Millions of men suffer from male pattern baldness everyday, but what many men don’t realize, is that baldness can be avoided and slowed down in many cases. Can you avoid going bald without using expensive products like Propecia, and Rogaine? Yes.
So what causes men to go bald? A condition called male pattern baldness leads to hair loss on the top of the scalp. Genes are a determining factor whether or not you might suffer from MPB. If your father and your brother are both bald, then chances are good that you could end up bald as well. Men suffering from MPB are more sensitive to androgens like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which exists in all men. DHT plays a large part in shrinking the hair follicles. Your hair will still grow, but it won’t be as healthy and long as it once was. Instead it will be a soft light colored peach fuzz.
Here are some ways to hold onto your hair:
Take care of your scalp.
The root of the problem lies in your scalp. If your scalp is suffering from psoriasis or dandruff, chances are this is a large part of your hair loss problem. An oily scalp can often lead to increased dandruff and psoriasis. So wash your hair and scalp daily with anti-dandruff shampoos. Head & Shoulders is a popular choice among men, but the reality is the main active ingredient in these types of shampoos is pyrithione zinc which can actually cause your hair to thin even more. A good idea for men suffering from thinning hair is to switch between shampoos every other day. T-Gel(coal tar), Nizoral(ketoconazole), and Selsun Blue(selenium sulfide) are great shampoos for the balding man. Experiment with these shampoos and see what seems to leave your hair feeling and looking healthy. If you prefer not use anti-dandruff shampoos everyday then you can use something like Vive for Men on your off days. Vive for Men is a gift from the gods if you’re a man with thinning hair. It makes your hair feel and look thicker. It’s dirt cheap as well.
Take care of your hair.
I see guys going nuts with their hair all the time with hair products like gel and pomade. And then they wonder why they go bald so quick. Using these products every now and then is fine, but using them everyday literally abuses your hair. They will make your hair weak and brittle, especially if you’ve got the balding genes. Be gentle and good to your hair. Be gentle when you brush your hair. Better yet, brush with your fingers instead of brushes and combs. Don’t scrub your hair when you get out of the shower. Dry your hair by gently patting it with a towel. Your hair is in a very vulnerable state when its wet, and scrubbing your hair can really do some damage. It’s also a good idea to avoid wearing hats all the time as they can increase hair loss.
Eat healthy and live healthy.
Some major factors in balding include stress and diet. It’s best to keep a balanced diet and take a nutrient supplement. Although protein deficiency causes hair loss, it’s relatively rare in the United States. Protein deficiency is common in people with eating disorders. Also, If you’re worried about hair loss, it’s not a good idea to use any kind of steroids as they can increase the body’s supply of testosterone and other androgens which could make you go bald very quickly.
Following these simple guidelines may not completely stop you from balding, but it most likely will help keep the hair on your head for at least a little while longer until a cure for male pattern baldness becomes available.
