LIFESTYLE CHANGES TO PROMOTE GROWTH AND THE BEST HAIRSTYLES FOR THINNING HAIR

If you’re trying to grow your hair out or are starting to notice your hair thinning and want to avoid further hair loss, you may be curious about proper hair care. In fact, you may be asking yourself if there are ways to grow your hair faster and thicker. This is a question many men ask themselves regularly when looking in the mirror, wishing for longer and thicker hair. The truth is that the average rate of hair growth is about 1/2 inch per month – some guys can grow hair a little faster or slower. The fastest your hair can grow is determine by a person’s genetics. While there really is nothing that will make hair grow faster overnight, there are factors that can make it grow at your body’s optimal rate, allowing you to realise your hair’s full genetic potential. Below, we will discuss changes to your daily lifestyle, such as diet, exercise, sleep, and a good hair care regiment, that can maximise the rate of hair growth for most men.

Diet and Supplements 
A balanced diet can help provide your body’s cells with the nutrition, vitamins and minerals for healthy growth. Because hair grows from the root in the follicle made up of protein cells, a high-protein diet will give your cells the nutrition to reproduce, divide, and grow. Hair shafts are created when dead cells in hair follicles are pushed out through the scalp by newly formed cells. Providing the body with quality protein, vitamins A, B, C, E, and F, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, silica and selenium can encourage cell reproduction and faster hair growth. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that good nutrition can improve the quality of your skin.

Foods that contain these essential vitamins, especially B vitamins, include the following: Vegetables (spinach, broccoli, beans, green bell peppers, cabbage, lettuce, avocadoes, tomatoes, and carrots), Fruits (Strawberries, bananas, apricots, kiwis, cantaloupes, pineapples, peaches), Protein (Eggs, fish, chicken, turkey, steak, nuts, flaxseeds, raisins, lentils, soy products and dairy like yogurt, milk and cheese). A proper diet and the right supplement (e.g. a multivitamin), can help you ensure your hair grows as fast as it can. However, don’t bother buying any of these magic formulas that promise good hair growth on your head or face. These so-called “beard supplements” provide all the same vitamins and minerals your ordinary multivitamin does. And don’t forget – your body can only process and absorb so much of these vitamins, so buying a supplement with 500% of your daily need of biotin or vitamin E isn’t going to give you nicer facial hair.
 
Exercise, Stress and Hair Loss
Men should know that blood circulation is essential to stimulate hair growth. Regular aerobic exercise and weight-lifting can improve and maintain healthy blood flow to the scalp, carrying essential oxygen and nutrients. Even a scalp massage for 3 to 5 minutes a day, a few times a week can benefit you. Exercise and deep breathing can also relieve stress to prevent hair loss or slow hair growth, especially since stress, depression, and sleep deprivation are known to contribute to thinning hair. In addition to making your hair grow faster and longer, proper exercise will undoubtedly help you lose weight and ultimately make you look and feel better as well. 

Sleep 
Sleep deprivation is associated with serious health problems, including hair loss. During sleep, circulation to the skin and scalp is increased and the body secretes extra growth hormones that accelerate cell reproduction. Since cell reproduction makes hair grow, getting enough sleep and rest can literally make hair grow faster at night. With cell growth peaking at about 2AM in most people, getting to bed early and sleeping for 7 to 8 hours is essential.

Shampoos and Conditioners 
Do not shampoo your hair too often or every day, especially when using shampoos or conditioners that contain harsh chemicals that may leave your hair extra dry. And because dry, brittle hair is vulnerable to breakage, over-washing could be preventing your locks from reaching their maximum length. By using mild, organic shampoos and conditioners, it is possible to maintain at least some of your hair’s natural moisture and oils, and at least once a week, consider a leave-in conditioner to help retain moisture. Similarly, avoid washing our hair with very hot water, and instead finish your shower with warm or colder water to increase shine and health. 

Proper Hair Care 
Although the time it takes to grow hair longer is determined by genetics, hair that is damaged can break or fall out without reaching its full potential. Since hair is comprised of dead cells, it cannot repair itself. Guys can limit damage to their hair by avoiding the use of heated styling tools such as blow dryers or straighteners (if you have long curly or wavy hair), which can burn hair. Furthermore, when brushing or combing your hair to remove tangles, men should brush hair gently using a boar bristle brush without pulling or tugging that may damage roots. And if you already have long hair, we recommend you not strain the roots with tight ponytails or braids (cornrows).

Trim Your Hair 
While this may seem counterproductive, trimming your hair once every couple of months allows you to remove split ends and rejuvenate growth. Damaged ends basically stop growing so cutting off the tips to stimulate growth again makes sense. Just remember not to ask your barber to cut off too much – a quarter inch of hair is all that’s needed. 

