Wondering if your hair is thinning? At Church Barber, it’s a common concern we hear from our customers, but it’s far from the end of the world. Before you panic, let’s take stock of what’s actually going on with your hair and explore the options. This guide to thinning hair will help you identify and diagnose the problem as well as give you various tips for addressing the issue and moving forward.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s considered normal for your body to shed between 50-100 hairs per day. If you’re experiencing an excess of that, and the hair you’re losing is mostly from your scalp, that may be a sign that you’re experiencing thinning hair. Before you resort to counting the hairs you find in the shower, you’ll become more aware of your hair thinning as the density of your hair decreases or as partitions occur in your scalp.

In contrast to widespread hair loss, thinning hair doesn’t always lead to complete baldness. It can, however, create spots on your head where the scalp is more visible. Though hair thinning and hair loss are two different things, the former can lead to the latter as the quality and thickness of the hair decreases. It’s also common to hear people refer to the first signs of losing hair as “hair thinning,” so the terms hair loss and hair thinning are somewhat interchangeable.

Thinning hair should also be differentiated from other more extreme forms of hair loss, like alopecia areata . Alopecia areata appears as hair loss in round patches on the scalp, eyebrows, beard, or other areas where hair grows. If you think you may have alopecia areata, you should see a dermatologist for a diagnosis as well as treatment options, as alopecia areata-impacted hair follicles are also able to regrow hair.

• Decreased hair density (thickness)
• Partitions in the scalp (visible scalp)
• Loss of more than 50-100 hairs per day

So what causes thinning hair? There are a number of reasons why you might notice the quality of your hair decreasing, some outside of your control while others you may be able to reverse through lifestyle and habit changes.

Some common causes of thinning hair include:

• Genetics: Hereditary conditions like the gene for male pattern baldness can lead to thinning hair, which eventually leads to more widespread hair loss.

• Hormonal changes: Hormonal imbalances, such as those caused due to thyroid issues can lead to thinning hair.

• Medical conditions: Scalp infections, lupus, and other autoimmune conditions may have thinning hair as a side effect.

• Nutritional deficiencies: If you’re lacking essential nutrients like iron, protein, and vitamins like biotin or vitamin D, you may notice thinning hair.

• Stress: Physical or emotional stress can lead to temporary hair loss due to the increase of cortisol production in your body.

• Medications: Some drugs, including those for cancer, arthritis, depression, and heart problems, can cause hair thinning.

• Harsh, synthetic hair styling products: Any cheaply made gel, hairspray, pomade, etc. that has harmful ingredients like parabens, formaldehyde, silicones, and/or sulfates, can lead to hair loss. 

• Certain hairstyles and over treatments: Tight hairstyles that pull at the scalp, frequent dyeing, harsh ingredients and/or harsh treatments can damage hair. This includes overwashing, which can lead to dry scalp, and weak, brittle hair that is more prone to thinning. 

• Age: Getting older can naturally lead to thinning hair.

Whether you’ve identified that you have thinning hair or are just being proactive in an attempt to keep your locks long term, there are some simple things you can do to stop or slow down the advancement of hair thinning.

• Daily hair care routine: If you haven’t already, consider switching to a natural shampoo and conditioner, like our Shampoo and Conditioner bars . A good, natural shampoo without sulfates and other harsh ingredients won’t strip your hair of the natural oils it needs to stay healthy. Use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair to prevent breakage, and brush gently with a soft-bristle brush to distribute natural oils. Allow your hair to air dry when possible; or when using a towel, pat dry instead of rubbing. If using a blow dryer, use a low heat setting. Don’t forget that overwashing can also be a culprit of thinning hair; depending on your hair type, it may be more than enough to wash your hair just twice a week, for example. If you’re unsure on how often to wash your hair, see our guide, which features  advice based on hair type.

• Minimize overheating or overly harsh treatments: Overheating your hair with curling irons, straighteners, and even blow dryers can damage your hair. Use these tools sparingly, and when you do, use the lowest heat setting you can and apply a heat protectant product ahead of time. When washing your hair in the shower, it’s beneficial to use cooler water on your scalp. You’ll also want to minimize or avoid bleaching, dyeing, or permanent waves that can weaken your hair.

• Improved lifestyle habits: Just like most other things in life, your hair wins when you’re keeping your mind and body healthy. Minimizing your stress levels, getting enough sleep and exercise, and maintaining a healthy diet are all effective ways to improve your hair’s quality.

• Invest in natural styling products: Make sure the hair styling products you’re using are both nourishing, and without the added junk in them that can harm your hair . If your hair is thinning, it's also a good idea to choose styling products that add volume and thicken the appearance of your hair, like our Volcanic Clay  and Coastal Creme pomades.

