Help Him Hang On to His Hair
Why is it that we constantly worry about weight, wrinkles, and a million other facets of aging, while men care more about sports than how they look in shorts? How is that possible? Well, while we’re focusing on our thighs, there is one aspect of appearance that’s causing guys to agonize: losing their hair. In fact, they’re so sensitive about this that they’ll rarely mention it. Here are some things that are good to know about understanding, supporting, and helping when it comes to hair loss.
Acknowledge his inner Samson. Do not—repeat—do not make light of this. For men, hair is a symbol of youth, virility, and strength. These are the things he sees going down the drain. So be supportive, never sarcastic.
Forget about mom. Baldness does not result from a single, dominant gene. (It’s a myth that it’s inherited from the mother’s side of the family.) Rather, it stems from a complex interaction of genes (mostly from first-degree relatives like his father, brothers, uncles), and the effect is cumulative. The more peaches on his family tree, the more likely he’ll fuzz up, too.
Do the tug-test. The average guy loses 50 to 100 hairs from the original 100,000 on his head every day. That’s natural, and it doesn’t signal balding. So grab a clump of his hair and tug gently but firmly. If less than 6 hairs come out, tell him to relax. Anything more, read on….
Beware stressful times. When a younger man suddenly starts losing hair, the culprit is usually stress. Anxiety over career changes, relationships, or even moving or becoming a father can trigger “shedding.” (It happens in women, too.) If your guy is going through a rough patch, suggest a weekend getaway, encourage exercise, or just make love more often.
Discourage crash dieting. For men with a genetic leaning toward balding, this can cause shedding.
Buy him a ball cap. Too much sun makes hair shafts less hardy. Sunburn also releases an inflammatory compound called superoxide that shifts hair follicles from growth to shedding phase.
Try minoxidil or finasteride. These are the only two drugs proven to reverse hair loss. But neither works miracles. Buy generic to save money, choose the extra-strength variety, and apply directly to a dry scalp rather than spraying it on.
Suggest a new cut. To disguise any thinning, let the hair on top grow out while reducing what’s in back and on the sides. This creates a fuller, more balanced look. Then lend him your thickening shampoo to add even more bulk.
Encourage good health. Drinking, smoking, eating fatty food, not exercising…all these contribute to hair loss. If nothing else has motivated him to change his lifestyle, maybe this finally will.
Shave it off. Mention how sexy you think Jason Stratham or Vin Diesel is, then suggest he try that look. If he’s game, buy a clipper and give him your own buzz cut.
Love him for him!
