Last Updated on: September 28, 2022
One out of five men will experience hair loss as soon as they reach 20 years old.
That is too young, you probably thought!
While most people associate hair loss with aging, it is just one of the many factors. As your puberty stage ends, you are susceptible to hair thinning.
The good news is that you can do something about it! By being knowledgeable about how to prevent hair loss in black men, you can save your crowning glory and minimize the chances of going bald!
The Most Effective Solutions for Black Men Thinning Hair
Most people will think of black men’s hair as thick, coarse, and curly. Nonetheless, it can also be thin. Worse, black men often suffer from hair loss. Read on, and I will walk you through some of the best things to do.
1. Change Your Diet
Poor diet and lack of nutrition are some of the main contributing factors to black male pattern baldness.
Without the right vitamins and minerals, your hair follicles will not be active. This can slow down or completely stop hair regrowth.
Vitamin D is one of the most important for hair loss prevention. It has a huge role to play in hair follicle cycling.
Iron is also a must-have in your diet. The deficiency of such can lead to a condition known as telogen effluvium, which disrupts the hair’s normal growth cycle.
You also need to incorporate more zinc into your diet. It helps improve immune function, cellular division, and protein synthesis, which are all vital for hair growth.
Nonetheless, too much of one thing in your diet is bad. For instance, having excessive Vitamin A and selenium in your body can be contributory to hair loss.
2. Take Prescription Medications
If you have already made changes in your diet and nothing seems to be working, try medications. There are clinically approved drugs that can address hair loss effectively.
Minoxidil is a great choice when it comes to hair loss treatment for black males. It increases blood flow and nutrient uptake of the hair follicles.
Finasteride can also do wonders to prevent receding hairline in black men. It inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone, the hormone that contributes to the shrinking and falling of hair follicles.
3. Use Natural Supplements
It prevents black men from thinning hair through a holistic approach by taking natural supplements.
Biotin, a necessary mineral for the hair and nails, is a great supplement. It improves the keratin infrastructure, which is the basic protein that makes up your hair.
Supplements with saw palmetto are also promising. These small berries have been used by Native Americans for years in traditional medicine. While there are limited studies, some have proven that it has anti-inflammatory benefits to protect against hair loss.
Flaxseed oil is another ingredient to look for in supplements that will help in black men’s hair regrowth. It acts as an antioxidant that not only encourages regrowth but also makes your hair stronger.
4. Change Your Hairstyle
If you are curious about how to stop thinning hair in black men, you should change your hairstyle.
Dreads and braids are common amongst black males. They might make you look good, but in the long run, they also contribute to hair loss.
It is best to let your hair loose instead of making them tight. Hairstyles that pull the strands too hard can result in irreversible damage.
5. Get Rid Of Stress
Stress hormones impair hair growth.
High stress levels in African American males can increase the risk of alopecia areata and telogen effluvium, among other common types of hair loss.
Effective stress management helps not just in preventing hair loss but also in improving your overall health.
A regular exercise routine is one of the best stress busters. It can trigger your happy hormones. Plus, it can improve oxygen delivery and blood circulation, which will also have a positive impact on your hair growth.
6. Live A Healthy Lifestyle
To prevent black male hair thinning on top or in other parts of your head, stay healthy. It goes beyond having a balanced diet, taking supplements, and exercising regularly.
If you smoke, now may be the time to let go of a bad habit. We all know that it contributes to lung cancer and respiratory diseases, but not a lot are aware that it is also a leading factor in hair loss. It can damage your hair follicles and increases the likelihood of having androgenetic alopecia.
Drinking alcoholic beverages is also a culprit for hair loss. Binge drinking can result in dehydration, which will dry the hair follicles and cause hair thinning. If you have to drink, do so moderately.
7. Use The Right Shampoo
Those who are thinking of how to fix receding hairlines in black males should be wary of the haircare products they are using.
Avoid shampoos with sulfates. They can cause scalp irritation and inflammation, which can trigger hair loss. More than your choice of shampoo, the frequency of washing your hair is a more important consideration. You do not need to do it every day. Washing your hair up to three times a week will suffice.
