Men’s Hair Loss Guide

Hair Loss in Men: 13 Causes, DHT Explained & What Actually Works

Most men experience some degree of hair loss during their lifetime. While male pattern baldness is the leading cause, it isn’t the only one. This guide explains why men lose hair, how to recognise early warning signs, and the most effective strategies to protect density.

Quick summary: male hair loss is usually driven by male pattern baldness and DHT sensitivity, but stress, illness, thyroid issues, scalp inflammation, nutritional gaps, medications, smoking, steroids, sleep deprivation and breakage can all play a role. The right treatment depends on the cause.

Quick Comparison: What Type of Hair Loss Is It?

The first step is working out the type of hair loss you may be dealing with. Different causes create different patterns, and the best first step changes depending on the cause.

Cause	Pattern	Temporary?	First Step
Male Pattern Baldness	Temple recession and/or crown thinning	Progressive	Start a consistent DHT + growth routine early
Telogen Effluvium	Diffuse shedding across the scalp	Usually, yes	Identify the trigger, often 6–12 weeks earlier
Alopecia Areata	Round or patchy bald spots	Variable	Medical evaluation
Nutritional Deficiency	Diffuse thinning, slow regrowth	Often, yes	Blood work + diet review, including protein, ferritin and vitamin D

Male Pattern Baldness: The Primary Driver

The most common reason men lose hair is androgenetic alopecia, often called male pattern baldness. It typically shows up as temple recession, a thinning crown, or both. Some men progress slowly, while others move through stages quickly.

The difference is partly genetics, partly timing, and partly whether you start a consistent routine early.

Male pattern baldness is strongly linked to genetic sensitivity in follicles to DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, a hormone derived from testosterone. In susceptible follicles, DHT contributes to a gradual process called miniaturisation.

What DHT Actually Does

DHT binds to receptors in genetically sensitive follicles, typically on the hairline and crown. Over time, those follicles produce hairs that are thinner, shorter and less pigmented. Eventually, the follicle can become so weakened that it stops producing a visible hair.

Miniaturisation means:

Each growth cycle produces a thinner strand
The growth phase shortens, so hair cannot reach the same length
Hair diameter shrinks, giving less coverage even with the same approximate number of hairs
Terminal hairs gradually become finer, vellus-like hairs

Early warning signs men often miss:

A subtle change in temple shape, creating an early M-shaped pattern
More scalp visible under harsh lighting
Hair feels harder to style or does not sit as it used to
Fine, wispy regrowth in thinning areas instead of thicker strands

Key principle: once follicles miniaturise for long enough, reversal becomes harder. That is why early action matters so much.

How Male Pattern Baldness Progresses

Male pattern baldness usually progresses in stages, often mapped by the Norwood scale. The crown and hairline are commonly affected first because those follicles are more genetically sensitive in many men.

Year 1–2

Subtle miniaturisation begins. Styling starts to feel different.

Year 3–5

Visible recession or a developing crown spot becomes noticeable in photographs.

Advanced Stage

Larger areas of scalp become visible. Donor-hair planning becomes increasingly important for transplant candidates.

Important

Not all men progress at the same rate. Some remain stable for long periods, particularly when hair loss is recognised and appropriately managed early.

The 13 Causes of Hair Loss in Men

Male pattern baldness is the number one cause, but it is not the only one. Below are the 13 common causes of hair loss in men, how they may appear, and the most sensible first step to consider.

Cause 1

Male Pattern Baldness

Also known as androgenetic alopecia. This usually appears as temple recession, crown thinning and gradual miniaturisation.

First step: establish the diagnosis and consider an evidence-based routine early.

Cause 2

DHT Sensitivity / Androgen Sensitivity

This appears as male pattern baldness, but progression speed can vary depending on genetics and individual androgen response.

First step: discuss appropriate options with a clinician and maintain consistent scalp and hair care.

Cause 3

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a form of diffuse shedding that may follow illness, fever, surgery, significant stress or another major physiological event.

First step: identify the likely trigger, support general recovery and avoid repeatedly changing hair-loss treatments without a clear reason.

Cause 4

Thyroid Disorders

Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can contribute to diffuse thinning, slower regrowth and changes in hair quality.

First step: medical evaluation and appropriate blood testing.

