Top Tips for Healthy Men’s Hair

When it comes to hair health, this starts at the roots, where hair grows in follicles. As hair ages, it’s shed (you lose 50-100 hairs a day), but new hairs are constantly created from nutrients you consume – so a healthy diet is essential for strong, shiny hair.

But genes also play a part, particularly in the most common form of non-scarring hair loss, androgenetic alopecia (AGA) – better known as ‘male pattern hair loss’, which can start as early as your twenties, says Durban dermatology specialist Dr Imraan Jhetam. “Genes for male pattern hair loss can be passed down from either the father’s or mother’s side of the family.”

In addition, the way you treat your hair affects it, from the way you wash and dry it to the products you use to style it.

To make the most of your hair:

1 FEED IT:  

A varied nutritious diet is the best place to start. A study in the journal Archives of Dermatological Research suggests foods in the Mediterranean diet can boost hair health and reduce risk of AGA – so have unprocessed red meat, fatty fish, eggs, healthy oils, nuts and seeds, and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. 

If you can’t manage this, speak to your healthcare provider about taking a supplement – don’t self-medicate. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals can be a factor in hair health. Supplements that may help include selenium, zinc, vitamins B, D, A, C and E, iron and biotin, says Dr Jhetam. 

2 WASH IT: 

If you don’t clean your scalp regularly, the microbiome balance can become disrupted – this is the many microorganisms that inhabit your skin and contribute to scalp health. The result can be inflammation, affecting hair follicles. 

Too much washing can strip hair of its protective oils, leaving it either dry, dull and brittle, or excessively oily, as it overcompensates and produces even more oil. Aim to wash hair every second day if it’s oily, and just once a week if it’s dry. 

“For those patients with excessive hair shedding, we recommend reducing the frequency of washing, and avoiding ‘dry shampoos’,” says Dr Jhetam. Use the right product for your hair type (straight, curly, wavy, think dry, oily). Read labels and try to avoid products with harsh chemicals (petrochemicals, parabens, sulphates, phthalates), and go for those with natural ingredients such as hydrolyzed wheat protein and amino acids (to help strengthen hair), vitamin E (for hair growth and health) and peppermint or tea tree oil (to help soothe the scalp, especially if you have dandruff). 

Always use a conditioner afterwards, to nourish hair and scalp, replace lost oils and protect and strengthen hair cuticles. Again, opt for chemical-free varieties, with natural ingredients such as aloe and avocado oil. If you have dandruff (a flaky, dry, itchy scalp caused by anything from weather to hair products or stress), use a medicated shampoo as directed. 

“Essential oils like rosemary oil have been shown to be almost as effective as 2% minoxidil (a medication for male pattern baldness) in some studies,” says Dr Jhetam. 

3 STYLE IT: 

Go gently on hair: pat it dry, don’t rub it roughly, and comb while damp with a wide-tooth comb. Air drying hair is kindest, but if you use a dryer, avoid extra-hot settings and hold it away from your scalp. Use natural styling products – gels, pomades and waxes can be absorbed by your scalp more than shampoo and conditioner, so look for the likes of beeswax, castor oil, vitamin E and argan oil. 

4 REPLACE IT: 

If you lose your hair and the sexy Stanley Tucci shaved solution is not for you, today there are several options. Depending on your hair-loss problem, these range from non-surgical solutions to slow the progression of male pattern baldness with medications, such as minoxidil, finasteride or platelet rich plasma (PRP), to hair transplants. 

“It’s recommended to start medical treatment as soon as possible to halt the progression before doing treatments like PRP or hair transplants,” says Dr Jhetam. See a qualified dermatologist with an interest in hair loss.

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