This article was reviewed by Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD.
Managing Alopecia Areata: Self-Care Tips for Men
Patchy hair loss probably isn’t the plot twist you were hoping for, but if you’ve been diagnosed with alopecia areata, this might be a new reality.
Overview
First, know you’re not alone: Alopecia areata is thought to affect up to nearly 2 percent of the global population.
While there’s no cure, there are things you can do to help manage the condition. And one of the most important is practicing good self-care habits.
Protecting your scalp, practicing proper skin care, and supporting your emotional health are key. Keep reading for a no-nonsense guide to alopecia areata self-care, including things to avoid when you have alopecia areata.
Start With a Professional Diagnosis
We get it—when you notice something weird going on with your hair, it’s normal to go down the internet rabbit hole trying to self-diagnose patches of hair loss. But, doing so rarely ends with a productive plan or less anxiety.
Instead, do yourself a favor and book an appointment with a board-certified dermatologist. Alopecia areata can sometimes look like other types of hair loss, so it’s important to get the right diagnosis early.
A hair and skin pro can assess the pattern and severity of your hair loss, rule out other causes (like fungal infections or nutrient deficiencies), and recommend appropriate medical treatments.
Plus, they can guide you on which over-the-counter products are worth using and which ones are just marketing fluff.
Around half of people with alopecia areata experience spontaneous hair regrowth within one year. While this isn’t predictable or guaranteed, taking good care of your skin, scalp, and hair may help you get there.
Practice Gentle Hair and Scalp Care
When your hair is already delicate, the last thing you want to do is give it more reason to disappear on you. Being gentler with your hair and scalp can help you keep what you have and prevent further loss.
One of the first things you can do is ditch harsh shampoos and styling products that add extra stress to your hair. Take a moment to read the bottles and packages, and ditch anything that isn’t alcohol-free, fragrance-free, and sulfate-free.
It’s also important to avoid rough handling of your hair. Skip the tight ponytails, man buns, and braids that pull on your hair with extra force. Instead, leave it natural or go with looser styles.
If you regularly use heat-styling tools on your hair, this is probably a good time to pause. Let your hair air dry or gently pat it dry with a microfiber towel, and use a soft-bristled brush to prevent breakage.
Finally, if your scalp is itchy, ask your dermatologist about noncomedogenic (non-pore-clogging) topical treatments that can help soothe that irritation.
Protect What’s Exposed
If you’re dealing with bald patches or complete hair loss, it becomes particularly important to provide some protective backup for these vulnerable areas.
First, sun protection is a must, especially when you have exposed areas on your scalp.
Dermatologists recommend using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to prevent sunburn and skin damage. So, when you’re applying it to your face and arms, consider areas on your head that are also exposed.
Alternatively, consider a hat, beanie, or even a breathable hairpiece to add another layer of protection from the sun, cold, and other environmental elements. And if you’ve also lost eyebrows or eyelashes, sunglasses are extra important.
Even the inside of your nose can be affected—yep, nasal hair loss is a thing. Applying a small dab of petroleum jelly inside each nostril can help trap dust and microbes when hair is sparse, especially in dry or polluted settings. This extra protection can also help minimize allergy symptoms and prevent nosebleeds.
Manage Your Emotional Stress
Hair loss conditions aren’t just physical—they can take a toll on your mental health and self-esteem, too. Whether it’s the sudden nature of hair loss or the frustration of not having control over what’s going on up there, it’s normal to feel stressed, anxious, or even angry.
Ongoing stress is a known trigger for flare-ups in autoimmune diseases like alopecia areata. This makes it even more important to care for yourself mentally and emotionally.
Prioritizing stress management is key for your self-care plan, but it takes different forms for everyone. Some ideas include:
- Taking walks around your neighborhood
- Going to the gym regularly
- Journaling
- Prayer or meditation
- Grabbing coffee with a trusted friend
- Listening to calming music or an encouraging podcast
Counseling or therapy can also be helpful for your mental health. Talking it out with someone can provide unbiased support, help you stay grounded, and remind you that you’re more than your hair.
Things to Avoid When You Have Alopecia Areata
When dealing with alopecia areata, a big part of self-care is also knowing what not to do. Certain habits and products can make things worse, even if they seem harmless.
Here’s what to steer clear of when you’re dealing with hair loss:
- Harsh hair treatments. Avoid chemical dyes, perms, straightening treatments, and anything with strong smells. These can irritate the scalp and worsen hair loss.
- Heat styling tools. Blow dryers, flat irons, and other hot tools are not your friends right now. Heat weakens already fragile hair and can lead to more breakage or shedding, worsening hair loss.
- Tight hairstyles. Avoid pulling your hair into tight buns, ponytails, braids, or man buns. Tension on the scalp can cause additional stress on hair follicles and lead to another condition called traction alopecia, or hair loss from these physical causes.
- Overwashing. Shampooing too frequently or scrubbing your scalp like it’s a dirty pan can worsen irritation. Everyone is different, but gentle cleansing a few times a week is usually plenty, unless your dermatology provider says otherwise.
- DIY treatments with no real evidence. Even if your buddy swears by homemade treatment options or you see something convincing on social media, always check with your healthcare provider before putting anything new on your head or ordering a new supplement.
Avoiding these factors and staying consistent with your prescribed plan increases your chances of maintaining the health of your scalp and preserving your remaining hair with alopecia areata.
Monitoring Your Overall Health
While we’re talking about alopecia areata self-care, it’s important to acknowledge that it doesn’t always travel solo. It can be associated with other autoimmune conditions, such as lupus or certain thyroid diseases.
In addition to being attuned to your own body (and scalp), it’s smart to keep up with regular check-ups with your trusted medical professional.
Caring for your overall health supports a healthy immune system, which may help keep flare-ups at bay. Practicing healthy lifestyle habits like getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly, and eating a nutritious diet has anti-inflammatory benefits and can help manage stress.
Alopecia Areata Self-Care: The Bottom Line
Alopecia areata can feel unpredictable, but building a self-care routine puts some of the power back in your hands.
The steps you take each day can make a real difference, not just in how your scalp looks but also in how you feel about yourself.
Remember to:
- Treat your scalp and hair with care, ditching heat tools and harsh products for gentler alternatives.
- Manage stress and make it a priority to support your emotional well-being.
- Stay connected with your trusted healthcare providers to monitor you for related health conditions.
Your hair doesn’t define you, but how you care for yourself is crucial.
Looking for the next step in alopecia areata self-care? Talk to your dermatologist or primary care provider to build a plan that works for your lifestyle and goals.
- Related: 12 Best Minerals and Vitamins for Hair Growth
- Related: Hair Care for Men
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This article originally appeared on Hims.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
