By Ken Dillingworth

Stopping hair loss isn't an easy task, but despite what some people (mainly doctors) tell you, it can be prevented. Hair loss affects over 6 out of 10 men by the age of 40, and around half of women by the same age. 

At 39, I've been through a fair few treatments over the years, and I now have a solid hair care routine that has helped me prevent excess hair loss, and maintain healthy hair growth. I started experiencing male pattern baldness in my 20s, so, to still have a good, healthy head of hair at nearly 40, is something I never imagined would be possible.

How did I stop my hair loss? 

There wasn't just one single treatment that helped me slow down, and then eventually halt my hair shedding. It was a number of treatments combined that did the trick. Over years of trial and error, I have gradually built up a hair care routine that has worked for my hair. 

In this article, I'll go through my hair care routine, and each and every product/treatment I use to combat baldness and thinning hair. It should be noted that this hair care routine may not work as effectively for you, because when it comes to treating baldness, results tend to vary from person-to-person, but I would expect this routine to work to some extent for the majority of men. 

1. Minoxidil

I'm sure the vast majority of men and women are familiar with Minoxidil. Minoxidil is the only medically approved topical treatment for baldness. It is most commonly recognised as Regaine/Rogaine, but it also comes under a number of cheaper brands, such as Kirkland. 

I've been using Kirkland Minoxidil 5% Foam for about five years, and although it hasn't worked miracles for my hair, I do think it has helped prevent excess hair shedding to a certain extent. I apply the foam twice a day, for six days a week.  I experienced some heavy shedding during the first few days of using it, but then the shedding stopped, and my hair stabilised. 

I find that Minoxidil is one of those treatments that works well when used in conjunction with other products (all of which I'll get to in this article). I usually purchase a six-pack offer which comes to around £6.60 per month, which does offer excellent value for money. 

2. Micro-needling

Micro-needling has become a popular way of treating hair loss. You may have heard of a derma roller device, which is used to pierce tiny wounds into the skin While normally used as an anti-aging skin treatment, micro-needling may also be a method of treatment for hair loss. It's thought that this can result in new hair growth, or perhaps, it may thicken thinning hair as seen in androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness.

By inflicting damage to your scalp, the body produces protein in order to repair the wounds. This, in turn, has shown to increase the rate of new hair growth, and when used in conjunction with Minoxidil, the results can be excellent. 

I use a 1.5mm derma pen (you can get these for under £10 on Amazon) once a week, on the day I don't apply Minoxidil. Since doing this, I have experienced new hair growth along the front of my hairline, and on the crown area of my scalp. The hair growth is only on a small scale, but that's good enough for me to persist with it. 

I'd recommend this technique highly, because, if you're suffering from early stages of baldness, you should see some great results. Just be sure NOT to micro-needle and apply Minoxidil on the same day. 

3. Ketoconazole

I started using the Ketoconazole based shampoo, Nizoral, a few years ago, and it seems to have invigorated my hair like no other shampoo.

Ketoconazole, also sold under the prescription name Nizoral, works to decrease the production of testosterone, which when converted to a substance called DHT (dihydrotestosterone) destroys hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. Again, we're only talking small scale effects, here, but, when used in conjunction with the Minoxidil and the derma pen, you can expect some pretty good results. 

4. Hair Supplement

I've always been one to stay away from prescription drugs, due to the nasty side-effects associated with them, so, right from the beginning, I have looked for safe and natural alternatives. 

If you suffer from early stages of baldness, then non-medical hair supplements can be very effective in slowing down hair loss, and increasing the rate of healthy hair growth. I use the leading brand, HR23+, and have done so for about five years now. I've tried many others, but HR23+ has given me the most impressive results. I find that, when used in conjunction with the other treatments mentioned in this article, HR23+ has been hugely effective for my hair. 

If you're suffering from deficiencies in certain vitamins and extracts, then hair supplements should be the first thing on your shopping list. Feeding your body with hair beneficiary ingredients alone, can do wonders for your hair. 

Lifestyle and Diet 

Drinking plenty of water and getting lots of exercise will also help you and your hair get into tip-top shape. But lifestyle choices over the years—like what we eat, how often we exercise, and how we manage stress—all factor in, too. The health of your hair growth is similar. Even though genetics and aging have influence over the growth rate, strength and size of hair follicles; lifestyle factors play an important role.

Living an active and healthy lifestyle won't cure hair loss, but it will certainly help make your hair healthier. The healthier you are, and the better you eat, the better your mind, body and hair will be. Eating foods that are rich in protein, such as fish, meat, lentils, eggs, and cheese, gives your hair the vital nutrients to thrive. 

Conclusion

I have followed this hair care routine vigorously over the past six or seven years, and it has helped me halt my hair loss and maintain healthy hair growth. I have not had to resort to harsh medical prescriptions, or hair surgery. As I enter my 40s, things may change, but for now, this routine works well for my hair, and I do not feel worried or concerned about going bald any time soon. 

Hair loss will affect nearly all of us, and I strong believe that you get from your hair the efforts you put into it. Too many men fail early on, which is crazy when you consider how emotionally damaging hair loss can be.  My routine is a very simple one, and one that I find easy to stick to. That's the key - being persistent. 

If you can be consistent with your hair loss treatment plan, believe in what you are doing, and implement it into your daily routine, then it's more likely than not that you'll hold onto your hair for longer.