Bald? No problem! What helps and why "hatfishing" is not an option

Many men are familiar with the problem: their hair is thinning, their receding hairline is suddenly no longer so ‘receding’, and baldness seems inevitable. But there’s no need to worry – the process can often be slowed down and the first signs of a receding hairline can be cleverly concealed. Or you can take the initiative and discover a whole new, masculine look for yourselves with a bald head and a beard. Master barber Anthony Stölting reveals what men should look out for. Most men would love to send hereditary hair loss to the moon. No wonder, given that ‘androgenetic alopecia’ ensures that around 70 per cent of men will go bald sooner or later. The reason: over time, hair follicles become sensitive to the sex hormone dihydrotestosterone, which shortens the growth phase and eventually brings it to a complete halt.

Going bald? Don’t panic!

First, the bad news: hair loss cannot be completely stopped. The good news: there are plenty of remedies and tricks to help you keep your hair for as long as possible. “It’s important to start early enough. If you notice your hair is thinning, you can use medical products from the chemist to extend the growth phases again. You should look out for the ingredient minoxidil,” explains Anthony. To give thinning hair new strength, the master barber also recommends that men opt for natural products. “Our sea salt spray is a real booster for the strands,” reveals the head of Eric:Barbier. As the salt crystals coat each individual hair, they give it natural volume and thus provide resilience. The strengthened hairs rub against one another and, thanks to this constant contact, naturally stay in the desired shape – and conceal the odd gap here and there.

Hair wax instead of growth

To give strands more body, you can also apply a little hair wax to the roots using your fingertips. Then shape the towel-dried hair as desired or style it with a fine-toothed comb. The motto here is “less is more”, as the Hamburg-based stylist explains: “I’d start with just a small amount. Too much wax can quickly make the hair stick together or look damp, ruining the natural look.”

Boldly combining a bald head with a beard

However, if the gaps can no longer be concealed, men have various options. Hair powder from a tin can temporarily fill in the thinning areas, “though you have to match your own shade perfectly,” says Anthony. A hair transplant is often expensive and offers no guarantee of lasting success. Or you can take the plunge and say goodbye to your head of hair. “If you’re going bald, it’s important to continue defining the contours of your face to avoid a high forehead,” explains the master barber. “A beard can help with this and also acts as a focal point. For fair skin tones, it’s also advisable to dye the eyebrows a shade darker to make them stand out more clearly.” However, before trying this out in your bathroom at home and possibly causing a colour disaster, Anthony recommends seeking advice from a barber.

“Hatfishing” – or: More self-confidence with a bald head

So, gentlemen: take heart! Interestingly, this self-confidence doesn’t seem to have reached the dating scene yet, and the term “hatfishing” has already earned itself an entry in Urban Dictionary. It describes men on Tinder and similar apps trying to hide their baldness with a cap, hat or bandana. It’s a bit of a let-down when that digital connection turns into a real-life one and the lack of hair comes to light. Our recommendation: better to use these tips to find a new masculine look and lay your cards on the table straight away. Did you know that you can dye beards too? Here, master hairdresser Behar explains who would benefit from beard dye.