Two years ago, your hairline was shining. Now it’s in the middle of your head! And you are still trying to hold on to it, meanwhile, your hairline is going faster than gossip in this country. As a matter of fact, it’s your head that is coming next.

Where did the Association of Nigerian Men come together to agree that once you reach your late 20s or 30s, your hairline must start moving backwards? Because if you look around, men seem to be losing their hair faster these days.

One day, you have an afro. You can do all-back. You can palm your hair. You can do dreadlocks. Before you know what is happening, your hairline is looking like a smooth express road. And you’re trying to blame your barber. But it’s not necessarily your barber.

If your hair is healthy and the hair follicles are still working, your hair can grow back after a bad haircut. So your barber may not be the problem.

There are several reasons why your hairline may be moving backwards.

Genetics Can Play a Major Role

One of them is your genes.

Yes. It can run in the family.

Check your father’s hair. Check your uncle’s hair. Check your grandfather’s hair.

If their hair started disappearing early, there is a chance you may experience something similar.

This is called androgenetic alopecia, also known as male-pattern hair loss. In simple English, it means you inherited a tendency to lose your hair.

One of the major players here is a hormone called DHT.

DHT can gradually make your hair follicles smaller. When that happens, the hair that grows from them becomes thinner and shorter. Eventually, some follicles may stop producing visible hair altogether.

So, Emeka, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no Instagram oil that can fight your DNA.

However, if you notice hair loss early, there are treatments that may help slow it down or improve hair growth.

But some people, instead of doing something early, just hide everything under a face cap.

Stress Can Also Affect Your Hair

Your lifestyle can also play a role in hair loss.

Let me tell you a story.

There is someone I know. Let’s call him A. A was the firstborn. First to graduate. First to start carrying everybody’s problems. By 24, he was already paying rent for everybody in the house, feeding four people and paying school fees for about six people. By 26, he could barely sleep. Why? Because bills were always waiting for him on his bed. By 28, his hairline had started packing its bags and moving away from his head. Nobody did jazz for him. It was not his village people. It was stress.

This is how it can happen for some people. You think you are just hustling quietly, but your body is screaming. Sometimes, your scalp may even be the first person to report the matter to you.

When your body goes through serious stress for a long time, it can cause a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. Don’t ask me. I know. I’m a doctor.
It simply means that stress can push more hairs than usual into the resting stage of their growth cycle, and those hairs may fall out later. This can happen after major stress, an illness, significant weight loss or other physical or emotional stress.

So, if you have been going through serious stress and suddenly notice that you are losing more hair than usual, please pay attention. And if you don’t pause and rest, your body will keep reminding you that you are not a machine.

Your Diet Matters Too

The next thing that can affect your hair is your diet.

If the only thing you are eating is bread, noodles, garri, soda and shawarma; morning, afternoon and night, how exactly do you want your hair to grow?

Hair growth is not magic. Your body needs the right nutrients to make healthy hair. Things like protein, iron, zinc and different vitamins and minerals all play a role. So if your diet is mostly carbohydrates and sugar and you are not getting enough of the nutrients your body needs, your hair growth can be affected. Your hair needs food too.

Tight Hairstyles Can Cause Hair Loss

Another thing that can affect your hairline is tight hairstyles. I know some of you have very stylish hair: dreadlocks, tight cornrows, braids and all sorts of hairstyles. But if your hairstyle is constantly pulling on your hair, especially around the hairline, it can damage the hair follicles.

This is called traction alopecia.

In simple English, it means that constantly pulling on your hair puts too much stress on the roots until they become damaged. I’m not saying you should not braid your hair. But if your hairstyle is causing pain, bumps, thinning or hair loss around your hairline, loosen it and give your hair a break.

And this concerns women too, because some of our ladies are competing with the men when it comes to hairlines. Some of you have a forehead that has become an airport. One of the things that can cause this is traction alopecia.

Autoimmune Conditions Can Also Cause Hair Loss

Another cause of hair loss is autoimmune disease. For example, alopecia areata happens when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles.

