Written by Menswear Style in Hair on the 12th February 2016

Fearing male hair loss is a lot like fearing death: you know it’s inevitable, it’s just a question of when and how it will creep up on you. However, unlike death, after hair loss strikes you’re still around to deal with the consequences. Before we paint mortality as too favourable an alternative to baldness, let’s take a step back and see what action can be taken when that unwelcome stranger peers back at you from the bathroom mirror. 

The first step is to fathom what type of hair loss you’re suffering from. Broadly speaking, causes can be divided into three categories: genetics, lifestyle factors, or skin conditions. Male pattern baldness, for example, is always genetic – it can come down to you from either side of the family – but it is treatable (with a 90% success rate) with the prescription drug Finasteride.

Lifestyle factors include diet and stress levels. Here we’d have to refer you to those three little words that revolutionise so many people’s lives: Healthy Active Lifestyle. Protein, iron, zinc and biotin-rich foods such as beans and lentils provide great nutrients for your hair – just remember to eat them, not rub them into your scalp. Skin issues such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis could also be to blame. If your hair loss is accompanied by dandruff-like flaking or red itchy patches, be sure to see your doctor: treating the underlying skin condition should get the locks flowing again in no time. 

Finally, take some comfort in the knowledge that you’re not alone. The fraternity of male pattern baldness includes over 50% of your fellow man, and many more are dealing with the different forms of hair loss detailed above. Treatment for the problem is improving year on year – after all, scientists don’t want to go bald either. Whatever the cause of your hair loss, the clear-cut infographic below by Lloyds Pharmacy should be all you need as a go-to guide for fathoming the cause of and the potential solutions to that most mortifying affront to male pride.

We list all the reasons why guys lose their hair and how to fix them in this guide to 7 Common Male Hair Loss Causes.