How to Deal with a Receding Hairline

Are you worried about hair loss? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Male pattern baldness affects millions of men in the United States, with a receding hairline being the first sign of this condition. While usually attributed to aging and hereditary factors, there are certain things that can contribute to hair loss such as smoking, over-styling hair, and using chemicals to treat and color hair.

Here’s how you can deal with it if you notice it happening to you:

Get Botox on your scalp

Yup, you read that right. Botox injections aren’t just for the Kardashians — men can get them done too. When injected onto your scalp, it can reduce perspiration and induce hair growth. Since it helps you produce less sweat on your scalp, you won’t need to wash your hair as often too, thus reducing the risk of over-styling your hair.

Eat a balanced diet

A poor diet can absolutely wreak havoc on a healthy head of hair. If your hair isn’t receiving the nutrients it needs from food, it’ll be more likely to break or fall off. So, put down that pizza slice and stuff your face with healthy fats, fresh vegetables and fruits, and lean proteins instead.

Avoid heat-styling your hair

Blow-drying your hair after you’ve showered sure can get you out the door to work quicker, but it’s extremely damaging to both your scalp and your hair. Wet hair is also vulnerable to breakage, so it’s especially important to avoid applying heat to your hair immediately after you’ve washed it. You can either set up an earlier alarm for work or shower in the evening then let your hair air dry instead.

Consult a doctor

Is your hairline starting to look like your dad’s, or worse, your granddad’s? You might just need to consult a doctor. More severe cases of hair loss can be remedied with certain medications or specialized treatments such as a hair transplant or low-level light therapy. It’s best to speak to a medical professional to see which one works for your condition.

man getting a haircut in a barbershop

Stop smoking

Everyone knows that smoking is awful for your health for so many reasons. To add to the already long list of reasons you need to quit: it can hasten both premature graying and male pattern baldness. Save yourself and your hairline by kicking the habit. If you still insist on smoking despite knowing the risks, the only thing to ask is: why?

Disguise it with a haircut

Still got some hair left to salvage? Use it to disguise your hairline with a clever haircut. Head over to your barber and have him get creative by giving you a hairstyle that matches your face shape and hair type to hide a bald spot or receding hairline.

Stress out less

Stress can aggravate hair loss, so if you ever feel yourself getting frazzled, you have to remind yourself to chill out. Practice mindfulness meditation, yoga, or take up a hobby that puts you at ease — even if that hobby is something like knitting. Not only are these good for your hair health, but they’re also great for your overall health too.

A receding hairline isn’t the end of the world, but it can sure feel like it. These tips will help you combat and deal with this condition.