How To Prevent Hair Loss: What Causes It and How to Treat It

A receding hairline is often the first sign of hair loss you'll notice, and it can start at any point in your adult life. The good news is that catching it early gives you the best chance of slowing it down. There are medical treatments proven to work, and knowing what's going on can help you decide what's right for you.

Article Summary:

• A receding hairline is a common early sign of male pattern baldness, the cause behind most hair loss in men.
• Finasteride and minoxidil are the two medical treatments proven to slow hair loss and support regrowth.
• Genetics, hormones and age all play a part, and your GP or a clinician can help you find the right treatment option for you.

"How can I stop my hairline from receding?"

This is a common question. Your hairline can be one of the first places hair loss shows up, so it's usually the first thing you notice.

What causes a receding hairline?

In around 19 out of 20 cases, hair loss in men is caused by male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, or sometimes androgenic alopecia. [1] This type of hair loss is hereditary, meaning it can be passed down from either side of your family, and it's linked to a hormone called DHT, or dihydrotestosterone. [2]

DHT is made from testosterone. If your hair follicles, the small structures under your skin that each grow a single hair, are sensitive to DHT, they gradually shrink. Over time, they stop producing new hairs altogether. [2]

A receding hairline is often the first visible sign of this. Your hairline usually starts to recede just above your temples, and this can happen any time after puberty. [2]

Women can experience a similar condition, called female pattern hair loss, though it tends to show up differently and later in life. This article focuses on male pattern hair loss.

How your hair grows

It helps to understand a healthy hair growth cycle. Each hair follicle moves through a growth phase, called anagen, and a resting phase, called telogen, before the hair falls out to make way for a new one. [3] It's completely normal to shed somewhere between 50 and 100 hairs a day, often without noticing. [4]

In male pattern baldness, DHT disrupts this cycle. It shortens the growing phase and shrinks the follicle with each cycle, so each new hair that grows in is finer and weaker than the last, until the follicle eventually stops growing hair at all. [2]

Early signs to watch for

Here's what to look out for, so you can catch hair loss as early as possible.

Receding hairline

Your hairline usually starts to recede just above your temples. It often forms a rounded "M" shape at first, leaving a V-shaped point of hair on your forehead, sometimes called a "widow's peak."

Thinning on the crown

It's worth checking your crown too, the top and back of your head. You might notice a bald spot starting to form there as your hair thins.

All-over shedding

Some hair shedding is a normal part of your hair's growth cycle. But if you notice a lot more hair fall than usual, on your pillow, in the shower, or on your clothes, it could be an early sign of hair loss.

Other causes of hair loss to know about

Male pattern baldness is the most common cause, but it isn't the only one. Occasionally, hair loss is a sign of an underlying medical condition, so it's worth knowing about a few other types.

Alopecia areata

This is an autoimmune condition, meaning your immune system attacks your hair follicles by mistake. It usually causes small, round bald patches on the scalp, though it can affect eyebrows and eyelashes too. [5]

Telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a temporary type of hair loss that causes all-over shedding rather than patches. It's usually triggered by things like illness, stress, rapid weight loss, or an iron deficiency, and it tends to settle down once the trigger passes. [3,4]

Anagen effluvium is a rarer, more sudden type of hair loss, often linked to intensive medical treatments like chemotherapy. [3]

Traction alopecia

This happens when tight hairstyles, like tight ponytails or braids, keep pulling on your hair over time. It damages the hair follicle at the root, and it's usually preventable by giving your scalp a break from tension. [3]

Thyroid problems

An underactive or overactive thyroid can also cause your hair to thin or shed. If your GP suspects this, they'll usually ask for a blood test to check your thyroid hormone levels.

Getting a hair loss diagnosis

If you're worried about hair loss, it's worth seeing a healthcare professional. They can assess your skin, hair and overall health to work out what could be causing your hair loss. They may suggest blood tests to check your hormones, thyroid function or iron levels, or refer you to a dermatologist for further assessment. [2,4]

Treatments that are proven to work

Genetics, age and hormones all play a part in male pattern baldness, and you can't change any of those. What you can change is how early you start treating it. Starting treatment early improves the chances of slowing progression and preserving more of your existing hair. But remember, results still vary between individuals. There are two medical treatments licensed for male pattern hair loss in the UK: finasteride and minoxidil. [2,4]

Finasteride

Finasteride is a tablet you take once a day. It works by lowering the amount of DHT your body produces, which helps protect your hair follicles from the hormone that causes them to shrink and helps prevent further hair fall. [2,6]

You'll usually need to take finasteride tablets for 3 to 6 months before you notice a difference. [6,7] In a major clinical study, most men taking finasteride, around 8 out of 10, had no further hair loss after two years, and around two-thirds saw some visible hair regrowth. [8] A later study found that men who kept taking finasteride were far less likely to lose more visible hair over the next five years, compared with those who didn't. [9]

It's important to know that finasteride only works for as long as you keep taking it. If you stop, hair loss usually starts again within 6 to 12 months [2].

