Grooming and Style Tips When Dealing With Hair Loss

By Jack Shaw (Guest Post) | Last updated 25th April 2024

No one likes to go bald, but that’s the reality for many men. Baldness can be a daunting journey as you navigate ageing. However, embracing this with confidence and a touch of styling can transform your look and how you feel about this natural occurrence. Discover the common causes of hair loss and styling tips to feel your best.

How to Handle Thinning Hair

The thing about hair loss is that it feels like a breakup. Whether you’re still in the period of denial or have reached the acceptance stage, there are ways you can still look dapper.

The first step is to assess your current state. What hair loss signs are you currently experiencing? Depending on your signs and symptoms, explore the following styling options.

Thinning Hair on Top

If the thinning mainly happens on the crown, keep your top and front hair longer. I style it upwards from my face with a quiff. Tell your barber to keep the top significantly longer than the back and sides and keep it classic with a low fade. If you have naturally curly hair, opt for a pompadour style — keep sides tight and short, then use a small flat iron to create volume.

A burst fade is also a great option. Short sides and longer top lengths create a perfect disguise for thinning at the temples, creating a more balanced look.

Receding Hairline

This happens when your hair starts thinning around the top and sides of your head. Avoid using heated dryers and rough towel drying. Use a cleansing scalp mask to get rid of products blocking the follicles.

Steer clear from hairstyles that accentuate your forehead, such as slicked-back. As much as you love it, you have to let go and embrace a look that best suits you. Style your hair forward, such as cropped with textured fringe, and then wear it with a taper or fade. If your hair is naturally thin and you want to divert attention from your forehead, embrace a cowlick with a tousled or messy hairstyle.

Balding on Top Except Sides

Terms like M-shaped and horseshoe hairlines describe this type of hair loss. The best way to style your hair when you have this symptom is to buzz the sides shorter. No matter how far your hairline has receded, you can never go wrong with a classic buzz cut. It makes the hairline less noticeable and appear more neat.

Shaved Head

There comes a time when a man must face baldness, so why not shave it all off? It’s a bold look if you’re willing to give it a try. However, your scalp will be more susceptible to harsh elements, such as UV rays. Take care of it by moisturising it and applying light sunscreen daily. Another option is to grow a beard to balance out your bald head.

Other Styling Tips to Try

Look and feel your best as you deal with hair loss. Try these styling tips:

Grow a Beard

Avoid shaving your beard for months to balance out the shaved head look. Experiment with a light stubble, a five o’clock shadow or a full goatee. The rule of thumb is to have a narrow beard with a wide face and a rounder beard for an angular one. Use beard oil to expedite growth and give it a healthy sheen.

If you have an electric beard trimmer or razor, clean it at least once a week to avoid allergies and rashes.

Dress for Your Face Shape

Consider your face shape when getting dressed. Hair loss makes your face look more pronounced. Dressing well can do wonders for your confidence, especially when you have a fully shaved head. For instance, if you have a wider forehead, you have a heart-shaped face. Wider cheekbones and eyes could mean a diamond, oval or circle face shape.

A shirt with narrow-pointed collars helps lengthen your face if you have full cheeks and a round jaw. I have pronounced cheekbones and a slim chin, so I needed something to widen my jaw. A cutaway collar with a longer, wider stance helped me achieve this.

Invest in Hair Care

Whether you have a receding hairline or thinning hair, remember that you can always look on the brighter side of things. Imagine saving money because you don’t need shampoo and conditioner anymore. While you still have your crowning glory, embrace it like there’s no tomorrow. Use hair care products, such as argan oil, to keep your hair and beard soft and healthy.

Use Accessories

Wear a stylish hat, watch and sunglasses that instantly elevate your look. These accessories add more focal points to your whole ensemble other than your bald head. Remember not to overdo it — an extravagant hat on a cloudy day won’t cut it. Remember that every individual is unique, so style according to the weather, occasion and what rings true to your personality.

Why Do Some Men Deal With Hair Loss?

