Whether it’s an act of God or act of fashion there are a wide variety of factors as to why we lose our hair, but by far the most common – accounting for 95% of all cases – is hereditary hair loss. Otherwise known as "male pattern baldness", this affects approximately 40% of Irish men under 35. Male-pattern baldness results in hair loss to the front and top of the hair. Over time, it can cause total hair loss, though many men go bald only partially. In simple terms it’s when the hormones in your body shrink your follicles, making them less effective at growing new hairs. The good news however is that if it is hereditary, it is often treatable.
Other times, men go bald because of medical conditions, malnutrition, medication and in some cases, stress – really!
If you are noticing a culmination of hair in the bathroom sink, or you find yourself pulling down the peak on the cap, try out these helpful tips to thicken your hair:
Wash your hair in lukewarm water as water that is very hot can dry out the hair and scalp, and while you may worry that the more you wash your hair the more you'll lose it, washing regularly actually makes hair look thicker because dirty, greasy hair lies flat. Thickening shampoos, conditioners and sprays contain special polymers which plump up the hair shafts to make them look fuller. Professional shampoos are designed to deposit softening agents, moisturisers and protectants into the hair shaft. But, when you shampoo, concentrate on cleansing the scalp, the hair will be sufficiently cleansed by rinsing the shampoo out of the hair.
Human hair is three times weaker when wet and over-combing or rough towel drying can damage it causing it to snap. When you rub the hair with a towel, some of the hairs become tangled in the threads of the towel and are stretched to the breaking point. When hair is wet, prevent damage by using a wide-tooth comb or brush. This will limit damage caused by the comb or brush pulling on the hair. Let hair dry naturally, shake out the excess water and then stroke your hair with the towel in the direction it grows, or gently pat dry and style with your fingers to give it more texture.
Blow-drying is a great way to give fine hair more volume but don't overdo it or you'll damage your hair's natural proteins. To prevent damage from blow drying, make sure to hold the dryer 6-10 inches away from the hair and move it briskly from side to side. This will keep the hair from becoming damaged by heat. Finally, avoid drying the hair completely. Leaving the hair slightly damp will prevent drying out the hair.
Constant combing and brushing can make thin hair look limp and flat so try styling with your fingers and you'll add volume and texture. If you're using waxes and gels on thinning hair you're not doing it any favours. The most effective styling product to give hair volume is mousse, along with sprays developed to give the hair a "root lift".
Sunburn causes the scalp to produce a compound called superoxide that can cause hair follicles to switch from a growth phase to a shedding one.
There are a number of vitamins that can help the hair to grow faster and to keep it healthier. This results in hair that is more likely to be strong and healthy and less likely to break off. A Vitamin C deficiency is often to blame for rapid hair shedding. Vitamin C works with vitamin E to improve circulation, delivery of nutrients and oxygen, and production of beneficial oils and lubricants in the hair follicle. Biotin can be found in nutritional supplements or in eggs, wholegrain, milk and rice. B vitamins are all useful for keeping hair healthy, whilst Vitamin A helps the scalp with making the oil that keeps hair healthy and keeps it from being dry and brittle.
Many men try to deal with baldness by growing their hair or playing with partings when a shorter cut is always more flattering and less obvious.
Smoking not only increases levels of hormones that can trigger hair loss, it also constricts the tiny blood vessels that supply the scalp starving your hair of the nutrients it needs for growth.
If however you have decided that fighting against nature sounds like too much work then why not consider the self-inflicted full shaven appearance. According to Todd Greene, the owner and founder of HeadBlade, today’s men are making a self-assertion that ‘skin is definitely in’.
“Many men gravitate to the shaved head look because it’s confident bordering on daring. The feedback we get from thousands of men who have gone from balding or comb-over’s to the shaved look is nothing short of life-changing. It may sound like an exaggeration, but men have told me that women can’t help looking and touching their new look. That is why we say in our advertising, ‘It’s not a hairstyle, it’s a lifestyle.”
Up until 1997 Todd had been sporting a shaved palate for almost five years. Unfortunately shaving was not a 'good' experience for him. In truth, he thought it was an inconvenience. But, through thick and thin, he was committed to the shaved look. He tried clippers. He tried electrics. After settling for a conventional razor, Todd realised the handle was his nemesis. The blades were good but all the handles were unfit for the job. If there was a way for the hand to become the 'handle' Todd figured he may have, indeed, the ultimate head shaving razor.
After two years of constant testing and development Todd brought his invention to the market and christened it "The HeadBlade." HeadBlade is a proprietary razor made exclusively for guys who shave their heads. When introduced, the razor was listed among the “Ten Best Designs of 2000” by Time Magazine and is now in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Take note, visit your doctor if you lose hair suddenly, if your hair loss is in clumps or significant enough that you notice large amounts on your pillow, covering the back of your clothes or when you wash your hair. This type of hair loss does not represent typical male baldness, but it does require a diagnosis.