It’s also important to know about the possible side effects of finasteride. The main ones reported are a lower interest in sex, and difficulty getting or keeping an erection. [6] Rare side effects include mood changes, including low mood. If you notice any of these, stop taking finasteride and speak to your doctor straight away. [6,10]

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a liquid or foam that you apply directly to your scalp, not your hair. It works by widening the blood vessels in your scalp, improving blood flow. That means more oxygen and nutrients reach your hair follicles, helping them stay active for longer. [2,11]

You'll need to use it for at least six months before you can expect to see a real difference, and it can take up to a year to see the full effect. [2] Some men notice extra shedding in the first few weeks. This is a normal part of the hair growth cycle resetting, and it usually settles down once new hairs start to come through. [2]

Minoxidil can cause some irritation where you apply it, including dryness, redness or itching. [2] Like finasteride, it only works for as long as you keep using it.

Using them together

Some men use finasteride and minoxidil together, since they work in different ways: one changes hormone levels, and the other improves blood flow to the follicle. Your prescriber can talk you through whether combining them is a suitable treatment option for you.

Other treatment options

If finasteride and minoxidil aren't suitable for you, or you'd like to know what else is out there, a few other options exist. Every treatment option works differently, and it's worth knowing how much evidence backs each one.

Hair transplant surgery

This involves moving hair follicles from the back and sides of your scalp to thinning or bald areas. It's a surgical procedure, usually done privately, and isn't available on the NHS for male pattern baldness. [4]

Scalp reduction surgery and artificial hair transplants

These are less common surgical procedures. Due to the availability of safe and more advanced methods like the hair transplant above, these procedures are rarely recommended by mainstream UK surgeons.

Scalp reduction surgery removes a section of bald scalp and stretches the hair-bearing skin to cover the gap. An artificial hair transplant implants man-made hairs into the scalp. Both are private procedures. [4]

Wigs and hair extensions

Some wigs are available on the NHS, though you may need to pay unless you qualify for financial help. These are sometimes grouped together as hair replacement options. Synthetic wigs last around 6 to 9 months and are easier to care for, though they're more prone to heat damage. Real-hair wigs and hair extensions look more natural but cost more and need more upkeep. [4]

Steroid injections and light therapy

A steroid injection into bald patches, or light therapy using ultraviolet light, is mainly used for alopecia areata rather than male pattern baldness, because they target the immune system. [4] If you have patchy hair loss rather than a receding hairline, these are worth discussing with your GP.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

PRP involves taking a sample of your own blood, separating out the platelet-rich plasma, and giving platelet-rich plasma injections into your scalp. A 2020 review of the available studies found that many reported improvements in hair density and thickness, but the studies varied a lot in how the PRP was prepared and applied, and there are no standard protocols to measure this, so it's hard to say exactly how well it works or how it compares with finasteride and minoxidil long-term. [12]

Treatments to be cautious about

There's no shortage of hair loss treatments that claim to work, from caffeine-based hair products to scalp massages and laser caps. Some have little evidence behind them, others even less so.

Caffeine shampoo, for example, has been shown in small trials to stimulate hair growth and reduce shedding with minimal side effects, though a 2025 systematic review concluded that larger, better-designed trials are still needed before it can be compared properly with licensed treatments. [13]

A small 2016 study found that 4 minutes of daily scalp massage over 24 weeks led to a measurable increase in hair thickness, though the study only involved 9 men without hair loss and hasn't yet been repeated in a larger trial. [14]

Laser caps and other laser light treatments use a laser device aimed at your scalp, but the evidence isn't yet strong enough to say how they compare with finasteride or minoxidil.

If you want the full picture on what works and what doesn't, our mythbusting guide to hair loss treatments breaks it down treatment by treatment.

Looking after your hair day to day

Alongside medical treatment, a few everyday habits can support your hair care routine and reduce unnecessary hair fall and hair breakage.

