Noticed your hairline creeping back or finding that some patches of hair are looking a little sparse? If you’re starting to have hair fall, you’re probably wondering what’s causing it and whether there’s anything you can do to stop it, right? For some, hair fall is just a normal part of ageing but for others, this could be coming earlier than expected.
To help clear things up, we’re delving into the top hair fall causes for men and how to stop hair fall – or at least slow down the process.
How to prevent hair fall
There is no one cause of hair fall in men and sometimes it can be a combination of different factors that are contributing to it. While we may lose on average 50-150 hairs per day, factors from genetic conditions such as male pattern baldness, lifestyle and dietary habits, to the condition of your scalp and your hair care routine, can all lead to more hair fall.
Whatever situation you’re in, however, there are steps you can take to minimise hair fall. Read on for 9 ways on how to tackle this and maintain your locks for longer.
1: Use a towel to pat your hair dry
When drying your hair after a shower, don't rub it dry with a towel. The rough, uneven surface of towels causes friction and could cause you to lose more hairs. Instead, try to letting your hair air dry naturally as much as possible, or you can or use a microfibre towel, which produces less friction and will also help keep your hair feeling smoother.
2: Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is essential for maintaining good overall health, but it is especially important for your skin (including your scalp), as being hydrated will help to ensure you have good cell turnover. What does this have to do with hair quality? Well, since hair growth starts at the scalp, keeping your skin and vitals hydrated will give your body the best shot at growing strong, healthy-looking hair. So, don’t forget to get those eight glasses a day.
3: Use an anti- hair fall shampoo
Try swapping your regular shampoo for a specialist anti-hairfall shampoo. These shampoos contain ingredients that encourage a healthy scalp, thus can help prevent further hair fall.
CLEAR Men Anti-Hair Fall Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, contains coffee extract (known for its stimulating properties), to help support nourishing scalp for healthier-looking hair, while the formula also tackles dandruff and product build-up, leaving your scalp clean.
4: Never brush when wet
What a lot of people don’t know is that your hair is at its most vulnerable when wet. Why? Since our hair is porous, when you’re in the shower your hair fibre swells as it takes in water. This makes it more fragile and easier to break.
We know it is tempting to rake a comb or brush through the hair, but instead try gently detangling with your fingers, using a conditioner to create additional slip and if you need to use a wide-tooth comb to work through any more stubborn knots.
5: Use Conditioner
If you’re a conditioner-phobe out of the belief that it’ll weigh your hair down, it’s time to let those fears go. Ultimately, our scalp is also skin that needs to be kept moisturised to stop it becoming dry and flaky. By using a scalp conditioner, you’ll be keeping your hair and scalp hydrated and strengthening it against breakage.
6: Maintain a Healthy Diet
If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a thousand times: having a good diet is the key to staying healthy. And the same goes for when you’re finding out how to prevent hair fall in men.
Consuming foods high in protein, good fats (such as Omega-3 and Omega-6), and iron will give your body the best chance at maintaining good hair growth. Also look to incorporate vegetables such as carrots, as these contain beta-carotene which our bodies turned into Vitamin A (an essential nutrient in maintaining skin health – including the scalp); dark red fruits such as tomatoes, which contain an antioxidant called lycopene, to help protect your cells from free radicals; and other fruits such as red and purple grapes, blueberries, cranberries, mulberries and lingonberries, as well as peanuts and pistachios, all of which contain a compound called resveratrol, which is often used as supplement to stop the increase of hair loss.
7: Try a Scalp Scrub
Do you ever feel like however much you wash your hair it never feels truly clean? Over time, sebum, dead skin cells and hair products can block the scalp pores and stop it being able to grow. Scalp scrubs, usually made from either sea salt or sugar, help to lift away this dirt and debris, clearing the blockages and allowing hair to grow.
8: Try a new Hairstyle
What many forget when it comes to hair fall in men is that styling can go a long way. Some styles will naturally emphasise thinning hair, such as longer styles, as these will show the fineness of your strands more. Instead, opt for shorter styles with texture, such as an Ivy League Crop, which will build up the appearance of fullness.
When styling, avoid anything with a light hold and shine, as this too will make thin hair more apparent. Your top choices should be a Thickening Pomade or Clay that can help to boost the volume of your hair. Just remember to thoroughly wash your hair when using styling products as this can cause build up and lead to other scalp problems.
9: Seek professional advice
There is a variety of medical reasons for hair fall that could be at play. If you’re concerned, book an appointment with your doctor so that they’re able to properly identify what’s going on with your scalp. They’ll also be able to help you decide whether medication is a good option for you.
If you want to learn more about hair fall, check out our articles on the main causes of hair fall in women and the myths surrounding hair loss shampoos.
