circulation to the scalp cause hair follicles to produce smaller, shorter, and thinner hair. So is this avoidable? And how?
In this blog, we look at 5 tactics that help slow aging hair loss in men. But are any of them the right choice for you?
Let’s comb through them now!
1.Consider prescription medications
There are two clinically approved drugs for preventing further hair loss – finasteride and minoxidil.
Finasteride works by inhibiting the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which causes the hair follicles to shrink and eventually fall out, while minoxidil increases blood flow and nutrient uptake to the follicles. Both treatments may result in some hair regrowth as well, but they include the risk of side-effects. Finasteride has been found to lead to erectile dysfunction and decreased libido in approximately 1 in 31 men, while minoxidil can result in skin irritation and allergic reactions.
In deciding to use a hair loss medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you should always discuss with your doctor first.
2.Use a laser comb
Apart from finasteride and minoxidil, laser caps & combs are the only hair-loss treatment to have received FDA approval.
The exact way the caps and combs work isn’t fully understood, but it has been suggested that low-power lasers have an antioxidant effect that encourages and renews the hair cells by increasing blood circulation that brings all the vital nutrients to the roots. The low intensity laser is safe to use as it does not damage or burn your hair tissues.
3.Change your hair products
There is some evidence that many gels, shampoos and other styling products may contribute to hair loss, as the chemicals within these products stay on the scalp and become trapped in the follicles, preventing the hair from coming to the surface.
Sulfates for example, are chemicals with strong cleansing agents that are found in a lot of shampoos, body washes and styling products. The theory behind hair loss and sulfates is that ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate, damage and irritate hair follicles which can result in breakage and hair loss.
To help slow aging hair loss avoid excessive use of hair products and shampoos and try more natural styling products, which contain fewer chemicals.
To keep your hair healthy and help slow aging hair loss, it’s a good idea to read labels. Although the listed ingredients’ meanings can be confusing, look for sulfates as well as the following ingredients:
- Formaldehyde
- Formalin
- Methylene glycol
- DMDM hydantoin
Even if the product says “formaldehyde- or sulfate-free,” it’s always good to read the ingredients list.
4.Avoid hot showers
Overly hot showers can negatively impact hair growth and cause damage to the scalp by stripping it of the essential oils that help to protect it. In some cases, it can even lead to some hair loss. So, consider yourself warned!
Hot showers also have a tendency to make your hair and scalp dry which leads to dandruff, irritation and itchiness.
Lastly, taking overly hot showers everyday on top of shampooing can make your roots weak, leading to excessive hair loss and frizziness.
5.Try a scalp massage
Some studies have suggested that scalp massage has the potential to increase hair density by improving blood circulation to the scalp and hair follicles, as well as increasing the activity of genes known to promote hair growth.
An additional benefit is that massage helps to lower stress levels which is an another factor relating to hair loss.
Read our blog on how Massaging Your Scalp Can Help With Hair Growth
Get ManHair!
If you’ve been dealing with significant hair loss and you’ve tried all the tips and tricks to no avail, then ManHair may be exactly what you need instead!
Hair replacement systems have become a common and one of the most affordable options when it comes to hair loss solutions for men. It involves replacing your existing hair with a new hairpiece.
A ManHair replacement system is 100% real human hair, and is custom-made to match your existing hair color, texture, and length. This procedure can be completed in one day and the results are immediate!
Located in Jacksonville, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia, ManHair has become the leading solution for men’s hair loss in their areas.
With more than 10+ years of knowledge in the hair loss industry we have seen, tested and experienced ourselves first hand what products and solutions work the very best to give you the look you’ve always wanted.