Men face issues as we grow older. Many of us find it easier to put on weight; testosterone levels decrease (check out our piece on “Biohacking Testosterone” if you’re concerned about this one!); and the vast majority of us experience some degree of hair loss.
No matter your age, this last one will always come as a disappointing surprise, and may deeply affect your self-esteem. And while there’s no perfect solution, there are a couple of things you can do that have a chance of largely preventing further hair loss.
Supplement Regimens
These days, many are inclined to try to treat hair loss through various supplement regimens. One of the most common supplements for hair growth is biotin, which as the National Institute of Health notes occurs naturally in foods such as lean meat, whole grains, and egg yolks. The substance has been shown in limited case studies to potentially be linked to hair growth.
Meanwhile, many will also pair biotin with other supplements such as iron, vitamins C and D, zinc, and most recently, selenium. While many of these can come from the food you eat, a daily multivitamin, or even capsules or pills with individual supplements can help you to boost your daily values. With all of this said, it’s highly recommended that you talk to your doctor before taking any of these supplements. Remember that too much vitamins or supplements can be detrimental to your health, and none of these are concretely proven to stop or reverse hair loss.
Minoxidil Treatments
Better known to some by the brand name Rogaine, minoxidil has been around for decades. It’s impossible to say with certainty, but it may well be the most commonly favored option among those looking to stop hair loss.
While acknowledging that this option doesn’t work for everyone, a guide to minoxidil on SymptomFind notes that it has been shown to work for specific types of hair loss associated with aging. Furthermore, it has the advantages of coming in different solutions –– either 2%, 3%, and up to 5% -–– and is considered a safe option for long-term treatment (though there are potential side effects). Minoxidil also has two distinct methods of application: foam and liquid. There is no evidence to support that one is more effective than the other, so feel free to try either one once you’ve consulted with a doctor and/or dermatologist.
Hair Transplants
As the name suggests, a hair transplant is a procedure that involves moving hair from one part of the body to be implanted where you once had hair –– usually on the crown of the head or at a receding hairline.
Once upon a time transplants were referred to as “plugs” and were viewed as blatantly unnatural-looking solutions. The procedures have gotten much more sophisticated however, to the point that they’re now quite common and effective. Indeed, even celebrities are opening up about getting hair transplants, as The Guardian reported.
Natural Remedies
Diet is important for the upkeep of every body system, including the integumentary system, which is responsible for our hair, skin, and nails. In order to keep this system working at its peak, you need to provide your body with an adequately nutritious diet. The good news is that you might not have to make a radical change in your routine at all.
Popular foods such as eggs, avocado, oatmeal, and berries all have properties that are linked indirectly with more robust hair growth. Mackerel-derived fermented fish oil extract, as explained in a PMC study, has shown marked results in the increase in the length of hair fiber over a span of 14 days, which means fish such as mackerel could help prevent hair loss in the long run. And on top of dietary options like the, some will also incorporate things like scalp massage and the application of rosemary or pumpkinseed oil –– all of which have shown some possibility of stimulating hair growth.
Male pattern baldness is a topic that makes a lot of men worry. And unfortunately it can pop up at just about any time, whether you’re in your early 20s or entering your 50s. There’s not a magic pill for the issue, but with certain potential remedies and lifestyle adjustments like those described here, you may give yourself the best possible chance of keeping your hair.