• Eat well. A 2018 case-control study found that a Mediterranean-style diet, high in raw vegetables and fresh herbs, was linked to a lower risk of male pattern hair loss. [15] Getting enough iron and vitamin D may help too, though taking extra vitamin A can actually make hair loss worse, so it's best to avoid high-dose supplements unless your GP recommends them. [16]
• Cut down on smoking. A 2024 meta-analysis found that men who had ever smoked were significantly more likely to develop male pattern hair loss than those who'd never smoked, and heavier smokers were at even greater risk. [17]
• Go easy on alcohol. The evidence here is less clear-cut. A 2024 systematic review found a possible link between drinking and hair loss, but it wasn't statistically significant, so more research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn. [18]
• Be gentle when caring for hair. Avoid tight ponytails or braids that pull on your hairline, and go easy on heat styling and hair trimming that stresses your hair strands. [3]
• Manage stress where you can. A 2025 review found that psychological stress can push hair follicles from their growing phase into the resting phase earlier than they otherwise would, leading to noticeable shedding. [19]

For more on building a hair care routine that supports regrowth, take a look at our guide on how to stop hair thinning, and our complete guide to vitamins for hair growth.

For more on the everyday habits that affect your hair, read our blog on stress and hair loss.

Ready to start treating hair loss?

Concerned about hair loss or not sure which treatment is right for you? At MedExpress, our UK clinicians provide online consultations and can recommend clinically-proven treatments, including Finasteride, Propecia and Regaine (minoxidil), based on your individual needs. If prescribed, your treatment is delivered quickly and discreetly.

References

1. American Hair Loss Association. Men's hair loss [Internet]. Available from: https://www.americanhairloss.org/mens-hair-loss/
2. British Association of Dermatologists. Male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) [patient information leaflet]. London: BAD; 2016. Available from: https://www.bad.org.uk/pils/hair-loss-male-pattern-androgenetic-alopecia
3. Incidence of alopecia and hair loss among female active component service members, 2010-2022 [Internet]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11488793/
4. NHS. Hair loss [Internet]. 2024. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/hair-loss/
5. NHS inform. Alopecia (hair loss) [Internet]. Available from: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/a-to-z/alopecia/
6. NHS. About finasteride [Internet]. 2023. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/about-finasteride/
7. NHS. Common questions about finasteride [Internet]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/finasteride/common-questions-about-finasteride/
8. Kaufman KD, Olsen EA, Whiting D, Savin R, DeVillez R, Bergfeld W, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;39(4 Pt 1):578-89.
9. Kaufman KD, Girman CJ, Round EM, Johnson-Levonas AO, Shah AK, Rotonda J. Long-term treatment with finasteride 1 mg decreases the likelihood of developing further visible hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss). Eur J Dermatol. 2008;18(4):400-6.
10. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Men on finasteride asked to stay vigilant for possible psychiatric and sexual side effects. Drug Safety Update. GOV.UK; 2024 Apr 29. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/men-on-finasteride-asked-to-stay-vigilant-for-possible-psychiatric-and-sexual-side-effects
11. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Minoxidil [patient information leaflet, Internet]. Available from: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/your-visit/patient-information-leaflets/minoxidil/
12. Gentile P, Garcovich S. Systematic review of platelet-rich plasma use in androgenetic alopecia compared with minoxidil, finasteride, and adult stem cell-based therapy. Int J Mol Sci. 2020;21(8):2702.
13. Ly N, et al. Caffeine supplementation and hair: a systematic review. J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(11):8902.
14. Koyama T, Kobayashi K, Hama T, Murakami K, Ogawa R. Standardized scalp massage results in increased hair thickness by inducing stretching forces to dermal papilla cells in the subcutaneous tissue. Eplasty. 2016;16:e8.
15. Fortes C, Mastroeni S, Mannooranparampil T, Abeni D, Panebianco A. Mediterranean diet: fresh herbs and fresh vegetables decrease the risk of androgenetic alopecia in males. Arch Dermatol Res. 2018;310(1):71-6.
16. Almohanna HM, Ahmed AA, Tsatalis JP, Tosti A. The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: a review. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(1):51-70.
17. Gupta AK, Bamimore MA, Talukder M. A meta-analysis study on the association between smoking and male pattern hair loss. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024. doi:10.1111/jocd.16132.
18. Yang WJ, et al. Exploring the association between alcohol consumption and androgenic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Alcohol Alcohol. 2024;59(6):agae076.
19. Bai JQA, Donovan J, et al. The role of psychological stress in hair loss: a review. JAAD Rev. 2025.