Move over, anti-wrinkle and jaw-defining injections. The modern man’s latest grooming obsession isn’t focused on his face as he’s now giving the top of his head some major TLC. For decades, men limited their haircare routine to a quick wash with a 2-in-1 shampoo, and maybe a dab of gel to tame their mane. But today, they’re heavily investing in hair and targeted scalp care products, with the global men’s hair care market expected to reach 75.06 billion USD by 2035.
Scalp health, in particular, has become a priority for men as they’re purchasing products to detoxify the scalp and prevent premature balding. Nowadays, it’s common to see pre-wash treatments, scalp massagers, and specially formulated shampoos on a guy’s bathroom counter, sharing space with their razor, cologne, and beard care items. Clearly, the definition of masculinity in the wellness space is evolving, as seen in how men are finally focusing on scalp health.
Proactive Hair Loss Prevention
Hair loss can start at any age, and while it’s common to experience balding when you’re middle aged or older, some men may notice signs of hair thinning as early as their late teens and early 20s. Upon seeing the beginnings of their first bald spot, most guys will usually go through a phase of hoping that a different lighting angle or a better styling wax will immediately fix it. Many men also find themselves locked in an internal debate over whether their new hair cut is an intentional style choice or just a tactical cover up operation.
Various factors can cause hair thinning in men. While a health condition or chronic stress can cause hair loss, the most common reason why men lose their hair is hereditary male pattern baldness, driven by inherited genes that make hair follicles overly sensitive to normal hormones. Back in the day, men who knew for sure that they would be losing their hair would just accept it as a natural part of ageing, and those who wish to cover it up would turn to comb overs or wigs to hide their receding hairline. In contrast, modern men are more proactive as they’re taking preventative steps to stop hair loss once and for all.
Due to notable shifts in grooming norms, men have become more open to getting procedures like a male hair loss treatment since this improves scalp health and encourages hair growth. This isn’t the same as a salon treatment though as it involves medical experts examining the scalp to pinpoint the root cause of hair thinning. After that, they’ll create a customised treatment plan to address genetic hair loss, ageing related hair loss, or even hair loss from auto immune conditions.
The Move North from Facial Care
Today’s men view healthy and young-looking skin as an essential component for overall wellness. Having great skin has also become a status symbol for men since it signifies discipline and health, and it also signals that one has the financial resources required for dedicated self care. As a result, gone are the days when a plain bar of soap was enough. If you head to a pharmacy or a specialty beauty store, you may see dozens of guys choosing serums, cleansers, and moisturisers as they realise that investing in their skin is an act of confidence, paving the way for future success.
For men, the growing interest in skin care naturally led to extending that same level of care all the way to the scalp area. Having learned the value of keeping their faces clean and moisturised, guys quickly adopted the same logic to their heads as they’re now using scalp serums, exfoliants, and masks to detoxify and hydrate their scalp. These products are formulated with the same active ingredients proven to improve facial skin, such as peptides, AHAs, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid, and each ingredient can help address certain scalp problems. Experts recommend niacinamide scalp serums to regulate excess oil, while a serum with salicylic acid can help to slough off flakes and build-up.
Scalp care has become the ultimate power move in male self-care. With medical grade scalp treatments and specially formulated products, men can proactively prevent hair loss and play the long game for healthier and thicker hair.