8. Brush At The Right Time
It might sound simple, but brushing your hair at the right time can do a lot in preventing permanent hair loss. Right off the shower, it can be tempting to brush your hair while it is still wet. After all, it is smooth, so combing it is easy.
However, your hair is at its weakest state when it is wet. It is vulnerable to damage, increasing the possibility of breakage. If you want to comb your hair when it is wet, then you should at least use a wide-tooth comb.
9. Get A Hair Transplant
If you are looking for the most effective hair loss treatment for black males, it is hard to go wrong with a hair transplant.
I know this article should be about prevention. However, for black men going bald who are left with no other option, a transplant is a viable idea.
Hair loss in African American males is often done through a follicular unit transplant procedure. The process involves cutting a strip from the back of your scalp. Individual hair follicles will be removed and will be returned to the scalp.
Performing a hair transplant in Black men can be more challenging than in other ethnicities. This is because it is more difficult to replicate the growth of thick and curly hair.
10. Act Immediately
Hair loss in black men is not one thing that you should take lightly. As soon as the signs are in front of your eyes, act.
You might not have the luxury of time to delay your response to the treatment. Plus, many solutions won’t work overnight. They are long-term fixes, so you should start as soon as possible.
Accept it if you are losing hair. Instead of feeling sad, be hopeful and try the many solutions available.
Fun Fact: Hair loss is hereditary, and no one could do anything about it. However, if you know what black men bald head care entails, then it is not too late to save what is left of your crowning glory!
Types Of Hair Loss In Black Men
For a better understanding of how to prevent hair loss in black men, you should know why it happens in the first place. Below are some of the leading types you should know.
Male Pattern Baldness
Also known as androgenetic alopecia, this starts above the temple, followed by a receding hairline. While it is initially characterized by thinning hair, it progresses into partial and complete baldness.
Aside from genetics, other factors can increase the possibility of suffering from this condition. Medical conditions, such as enlarged prostate and coronary heart disease, can also be the culprits.
Traction Alopecia
Black men are known for having tight hairstyles. Dreadlocks, cornrows, and braids might look good, but they are pulling your hair too tight. This can lead to a condition known as traction alopecia.
When your hair is too long or heavy, you are also at risk of having traction alopecia. This can put too much strain on your scalp as it is pulled by your hair.
Alopecia Areata
This is an autoimmune condition that causes hair fall and prevents your hair from growing back. It can start abruptly without any indication that you are about to suffer from hair loss.
Scarring Alopecia
It is an inflammatory skin condition that can lead to permanent hair loss. Having this disease will result in scars, which will then restrict the ability of the hair strands to regenerate.
All is not lost! You could still make up for your lost hair by learning how to grow an afro for guys and replacing your vanishing mane with rich curls and waves!
Watch This!
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes hair loss in black men?
Age and genetics are some of the leading causes of hair loss amongst black males. Your lifestyle, environment, and certain medical conditions are also common suspects. To add, hairstyles and hair care products are also contributory, especially those that contain harsh chemicals.
Can black male thinning hair be reversed?
Yes, you can reverse hair thinning in black males. Doing so requires a proactive approach, which is best done as soon as the signs start to become apparent. You can take certain medications, especially if the hair loss is caused by medications and hormones. Changing your diet and lifestyle are also helpful.
What is the best hair product for African American hair loss?
Kirkland Signature Minoxidil Topical Solution is my favorite product for hair loss in black men. It has an extra-strength formula that has been clinically proven to regrow your hair by reactivating the hair follicles.
Does Rogaine work for black men?
Yes, Rogaine for a black man works. It is effective in combatting hair loss as it would in other people. Made from a drug that has been initially developed for high blood pressure treatment, Rogaine has gained global popularity for stopping or slowing hair loss, even among black males.
Conclusion
Men and going bald are two things that often go hand in hand, especially for those who are aging.
Black males are at higher risk because of having more fragile hair. Not to mention, hairstyles like dreadlocks are pulling the hair strands too tight, contributing to hair loss.
Luckily, there are many ways to prevent black men from thinning hair. From changing your diet to having a hair transplant, explore different solutions to prevent your mane from losing its life!