Best Haircuts For Thin Hair 
Whether you have naturally fine hair or are experiencing the thinning process as you age, it’s important you learn how to pick the right hairstyle for your texture. But just because you’re losing hair doesn’t mean you can’t get a stylish hairstyle. The trick is fooling the eye. What makes people notice bald spots is contrast – having hair in one spot and then having none in close proximity. But what if you could make the transition gradual and avoid bringing attention to your bad hairline or thinning hair? For example, if you’re searching for trendy hairstyles for men with receding hairlines, don’t try to grow out your hair and cover it up with a comb over. Instead, get a high skin fade. This cool modern haircut starts blending your hair on the sides very high, thereby minimising the contrast. Another option would also be the faux hawk fade, where your barber would style your hair to meet in the middle of your head. As for the top, guys can get short or medium-length cuts depending on their personal preference, but we highly recommend they stick to a pomade or wax that is matte or low shine. Don’t use cheap gels because they tend to clump hair and show the scalp.

With so many different ways to combat slow hair growth or a thinning mane, guys don’t need to feel self-conscious about a bad hairdo. Between these subtle lifestyle changes to promote growth and hairstyles just for thin hair, you can feel confident about your sense of style again.


This article first appeared on Menswear Style

You can’t stop Mother Nature — but yes, you can slow down hair loss.  Here’s how.

To a degree, hair loss is totally normal. In fact, most men typically lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day, says Dr. Robert Glatter, MD, an attending emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital who has frequently consulted with men about hair loss.

By far the most common cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness, which is caused by increased sensitivity to the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While “nearly 50% of men will experience some degree of hair loss by the time they turn 50, hair loss can also begin earlier in life,” says Glatter, particularly if you have a genetic predisposition to early hair loss.

But if you're younger than 50 and you're constantly seeing strands of hair on your pillow, in the shower, or on your favorite sweater, you might want to take note, particularly if your hairline isn't actually receding (the most common sign of male pattern baldness). It could mean you’re losing hair at an abnormally fast rate. You’ll need to speak to a physician to figure out what’s stressing out your head, but here are 6 surprising reasons why your hair might be falling out.

1) Dandruff
Up to 40% of men have dandruff, a.k.a. seborrheic dermatitis. “Dandruff occurs when the scalp sheds its skin, so whitish flakes or scales may appear on your back or shoulders,” says Glatter. “Causes stem from hormonal changes or fluctuations, excessive oil or sebum production in the skin."

The good news is, seborrheic dermatitis is highly treatable. If seborrheic dermatitis is contributing to your hair loss, and it’s treated right away, you’ll likely notice significant hair regrowth 8 months after starting treatment, says Glatter.

2) Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes excessive skin cell turnover, as well as a thick white scaly patch on the scalp that can potentially bleed if removed.
“Scalp psoriasis can result in hair loss, [because] you may scratch your head to relieve the itching caused by scaling. That could cause your hair to fall out,” Glatter says.

To reduce scalp itch and potential hair loss, limit use of blow dryers or styling irons, which heat the scalp. It may also help to apply an ice pack or cool wet towel against the irritated area of the scalp. There are also a number of shampoos on the market (like Dermarest Psoriasis Medicated Shampoo Plus Conditioner, $6.67, buy it here) which can help treat the condition.

In more severe cases, a dermatologist can prescribe you "oral medications, topical creams, and ointments, along with use of ultraviolet light therapy to reduce and treat flare-ups,” Glatter says. “While you can’t completely prevent psoriasis breakouts, you can manage the condition. Talk with your doctor about ways to manage your stress, alcohol intake, medications, and other changes in your health."

3) Ringworm
Ringworm, a.k.a. tinea, is a fungal infection that produces scaly red patches on the skin. While you can get ringworm anywhere on your body, if you get it on your scalp or beard it can lead to patches of hair loss, says Glatter. “Once the area is treated with an oral anti-fungal medication, hair typically should regrow within 6-12 months. But it is still possible that some of the hair loss may be permanent,” he cautions.

4) Hypothyroidism
While it's much more common among women, hypothyroidism (or inadequate thyroid function) in men can cause fatigue, constipation, unexplained weight gain, difficulty concentrating, depression, and yup, you guessed it, hair loss.

“Hair, nails, and skin may become weaker and thus break more easily,” says Glatter. You might notice your hair thinning or difficulty growing facial hair.

If you suspect you might have reduced thyroid function, talk to your doctor.

5) Excessive Styling
If you have long hair, excessive tension from tight braids, man buns, and ponytails can lead to weakening of the hair follicle and subsequent hair loss and volume, Glatter says. That's why it's important not to keep your hair in a super tight up-do. You should also avoid using chemicals and hot tools as much as possible. (It's also worth noting that apparently, only 23% of women think man buns look good.)

