Male Hair Loss - A guide to Hair Loss
Hair loss is something that affects many more men than women. Often associated with growing old, the signs of hair loss such as a receding hairline or a bald patch can cause embarrassment or anxiety in many men.
Some men view a lack of hair as a sign of virility for example, the shaved head look which has become very popular with sportsmen and film stars. In these cases it can be a sign of toughness, strength and sex appeal which makes it doubly acceptable.
Going bald
If you are a man who is experiencing male pattern baldness then one answer is to adopt this look by shaving your head completely bald. You may find that it boosts your confidence and self-esteem not to mention increased attention from the opposite sex!
If you choose this route then maintain the smooth, shiny appearance of your head by following a few easy tips. These include the following:
- Shave your head carefully and use a moisturising shaving cream. This reduces any soreness or ‘shaving burn’ and helps to prolong the smoothness of your head.
- Apply an oil-free moisturiser to your head on a daily basis and especially after shaving it. This keeps your scalp hydrated and wrinkle-free.
- Wear a hat or apply a sunscreen in hot weather.
- Exfoliation: don’t feel that this is for women only. Using an exfoliation cream can remove the build up of dead skin cells in the scalp and result in a healthy and smooth looking head.
- Consider applying a self-tanning cream to achieve a ‘sun-kissed’, healthy look.
- And, finally, spray a small amount of hairspray onto your scalp to give it an extra shine.
These may seem excessive but it is important to maintain the health and appearance of your newly shaved head.
But, this is not every man’s choice. Many men don’t want to be bald and find hair loss a difficult condition to accept. In their eyes it is a sign of diminishing virility and even masculinity but this is not the case.
The main thing is to accept that you are going or have gone bald and then look at what can be done about it. There are a whole range of options open to you and many forms of treatment available so it’s a good idea to take time out to research these.
And discuss these with your partner, family members or a close friend. Another option is to find a hair loss support group (yes, they do exist) where you can meet and talk about this with others in a similar situation.
There are a variety of reasons behind male hair loss which include the following:
- Lifestyle and external factors
- Male pattern baldness
- Chemotherapy/radiation therapy
- Trichotillomania
- Medication
- Hair products
- Alopecia
- Sikh men*
*this last item is designed for those members of the Sikh religion who have found that wearing a turban causes hair loss.
Other causes include illnesses such as anaemia and an under-active thyroid and a fungal scalp infection.
If you want to know more about the causes of hair loss then visit any of the links mentioned above.
What seems unfair is that some men retain a full head of hair right into old age whereas others start to lose their hair whilst still in their twenties.
In a few cases, hair loss can start as early as the late teens.
Hair loss tends to start with a receding hairline or a thinning of the hair on the top of the head which increases over time. The scalp then becomes visible as a result of this.
You then have the choice of opting for the completely bald look, opting for a wig or researching the forms of treatment available. Going bald is a popular look for men who don’t have a hair loss problem but want to make a bold statement. The ‘going bald’ section above discusses this in more detail.
Wearing a wig is another option. This may seem amusing but the design of wigs has improved over the years and they are far more natural looking than they used to be. It is important to get a wig which fits well which you can then style in the way you want.
For more information about wigs visit our Treatment section.
There are a variety of treatments available which range from scalp massages through to hair transplant surgery. Our treatment section discusses these in greater detail.
Male hair loss Guide Index:
- Male hair loss - Intro
- Lifestyle factors
- Male pattern baldness
- Illness
- Chemotherapy/radiation therapy
- Hamilton-Norwood Scale
Hair Loss
- Hair Loss Guide
- Trichology
- Hair Structure Guide
- Male hair loss Guide
- Female Hair Loss Guide
- Hair care Guide
- Hair Loss treatments Guide
- Wigs Guide
- Hair Loss Treatment Prices
- FAQS About Hair Loss
- Glossary for Hair loss
- Hair Transplant Surgery
- What is a Hair Transplant?
- Do I need a hair transplant?
- Preparing for your Hair Transplant
- The day of your Hair Transplant
- After your Hair Transplant
- Female Hair Transplant
- Finding a Hair Transplant Clinic
- Hair Transplant Surgery Methods
- Costs of Hair Transplants
- Hair Transplant FAQs
- Hair Transplant Glossary