Men's hair health: simple steps that really help

Worried about thinning hair? You’re not alone. Hair loss shows up for lots of reasons — genes, stress, diet, meds, even scalp issues. The good news: small changes to how you care for your scalp and what you put in your body often slow shedding and make hair look fuller fast.

Everyday habits that help

Start with how you wash and style. Use a gentle shampoo and don’t shampoo every day if your scalp isn’t greasy — two to three times weekly is fine for many men. When you shampoo, massage the scalp with your fingertips for a minute; that boosts blood flow without stretching hair. Avoid tight hats, tight ponytails, and rough towel-drying. Pat dry or use a microfiber towel.

Heat and harsh styling products damage hair. If you blow-dry, keep it on a cool or low setting and don’t aim at one spot. Choose styling creams over stiff sprays and avoid alcohol-heavy gels that dry the scalp. When combing, use a wide-tooth comb and start at the ends, working up to the roots to reduce breakage.

Nutrition matters. Your hair needs protein, iron, vitamin D, zinc, and healthy fats. Eat lean meat, eggs, beans, leafy greens, nuts, and fish. If you’ve had a diet change, a simple blood test for iron and vitamin D can be revealing. Biotin supplements help some men with brittle hair, but they won’t regrow hair lost to genetics on their own.

Treatments that work — and when to see a doctor

Two treatments with strong evidence are topical minoxidil and oral finasteride. Minoxidil (a lotion or foam) can thicken hair and is easy to try. Finasteride is a prescription pill that slows hair loss in many men and can help regrow hair, but it has possible side effects, so discuss it with a doctor. Ketoconazole shampoo can help if dandruff or inflammation is present. For persistent, fast shedding or patchy loss, see a dermatologist — conditions like alopecia areata, fungal infections, or scarring need medical care.

For advanced thinning, newer options include low-level laser therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and hair transplant surgery. These work best when managed by a specialist who can explain realistic results and costs. Don’t fall for miracle cures that promise overnight regrowth — if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Quick checklist: check your family history, review recent medications, test iron and vitamin D if you’re losing hair fast, switch to gentler hair care, and talk to a dermatologist about minoxidil or finasteride if needed. Small, consistent changes usually give the biggest payoff for men’s hair health.