Five Great Tips for Coping with Hair Loss

Although we would like to stay young forever, sooner or later, most men (and many women) wake up one day to discover that they are losing their hair. This can be a frightening and unsettling experience, to say the least. Many people feel like going bald means kissing their youthful good looks goodbye, and this can be a difficult thing to accept.

Luckily, there are some simple things you can do to "fight back" against hair loss. From choosing the right haircut to having a positive mental attitude, here are some simple steps that you can take to help you cope with hair loss:

1) Realize that your hair does not determine your self-worth. This is difficult for many people, especially young people, who are used to looking a certain way. When your hair starts to fall out, it is easy to feel like that's all anybody is looking at. But chances are, you notice your own hair loss way more than anyone else. Try to relax. The truth is, most people are way more concerned about your personality than the way you look. And those that aren't are not worth being friends with in the long-run.

2) Learn about your medical treatment options as soon as possible. It may seem strange, but hair loss is an actual medical condition that can be successfully treated in most cases. From over-the-counter and prescription medication to surgical procedures, there are more options for treating baldness than ever before. One thing is certain, though. The sooner you start treating your hair loss, the better the chances are that you will have hair in the future. If you're determined to battle against your own personal hair loss, a trip to your family doctor or dermatologist should be one of the first steps you take.

(For more information about medical hair loss treatments, including my own personal experience with the prescription hair loss drug Propecia, read my previous article by clicking here)

3) Choose a hair cut that will help take the focus off your hair loss. It's so true...the right hair cut can make all the difference in the world when you start losing your hair. It may seem counterintuitive, but shorter hair cuts usually tend to work better for people who are balding, because longer hair makes the bald patches more noticeable. If you've lost a considerable amount of hair already, you might end up looking better with a completely shaved head. Talk to a good hair stylist who has experience in dealing with people with hair loss. Ask your stylist which cut they think would work best for your situation. Finally, if you don't like one cut, don't be afraid to go someplace else the next time. It may seem like a lot of trouble, but your appearance and self-confidence are worth it.

4) Choose the right styling products. The same hair products you used when you were 13 and had a thick, full head of hair are not the same products you should be using once your hair starts to thin and fall out. Many products are too "heavy" or greasy for thin hair, and will only make your hair loss more noticeable when applied. When deciding on a hair product, you want to look for something that will thicken the hair and provide a matte finish. Beware of products that say they add "gloss" or "shine," as they will usually be too oily. Find a store that will let you return an opened product if you don't like it, and again, don't be afraid to ask the opinion of your hair stylist. They will usually have some great recommendations.

5) Learn to accept the fact that you will eventually be bald...and that it doesn't matter.  Hair loss is generally an ongoing, irreversible process. While medical technology has come a long way, and we can now slow down and even reverse hair loss, they haven't figured out a way to stop the inevitable from eventually occurring. Chances are that, one day, you will be completely bald. Hopefully it won't be until you're old enough to not care any more, but try to get comfortable with the fact that hair loss is just a part of life. When you realize that people love you for who you are, and not the hair on your head, your hair loss problem will start to seem less and less important.

What I Don't Like About Rogaine Solution

What I don't like about Rogaine solution is the fact that it takes so long to dry.  I put it on, and then go to scratch my head like an hour later, and my fingers get all greasy because the minoxidil solution hasn't dried yet.  And, as you saw from the pictures in my previous post, I don't have much hair! It shouldn't take nearly as long to dry as it does....sometimes it can take 2 or 3 hours.  Plus, every time I rub my head and get the minoxidil solution all over my hand, I'm scared I'm going to end up with hairy palms...and everyone knows what that means.

I feel like I'm able to get more of the medicine on my scalp with Rogaine solution as opposed to Rogaine foam.  But I'm not sure if I would buy the solution again.  Although I think I'll end up using more of the foam, thus going through it faster and paying more money, the solution just doesn't seem nearly as convenient for me.  I like how quickly the foam dries and that it's not greasy.  That's worth the extra money to me. I just worry that the foam won't work as well.  Only time will tell.

Thirty and Balding

One of the things that has really bothered me over the years is my male pattern hair loss.  It started when I was about 22 years old...all of a sudden I noticed that my hair was really thin, and that a bald spot was developing at the top of my head.  A couple of years later, things had gotten so noticeable that I decided to see a dermatologist about my hair loss.

The doctor told me that there were two FDA approved treatments for balding (at the time).  The first was Rogaine--topically applied minoxidil solution.  The second was a pill called Propecia, also known by the generic name finasteride.  At the time, I wanted to stop my hair loss, and my lifestyle didn't allow for a twice-daily topical treatment, so I opted for Propecia.  I took my pills as prescribed for two years, and my hair loss stopped with little side effects.

I lost my job in 2008, and Propecia got too expensive for me, so I stopped taking it.  For a couple of years I didn't notice a difference, but then last year people really began to comment on my thinning hair.  Once other people were noticing my hair loss enough to ask me about it, I knew it was time to do something to regrow my hair.  Here's a few photos of where my hair loss stands today:

My hair is buzzed short in these photos, but as you can see my bald spot is very apparent.  According to the manufacturer, minoxidil solution is the only FDA-approved treatment that is clinically proven to regrow hair, so I have decided to give Rogaine a try.  I started using Rogaine solution (and later Rogaine foam) on Feburary 4, 2013.  These pictures were taken on February 28, 2013.  So far, I have not noticed my hair growing back, but the maker of Rogaine says that it can take 4 months to see results. For me, that means that I should start to notice something by early June 2013.

We'll see how it goes.  So far, I've been very faithful about using Rogaine twice a day.  There was only one day in the past month that I missed a single application--which the manufacturer says should not affect my hair regrowth outcome.  I bought a bottle of the solution before I bought the Rogaine foam, so I switch back and forth between the minoxidil products depending on what I am doing for the day.  If I need to look clean and ready for work, I'll use the foam...but if I'm just lounging around the house and it doesn't matter if my hair looks wet for awhile, I will use the Rogaine solution.  Both products contain 5% minoxidil as the active ingredient so it shouldn't really make a difference switching between the two.

I am really hoping this works.  I have been very self-conscious about my hair loss recently, and I hope that my investment in this treatment was worth the money.  So far, I haven't had any side effects from the Rogaine, and it fits into my daily routine easily for the most part.  I will keep you posted of any changes...and I hope to have some amazing "after" photos of a full head of hair to show you in a couple of months!