Leah LOVES hair. So much so, she dedicated an entire website to it! One of the founders of Hair Everyday and Chief Editor, Leah enjoys reviewing all the hair products and showcasing the best. She believes her most underrated articles are her hair care tips!
In this article, I’ve listed out ways how to prevent hair loss for black men as African American men are prone to damage due to tight hairstyles, not using the right products and other reasons.
Most of us expect to succumb to hair loss as we age, but when your hair loss starts off much earlier than expected, then it most definitely is a cause for concern, don’t you think?
Hair loss is a common problem most of us face and is something we all find hard to accept as it is something very disheartening and can bring down one’s self-esteem and confidence over time.
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“Why me? Why should I go through this hair loss?” You may often question yourself.
Well, the factors are many and if you succumb to any or many of those factors leading to hair loss, then this article is the perfect read for you!
This article is going to talk all about male pattern baldness in black men, the causes of hair loss and ways to prevent it.
So let’s get it into the details!
What does “male pattern baldness” refer to?
Male pattern baldness is a common problem in men all around the world but is the most common cause for the loss of hair in black men.
Male pattern baldness in black men is often attributed to men wearing hair braids, dreadlocks etc, but can also often be due to other contributing factors in men who do not wear such hairstyles.
In the next section, you will read about the causes of male pattern baldness in black men.
How to prevent hair loss for black men 2022
If you want to learn how to prevent hair loss for black men then read these tips below!
Discontinue wearing tight hairstyles
Since traction alopecia is one of the most common causes of hair loss in black men, being mindful of the hairstyle you choose to wear is very essential.
If you’re one of those men who often wear dreadlocks, braids, tight ponytails, wigs, etc, and see your hairline has receded, it is time to avoid these types of hairstyles.
This helps reverse the hair loss before it becomes too late and instead you can choose to let your hair grow out without having it tied up and let it eventually start filling in your hairline.
Natural remedies like hair oiling and scalp massages
Stimulation of the hair follicles is one of the best methods of preventing hair loss and promoting the regrowth of hair.
When the hair follicles become dormant, or die, they fail to produce hair. When warm natural oil is applied on the hair, it penetrates into the hair shaft and enters into the hair follicles.
When the scalp is then massaged, it helps stimulate the dormant hair follicles towards hair growth and increases the amount of blow flow to the scalp.
This helps promote sufficient blood circulation in the scalp for the rejuvenation of the hair follicles over time.
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Reduction of stress
In the present day, stress can be a major factor contributing to hair loss. Therefore, proper stress management is very essential to deal with stress.
Some of the best ways to deal reduce your stress levels could be by –
Having sufficient exercise
Exercising on a regular basis will not only help reduce your stress levels but also help improve hair loss.
When you exercise, your body expends energy and this helps release bodily stress, which is one of the causes leading to hair loss.
On the other hand, when you exercise, the blood circulation in the body improves, increasing the blood flow to the scalp, which can then stimulate the dormant hair follicles towards hair growth.
Practicing meditation and yoga
Meditation is one of the most common techniques that can help reduce stress anxiety levels by calming down the body and mind and putting the body into a state of rest.
There are certain types of yoga asanas like sirsasana, sarvangasana, padahastasana, adho mukha svanasana, upasana etc, that are super helpful for hair growth.
They help in increasing the blood flow to the scalp and stimulating the dormant hair follicles towards hair growth.
Hair growth products and supplements
There are many hair loss prevention products and hair growth products in the market. These products range from products like hair oils, serums, shampoos to more advanced hair growth products like laser caps and laser combs.
Hair loss pills are easily available for use in the market and can be used by anyone.
But that being said, seeking a medical recommendation before using such advanced products is always advisable, to avoid the risk of side effects if any.
There are certain times when our lifestyle and diet may not provide us with the sufficient supply of nutrition, making us vitamin and mineral deficient.
This could play a role in causing the hair loss we are facing. Therefore, we need to take supplements in order to boost these deficient levels in our bodies, in order to prevent this related hair loss.
Therefore, when you purchase any hair growth supplement, it is important to look out for certain hair growth stimulating natural ingredients.
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Here are some of the main natural ingredients to look for, that can help boost hair growth and prevent hair loss:
Vitamin C: Our bodies require a certain protein called ‘collagen’ that is an essential protein that forms the structure of our hair.
