You’re not alone, hair loss is the number one issue we hear men discuss/complain about when in our Barbershop’s chairs. Typically, the balding pattern is hereditary -- it’s rumored that most men follow the thinning process of their mother's father. Hats also play a role -- as they tend to wear the hair down and contribute to thinning hair. The fewer abrasive actions made to the scalp… the better.
There are a wide array of thinning shampoos and conditioners that can help a brother out, but it’s important to find one with Biotin (it’s an ingredient) to strengthen your hair. Typically, there are different intensities depending on how thin the current hair is. The key to managing hair loss is to start as soon as there are any visual signs of thinning. These shampoos and conditioners will not magically grow hair back, but they will help maintain the current strength of existing hair. Every product is different and should be applied exactly as the directions recommend to ensure the best result.
When it comes to a cut, contrary to men's beliefs, a shorter style is much more attractive for thinning hair than maintaining length to try to cover it up. When thinning hair grows out, it makes the length from the scalp to the end of the hair strand look much longer, giving off the appearance of more recessed hair. When hair is short, it doesn't look like the scalp is as far away from the hairline and provides a fuller look.
For styling, lightweight products are the way to go. If the product is too thick, such as a clay, thinner hair will clump together and expose more scalp. If a shorter, rustled look is created with a matte cream, the hair will look much fuller and camouflage more visible problem areas.
Good luck thinning friend.