Cause 5

Alopecia Areata

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune form of hair loss that commonly appears as round or patchy bald areas. Its course can be unpredictable.

First step: seek medical or dermatological assessment.

Cause 6

Scalp Inflammation

Seborrhoeic dermatitis, psoriasis and other inflammatory scalp conditions may cause itching, burning, flaking, tenderness and increased shedding.

First step: identify and appropriately treat the scalp condition.

Cause 7

Nutritional Deficiencies

Inadequate iron stores, vitamin D, zinc, protein or other nutritional problems may contribute to diffuse shedding or poorer hair quality.

First step: review diet and consider relevant testing with a healthcare professional rather than assuming a deficiency.

Cause 8

Rapid Weight Loss / Crash Dieting

Significant calorie restriction or rapid weight loss can disrupt the hair cycle and lead to increased shedding several weeks or months later.

First step: stabilise nutrition, maintain adequate protein and support overall recovery.

Cause 9

Medications

Some medications can contribute to increased shedding after a treatment is started, stopped or changed.

First step: do not stop prescription medication without professional advice. Discuss suspected side effects with your clinician.

Cause 10

Smoking

Smoking is associated with poorer general health and may negatively affect hair and scalp condition.

First step: smoking cessation provides wider health benefits as well as potentially helping remove an avoidable stressor.

Cause 11

Anabolic Steroids / Androgen Use

Anabolic steroids and exogenous androgens may accelerate male pattern hair loss in genetically susceptible men.

First step: seek appropriate medical guidance about androgen or steroid use and any associated hair changes.

Cause 12

Chronic Sleep Deprivation

Poor sleep can affect recovery, stress and general health. While it is not usually the primary cause of male pattern baldness, it may coexist with other factors contributing to shedding.

First step: aim for a regular sleep schedule and adequate recovery.

Cause 13

Traction / Breakage

Tight styles, harsh grooming, excessive heat and chemical damage can cause hair breakage, thinning around tension points and hairline fragility.

First step: reduce traction, excessive heat and harsh chemical processing.

What Actually Works: Evidence-Based Treatments

Hair-loss treatment works best when it matches the underlying cause. Many established routines need 3–6 months or longer before progress can be judged properly.

Medical Treatments

Topical minoxidil: an established topical treatment used to support hair growth and maintain density.
Oral finasteride: a prescription treatment that reduces DHT through 5-alpha-reductase inhibition. Suitability and potential side effects should be discussed with a clinician.
Ketoconazole shampoo: commonly used to manage dandruff and seborrhoeic dermatitis and can form part of a wider scalp-care routine.

Adjunct Therapies

Microneedling: sometimes incorporated into broader hair-loss routines.
Low-Level Laser Therapy: non-invasive devices may provide additional support for some users.
PRP therapy: an in-clinic option that may be considered as part of a wider treatment plan.
Hair transplant: may be suitable for stable pattern loss where adequate donor hair is available.

Foundational Support

Adequate protein and overall nutrition
Identification and correction of relevant nutritional deficiencies
Consistent sleep and general stress management
Appropriate scalp care

Starter Routine for Early-Stage Thinning

Daily

Maintain adequate nutrition, protein intake, sleep and any suitable daily hair-support routine.

Topical Treatment

Apply minoxidil if it is appropriate for you and you have chosen to include it in your routine.

Scalp Care

Use suitable shampoos and scalp treatments according to your individual scalp condition.

Additional Options

Microneedling, low-level laser therapy or other approaches may be incorporated where appropriate.

Assess changes over approximately 3–6 months using consistent photographs, angles and lighting rather than relying on day-to-day impressions.

When to See a Doctor

Sudden round bald patches
An itchy, painful, inflamed or heavily scaling scalp
Rapid or unexplained shedding
Hair loss accompanied by other unexplained health symptoms
Hair loss beginning unusually early

References

NHS – Hair loss overview
American Academy of Dermatology – Male pattern hair loss
British Association of Dermatologists – Alopecia guidance

Support Your Hair Routine From the Inside Out

Understanding why you are losing hair is the first step. Supporting normal hair health consistently is the next.

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Supports men experiencing early-stage thinning
Can complement topical treatments and scalp care
Drug-free daily nutritional support
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