Hair loss and thinning are common as you age. However, bald patches and incessant hair fall can be causes for concern and can lower one’s esteem about their appearance. Male pattern baldness is one of the most common hair loss concerns that 80% of men start facing as they enter their late twenties to early thirties. In order to explore the best hair treatment for balding and hair loss, you must have an understanding of male pattern baldness.
What Causes Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness (MPB) is largely influenced by genetic and heritable factors as well as the regulation of male sex hormones. Poor lifestyle choices, chronic stress, and not taking care of the scalp and hair are secondary reasons that can expedite the progression of male pattern baldness. The harsh truth is that once MPB reaches a stage where the hair follicles can no longer be revived, it’s impossible to reverse hair loss. However, early signs can be warded off if you start following a healthy hair care routine and make better lifestyle choices. Below are a few realistic pointers to help stave off early signs of balding and hair loss.
Internal Care
1. Collagen
Collagen is an important protein that is already present in the body. It’s responsible for keeping the skin, hair follicles and joints supple, strong, and healthy. Collagen also helps maintain your hair’s natural lustre. As we age, our body loses the ability to produce collagen which can lead to brittle hair follicles and poor scalp strength. Boosting collagen intake can revive dormant (not dead) hair follicles to boost hair regrowth. Carbamide Forte’s Hydrolyzed Multi Collagen tablets are made with five different vital types of collagen peptides that easily absorb into the system for improved scalp health, nourished hair follicles, and stronger strands.
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2. Hair Supplements
Hair supplements are greatly beneficial in targeting early signs of male pattern baldness and other kinds of hair loss that are not influenced by underlying health conditions as much as other factors like chronic stress and genetics. Taking them regularly and patiently can give satisfactory results in terms of controlled hairfall and a healthier volume. Wellman’s Hairfollic hair supplement for men is made with biotin, zinc, and Amino Lingan Complex which targets early signs of male pattern baldness and androgenic alopecia. It also has vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, that nourishes the hair follicles and promotes hair density by aiding collagen production.
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3. Protein
When protein supplements are combined with a proper diet, they can help strengthen the hair follicles. As per a 2017 study done on nutritional deficiency-led hair loss, the majority of participants lacked essential amino acids which resulted in female and male pattern hair loss as well as early signs of male pattern balding. Essential amino acids are crucial to combine protein with the system for improved muscle growth, and hair fall control. Moreover, hair follicles are mostly made of keratin protein which requires essential amino acid to boost the anagen phase of hair growth. Wellbeing Nutrition’s Superfood Plant Protein Isolate is made with pea protein isolate, brown rice isolate, and chia seeds. One scoop contains 22g protein as well as 5 essential branched-chain amino acids to strengthen hair follicles, and build lean muscle.
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4. Balanced Diet
This may be a no-brainer but eating a balanced diet with proper intake of protein ensures overall health, including stronger scalp, hair follicles, and healthy hair growth. This 2021 study observed that though keratin is an important protein in maintaining healthy hair follicles, taking them in the form of supplements is not feasible as it can’t be absorbed and broken down. Therefore, consuming foods rich in amino acids like poultry, soy, dairy, and quinoa, helps your body to form keratin to strengthen hair follicles and reduce hair fall.
External Hair Care Guide
Clarifying Shampoo
Excess oil, dandruff, dirt, and product buildup can cake the scalp and weigh down on the hair follicles. This can also cause itching which can leave the scalp irritated. Such circumstances can lead to hair fall due to breakage and weak hair follicles. That’s why it’s essential to use a clarifying shampoo that thoroughly cleanses the scalp. The TIGI Bed Head Down N’ Dirty Clarifying Detox Shampoo is a salon expert-recommended gem that’s formulated with Beach Rescue System that removes grease, sweat, and build-up by deeply cleansing the scalp without stripping it of its natural oils. It also has glycerine and lotus flower extract to hydrate and moisturise the scalp.
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Breakage Control & Anti-Frizz Conditioner
Hair breakage is a foremost concern in many cases of hair fall. Constant tangles, knots, and combing the scalp harshly can break the hair from the roots, leading to brittle, sparse strands. Rough, coarse, and frizzy hair can also cause breakage due to lack of moisture and hydration. The Plix Rosemary Advanced Anti Hair Fall Conditioner is a boon for reducing breakage-prone hair fall. It has 3% shea butter to deeply soften the strand to give it lustre, bounce and shine. It has plant-derived keratin to strengthen the lengths by taming frizz and nourishing the hair fibres, and rosemary to improve vitality and health of the hair from roots to tips.
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Oil Massage
Though there is limited research on the efficacy of hair oil treatment for hair loss, hair oil massage has a long history in Indian traditional hair care rituals and Ayurveda to nourish the scalp, stimulate hair follicles and boost blood circulation, all of which are essential for the overall health of the hair. Hair oils condition the hair and help to give the scalp a good slip for an effective massage. Indulekha’s Svetakutaja Hair Oil is made with a rich Ayurvedic composition of Svetakutaja, amla, neem, and Brahmi. While Svetakutaja and neem have antimicrobial and antifungal properties to reduce dandruff and itchiness, Brahmi and amla improve blood circulation and strengthen the hair follicles.
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Hair Growth Serum
Hair growth serums are still relatively a new concept in the hair care industry to fight hair loss with science-backed active ingredients. They’re solely meant to be applied to the scalp to stimulate dormant and weak hair follicles to control hair fall and in some cases promote hair regrowth. Nykaa Man’s best-selling The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Hair Serum is a clinical formulation that contains essential peptides, AnaGain, Redensyl, caffeine, and follicle-stimulating natural extracts. This leave-in treatment improves hair density for fuller, thicker-looking hair.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can balding men regrow hair?
It depends on the stage of balding. Early signs of hair loss and balding can be recovered with proper nutrition, prescribed supplements and a healthy hair care routine. They strengthen and boost weak, dormant hair follicles. However, once the hair follicles are dead, it’s not possible to recover them.
- What age do men go bald?
As per studies published by NIH, male pattern baldness starts to affect 30–50% of men by the age of 50. Other kinds of hair loss like telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia can also affect men owing to stress, illness, or underlying health conditions.
- Is balding genetic?
Yes, balding and hair loss can be attributed to genetics. However, taking proper precautions early on like a healthy diet, medical consultation, and effective over-the-counter hair care products can help delay genetic hair loss.
Hair loss may be distressing but our realistic solution to curb male pattern baldness at its earliest stages can help recover hair follicles and promote healthy growth as well as boost confidence. We hope you bookmark this article to curate a healthy, effective anti-hair loss hair care routine.
