Thinning hair: causes, solutions, and how to make the best of it

Thin may be deemed a good look on the catwalk and celebrities love nothing more than being svelte, but thinning hair? Now that's a look that no one wants.

Unfortunately, thinning hair is a problem for many men and one that, as hairdressers, is difficult to overcome.

Being a little thin on top is not all bad news though as the likes of Bruce Willis, Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham have hardly been set back in their high-profile careers by wispy thatches and have instead embraced the short and masculine haircut.

Why Does Hair Thin?  

There are many reasons why hair loss occurs and male clients become 'thin on top', according to world leading trichologist Philip Kingsley.

He says it is generally a combination of factors which includes nutritional deficiencies or excesses, low-iron levels, thyroid disturbances and stress.

"Stress is sometimes blamed for extra hair fall. This is not a myth. Stress, though a convoluted route, can produce more androgens, the male hormones that can be responsible for hair thinning," he says.

"Diet is another factor and if your client's hair is thinning, they should first look at their diet.

"Hair consists of protein and a common cause of thinning hair is a lack of dietary protein. The most important meals for protein intake are breakfast and lunch. First-class proteins you should eat for your hair are meat, fish, fowl, eggs, and to an extent, low-fat cottage cheese," recommends Philip.

How Can You Make the Most of Thinning Hair?

 While you can offer dietary advice and recommendations to your client's lifestyle, essentially as their hairdresser the biggest difference you can make is giving them a haircut that suits their thinning hair. 

Jim Shaw, managing director of essensuals Men in Billericay, Essex and former Men's Hairdresser of the Year, says that being in tune with your clients and not making an issue of thinning hair is a priority.

"A lot of men are sensitive about it. If they did want a style that would require more hair, I would try to recommend a style that works better with thinning hair," he says. "As with every client, my main priority is suitability of the cut." 

"The great news is that men's trends at the moment are very short, graduated styles which are better suited to thinning hair. Try and keep hair short and not fussy. Cuts that work well for thinning hair include clean scissor crops and short, textured crops."

What Styles Work for Thinning Hair?

HJ's 2008 Men's Hairdresser of the Year, Jamie Stevens, offers his top tips for styling men's hair which is thinning

Cut

• Hair that is thinning will look so much thicker when it's cut shorter rather than when it's longer.
• Always try to do a blunt cut - texturising or razoring will thin
  
  the hair out more.
• Get your client to have their hair cut every four to six weeks to keep it healthy.

Colour

• Full head colours will thicken each individual hair shaft making the hair slightly thicker all over.
• Try to use a semi-permanent colour rather than a permanent as it won't be as harsh on thinning hair.
• Slightly darker colours will make the hair look a lot fuller and thicker.

Styling

• Avoid using wet-look gels and waxes as this will leave hair looking greasy and transparent.
• Apply a volume mousse or spray when it's wet, blast-dry and apply a matte clay - this will give it a lot more volume.