Words: Jonathan Wells
It’ll start with a single strand. One lonely hair will fall from your head — and you’ll begin to panic. But you shouldn’t start tearing your hair out just because you’re balding. And you certainly shouldn’t abandon all hope and just shave the lot off.
Because, even though there aren’t any quick fixes to stop yourself losing your hair, there are a few salvation-giving solutions that can slow the process down. We spoke to Jonny Harris of The Belgravia Centre, one of the UK’s leading hair loss clinics, to find out what follicle-friendly habits you should be combing into your everyday life…
Try running your way to thicker, lusher locks
What’s the problem? “Most people are aware of the links between stress and hair loss,” says Harris, “but many don’t know that this isn’t simply confined to people who feel stressed out. Stress comes in many forms — not getting enough sleep, smoking and obesity.”
What’s the solution? “As these lifestyle choices can cause the body to divert resources away from non-critical functions — including the hair growth cycle — the best way to avoid hair loss is to maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, rest and a balanced diet.”
How can we help? Surely by recommending some of the finest fitness gear money can buy. And, here at Gentleman’s Journal, we know a thing or two about building a workout wardrobe. Start with breathable fabrics, find a reliable pair of running shoes — and invest in active headphones for motivation.
Shampoo scrupulously, and any anxiety will wash away
What’s the problem? “You might have noticed more hair falling out in the shower,” says Harris. “But don’t be tempted to stop washing your hair or wash it less often. We all lose around 100 hairs per day as a normal part of hair growth.”
What’s the solution? “We’d recommend washing your hair a minimum of once or twice a week,” he adds, “in order to keep the scalp clean and healthy. Thinning hair also looks fuller when it’s freshly washed.”
How can we help? By stocking your bathroom with follicle-flourishing products. Because, whether it’s a volumising shampoo or a conditioned chock-full of nourishing nutrients, nothing is guaranteed to extend your locks’ lifespan than pre-emptive, protective care.
Find the right grooming products to style it out
What’s the problem? “Wet-look products,” says Harris. “These products can cause your hair to look thinner by exposing more of the scalp.”
What’s the solution? “Avoid them,” he continues. “There are also certain other hairstyles and concealer products, such as microfibres, that can be used to help hide a receding hairline or thinning crown.”
How can we help? By de-gunking your styling product collection and throwing out anything that has a gloopy, watery gel base. You heard Harris; wet is bad. Therefore, we’ve rounded up our favourite light, matte products that will give your hair a fuller look. The idea here is to make the most of the strands left standing — coverage is key.
Want more grooming tips? Here’s our gentleman’s guide to manscaping…
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