In the following sections, we’ll outline complementary approaches that may help you deal with hair loss. The below strategies are not meant to replace your standard medical treatment. Make sure to consult with your doctor before making any significant changes to your day-to-day routine.
Lifestyle
Stress Management
Although it has no direct effect on male-pattern baldness, stress is a well-known trigger of other types of hair loss such as diffuse hair loss (telogen effluvium), patchy hair loss (alopecia areata), and hair pulling disorder (trichotillomania). In turn, hair loss can be a source of stress and ultimately worsen the severity of these conditions [R, R, R, R, R, R].
We recommend addressing sources of stress in your life, either by taking up a stress-busting hobby (such as yoga or meditation) or seeking professional help.
Hairstyling Habits
The following hairstyling habits damage the hair cuticle and follicles, ultimately leading to hair loss:
- Hairstyles that pull the hair tight (such as pigtails and cornrows) [R, R]
- High-heat styling tools (such as hair dryers, hot rollers, and curling or straightening irons) [R, R]
- Chemical treatments (such as dyes, bleach, and chemical straighteners) [R, R]
- Shampoos with harsh ingredients [R]
- Excessive brushing [R]
Avoiding aggressive hairstyling practices, regularly washing your hair with a mild shampoo, and gently brushing it with a soft brush can help you reduce hair loss.
Light Therapy
Light therapy with UV-A combined with drugs that increase the sensitivity of the skin to this radiation (methoxsalen and psoralen) caused patchy hair loss (alopecia areata) regrowth in most cases without causing major adverse effects in 4 uncontrolled trial of 189 people and a non-placebo-controlled trial of 40 people [R, R, R, R, R].
This radiation was also effective when applied through targeted treatments with an excimer laser in 3 uncontrolled trials of 36 people with patchy hair loss [R, R, R].
In 2 small, uncontrolled trials of 31 people with patchy hair loss, LLLT with infrared radiation for 3 minutes every week or every 2 weeks sped up hair regrowth in most patients [R,
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