How To Prevent Men’s Hair Loss​: The Complete Guide

Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the number one cause of hair loss in men. It causes hair follicles to shrink, leading to thinning and premature hair loss. While there’s no cure to reverse male pattern hair loss, the good news is that you can slow it down and even regrow hair with the right treatments. 

In this guide, we’ll cover how to prevent hair loss in men, including proven medications and lifestyle changes to manage or stop ongoing hair loss and when to consider hair transplantation. 

What is Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness or genetic hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss in men. It affects about two-thirds of men by age 35 and up to 85% by age 50. This hair loss condition is linked to the hormone dihydrotestosterone or DHT. This hormone is responsible for male traits like facial hair, deeper voice, and muscle growth, but it’s also the main culprit behind male pattern hair loss.

In men with genetic sensitivity to DHT, the hormone binds to receptors in hair follicles, shrinking them over time (a process called miniaturization). As follicles get smaller:

• Hair grows back thinner and weaker
• Hair growth cycles shorten, leading to faster shedding
• Eventually, follicles become inactive and stop producing hair completely

Not all hair is affected though. DHT-sensitive follicles are mostly found on the scalp’s crown and hairline, which is why male pattern baldness follows a predictable pattern. Hair on the back and sides of the head is typically resistant to DHT, which is why it remains even in advanced balding.

How to Know If You Have Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness doesn’t happen overnight; it’s a gradual process. The earlier you catch it, the better your chances of slowing it down. Here’s how to tell if your hair loss is due to male pattern baldness:

1. Receding Hairline

• The M-shaped hairline is one of the first signs.
• Thinning starts at the temples and moves backward over time.

2. Thinning at the Crown

• A small bald spot or diffuse thinning appears at the top of your head.
• The thinning spreads outward, merging with other areas of hair loss.

3. Overall Hair Thinning

• Hair starts looking less dense, especially under bright light.
• You may notice more scalp showing through when your hair is wet or styled.

4. Excessive Shedding

• Finding more hairs on your pillow, shower drain, or hairbrush than usual?
• Male pattern baldness doesn’t cause sudden hair loss, but shedding gradually increases as follicles weaken.

5. Family History of Balding

• Genetics play a major role. The genetic factors that contribute to pattern hair loss are polygenic, which means that they come from multiple genes from both parents. This means that hair loss can be inherited from both the male and female sides of your family.  If you have family members with hair loss, there’s a high chance you’ll have it too.

Ways to Treat Male Pattern Hair Loss Without Surgery

While there’s no cure for male pattern baldness, early treatment can slow hair loss or even regrow hair. The earlier you start, the better your results. Men who begin treatment right after noticing hair loss tend to see the most success in keeping their hair. 

At Ziering Medical, we offer these nonsurgical options to treat male hair loss: 

Finasteride 

Finasteride is one of the most effective prescription treatments for male pattern baldness. It works by blocking 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT. By reducing DHT levels, finasteride stops further hair loss and, in many cases, promotes regrowth in thinning areas.

Studies show that 90% of men see a slowdown in hair loss, and about 65% experience some regrowth, particularly at the crown. Results typically take three to six months, with full benefits appearing after a year of consistent use. However, finasteride is a long-term commitment. If you stop taking it, hair loss will resume and progress.

Side effects are rare but can include mild sexual dysfunction in about 2-4% of users. For men concerned about this, topical finasteride is an alternative that delivers the same DHT-blocking benefits with a lower risk of systemic side effects.

Dutasteride 

Dutasteride is similar to finasteride but even more effective at lowering DHT. While finasteride blocks one type of 5-alpha reductase enzyme (Type II), dutasteride blocks both Type I and Type II, reducing over 90%of DHT production compared to finasteride’s 70% reduction.

Because it’s more potent, dutasteride has been found to regrow more hair than finasteride in clinical studies. It’s often recommended for men with more advanced hair loss or those who don’t see results with finasteride. However, since dutasteride has a longer half-life, meaning it stays in the body longer, side effects may last weeks or months even after stopping the medication.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a topical or oral treatment that stimulates hair growth by improving blood flow to the scalp and extending the hair’s growth phase. Unlike finasteride or dutasteride, minoxidil does not counteract DHT directly. It works by increasing the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles, keeping them healthy and active.

