The substances that do - and don't - protect your hair

Getting up on a morning and finding hair on the pillow or on their brush may be the moment that so many men dread, but perhaps the first thing that such a man should know is that the fate of their hair is largely down to their genes - with hereditary reasons accounting for 99 per cent of prematurely thinning or balding scalps. But that does not mean that there aren't also certain substances that either encourage the balding or combat it, with Gentlemen's Tonic (http://www.gentlemenstonic.com) certainly offering no shortage of male grooming gifts in the latter category.

But some of these substances are easier to address than others, with the male hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone), thought by medical researchers to be the biggest single cause of baldness, often only able to be reduced after discussion of the best course of action with a dermatologist or trichologist. However, recent studies have pointed to the formation of DHT in the scalp being blocked by zinc sulfate, saw palmetto extract and azelaic acid, so there may well be hope for you, beyond the use of Gentlemen's Tonic's traditional male grooming products.

But of course, it's impossible to forget the role that diet can have in slowing or accelerating hair loss, with dryness of the hair and scalp often caused by deficiencies in such important minerals as zinc and iron. In many ways, ensuring hair health is about ensuring all-round body health, with the likes of fresh vegetables and salads more advisable than acid-making foods such as breads, potatoes and milk and dairy products, given how they alter the body's pH value.

The healthier the food you eat, the stronger and more durable your hair should become. But be wary of substances that can both help and harm. For example, recent studies have shown copper to have a very positive effect on the hair, but your hair and scalp can also be unduly dried by high levels in your water. Plus, there are always the usual vices - like smoking and alcohol - to be aware of, plus various drugs that can lead to hair loss in some patients, including certain Parkinson medications, ulcer drugs and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

But there are certain other beneficial substances to be aware of - namely, those in such Gentlemen's Tonic offerings as the Mayfair establishment's Protein Conditioner. A wide range of key ingredients, including yucca vera extracts that help to penetrate the hair shaft, wheat protein that improves hair strength and the moisturising and healing agent that is hydrolyzed silk, assist in detangling, protecting and strengthening male hair, leaving it feeling soft and manageable.

Combine this highly rated product with men's traditional shampoo and Sculpt hair styling products consisting of natural waxes and ingredients, such as beeswax and bentonite, and it's clear that Gentlemen's Tonic's (http://www.gentlemenstonic.com) master barbers know all about the substances that best help hair, rather than hinder it. These have consequently been incorporated into some of the market's highest quality traditional male grooming products.

Editor’s Note: Gentlemen's Tonic (http://www.gentlemenstonic.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.