How To Stop A Receding Hairline

For the modern man, nothing can be quite as terrifying as the realisation that you’re losing your hair. A receding hairline, male pattern baldness or thinning hair can be difficult to come to terms with. Not only is it a not-so-gentle reminder that the clock is ticking, but a thick mane has long been associated with masculinity and virility.  

It is an experience shared by many, with two-thirds of all men being affected by male pattern baldness at some point in their lives. One of the most common ways it begins is with the hairline creeping back, exposing more of the forehead (known as a receding hairline), and it’s often accompanied by thinning on top and a bald spot on the crown of the head.

Hair Loss: The Causes

Male pattern baldness stems from a combination of genetics and an imbalance of a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). As you age, DHT causes hair follicles to become damaged or shrink which causes your hair to grow for a shorter length of time and the hair that does grow becomes finer. Eventually, the follicles that shrink will stop growing hair altogether – individual hairs fall out naturally, new hairs don’t grow back in their place.

Other factors like stress, rough handling and diet can take their toll on the thickness of your mane too. Men can also suffer from ‘diffuse hair loss’. This can be caused by anything from damaging hair products and lifestyle to poor diet and nutrient deficiency.

While losing your hair is not the be all and end all, here are things you can do and steps that can be taken to either prevent, correct or simply come to terms with your hair loss:

Styling Out A Receding Hairline:

If you have thinning hair, choosing the right styling products is crucial. When it comes to choosing your styling weapons, simplicity is key. It is worth avoiding heavy, chemical-laden products like gels and pomades. These can clump the hair together causing knots while harsh chemicals deprive the hair of moisture, making it prone to breakage. As we all know, the final blow comes when your hairline starts creeping backwards. 

Instead, opt for NO GUNK all natural hair products, enriched with Argan Oil, Shea butter and Lava Clay. Did I mention they don’t have any chemicals or residue? Use our Styling Funk as a pre-styler on wet hair for a medium hold, or try our award-winning Matte Lava Clay for a breathable yet grippy all-day hold. 

It goes without saying that if you’re lucky enough to have robust facial hair, you should make the most of it with a strong beard or mustache. As well as drawing attention away from a visibly receding hairline, it will soon become your pride and joy to grow. NO GUNK’s lightweight 100% natural grooming spray can help with that!

Ditch Dandruff: 

Dandruff and flakes aren’t just a risk to your rep – they can also intensify hair loss. Dandruff goes hand in hand with male pattern baldness as healthy hair can’t grow from an unhealthy scalp. Shampooing regularly can actually help minimise hair loss by removing grease, grime and dead cells that can interfere with follicle function

If you’re concerned about hair loss, it’s good to ensure your scalp remains clean and flake-free. To remove flakes from your scalp, use NO GUNK 95% natural Fig Barbary Shampoo. It contains ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Argan oil, both associated with anti-dandruff properties and is SLS and Paraben free!

Supplements: 

Keratin, the sulphur-containing protein that hair is made of relies on dietary protein for its composition. Thus a low protein diet will result in finer, weaker hair. So if you’re not getting all the nutrients your hair needs from your diet, supplements with vitamins A, C, E and Iron are crucial to stimulating hair growth, repairing the scalp and strengthening damaged hair follicles. 

Credit: Ronstik: Getty Images/Stockphoto

Best Haircuts For A Receding Hairline:

Crew cut – With this hairstyle, the back and sides are kept close and cropped with hair left only a little longer on top. This short length works well in making the hair appear thicker and the front can be styled to mask the offending areas around the hairline.

Credit: Men's Hairstyles Now

Buzz cut – Sitting in between a short haircut and a shaved head, going very short could make a receding hairline less obvious and has the benefit of being extremely low maintenance. 

Credit: Pinterest

Clean Shave – Sometimes the only miracle cure for baldness is acceptance. Accepting baldness can restore some of the confidence that you may have lacked with a receding hairline and make you look more dominant. Plus, it doesn’t hurt your chances with the ladies, as a recent survey by WatchMyWallet.co.uk found 84 percent of women claimed that hair loss would not affect how attracted they were to a partner. 

Credit: Karen Mizoguchi, People.com