According to experts, following a diet rich in protein and iron while avoiding shampoos containing chemicals potentially harmful to hair can help men avoid hair loss.
Massick (pictured) said hair loss often starts along a person’s hairline, temples and top of the head
Dr Susan Massick, a dermatologist at Ohio State University in Columbus, urged men to take action as soon as their hair started receding by eating more foods like eggs, beef, chickpeas , pumpkin seeds and black beans. She said the extra protein would help hair follicles grow, while the added iron would increase the amount of oxygen red blood cells could carry to cells.
The dermatologist also put her weight behind the readily available 57-cent-a-day drug Minoxidil — commonly known by its brand name Rogaine — which can be taken in a low-dose pill form to help slow or even reverse weight loss. hair.
Other experts have previously warned against using shampoos containing sulfates – which are used in almost all shampoos and trigger white foam – and formaldehyde – a cleansing agent that kills bacteria. They say these can damage the hair and irritate the scalp, which accelerates hair loss, although studies do not yet confirm this.
It is estimated that more than half of American men experience some form of hair loss before the age of 40, with many spending large sums on treatments despite little evidence of their effectiveness.
Dr Susan Massick, a dermatologist at Ohio State University, says a balanced diet high in protein and iron could help slow hair loss in men (file photo)
Head and Shoulders Classic Clean and Dove Men + Care are just two shampoos that contain sulfates – which give shampoos their classic white lather. Sulfates – listed on the label as sodium lauryl sulfate – are found in many other brands, however
Massick revealed his tips for dealing with hair loss and baldness — a receding hairline and thinning hair on top of the head — to Insider.
Baldness is triggered by the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, which shrinks hair follicles, causing them to become thinner and fall out more easily.
It can be slowed down if detected in the early stages – making sure someone can keep as much hair as possible.
Massick said the hair loss mainly starts at the hairline, temples and top of the head, before spreading to other areas.
But she said this could be slowed down by eating a balanced diet rich in protein and iron, which will keep hair ‘healthy’ and ‘strong’.
She didn’t say how much someone should consume to avoid hair loss, but Food and Drug Administration (FDA) estimates suggest men should consume around 50 grams of protein and up to 20.5 milligrams. of iron per day.
These estimates are based on men who get little exercise, which suggests others may need a lot more. A blood test would reveal if someone has a deficiency.
It is believed that a balanced diet could also help women suffering from hair loss. About 18 percent have this.
Several articles have already suggested that a poor diet could be the cause of triggering and accelerating hair loss.
Online, the American Academy of Dermatology also says people should “eat healthy” and make sure they get enough iron and protein to prevent hair loss.
He adds that those who have had blood tests showing they have iron deficiencies should take supplements.
Other experts have also previously suggested that a poor diet could be the explanation for faster hair loss.
Dr. Debra Jaliman, a dermatologist at the Icahn School of Medicine in Mount Sinai, New York, explains that when the body doesn’t get enough protein, what’s available gets routed to vital organs. This means less is available to the hair.
Massick said men with hair loss should also avoid combing their hair, as it pulls on weakened follicles.
She warned people not to use shampoos claiming to promote hair growth because they “don’t stay in your hair long enough” to penetrate the follicles.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also suggested that sulfates and formaldehyde – often found in shampoos – could trigger hair loss because they irritate the skin.
The chemicals, which are also used in cleaning detergents, have raised concerns about them in the past. But no scientific study has yet conclusively shown that they can trigger hair loss.
Products that contain it include Head and Shoulders Classic Clean, available in most stores for $5.99 a bottle, and Dove’s Men+Care Sport Shampoo, which sells for $5.59 a bottle.
But many shampoos contain sulfates – listed on the label as sodium lauryl sulfate – including those from other well-known brands.
Last month it was revealed that minoxidil, a cheap and readily available drug that has been available in pharmacies for decades, could be used to treat hair loss.
Previously, it was sold to patients without a prescription as a lotion to rub into the scalp to help restore lost hair.
But now more and more doctors are telling patients to get it in low-dose pill form, which many have found much more effective. The treatment – which sells for 57 cents a pill – has not yet been approved by the FDA to prevent hair loss.
Men lose their hair due to a variety of factors, including a family history of baldness, stress, and chemicals in their environment.
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