10 Best Ways to Reduce Hair Loss in Men

Hair loss in South Asian men is a lot more visible due to brown skin tones and black hair.

Hair loss among Desi men has increased over the decades.

This could be due to the use of hair products that were never used in the past such as gels, shampoos and other harmful products and the frequency of hair washing.

Even genetics can play a massive role as certain genes can contribute to hair structure, growth and thickness.

Most men in the past seldom used such grooming products but instead used oil to nourish their scalp. Hair styles included the use of oils.

One other popular product for men was Brylcreem which was first produced in 1928 in Birmingham, UK.

Even in the social media space, some trends have gone viral with guys showing off if their hairline is straight or not.

You can test your own hairline out with a simple, tried and true way to tell if it may be receding – just grab a ruler.

The distance from the brow to the hairline should measure between 6 to 8 cm.

Don’t worry too much if the results aren’t what you expected.

Even celebrities go through hair loss such as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Also, Desi personalities like Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan have had their battles with thinning hair.

Experiencing hair loss can have a negative impact on one’s self-confidence but there are a number of ways to deal with it.

It’s much harder to grow hair back after one has lost it, therefore check out these 10 top ways to keep those luscious locks intact.

Minoxidil (Regaine)

Regaine, also known as Rogaine, is a clinically proven over-the-counter aid for hair loss.

Using a 1g dose of the foam, experts advise spreading evenly across the hair, making sure to apply it directly to the scalp by parting the hair before use.

Whilst results will vary, studies have shown that 9/10 men kept or regrew their locks after 16 weeks (when used twice a day).

Naturally, hair growth is a slow process. Therefore it’s important to stick to a routine.

During the first few weeks of treatment, some men notice an increase in hair loss. Regaine states this is actually a good sign as it means the follicles are resetting to an active growing phase.

New hair coming through may appear soft or barely visible, but continued use will result in fuller and thicker hair.

Nutrafol

Dermatologist Corey L. Hartman best describes this product:

“Nutrafol is a popular hair loss supplement that contains a proprietary blend of nutraceuticals that help hair grow thicker and fuller.”

Nutrafol balances out levels of cortisol in order to build resistance to stress.

Cortisol can signal hairs to shift from growth to rest, therefore chronic stress may play a part in hair loss.

Those with excess shedding and visible scalps can use Nutrafol as a targeting tool for hormones and poor nutrition.

The medical-grade ingredients like sensoril ashwagandha are perfect.

It promotes thicker hair but doesn’t lead to side effects such as sexual performance – a common trait in some hair loss treatments.

Finasteride

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the hormone that causes hair loss in males.

Finasteride blocks the conversion of this hormone in the body and halts hair loss. In some cases, it even reverses it.

It is prescription based only and requires men to take one tablet per day. With daily use, results are seen between three to six months.

It is widely stated that Finasteride can have sexual side effects, therefore we recommend consulting a GP before using it.

Although, the majority of guys who use this treatment say the results are successful.

A study by K J McClellan revealed Finasteride halts hair loss in 83% of men, and 66% of men saw regrowth over two years.

Another 2003 study showed that continued use of the remedy over five years halted hair loss for as many as 90% of men.

Lasers

Lasers have become a popular way of reducing hair loss by using low levels of light against the scalp.

The laser restores weakened cells in the human tissue and stimulates a natural growth cycle.

A machine is placed above the patient’s head and omits a mild level of light. It’s a non-invasive and painless treatment that has no recorded side effects.

The UK-based company, Este Medical Group offer laser remedies and reveals:

“It delivers results that can influence your entire life.

“We’ve seen so many male patients walk into our clinic lacking in confidence, only to leave with a new lease on life.”

As always, it’s important to discuss this with specialists to see if this type of treatment is correct for the type of hair loss that someone has.

Vitamin D

Men require healthy vitamin D levels generally and although it isn’t a common remedy against hair loss, low levels of the vitamin can have an adverse effect.

Vitamin D has huge benefits such as reducing inflammation, improving immune health and keeping bones strong.

