How can I help my partner with his hair loss? 

You’ve noticed it. He’s noticed it. Yep, there’s no denying it, that’s a receding hair line and your partner isn’t entirely sure how he feels about hair loss.

You aren’t quite sure how to support him with this change either.

Just like women can have an emotional relationship with ageing skin, changing body shapes, and the menopause, the men in our lives can experience a whole host of emotions around hair loss. They might be totally fine with it, or they might experience feelings like shame, embarrassment, a loss of masculinity, and – welp! – the sudden realisation that they’re getting older.  

So, how can you help your partner with this change without adding to his embarrassment or causing friction? Well, there are brilliant products and supplements from Meaghers that can help, but the first and most vital step in normalising this transition is understanding why hair loss happens in the first place.

What causes hair loss?

So, quick biology lesson: About 95% of hair loss in men is the product of male pattern baldness, a hereditary condition that’s caused by genetic sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone.

It’s kind of a complex process, but to simplify it, hair follicles that are sensitive to DHT shrink over time and eventually stop producing hair at all.  

Dr. Hamdan Abdullah Hamed, a board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of Power Your Curls, says the first sign will usually be a lack of hair growth along the hairline, and sometimes around the crown.

This change can be sudden, particularly if your partner is under stress, sleeps poorly or doesn’t have the best diet.

Typically though, his hair won’t come out in clumps. The loss will be a little more gradual (think loose strands when running your fingers through his hair) but it can still be a shock.

Dr. Hamdan says some men will experience embarrassment, a sense of loss, or panic at the realisation that they are suddenly getting older. But really, he says it differs from person to person and some men will take hair loss in their stride.

Fortunately, if your partner doesn’t fall into the latter camp there are lots of ways you can support him, whether that means taking away some of the embarrassment he feels or finding ways for him to keep his hair a little longer.

Natural remedies

Let’s look at natural remedies first. Dr. Hamdan recommends using hair oils. “A hair oil can strengthen the roots of the hair strands and keep the hair moisturised, both of which can protect against avoidable breakages,” he explains.

For best results, be sure to encourage your partner to massage it in – or offer to do it for him.  Regular scalp massages are shown to improve hair growth and thickness.

Supplements

Diet’s going to play a key role in the thickness of your fella’s hair too. In particular, Dr. Hamdan says he should be looking to increase his intake of vitamin B-rich foods like nuts and legumes.

Adding B6 and B12 supplements to his routine is a good shout. “Firstly, these can help with blood circulation in the scalp, which may help alleviate or slow down hair loss,” Dr Hamdan explains.

“Second, they also contain biotin which is an essential component of the sheath of the hair strand.”

Minoxidil

Then there’s minoxidil, a powerhouse ingredient for hair loss. You’ll find it in supplements and topical solutions alike. It works by increasing the blood supply to the hair follicles, which helps to strengthen existing hair and stimulate secondary hair growth.

In studies, it’s been shown to be around 60% effective in preventing hair loss and encouraging hair growth, so it’s a good one to pop in the bathroom cabinet.

While there’s lots you can do to support your partner’s hair health, one of the biggest hurdles may be helping him get to grips with this change.

You might get a similar feeling of panic when spotting a new line on your forehead or a little weight gain around your middle. Sharing your experiences, and normalising – or even finding ways to embrace – the ageing process together can bring a light-heartedness to the conversation.

That’s a good thing because it can help to alleviate another contributor to hair loss too: stress.

Stress

While stress isn’t linked to male pattern baldness per se, it is shown to accelerate other forms of hair loss, so it probably won’t come as much of a surprise that encouraging your other half to open up, eat well, and exercise more often can both counter stress and improve the health of his hair.

Managing expectations may also be a massive part of your role as a supportive partner. Dr Hamdan says it’s probably not realistic for your partner to have the full head of hair he had in his youth, but it’s certainly possible for him to retain hair and reverse some of the loss with ingredients like minoxidil and nutrient supplementation.

A gentle reminder that it’s perfectly normal to experience hair loss and that you still find him sexy sans a few strands can go a long, long way.

Always consult with your doctor or pharmacist before beginning a new supplement, particularly if you are on medication or have an underlying health condition.

Meaghers Pharmacy is a leading pharmacy with 9 Dublin-based locations and a thriving online store at meaghers.ie. Speak to the Meaghers teams today for the best advice and support around health and wellness, skincare and beauty.