Expert mens grooming tips for thinning hair and hair loss

From Celebrity Stylist Thom Priano

July 2010

Celebrity stylist and men’s grooming expert, Thom Priano of The GARREN New York Salon has worked with the world's top photographers, fashion companies and magazines to create the most stylish looks for male and female celebrities from the worlds of Hollywood, sports, music and fashion.

“The first thing I tell my clients with thinning hair is that I understand,” says Priano. “It's an emotional experience and as a ROGAINE® user myself, I understand exactly what they’re going through.”

“Hereditary hair loss is very common in men. In fact, up to one third of all men experience it -- and for many men, it starts in their early 20s.”

An expert in men’s grooming and treating thinning hair, Priano offers the following advice to his male clients with thinning hair / hair loss:

Caring for Thinning Hair

For my clients with hair loss, I suggest Men’s ROGAINE® Foam. It helps stop hair loss and is the only FDA-approved foam that is clinically proven to regrow hair. “My clients who use it consistently twice a day everyday have seen improvement in as quickly as four months… and I have been using it myself for two years and I definitely notice the difference,” adds Priano.

“Fine, thinning hair is already fragile and can be further damaged by over washing, over brushing or over combing,” says Priano. Try these surefire tips to keep the hair you have healthy and strong:

When washing thinning hair, take extra care. Avoid aggressive scrubbing, which roughs up the hair cuticle. Instead, gently massage a mild, volumizing shampoo into the scalp and follow with a light conditioner. (Conditioner smoothes down the cuticle to help protect hair against further damage.) Then, gently towel dry.

When choosing a brush for thinning hair, look for a plastic brush with rounded tips (despite popular belief, plastic with rounded tips is more gentle than bristles.)

Protect your hair and scalp from the sun. Exposure to UV makes hair more brittle, so look for UV protectant styling products and wear a hat when you are in the direct sun. This will protect your scalp from burning as well.

“A healthy diet and vitamin supplements can help too,” says Priano. “Eat a balanced diet and take a good multi-vitamin every day.” Look for foods that are high in protein (like fish, eggs, beans and yogurt).

“There are a few different ways to cut and style men’s hair to help it appear thicker,” says Priano. He suggests:

A cropped, layered cut for straight hair

A short to medium layered cut for curly hair

Remember: everyone’s hair is different, so work closely with your stylist for a look that fits you best.

 “If you are thinning on top, don't over blow dry the hair. Instead, keep it close to the scalp (like I do) and let it dry naturally.”

 “If you have thinning hair, there are many hair care and styling products that work really well. Anything with a "V" that adds VOLUME to the hair will make it appear thicker (shampoo, conditioner, gel, mousse, cream, pomade or spray),” says Priano. “I apply ROGAINE® to my scalp and massage it in first, then I finish with my styling product.”

 “Hair color can also play a big part in masking hair loss,” says Priano. “Darker shades play up the contrast between hair and scalp, while lighter shades that are closer to your skin tone can actually help camouflage thinning hair,” adds Priano.

Tips for Everyday ROGAINE® Use

 ROGAINE® can be an easy and simple part of your daily grooming routine. “My daily routine is just a quick shower, towel dry my hair, apply Men’s ROGAINE® Foam to the scalp and follow with a styling cream. Then, I let my hair dry naturally. At night, when I brush my teeth, I just apply the product and I’m off to bed…” says Priano.

 ROGAINE® can be used on color treated or permed hair. “The only thing I suggest is not to use it on the day you have the actual treatment, if you are concerned about scalp irritation.”

More facts about men's Rogaine® Foam

 In clinical testing, Men’s ROGAINE® Foam regrew hair in 85% of men after four months of twice daily use.

 ROGAINE® should be used twice a day every day, and most men see results in about four to six months.

 Men’s ROGAINE® Foam quickly penetrates into the scalp with gentle massaging to reactivate hair follicles that have become dormant and stimulate hair growth.

Price and availability

 ROGAINE® is available nationwide at food, drug and mass retailers, or online at www.rogaine.com

 Suggested Retail Price: $ 29.99 for a one month supply and $ 49.99 for a three month supply

 Save up to 42% on www.rogaine.com by registering for automatic shipments of ROGAINE® delivered to your door for just $15/month (less than 50 cents a day!)

To learn more about ROGAINE® and hair loss, go to www.rogaine.com