It also stimulates hair follicles so a deficiency can have adverse effects.

It also helps those with extreme forms of hair loss such as alopecia and research has suggested a lack of vitamin D is associated with the condition.

The vitamin can come from a range of foods such as fatty fish, mushrooms, eggs and cheese. But, tablets are also easily available in major supermarkets and health stores.

Ketoconazole Shampoo

Shampoo containing ketoconazole is another way to reduce hair loss as this ingredient reduces DHT.

Ketoconazole is primarily for anti-fungal and therapeutic use but can prevent DHT from destroying hair follicles.

It’s super effective in improving overall hair health and like laser therapy, acts as a natural stimulant for growth.

Nizoral is one of the most popular shampoos containing this ingredient and is readily available to order off Amazon.

For best results, massage the shampoo into the scalp, making sure to cover the whole head.

Step away from the shower stream, wait up to three minutes and then rinse out.

Corticosteroid Treatments

Steroid treatments can put some men off as it requires injections into the scalp. However, steroid creams are now used and preferred by many guys.

It is one of the most popular ways to treat shedding hair because you can avoid the use of a needle.

Likewise, men can use this treatment at home but the cream itself is only specifically for the scalp.

Those with extreme thinning hair may benefit more from a needle, and this can also help hair loss in other areas of the body such as eyebrows.

The main tip with corticosteroid treatments is that it requires continual use. Those who stop may find that bald patches or thinning hair start to return.

Iron

Similar to vitamin D, an iron deficiency can result in a low amount of red blood cells which help carry oxygen around the body, including the hair.

Therefore, if someone’s red blood cells are low, the body carries oxygen to other vital organs instead of the hair.

Low iron is quite common and can easily be restored via certain foods and/or iron tablets.

The National Institute of Health recommends that adult males get about eight mg of iron per day.

Shellfish, grains, leafy greens and meat are good sources of iron as well as lentils and spinach for those who are vegetarian/plant-based.

We recommend seeing your normal GP to test your iron levels and then act accordingly.

Generally, hair will start to grow back once iron levels are restored. Again, men should be patient here as it may take a few months for results to show.

Meditation and Exercise

This relates back to stress levels but some guys neglect meditation and some form of physical activity.

Whilst extreme forms of hair loss require other treatment, meditation can significantly reduce thinning hair and also promote new follicles.

Likewise, exercise helps release endorphins that fight the hormones that cause those locks to fall out.

Trying out yoga, meditation, or going for walks can help give you a boost of self-confidence.

Even generally, reducing stress levels and getting sunlight can help improve overall mood and a healthy scalp.

Hair Care

Whilst treatments and remedies are important to combat hair loss and try to fight for the head of hair you once had, hair care is the most important in reducing hair loss in the first place.

Additionally, taking pride in your hairstyle and products is beneficial in keeping your scalp happy.

For those wanting to embrace some thinning hair, certain haircuts can mask this. Short on the sides will disguise the lack of density on the top.

Or if you find a corner of your hairline is thinning, try a side part. YouTuber Ben Arthur shared this tip for Men’s Health Magazine and said:

“The advantage of a side part is that you can place it precisely on the recessed area.

“This reduces the visual impact of the recession, as you’d expect a parted area to show scalp anyway.”

Also, hair product is a big factor as greasy gels or pomades clump hair together, exposing more of the scalp. Opt for drier and more natural-looking products like matte wax or powder.

Similar to ketoconazole, shampoos and/or conditioners with palmetto or pumpkin seed oil can combat the battle on your follicles.

Go one further and pamper yourself with regular hair salon appointments.

These hair loss treatments are the best ways to combat hair loss or thinning.

What’s great is that most of these are accessible without having to break the bank. Likewise, some of the remedies can help reverse some of the damage already caused.

If one does not work, move to another. With most things, battling with hair loss is trial and error and everyone’s hair will respond differently.

But remember, it’s not the end of the world if a man is going through hair loss. Some choose to embrace it.