Top Hair Tips for Sportsmen and Women

Exercise is good for you – but is it good for your hair? Although regular sessions down the gym might keep the weight and the waistline down, it doesn’t necessarily follow that your hair is benefiting as well.

At the London Centre of Trichology, we are experts in diagnosing and treating both male and female hair loss. As leading London trichologists, we are also committed to promoting better hair health in both men and women. Here are our top tips for keeping your hair fit as well as your body.

Try a Different Hairstyle
Perspiration and sweat, and the salt contained within it, are at the heart of the problem. A hard workout at the gym means they can dry out your hair and damage it. One solution is to use a hairstyle, not necessarily your usual one, which stops the sweat running into your hair. Styles you could use to solve this problem will depend on the length of your hair but women particularly consider ponytails, French braids or double looped topknots. Another alternative is the chignon such as the one sported by Manchester United footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Wear a Headband
Wearing a headband, or, if you would prefer to be accessory-free, fashioning your hair into a braid, also helps stop the sweat from running into it in the first place.  Alice bands, which can hold hair away from the face but let it flow out freely at the back, are another possibility.

Swimming
Indoor pools have high levels of chemicals in them for public health reasons. However chlorine, the most widely used, can cause hair to dry out and break off. You should rinse your hair with non-chlorinated water, and use conditioner on it, before you even get in the pool. This will help prevent your hair from absorbing all the chlorine once you are in the water. Wearing a swim cap, in the sea as well as the pool, will help to avoid the problem in the first place.

Sun Protection

If you like playing summer sports like tennis then you should look for a shampoo and conditioner that contains sunflower. This is because it contains natural UV ingredients which can protect you from the sun. It is advisable not to shampoo your hair too often, though, because this means your scalp and hair get too dry. Cutting back on the washes will allow your hair’s oil levels the chance to rebalance themselves. Again, wearing a protective hat or cap is a sensible idea.

Wind and Rain Protection
A wintry, cold wind can cause a problem, both on the pitch and afterwards. Hair can easily be damaged by winds, which can leave it dehydrated and unable to lock in moisture. This problem is made worse by coming into a centrally-heated home or changing room. The best solution is to treat your hair to a heavier conditioner, and when you do use a shampoo make sure it is one that’s suitable for your hair type.

Rain can create different problems, and protective headgear may not always be the answer as it might affect your ability to play the sport or see the ball. Wet hair is more prone to damage and breakage, so should initially be gently towel-dried then combed rather than brushed.

If you have noticed that your hair is starting to thin and want treatment, it is best to seek an expert diagnosis as soon as possible. As leading trichologists in the London area, we have decades of experience in the fields of both female and male hair loss, and you can rely on our expertise when considering treatment. Click on the link to find out more about the services we offer.

Hairstyles for Men Aged Over 40

Many men over 40 would like to change their hair style, but are unsure about which type of cut to choose, especially if their hair is starting to thin or their hairline is beginning to recede. However, there are a range of styles you can choose from which are particularly suitable for the over-40s. Some of them are particularly effective at disguising male hair loss.

If you are concerned about men’s hair loss and want to seek treatment, the best way forward is to get expert advice  as early as possible. The London Centre of Trichology has decades of experience, and can offer expert diagnosis and treatment. 

Classic Caesar Cut: This is named after Roman emperor Julius Caesar, who styled his hair forward, creating a short fringe. It is believed he did this to hide his early-onset baldness. True or not, the Caesar haircut is a good choice for men who are either noticing hair loss or who just want short, fashionable hair.

Short Textured Cut: This is another hairstyle favoured by men who want to disguise a receding hairline. It keeps the texture on the top, so providing a distraction to the position of the hairline. For an added effect, use a close cut on the sides. This type of style is also suitable for men with greying or thinning hair.

Short Layered Cut: This is a sensible style which can help to make your hair look thicker. Often with this type of cut, your hair will be swept away from your face, giving texture and volume. It works well on men with grey hair. This type of hairstyle works well for women over 40 as well.

Faux Hawk: Sometimes simply called the fohawk, this is a cut for the more adventurous and has been popularised by David Beckham among others. The sides are usually clipped short, and the hair left longer at the top where it can be spiked or formed into a point, depending on what works best with the texture. It is usually cut and styled with scissors rather than a razor. The faux hawk can also be adapted for work or social occasions, depending on how you brush it. 

Mohawk: This is similar in style to the faux hawk and works well on those men want to disguise a receding hairline. The hair should be cut close around the temples and forehead where the receding lines are most often seen. The top portion can then be styled into a mohawk, which need not be as extreme as those seen in the punk era, to provide a distraction. 

Classic Short Back and Sides: A versatile and timeless haircut, as it can look either casual or formal, depending on how you treat it. Treating it with a clay-based hair product may help achieve the former look, while styling in into a side parting could give you the latter.

Buzz Cut: Some men choose the option of being completely clean shaven, including the face and head. No lines are visible if the hair is shaved away. Many men choose this method once their hairline has started to recede noticeably, or their hair is thinning out a great deal.

If you are worried about male hair loss, contact the London Centre of Trichology for a consultation. After more than half a century of offering advice, diagnosis and treatments, we have gained an excellent reputation in the field of hair loss. We can explain the type of hair loss you have, including male pattern baldness and the best way to treat it. Follow the link to arrange a free initial consultation and find out more about our services. We offer a whole range of expert treatments, including hair replacement.