Hair Today: Coping with male pattern baldness

Male pattern baldness refers to a loss of hair on the scalp in men. It happens as hormone levels change over a man’s lifetime, especially in the later years and affects around 50% of men by age 50.

Although it’s a natural part of the aging process for millions of men, hair loss can be psychologically distressing to those experiencing it.

Many men spend vast amounts of money on various hair loss remedies in an effort to reverse the balding process. Hair transplant surgery is expensive and good results are not guaranteed. It’s actually easier to look after your remaining hairs than it is to grow new ones. Modern toupées look natural and although the best come with a large price tag, they are still considerably cheaper than surgery.

Between surgery and toupées there are other options. Baldness has bothered men for millennia and some ancient cures were frankly bizarre. They included rubbing onions on the head or applying potions with ingredients that included goat, goose or even hippo dung!

Thankfully, hair restoration products have dramatically improved since drug companies became involved. One product in particular –Minoxidil – has proved incredibly successful. It was originally developed to treat high blood pressure. However, an interesting side effect of Minoxidil is that it made hair grow. Now it is used as a topical treatment for male pattern hair loss. The preparation is called Rogain®. Unfortunately, if you stop using Rogain® the effect quickly reverses, so once the treatment starts it has to continue, and it isn’t available on the NHS so the cost can escalate quickly.

The simplest, cheapest, and most effective solution is actually to accept the situation. Hairdressers and barbers are the experts. They will help you to choose a new, flattering hairstyle. As a general rule, it’s best to keep the remaining hair as short as possible. Don’t be afraid to shave it all off; Mark Strong, Patrick Stewart, and Dwayne Johnson are all extremely attractive and charismatic bald men. If that’s too dramatic a step, then a good cut is a ‘short Caesar’, which is a close cut that manages to give the impression of hair.

Another option is to allow the facial hair to grow to draw attention away from the baldness. A neat moustache and goatee can look very debonair. Just don’t go for a ‘comb-over’.

A man who radiates confidence will always be attractive regardless of the amount of hair on his head. If you don’t make a big deal out of your thinning hair, nobody else will, either. And if in doubt, remember this anonymous quote; “God made some heads perfect – the rest he covered with hair”. Kate McCarthy

Hairdressing in the comfort of your own home. Back basin provided for salon comfort. leighvhumphries@outlook.com 07916 318221

There’s nothing like the water to keep kids fit and healthy, energised and having fun. Our lessons at Billingshurst Leisure Centre follow the Swim England Learn to Swim Pathway, with a range of swimming classes to turn them into strong, confident swimmers.

Swimming is a skill kids will love for life and it’s important for parents’ peace of mind too. Our world-recognised programme teaches swimming using a mix of fun activities and they’ll soon become safe, competent and confident swimmers in front crawl, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

Babies and pre-schoolers will learn basic motor skills and have lots fun learning through fun games that teach them jumping in, splashing around, kicking their legs while being supported by their carer. 3- and 4-year-olds then enjoy the water with newfound independence and focus on coordination and propulsion. Balls, woggles and floats are used to improve alignment and style whilst confident jumping in makes an enormous splash! 5-9-year-olds are at the right stage of development to build on their growing strength and movement skills. At this stage, the focus is on specific water skills like safe entry and exit from the pool, rotation and orientation, and the importance of streamlining, buoyancy and balance. Having gained confidence in and under the water, children go on to learn aquatic breathing, how to travel effectively through the water and accomplish the various stroke techniques.

The children then can further develop their skills and take part in the competitive swim programme that includes triathlon lessons and rookie lifeguard lessons. All the participants of our Learn to Swim Programme get unlimited access to public swimming sessions to practise the skills they are learning and have fun in the water. Our teachers conduct continual assessments and you can access these assessments via the Course Portal to see how your child is doing.

We also offer 1:1 swimming lessons and run crash courses during the school holidays which include fun courses such as snorkelling, water polo, mermaid and rookie lifeguard sessions.

It is never to late to learn – we also offer a Learn to Swim Programme for adults, whether it be learning to swim for the first time or brushing up on your skills.

For further information please contact us on (01403) 787500 or visit our website www.placesleisure.org/centres/ billingshurst-leisure-centre

Billingshurst Leisure Centre @Billingshurstlc