You have a full head of hair in your teens then suddenly, in your 20s and 30s, you begin to notice your hairline receding. You don’t think about it at first because everyone goes through the same thing. Yet, in the past years, you’ve noticed that it has receded further, much more than what you expect. Surveys said that two-thirds of men will show signs of receding hairline and hair loss by the age of 35.
The reasons vary, though genes play a good role. Stress is also a contributing factor, though it’s usually associated with hair loss and male pattern baldness than with a receding hairline. Look at your family history. If your dads and uncles have receding hairlines, you’re most likely to get it, too. Other causes of a receding hairline are hormonal changes, medications or treatments, illness, and lifestyle choices.
Race has something to do with receding hairlines, too. The highest rates are found among Caucasians while men in China, Japan, and Singapore have lower rates. That doesn’t mean, of course, that receding hairline is not a problem among Asians. It has become more of an issue these past couple of years that Asian men are now embracing the bald look. But if baldness isn’t something you want to embrace, here are some tips to stop your hairline from receding:
Talk to a Hair Loss Doctor
The first thing to do when you notice that you’re becoming bald in certain areas is to talk to a hair loss doctor in a reputable aesthetic clinic. You need to understand what challenges you’re facing when it comes to stopping hair loss and receding hairlines. There are many treatments, procedures, and medications that have been proven effective against receding hairlines. Don’t take matters into your own hands and try different hair growth products until you’ve talked to an expert.
Be Kind to Your Scalp
What can damage your scalp and hair follicles? Rubbing your head, scratching it, styling your hair, brushing it, and putting too many hair products can all contribute to receding hairlines. Go easy on your scalp. Choose hair products that are gentle to your scalp. The best product contains pyrithione zinc as the active ingredient because it treats dandruff and other skin-related conditions.
Choose the Right Hairstyle
Certain hairstyles may stress out your scalp and follicles. Pulling your hair back, tying it in a ponytail or man bun, and cornrows will stress out your follicles over time. Consider changing your hairstyle once you notice your receding hairline. You can still look fashionable even without the man bun. There are various hairstyling products that are good for your scalp’s health. You can use these to style your hair.
Eat Healthy Meals
Take a look at your diet. Are you living off fast food, processed foods, and frozen dinners? Then, your scalp and hair are not receiving the vitamins and minerals they need. That can be a reason why your hairline is receding rapidly. The solution is to start eating healthy meals. Instead of junk foods, choose vegetables and fruits. Don’t skip meals and binge-eat unhealthy foods later on.
Take Vitamins, Supplements, and Topical Solutions
Make sure to take vitamins and supplements, though don’t go overboard with supplements. Studies showed that you can overdose on vitamins, too, and it will be bad for your scalp’s health. Vitamins and minerals will your scalp all the nutrition it needs. But too much of it can also lead to damage. For example, overconsumption of vitamins A and E can increase hair loss, so you should not take more than 10,000 IU every day.
Health experts approve the use of minoxidil (Rogaine) as a topical solution for your scalp. It is used twice a day to stop and prevent hair loss. It’s a scientifically proven ointment, so you’ll be safe with it. Another treatment option is to take finasteride (Propecia), which is a pill that’s formulated to disrupt dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that causes male pattern baldness.
Before using these products, get a prescription from a qualified health professional. If you are taking other medication, it’s also best to talk with your primary physician. Don’t take these without approval from your doctors.
There is no magical cure to hair loss and receding hairlines. Although there have been a lot of approved treatments, medications, and procedures for receding hairline, the outcome will take time. Be patient enough to see the results of your hard work and sacrifice. It takes time, money, and effort to get the results you want.