If you do use hair products often, “gels and waxes don’t directly contribute to hair loss, but they can weaken the hair shaft with longer term use, leaving hair brittle and more prone to damage and breaks,” Glatter says. “Polyethylene glycol and alcohols may both dry your hair out and make it quite brittle, so products that are water-based [like this pomade for $12.99, buy it here] are much healthier for your hair."

6) Dyeing Your Hair
Approximately 7% of men color their hair, according to 2012 marketing research firm data. If you're one of them, your hair dyeing habit might be weakening your hair: many hair dyes contain paraphenylendiamine, which may raise the risk of hair loss. While this is relatively rare, Glatter suggests taking a break from dying your hair every few months to make sure you're not weakening your hair follicles.

This article first appeared on Men's Health

By Hana Hong

Argan oil is touted as everything from a scalp and strands moisturizer to a frizz tamer to a split end savior. Apparently, liquid gold does exist.

Argan oil works best on damp hair

Most stylists agree that the best time to apply argan oil is right after you step out of the shower on damp or towel-dried hair. “Use argan oil before blow drying for heat protection and shine and to tame frizz,” says Erin Zemet from Main Street Salon, However, do not go overboard with it prior to flat ironing, as it can “cook” the hair. All you need is a few drops. Rub the oil between your palms and comb your fingers between strands. Make sure to massage it into the scalp to reap maximum benefits; targeting the roots will help you attack split ends.

You shouldn’t overuse it

The cliched statement rings true in this case: too much of a good thing is a bad thing. Unless it’s already infused inside hair products (in which case you should follow its specific instructions), pure argan oil should only be used two times a week, max. Anymore could stimulate oil glands and make your hair look greasy.

It’s not ideal for all hair types

Generally speaking, argan oil is better suited for medium to coarse hair. If your hair is naturally super fine, argan oil could make the strands too oily. But don’t give up too quickly—you may find that argan oil shampoo or conditioner gives your hair just the boost you need. Play around with products to find what works best for you.

It soothes irritated scalps

Forget dumping buckets of Head & Shoulders on your scalp; you may find your solution in something more natural. “The natural properties of argan oil are a tremendous boon for a scalp plagued by dandruff and irritation,” Rupinder Mangat, founder and CEO of MEVEI, told Hold The Hairline. “Argan oil is a great moisturizer and rich in natural phenols, as well as extraordinarily high in vitamin E and antioxidants that are beneficial to hair follicles. Not only does this promote new hair growth, but it also helps grow healthy, thick looking hair.” One particular study out of South Korea found that 44 percent of participants experienced hair regrowth with argan oil treatment, which worked as well as the drug minoxidil, but without the potentially harmful side effects, according to Mangat. Don’t miss these other hair care tricks from around the world.

Not all argan oil is the same

The price of argan oil can range drastically, with a 1.7 ounce bottle costing up to $50. While there are cheaper oils available on the market, stylists advise that it’s a good idea to splurge. “Like with olive oil, quality makes a huge difference,” Zemet says. “The cheaper the product, the more fillers it contains. Also, you will need to use more of the cheaper product to get the same effect as a more pure, more expensive version.”

Argan oil prevents environmental damage

“Argan oil is a great hair and scalp moisturizer, because of its vitamin and antioxidant content,” says Raymond Anthony, Artistic Designer from Salon Eva Michelle. That’s also what creates a barrier for sun, chlorine, and saltwater damage. But this multi-tasking oil isn’t just for your hair. Check out the link below for other amazing uses for argan oil to improve your health and beauty.


11 Amazing Uses of Argan Oil for Health and Beauty


This article first appeared on Reader's digest

​It wasn’t anything I planned but this months newsletter has more of a focus than in the past.    

Many of you sitting in my chair ask “how’s it looking up there?” or you remind me not to cut it too short or leave a little here and there.  I completely understand.  I have some issues going on up there, too.   Whether it’s because we’re getting older (argh, I’m dealing with this one), going through a stressful time, chemo treatments, or recently had a baby, most of us have experienced some form of hair loss or excessive shedding of hair in our lives.  The hair follicle doesn’t handle stress very well so it doesn’t take much to damage it’s health.  

Over the last few months I’ve been collecting articles on different issues and concerns with hair loss.  I’ve shared some articles in the past, but recently there seems to be more attention on the growing demand of hair loss products.   Some of the factors for this are due to an increase in disposable income, an increase in stress levels among people, and an increase in dermatological disorders.   Hopefully the articles I’m sharing will relieve some anxieties and not stress or discourage you more.    

It’s not all doom and gloom this month.

You’ve heard me talk about argan oil being liquid gold.  Well, I have a nice article on what you should know about this amazing product.

I found a great article about Women’s Haircare from around the World.  This is just a small sample of hair rituals that have been passed down through many generations of women.

And you foodies might want to subscribe to this month’s Episode, Forked Up.  

As always, thank you for taking the time to look through this months As the Chair Turns.
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