Before you jump to medical treatments, there may be home remedies you can try to address and potentially reduce hair thinning. Be forewarned that none of these remedies have been proven without a doubt to stop or repair thinning hair. However, each of the following cannot hurt you, and will only assist in leading a healthier life.

• Dietary changes and supplements: Eating a balanced diet can help improve your hair quality, particularly if you’re low on nutrients like iron or protein. Whole foods like eggs, nuts, berries, and fatty fish like salmon, are great sources of protein, antioxidants, and biotin. Multivitamins or individual supplements (including for folic acid, biotin, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) may improve the quality of your hair. 

• Scalp massages: You can try to stimulate hair growth with gentle fingertip pressure when you wash your hair or using a handheld scalp massager. This is a great practice to include when massaging conditioner into your hair. 

• Rosemary oil: Studies reveal  rosemary oil has shown promise in regrowing hair  when diluted in a carrier oil such as jojoba or coconut oil. For these reasons, we use rosemary in each of our pomades, as well as other good for skin and scalp ingredients. If you want to try this method, make sure to  follow these suggested tips.

Generally speaking, we will always encourage steering clear of pharmaceuticals or taking drastic measures, versus embracing your natural self. That said, you’ve probably heard about various medical options to reverse hair thinning, so we’ve chosen to address those too in order to offer a truly comprehensive guide. Much like the home remedies, results from medical treatments for thinning hair will vary from person to person.

• Over-the-counter treatments: The most common over-the-counter solution for treating thinning hair is minoxidil, which comes in both liquid and foaming forms. Minoxidil is the main ingredient in Rogaine, whose patent expired a few years back, opening the flood gates to companies like  Hims  and  Keeps  to advertise and sell these products more widely. They say, when applied twice a day consistently to thinning or balding spots, you may see improvement in hair quality or growth after several weeks or months. Be aware that scalp irritation may occur when using minoxidil, and much like any non-organic lab-made chemical treatment, there’s also no way to know for sure what other broader issues may arise from using minoxidil over your lifetime. 

• Prescription medications: Finasteride and spironolactone are two doctor-prescribed medications that can be used to treat thinning hair. Finasteride (also known by its brand name Propecia) is also widely available from vendors like Hims or Keeps. Again, no clue if this stuff is a health problem long term, which is why we cannot recommend it, as we’re happy to do with rosemary. 

• Surgical treatments: If you’re already at the point of considering surgical treatment, it probably means you’ve surpassed basic hair thinning and have noticed widespread loss or balding. A hair transplant might be worth considering if you’re convinced you’ll be happier with hair atop your head. Our friend and writer Adam Hurly traveled to Turkey to get a hair transplant, where the treatment is becoming increasingly common, and he's outlined what a hair transplant looks like week-by-week (he's very happy with his results).

If you’re distressed about the prospect of losing your hair, don’t forget that some of the coolest guys on the planet have confidently and effortlessly pulled off the bald look! Here are some tips to help you embrace your new natural state.

• Stubble can work, as does a clean shave: It’s not necessary to shave your head daily if that’s not your thing. Stubble looks great on some guys, as do shorter hairstyles that make the most of what hair you have left. If you opt for the buzz looked, invest in a decent set of hair clippers and use a 1 guard to take your hair down to stubble every few days, without the need for a full head shave. Alternatively a clean head shave can become a daily ritual you enjoy doing.  Find what works for you.

• There are fade options too: Depending on where your hair is thinning, you might even try something like a south side fade , which keeps the hairline intact, while fading out the back of your head, for those with balding only at the crown.

• Keep your head moisturized and protected : With less hair on top to protect from the sun, it’s especially important to use sun protection or a hat to protect your exposed head from extended periods in the sun. It’s also crucial to keep your scalp moisturized.

• Skin care routine: Men with and without hair alike should prioritize their skin care to ensure they’re looking and feeling their best. Creating a simple three step ritual using  skin care products like ours  will keep your face looking fresh.

• Emphasize your facial hair : If you’re able to grow a beard or stubble, paying increased attention to grooming your facial hair can add another dimension to your look.

If you’ve noticed a decrease in your hair’s thickness or patches of visible scalp, it’s likely a sign that your hair is thinning. The good news is that thinning hair doesn’t necessarily always lead to outright baldness – plus, sometimes rocking the shaved head look can be very flattering.

While none of the suggestions and treatments included in this guide are guaranteed to reverse or prevent additional hair thinning or loss, you can make changes to both your lifestyle and your hair care routines to improve your hair’s health. Whether you choose to adapt some home and DIY remedies, seek medical treatment, or some combination of the two to address thinning hair, you have many options.