This article was created in collaboration with Nutrafol
Many men accept hair loss as a fact of life, but maybe it doesn't have to be.
Men are genetically predisposed to thinning hair, but by adopting a healthy lifestyle and keeping the body's balance in check, they can control the health of their hair.
"Hair loss is multifactorial," says Dr. Shino Bay Aguilera from Shino Bay Cosmetic Dermatology in Fort Lauderdale, FL. “It is mainly caused by hormones, stress, lifestyle, metabolism, aging and poor diet. These imbalances in the body can activate the genetic predisposition to thinning hair.”
With that in mind, it's important to know that the solution to thinning hair doesn't always have to be prescribed by a doctor. Many affected men are reluctant to take topical and oral hair loss solutions because a small percentage of users may experience suppressive sexual side effects. Luckily, there are natural ways to keep the body nourished and balanced, which directly affects (and even targets) hair strengthening. So, even if you use doctor-prescribed options, you can always complement the effort with natural remedies.
Here's a look at hair loss and how to counteract it naturally.
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How Hair Loss Happens
Almost every man will experience hair loss in his lifetime, Bay notes. How quickly it happens will vary from man to man. Some men are nearly bald by 25, while others discover their first bald spot by 75. Regardless, age comes for all of us as cell regeneration slows down over time.
Second, there is the proliferation of DHT, or dihydrotestosterone. This by-product of testosterone is responsible for the thinning or shrinking of hair follicles and the eventual inability of the follicle to grow new hair. This is what many prescription drugs aim for — and which can sometimes lead to sexual side effects. Alternative and natural approaches instead attempt to strengthen the follicle directly rather than suppressing the body's hormonal processes.
Third, all kinds of stress can accelerate hair loss and stifle hair growth, Bay points out — whether it's from a bad day at work, lack of rest, or even poor diet. Stress keeps hair in a dormant state and sometimes prevents growth altogether. If you are already prone to (or currently suffer from) genetic hair loss, reducing all types of stress in your life is imperative if you are to preserving your coat.
What to do when you start losing hair
optimal approach to thinning hair is the same from person to person. This is because we are all affected by hair loss differently - from general hair loss or individual hair loss to spot hair loss or hairline. The best response for each person must also consider their commitment to the remedy as it is a daily effort possible risks he is willing to take with some prescription drugs.
Bottom Line: When you begin to experience thinning hair, your first step is to see a board-certified dermatologist to discuss the right path for you. According to Bay, this is the only way to receive tailored advice and ensure a safely monitored process progress.
The best supplements for thinning hair
Just as you might take whey protein or a multivitamin post-workout for general well-being, you can take a hair-focused supplement that will help anchor and strengthen hair (while in return giving it stronger, thicker hair). Many supplements will tell you that a simple, unique ingredient (usually biotin) is the answer. But while a vitamin like biotin is believed to help strengthen and speed up hair growth, it doesn't address the root causes that contribute to hair loss. That's why it's important to choose a truly comprehensive supplement: one that looks at hair loss from a full 360-degree spectrum.
And since your dermatologist is the person you can trust with a hair health plan, you can also trust the #1 dermatologist-recommended hair growth supplement to combat thinning hair: Nutrafol.
"Nutrafol is 100 percent drug-free, natural, and contains no ingredients that adversely affect sexual health," says Bay. "Of course, a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and a balanced mind are also important."
Even men with advanced hair loss (those receiving plasma injections or laser therapy) can strengthen their hair with a well-rounded supplement. Again, you can add a plan prescribed by the document. Many people do not experience any side effects with prescription hair products, but still seek the natural hair strengthening benefits of Nutrafol.
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Why dermatologists trust Nutrafol
Scan the internet and you'll find a long list of unregulated, poorly sourced, nebulous "hair-saving" pills. One reason Bay trusts Nutrafol is that the brand researches and clinically validates their formulations and products to a high level of science. "The dietary supplement industry is not regulated," he says. "Nevertheless, Nutrafol is working with a range of health practitioners to better understand hair thinning in order to address hair health from the inside and topically."
The brand also offers a Growth Activator Hair Serum powered by Ashwagandha exosomes, in addition to its Nutrafol Men daily supplements, which address the multiple causes of hair loss, including hormones, stress and diet.
"To create Nutrafol products, we adhere to strict scientific standards to ensure that every ingredient is proven to be effective," says Nutrafol Founder Giorgos Tsetis. Tsetis started the company in large part because he wanted a natural, effective alternative to the other popular options on the market. "The side effects I've experienced from prescription drugs have changed the way I think about modern health and wellness," he says. "I didn't want to sacrifice my overall health just to keep my hair. I knew there had to be a better way.”
The best ingredients in hair health supplements
What should you look for in a comprehensive hair health supplement? Here's a hint: it's much more than just biotin. Below are four main ingredients in Nutrafols daily hair growth supplements for men.
- saw palmetto: Helps reduce the effects of DHT and promote hair growth. While medicinal options (like finasteride) block all DHT, a lot of medicinal-grade saw palmetto contains several plant compounds that have more of a balancing effect, and multiple studies have not found it to affect circulating DHT levels or negatively affect sexual performance influenced.
- Ashwaganda: This adaptogen balances stress hormones in the body by building stress resistance to promote a healthy hair growth cycle.
- Vitamin E: Increases hair density by counteracting the negative effects of environmental stress (like pollution).
- Collagen: Hydrates and nourishes the scalp while providing amino acids known to support keratin formation.
These ingredients are present in medicinal amounts. Add biotin, seaweed extract, keratin, antioxidant-rich resveratrol, zinc, selenium, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, C, and D to this list.
In addition, Nutrafol's ingredients are sourced from the most reputable, highest quality sources. The result is a clinically effective, 100% drug-free approach to thinning hair.
When to expect results
Hair growth doesn't happen overnight, additional success can usually be seen within 3 to 6 months of use, says Bay. This is because the hair growth cycle is quite long and there are intervals when hair falls out. Once the natural ingredients have balanced causes that shorten the growth cycle, the nutrients can build strong hair. It is recommended that users continue to take these supplements to maintain results. This applies to all hair health plans. Measures must be maintained, otherwise the hair will return to the way it was before any countermeasures were taken.
In other words, any means of revitalizing and caring for your hair is a long-term investment - but one that millions of men find worthwhile.
"You have to treat your hair like your crown," says Bay. “It has a huge impact on self-esteem. And because hair is part of overall well-being, don't be afraid to invest in supporting hormones to help manage stress and address other causes of thinning hair as well.”
For more information, visit Nutrafol.com and follow @NutrafolMen.
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