This can cause smooth, round patches where the hair suddenly disappears. It is not necessarily your fault. So if you suddenly notice bald patches, especially if they appear quickly or you notice hair loss somewhere else on your body, please see a doctor.

There are different causes of hair loss, and you need to know what is actually causing yours before choosing a treatment.

So, How Do You Protect Your Hairline?

If you don’t want to lose your hairline, what do you do?

Number One: Start Early

If baldness runs in your family, don’t wait until your hairline reaches the middle of your head before you panic. If you notice that your hair keeps getting thinner or your hairline keeps moving backwards, see a dermatologist early.

A dermatologist is a doctor who specialises in conditions affecting your skin, hair and nails. Also, keep your scalp clean, avoid harsh products and avoid unnecessary chemical treatments that can irritate your scalp.

Eat Smart

You also need to eat a balanced diet.

Things like beans, eggs, fish, vegetables, fruits and nuts can help you get the nutrients your body needs. These are cheaper than flying to Turkey to do a hair transplant. Although, yes, a hair transplant can also be an option for some people. But it costs money and, like every medical procedure, it comes with risks.

How Does a Hair Transplant Work?

A hair transplant involves taking hair follicles from one part of your scalp and moving them to areas where your hair is thinning or missing. They are not simply taking individual strands of hair. They are taking the hair follicles, which are the tiny structures that produce hair.

Those follicles are then placed in the area where more hair is needed. But one thing you need to understand is that a hair transplant takes time. And, like every medical procedure, there are risks. There can be infection, scarring, poor hair growth or some of the transplanted follicles not surviving.
So before you decide to do one, speak with a qualified professional.

What About Drawing a Fake Hairline?

Another option some people use is scalp micropigmentation.

Basically, tiny amounts of pigment are placed on the scalp to make it look like you have very short hair growing there. It can create the appearance of a fuller hairline. If that makes you feel more confident, it is something you can discuss with a qualified professional.

But remember, it is still a cosmetic procedure and it can have complications.

What About Minoxidil?

Another treatment I’m seeing people use is minoxidil. Does it work? In some people, yes.

Minoxidil can help slow down hair loss or encourage hair growth in some types of hair loss.

Interestingly, it was originally developed as a medicine for high blood pressure. Doctors noticed that people using it sometimes experienced increased hair growth, and that eventually led to its use as a hair-loss treatment.

But please understand something.

Minoxidil is not magic.

Whether it works depends on what is causing your hair loss and how advanced it is. It generally works better when there are still healthy hair follicles that can respond to the treatment.

And because medicines can have side effects and may not be suitable for everyone, speak with a healthcare professional before you start using it.

Give Your Hair a Break

If you are using tight hairstyles, please avoid them.

Your edges are tired.

Stop pulling them like, “I better pass my neighbour” rope.

One day you pull the rope and it’s going to cut.

It’s the same thing with your hair. Keep pulling and eventually, the hair can start breaking and the follicles can become damaged.

Let your hair breathe.

Loosen the hairstyle so that it isn’t constantly pulling on your hair.

Your follicles will thank you.

See a Dermatologist

If there is anybody you need to see when you are dealing with unexplained hair loss, it is a dermatologist. They can examine your scalp, find out what may be causing the hair loss and guide you towards the right treatment.

And if the hair is already gone and the follicles have been permanently damaged, sometimes the best thing you can do is own it. Especially if you don’t have money for a hair transplant or a cosmetic hairline. Just own it. Get a clean shave. All that you are doing may not work. Own it. Shine it loud and proud. You can go gorimakpa.

And while you are going gorimakpa, some people keep a beard at the same time. So, whether you are flying to Turkey, going to a hair clinic or trying different treatments, make sure you are also checking whether you are contributing to your own hair loss. Because sometimes, protecting your hairline starts with changing the things you are doing to your hair. They say a word is enough for the wise. So that they can use it for their head.