In order to produce this protein, we require sufficient amounts of vitamin C in the body.
Iron and folic acid: Iron is responsible for our body’s hemoglobin levels.
Without iron the hemoglobin levels decrease and the hair follicles will be deprived of sufficient oxygen.
In such a case, there will not be proper blood flow and enough blood circulation in the scalp, in turn inhibiting hair growth. Vitamin C also plays a role in the absorption of iron in the body.
On the other hand, folic acid helps rejuvenate the cells and keep them healthy, as it can help boost cell regeneration.
When there is cell regeneration, there is sufficient supply of the essential nutrients to the hair follicles, in turn boosting hair growth.
Keratin and biotin: These are two of the most active ingredients that contribute to hair growth and hair health, as they work hand in hand.
The protein keratin makes up our hair. Therefore, any lack of keratin in the body can cause hair loss.
Vitamin B7 (often known as biotin) is one of the main ingredients to stimulate the production of keratin in the body, in turn promoting hair growth.
Getting A Hair Transplant
There are certain people who have already advanced hair loss issues and the above-mentioned prevention techniques may not be useful.
This may be because their hairlines have receded and the hair follicles have died out over the years and aren’t revivable.
In such cases, more advanced methods of treatment are recommended to be used and one such treatment is hair transplantation.
This procedure is done by a professional medical practitioner who will carry out a surgical hair replacement procedure, which includes the healthy hair follicles (of the same individual) being transplanted into the area of balding.
This procedure is permanent and will eventually bring your hair and hair growth back to how it was originally within a span of a few months.
What are the causes of hair loss in black men
Tight hairstyles
The type of hairstyle you choose can also be a reason leading to hair balding.
Wearing braids or dreadlocks can be a cause for developing a condition called ‘traction alopecia’ which leads to balding.
Traction alopecia refers to the balding of hair because of the hair being pulled over the scalp, leading to partial (initially) or complete (eventually) hair loss.
This is a major cause for receding hairlines in black men.
Improper stress management
A lot of black men may not be wearing tight hairstyles and still experience hair loss.
Well, the way you choose to live and the amount of unmanaged stress in your life has a major role to play when it comes to hair loss.
When the body is under extreme stress, it goes through a certain condition called ‘telogen effluvium’, which causes the hair follicles to be pushed into the telogen phase of the hair cycle prematurely.
This telogen phase is the resting phase of the hair cycle and therefore this can lead to excessive hair loss during a certain period.
Excessive use of hair styling products
When it comes to the usage of products, there could be two common problems.
Firstly, the harsh chemicals found in the hair styling products like gels, pomades, etc, and in hair cleansing products like shampoos and conditioners can lead to hair loss.
Secondly, when these products are used regularly and do not get washed off completely, there can be product buildup on the scalp, clogging the hair follicles over time and inhibiting proper hair growth.
Therefore, once the hair has fallen, the chances of it growing back well would be reduced.
Genetics and lifestyle
Genetics does influence male pattern baldness to a certain extent, but not everyone gets affected by the gene.
The lifestyle you live and the food you consume also play an important role.
When we do not consume a balanced diet, it will lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies further leading to hair loss.
What Are Some Signs Of Hair Loss In Black Males
The signs of hair loss in black men is the same as the signs of hair loss in men of other ethnicities. However, due to the way black men wear their hair (dreads, braids, Afros, etc.) it can be harder to find out.
Also, the intensity of hair loss can vary greatly from person to person. But there are some common signs of hair loss in black males. These include:
- Loss of hair density or thickness in the hair shaft
- Increase in shedding
- Swelling or tenderness in the scalp
- Irregularity or change in the shape of the hair shaft
- Dullness, flatness, or thinning of the hair
- Grey or white patches on the scalp
- Hair looks same length straightened as it does in an Afro
The final takeaway
Hair loss in black men is a rather common problem faced by many men in the present day.
But if the problem is nipped in the bud at its early stages, then there will no longer be a problem.
Using different methods to prevent this hair loss at the early stages is always recommended.
It is essential to remember that hair loss can occur in men who are in the younger age group as well and the warning signs shouldn’t be ignored.
Also Read:
Best beard trimmer for black men
Best beard oil balms for black men
Best beard butter for African American men
To Summarize