Minoxidil helps 60-70% of men maintain or regrow hair, with the best results seen on the crown and mid-scalp. It’s less effective for receding hairlines, though some men do see improvement. Results take three to six months, and stopping treatment leads to shedding. It is important to purchase well-sourced, high-quality minoxidil like ZMIN which also has key ingredients to improve penetration and reduce the possible side effects of scalp redness, dryness, and itching. 

Oral minoxidil, taken as a low-dose daily pill, is an alternative to the topical version and is becoming more popular due to better absorption and ease of use. Some men find it works better than topical minoxidil, especially when combined with a DHT blocker like finasteride.

Since minoxidil does not target the root cause of male pattern baldness (DHT), it works best as a secondary treatment alongside finasteride or dutasteride.

Z-Factors

Z-Factors is a topical treatment that harnesses naturally occurring nanoparticles, including growth factors, cytokines, extracellular vesicles, peptides, proteins, and hyaluronic acid to nourish hair follicles and promote healthier, fuller hair. 

Unlike platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments, Z-Factors doesn’t require blood draws or anesthesia, and it doesn’t trigger inflammation, making it a safer and more convenient option. The in-office procedure involves applying the solution directly to the scalp, with no downtime required. 

Z-Factors can be used alone or alongside other treatments, such as laser therapy or hair transplants, to speed post procedure healing and enhance results. It’s particularly beneficial for individuals in the early to moderate stages of hair loss or those seeking to improve overall scalp health and hair density.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a non-invasive treatment that uses red light to stimulate hair follicles and improve hair density. For a convenient at-home solution, the Z Cap offers an effective option. This portable, prescription-strength device contains 304 laser diodes that deliver targeted energy to your hair follicles. 

It’s FDA-cleared and clinically proven for hair regrowth for individuals with pattern hair loss. Regular use of 30 minutes per day and three times a week can lead to noticeable improvements in thinning areas within approximately 60 – 90 days.

Lifestyle Changes

While medications and treatments can slow or stop hair loss, your daily habits also play a major role in keeping your hair healthy. Try to manage stress, as long-term stress can lead to hair shedding, a condition called telogen effluvium. 

Eat a protein-rich diet (eggs, fish, lean meats) to support hair growth and get plenty of sleep daily. Washing your hair with shampoo and conditioner that are specifically formulated for hair loss will also help with faster hair regrowth. 

When to Consider a Hair Transplant

If hair loss has progressed to the point where medications and non-surgical treatments aren’t enough, a hair transplant may be the best option. Hair transplants work by moving healthy hair follicles from the back or sides of your head to the thinning or balding areas, creating permanent, natural-looking results.

You may want to consider a hair transplant if:

• You have followed a course of hair preventative therapies for at least one year and you desire a more dramatic aesthetic change.
• You have significant hair loss that isn’t responding to treatments like finasteride or minoxidil.
• Your hairline has receded dramatically, and you want to restore a more youthful appearance.
• You have dense donor hair at the back and sides of your head to support the procedure.
• You want a permanent solution and are committed to maintaining hair loss prevention and hair health treatments to address the progressive nature of genetic hair loss. 

Hair transplants aren’t for everyone. Men with extensive baldness and weak donor areas may not be good candidates. A hair transplant will leave some scarring, though it’s typically well-hidden when done by an expert surgeon. The best way to know if a transplant is right for you is to consult with a qualified hair transplant surgeon who can assess your hair loss and recommend the best approach. 

Top Hair Transplant Doctors in Beverly Hills and NYC

For over 20 years, Ziering Medical has been the #1 choice for hair transplant surgery in Beverly Hills, CA, with additional clinics in New York City, NY, and Greenwich, CT.

Led by celebrity surgeon Dr. Craig Ziering, the Ziering hair transplant doctors bring 75+ years of combined surgical experience and have successfully transplanted over 100 million hair grafts. Choosing Ziering Medical means choosing world-class hair restoration and unmatched patient care you won’t find elsewhere.

Call us or visit a Ziering Medical clinic near you to book a consultation. We serve patients all over the greater Tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, as well as the greater Southern California area from Los Angeles and Beverly Hills to Newport Beach and San Diego.