These Are The Actual Ways You Can Stop Losing Your Hair

    Millions of men share this problem but no one is talking about it.

    Eugene Lee Yang
    by Eugene Lee Yang

    BuzzFeed Motion Pictures Staff

    We need to start talking about hair loss, guys.

    View this video on YouTube
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    Featuring professional hair stylist and trichologist David Dang

    First things first: there's absolutely no shame in balding, so let's cut all the bullshit and actually learn something about our bodies.

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    At least she brought it up, right?

    About 30% of men, by the age of 30, will be suffering from some form of hair loss.

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    And that startling statistic only grows as we get older.

    That's around 50 million men in America, right now, who are losing their hair.

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    That means you more than likely know several guys who are going bald.

    And just because you're a teenager doesn't mean you're safe - hair loss begins any time after the onset of puberty.

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    So we're basically reverse-Simba-ing.

    The scariest fact is that you could lose 50% of your hair before the thinning becomes visibly noticeable.

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    Many men say they feel that baldness rears its ugly head when it's too late.

    But fear not: there are always options and ways to improve the strength of your hair.

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    Here's a simple step-by-step guide to preventing male pattern baldness.

    STEP 1: SELF-ANALYSIS

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    Check yourself out. For real. Go to a mirror. And examine your hair. Do it now.

    The earlier you catch signs of hair loss, the higher chance you have to prevent it.

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    Most men begin noticing or acknowledging recession in their late 20s, but if you can recognize it in your teens you're in much better shape.

    You'll notice recession in very particular places: at the anterior hairline (your temples), the crown (what we commonly refer to as the "bald spot"), and diffused thinning through the mid-frontal scalp.

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    Women, on the other hand, generally experience diffused thinning over their entire head.

    STEP 2: RESEARCH

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    Educate yourself on what's fact and what's fiction.

    Q: Is baldness inherited from your mother's side of the family?

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    A: False. Although your mother's side of the family may affect your hair DNA more, hair loss can be passed down from your father's side as well, so you need to pay attention to how all of your grandparents' and parents' hair is turning out.

    Q: What about external factors? Will things like wearing a hat actually make me go bald?

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    A: False, depending on the myth. Hats, frequent shampooing, and clogged pores will not make you go bald. The jury's out on things like extreme stress, overexposure to the sun, and lifestyle habits.

    Q: What exactly is happening to me, physiologically, when I'm going bald?

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    A: Male-pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is the shrinking of the hair follicle until it's completely destroyed and can't regrow new hair.

    Q: Okay so WTF is this hormone that's messing with my hair growth?

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    A: DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is a male sex hormone that we produce that begins to miniaturize our hair follicles.

    Q: So does that mean if I'm going bald, I'm more virile because of higher testosterone levels?

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    A: False. You're balding because your hair follicles are more sensitive in places to the DHT on your head. If high levels of testosterone caused it, then you'd experience hair loss all over your body as well.

    STEP 3: HAIR-SCRIPTION

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    Explore all of your preventative options.

    Please remember that you should consult with your stylist, trichologist, and/or doctor before pursuing any of these measures.

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    While they may work for some, they don't necessarily work for everyone.

    Minoxidil

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    • Minoxidil is the active ingredient in Rogaine

    • Usually applied directly on the scalp as a foam, rubbed in twice a day

    • Available over-the-counter and best to buy in bulk

    Biotin

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    • Also known as Vitamin H or coenzyme R

    • Available in over-the-counter, supplemental pill form

    • May promote stronger hair, nail, and skin

    Red Light Therapy

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    • Low-level laser therapy using red light technology

    • Form of a "laser comb"

    • May help stimulate stronger hair growth

    Propecia

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    • Popular prescription drug for male pattern baldness in tablet form (consult with your physician)

    • Side effects may include a decreased libido

    • Should never be taken or handled by a woman or child

    STEP 4: CUT & STYLING

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    Make your hair look its damn finest.

    There's this prevailing myth that if you're balding you should grow all of your hair out longer and "comb over" the affected areas.

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    This, in fact, makes your areas of concern even more pronounced.

    Instead, opt for a hairstyle that draws more attention towards your jawline and eyes and away from your scalp.

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    Don't be afraid to taper the sides in closer and grow the top out longer.

    Find a stylist you trust.

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    Not all barbers and stylists understand male pattern baldness, so if it's an issue for you, ask around and go to someone who knows what they're doing.

    Don't be afraid to tell them about your thinning hair.

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    In fact, make sure they're aware of it so they can style you appropriately.

    Work that brand new style.

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    The sky's the limit and so many balding men feel like they have only one look they can pull off. From there you can explore ways to experiment with new styles with your type of hair.

    ANOTHER OPTION: Surgery

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    • Also known as hair transplants or hair restoration

    • Can cost anywhere between $4,000 to $20,000 depending on the type and quality of procedure

    • Grafts of unaffected hair are removed from the back of the scalp and implanted along the front of the hairline

    • The new hair will usually take about six to eight months to grow back

    Q: Will I stop losing hair after I get surgery or as I get older?

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    A: False. Unfortunately, genetic hair loss is a lifelong condition and surgery only alleviates one of the symptoms. You will continue to lose hair but all of the preventative measures we've covered above will help slow the process down and strengthen the hair you still have.

    STEP 5: TRANSFORMATION

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    Embrace the newly enlightened you and apply everything you've learned to make sure your hair is in tip-top shape.

    Also remember that this is for men who are seeking options. Ain't nothin' wrong with embracing a hairless head.

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    Bald can be beautiful, too.