Understanding Men’s Hair Loss & How to Prevent Hair Loss in Men​

There’s no cure for male pattern baldness, but you can slow it down. Medications like finasteride and dutasteride, along with treatments such as Z-Factors and laser hair therapy, have been clinically proven to preserve hair and delay further loss. If you’re starting to notice thinning or a receding hairline but aren’t ready for a hair transplant, early intervention is crucial. Here’s how to get ahead of ongoing hair loss in men. 

What Causes Men’s Hair Loss? 

The most common cause of hair loss in men is androgenetic alopecia, aka male pattern baldness. It’s a hereditary condition triggered by a sensitivity to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT. 

DHT is a byproduct of testosterone. In men with androgenetic alopecia, hair follicles are genetically sensitive to DHT. Over time, DHT binds to receptors in the scalp and causes those follicles to shrink. This process causes hair follicle miniaturization. As the follicles shrink, the hair becomes thinner, shorter, and eventually stops growing altogether.

Signs of Male Pattern Baldness

Male pattern baldness usually starts with a receding hairline or thinning at the crown. Over time, these areas may expand and connect, leaving a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides and back of the head. Common early signs include:

• Hairline slowly moving back at the temples
• Thinning near the crown
• More hair shedding than usual when showering or brushing your hair
• Overall hair looking less dense, especially on top

How to Control Hair Loss for Men

You can’t stop male pattern hair loss completely, but you can slow it down and protect the hair follicles you have left. These treatments can help you slow down ongoing hair loss and, in some cases, encourage regrowth. 

1. Finasteride

Finasteride is an FDA-approved oral medication for male pattern hair loss. It works by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone into DHT. 

By lowering DHT levels in the scalp, finasteride helps slow hair loss and can even regrow hair in some men, especially at the crown. Most men start seeing results within 3 to 6 months, with full effects showing after a year of consistent use.

It’s a once-daily pill and requires a prescription. Side effects are rare but can include decreased libido or other sexual side effects in a small percentage of users. These usually stop when the medication is discontinued.

2. Dutasteride

Dutasteride is a more powerful alternative to finasteride. While finasteride blocks one type of the DHT-producing enzyme (Type II 5-alpha-reductase), dutasteride blocks both Type I and Type II. That means it lowers DHT levels more significantly.

This medication is prescribed when finasteride isn’t working well enough. Some studies show that dutasteride may be more effective at slowing hair loss and regrowing hair, especially in men with more aggressive balding.

Like finasteride, it’s taken once daily by mouth and requires a prescription. Side effects are similar but may occur slightly more often due to the stronger DHT suppression. If you’ve been on finasteride but aren’t getting the results you wanted, BOOK A CONSULTATION at your nearest Ziering Medical clinic to know if dutasteride is the right next step. 

3. Minoxidil

Minoxidil is an over-the-counter topical treatment that helps stimulate hair growth. Unlike finasteride and dutasteride, it doesn’t block DHT. Instead, it works by increasing blood flow to the scalp and extending the growth phase of hair follicles.

At Ziering Medical, our Formula ZMIN combines FDA‑approved minoxidil with retinoic acid and anti-inflammatory and anti-androgen compounds to enhance effectiveness, reduce irritation, and support long-term hair growth.  Minoxidil is most effective for early-stage hair loss. It’s safe, easy to use, and effective. It is frequently combined with a DHT blocker like finasteride.

For some patients, low-dose oral minoxidil can be a powerful alternative to topical application, offering similar mechanisms of action—improving blood flow and prolonging the hair growth cycle—without the mess or irritation. Oral minoxidil is often used in combination with other treatments in a comprehensive medical hair restoration plan. 

4. Z-Factors

Z-Factors is a topical treatment exclusive to Ziering Medical. It uses a blend of powerful growth factors, peptides, and plant-based ingredients to support healthier, stronger hair. These growth factors help stimulate hair regrowth, reduce inflammation, improve scalp health, and may optimize hair transplant results by accelerating post surgery healing and encouraging early growth of the newly transplanted hairs.

This is an in-clinic treatment which is applied directly to the scalp. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and safe for long-term use. Typically, Z-Factors are combined with other preventatives like laser therapy, ZMIN and even medication to establish a hair care regimen that keeps both the scalp and hair healthy, reduces hair shedding and stimulates hair growth. 

5. Low-Level Laser Therapy 

Low‑level laser therapy uses medical-grade lasers to stimulate blood flow and cellular activity in the scalp, energizing hair follicles and extending the growth phase of the normal hair growth cycle. 

The Ziering LaserCap is our flagship LLLT device. It delivers broad-coverage laser light in a hands-free cap design you wear 3  times a week for just 30 minutes. It’s FDA-cleared, painless, and makes use easy to stick with. You can wear it at home or on the go. 

LLLT works best on early-stage thinning and when combined with finasteride, minoxidil, or a hair transplant. Expect to see results in about 3–6 months, just like other proven hair-loss treatments, and plan to keep using it to hold onto your progress.

How to Reverse Hair Loss in Men

You can’t reverse hair loss completely, but you can regrow thinning hair and stop further loss if you act early. We’ve had great success with nonsurgical treatments that target DHT and encourage follicle growth. If you’ve already lost a lot of hair, a hair transplant may be the only option to restore density. But if you still have hair left, there’s a strong chance you can save it and even improve it with the right treatment plan.

Will a Hair Transplant Reverse Hair Loss? 

A hair transplant won’t reverse the underlying cause of your hair loss, but it can restore lost hair in thinning or bald areas. It’s the most effective way to replace hair that’s already gone for good.

During a hair transplant, healthy follicles are moved from the back or sides of your head to thinning or balding areas. The transplanted hair grows naturally and permanently, but you’ll still need to manage ongoing hair loss in non-transplanted areas with medications like finasteride or treatments like laser therapy.

In short, a hair transplant restores hair, but it doesn’t stop hair loss. That’s why most patients benefit from a combination of surgery + hair maintenance treatments. 

Is a Hair Transplant Permanent?

Yes, the transplanted hair is permanent. The donor grafts are taken from areas of your scalp that are DHT-resistant, so they keep growing for life, even after being implanted in their new location. 

That said, a transplant doesn’t protect the rest of your hair from androgenetic alopecia. If you don’t manage ongoing hair loss, you could lose more native hair over time, making additional treatments necessary. 

What Is the Best Treatment for Men’s Hair Loss? 

Every case of hair loss is different. The best results come from a personalized plan. At Ziering Medical, we build treatment strategies around you. When you choose us, you are choosing top-tier hair transplant surgeons, a cutting-edge hair restoration facility, and concierge-level care. 

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. We also offer consultations for patients in and around Salt Lake City.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early should I start treating hair loss?

As soon as you notice thinning or a receding hairline. Early treatment gives you the best chance to preserve your hair and slow future loss.

Can hair loss be reversed without a transplant?

You can’t regrow hair from dead follicles, but you can thicken existing hair and revive dormant follicles with medications, laser therapy, and topical growth factor treatments if you act early.

When should I consider a hair transplant?

If you’ve already lost a lot of hair and non-surgical therapies and treatments aren’t enough, a hair transplant, whether FUE or FUT/MDEE,  may be the best way to restore density. You can schedule a consultation at one of our locations to see if you’re a good candidate for surgery. 

How much does a hair transplant cost?

The cost depends on the extent of your hair loss, the number of grafts needed, and whether your surgeon uses FUE or MDEE/FUT. At our practice, we provide personalized and transparent cost estimates after evaluating your hair, goals, and treatment needs.