Seeing more hair disappear down the drain or watching your hairline slowly recede can be a distressing feeling. You might find it makes you feel more self-conscious about your looks, and causes your confidence to plummet. The fact is though, losing your hair isn’t the end of the world, and here are a few of the reasons why.
You’re Not the Only One
Looking around you, it might seem as though everyone has a thick, full head of hair. However, the fact is that lots of men lose their locks as a result of male-pattern baldness. More than half have this condition by the time they reach the age of 50, and the process usually starts in the late 20s or early 30s. For some, the condition kicks in at an even younger age, with teenagers sometimes showing signs of a receding hairline. So, no matter what it might seem like, you can rest assured you’re not the only one who’s dealing with this condition.
There Are Effective Treatments Available
Another reason not to feel down about male pattern baldness is the fact that there are now effective treatments available. For example, the prescription-only medicine Propecia, which contains the active ingredient finasteride, shows positive results in 90 per cent of the men who use it. Some even experience hair regrowth. You can find out more about Propecia tablets by visiting specialist health websites or speaking your doctor. Bear in mind that it can take three months or more before the benefits are seen, and if you stop taking the tablets, your hair loss may resume within six to eight months.
Another treatment option is the lotion minoxidil. Although it is not as effective as Propecia, this can trigger hair regrowth in some men. You apply the lotion directly to your scalp each day and, like Propecia, it must be used continuously to prevent hair loss from resuming.
Choosing the Right Hairstyle Can Work Wonders
If you’re not keen to use treatments like these, or you find they don’t work for you, there’s always the option of changing your hairstyle. For example, keeping the hair on the sides of your head very short and letting the top grow longer is one way to make your tresses seem fuller. Don’t be afraid to use products as well. Matte finishing pastes can help to make your hair look thicker and ensure you don’t get the fuzzy look that untreated hair sometimes has when it’s thinning. Meanwhile, in the later stages of hair loss, it can be liberating to embrace your changing appearance and go for a completely shaved style. This may look better than you think – especially once you'd had a chance to get used to your new image.
If you bear these points in mind, you may see that starting to lose your hair really isn’t the end of the world.
Originally published on NaturalPapa
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