Most men experience hair loss because of a hereditary condition called androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male baldness. The American Hair Loss Association says male pattern baldness (MPB) is responsible for more than 95% of hair loss among men. Two-thirds of men are expected to experience significant hair loss by age 35. At the age of 50, around 85% will have thinning hair.

This condition is caused by a genetic sensitivity to testosterone’s byproduct, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair follicles sensitive to DHT tend to get smaller. As they shrink, so does their life span. There will come a time when follicles stop growing hair.

Common Causes of Hair Loss

Many factors contribute to hair loss other than genetics.

Stress

A traumatic life event or unmanaged stress can trigger hair loss. Stressful events signal the body to release cortisol, which may kill off new hairs from the follicles.

Immunity Issues

If you have round bald spots in multiple areas of your head, you may have alopecia areata. This condition is caused when your immune system attacks your follicles, causing your hair to fall out. It often begins in childhood. You may notice a relative who has the same condition. While it’s not contagious, it’s hereditary.

Nutritional Deficiency

Insufficient levels of essential nutrients, such as iron, can contribute to hair loss. Vitamin D, folic acid, protein and a healthy mix of vitamins from food sources are critical to maintaining healthy hair. However, too much of anything isn’t good for hair health. An excessive amount of vitamin A can cause hair to fall out. The key is to find the right balance to enjoy healthy, beautiful hair while it’s still there.

Lifestyle

The moment I found out smoking can lead to premature hair loss was the moment I stopped lighting up. I knew cigarette toxins can cause health complications, but never thought even my hair would suffer from it. While there’s no stopping baldness, quitting smoking was one of the reasons I was able to delay it.

Medical Issues

Many health problems include hair loss as a symptom. For instance, temporary hair loss can be caused by anaemia or thyroid issues. The risk is higher for diabetes or lupus patients. Hair loss and thinning can also be triggered by certain drugs taken for high blood pressure, heart problems, cancer, arthritis, gout and even mental health issues.

Signs of Balding

It all started when I woke up and took a good look in the mirror. I realised my hair wasn’t as full and thick as it used to be. For me, the realisation was sudden. For some people, signs can appear gradually. Here are some things you should look out for.

Change in Hairline

The most obvious and probably painful sign that you’re going bald is a receding hairline. This can start at puberty and becomes more evident as you age.

Thinning Hair

Check how your hair feels when brushing with a comb or running your fingers through it. Does it appear thinner? It might be a result of MPB.

Significant Hair Loss

People lose between 50 and 100 hair strands daily. Therefore, if you lose a few strands after brushing your hair, there’s nothing to worry about. However, if you notice excessive hair shedding at the shower drain or on your pillow, you might want to visit a dermatologist to assess the cause.

Slower Hair Growth

If you typically visit your local barbershop every three weeks or monthly and you’re now going five or six weeks, hair loss might be the reason. Slow hair growth can happen throughout or on one side of your head.

Can Men Fix Balding?

Many men see their confidence dwindling by the day as they lose their hair. Can balding be reversed? Based on the common reasons for hair loss, you may think there’s no turning back to the good old days. However, recent research has found that an experimental cell therapy can help reverse baldness.

Scientists have found you can bank 100 youthful follicles and freeze them at -150 degrees Celsius. By the time you need hair, your frozen hair will be thawed and the dermal papilla cells of your hair will be multiplied inside the laboratory. While it sounds promising, the efficacy has yet to be proven in a clinical trial.

There are also medically approved treatment options for androgenetic alopecia:

• Topical minoxidil: This is the most commonly used treatment for hair loss. It’s applied to the scalp twice daily.
• Finasteride: This prescription pill has been shown to slow hair loss in about 80%-90% of men using it.
• Hair transplant: Consider this procedure if you’re looking for a long-term solution to hair loss.

Embrace the Challenge Head-On

Being armed with insights will help you approach each day with renewed confidence. Whether you embrace a shaved head or explore other options, remember that you can always look and feel your best with proper grooming and styling.

Author Bio

Jack Shaw is a writer, editor and grooming enthusiast. His explorations of men’s health, fitness and fashion can all be found on Modded, a men’s lifestyle publication on which he serves as the senior writer.