Thin with Pride
It's an issue that has plagued men for millennia. From medieval treatments of olive oil, honey and saffron to Wayne Rooney's recent expensive hair transplant operation, men have always wondered one thing: how can I reduce hair loss?
With celebrity after celebrity resorting to pricey surgery, it is understandable to assume that such severe procedures are the only legitimate answer. There are, however, countless alternatives for thicker, fuller hair- it's time for men to pluck up the courage to discover more!
When guys do get round to having a chat with me in the salon about what we can provide, they are often surprised about the range of products specifically proven to slow the process. The Specifique range by Kerastase is my personal favourite: a collection developed through years of scientific research by parent company L'Oreal. Including a shampoo, treatment spray and texturiser, it uses the latest technology to provide noticeable results in hair thickness and growth. The range works to optimise micro-circulation, which prevents hair loss by nourishing the root of the hair to strengthen the hair fibre, leaving hair looking soft and shiny. I believe the treatment spray to be a real winner- it stimulates natural growth by providing nutrients directly to the bulb, the best way to leave hair thicker and stronger.
But, as great as these treatments are, there's often no miracle cure for pattern baldness: it's in the genes! Unavoidably, the hair becomes gradually finer as the years pass, making its change in structure an inevitable part of the ageing process. Nobody over 50, for example, has the same volume of hair they had in their 20's, 30's or 40's. It's fairly common too, affecting 70 percent of men by the time they are 70 years old.
If you're sitting in the depths of woe, wondering if you or your partner are certain to be in that 70 percent, there are all sorts of cheap and easy lifestyle changes that you can make to ensure that your hair is getting the care and attention it requires. A good diet, for example, is essential for a glossy head of hair. To stay healthy-looking, hair needs protein and iron, which can be found in red meats and dark green vegetables, nuts and eggs.
Fish and poultry are also great sources of protein, giving your body more of the building blocks it needs to maintain those follicles. Consume plenty of fresh fruit, salads and vegetables of different colours, lots of water and a glass or two of red wine: any alcohol in moderation is fine.
However, regardless of whether you're graced with a thick mane or are thinning round the edges, I'm always telling my male clients that a man's true attractiveness has little to do with the amount of hair on his head. I'm sure you'll agree- whether it's Ben Affleck or Danny Dyer, men who thin with pride are all the more attractive with age.