My Hair Loss Story: What Actually Works for Male Pattern Baldness

Let’s be real for a second. I started losing my hair at 16. Most lads were worried about acne or getting a six pack. I was checking my hairline in every mirror, wondering if it looked a bit thinner than it did last month. At 18, I started experimenting with treatments. That kicked off what’s now been more than six years of trying everything I could get my hands on: prescription meds, natural supplements, Amazon gimmicks, derma-stamps, and all sorts of miracle shampoos.

This post isn’t just theory. It’s a breakdown of what I’ve personally learned about male pattern baldness, what actually causes it, and what’s been worth doing. Whether you’re just noticing changes or already deep in the battle, I hope this saves you a bit of time and a lot of money.

How My Hair Loss Journey Started

By the time I turned 20, the signs were clear, my hairline was creeping back, and harsh lighting became my worst enemy. I wasn’t going to sit around and let it happen, so I dove head-first into research. I didn’t just rely on what brands were selling. I tested things myself, took progress pics, tracked results, and changed up my stack when needed.

Here’s a short list of what I’ve personally tried:

• Finasteride, Dutasteride
• Minoxidil (liquid and foam)
• Microneedling (roller, stamp, pen — I’ve tried them all)
• Ketoconazole shampoo
• RU58841
• Saw Palmetto, Pumpkin Seed Oil, Biotin, Collagen
• Every “hair thickening” shampoo under the sun

Some worked. Some were pointless. I’ll break down the best ones shortly.

My Hair Regrowth Timeline:

What Actually Causes Male Pattern Baldness?

Here’s the core reason most men lose their hair: DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

DHT is a hormone your body makes from testosterone using an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. The issue isn’t that DHT is bad, it’s that some men have hair follicles that are genetically sensitive to it (myself & likely you included). When DHT binds to those follicles, it causes them to shrink. That’s what we call miniaturisation.

Over time, the follicles shrink so much they stop producing visible hair. At that point, without treatment, they’re done.

Here’s the basic process:

Testosterone → (5a-Reductase) → DHT → Hair follicle shrinks

You’re not losing hair because of stress, hats, shampoo, or pillowcases. It’s hormones and genetics. Plain and simple.

Can You Stop It? Or Even Reverse It?

Yes, if you catch it early. That’s why I’m so glad I started looking into this when I did.

The key is to stop the DHT from damaging your follicles before they completely die off. Once a follicle is gone, it’s gone. But if it’s just miniaturised, you can still bring it back with the right stack.

What Has Actually Worked for Me (After 6+ Years of Testing)

I’ve tried a lot of things, but these are the four that have given me real, visible results.

Finasteride (1mg per day)

This is my baseline. Finasteride blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone into DHT, lowering DHT levels by around 60 to 70%. It doesn’t regrow a ton of hair, but it stops further loss and that’s the most important first step. I noticed a major reduction in shedding around month three and some thickening after six months.

Minoxidil (5% foam)

This helps boost blood flow to the follicles and stimulates growth. It works well when used consistently, I saw great growth in the early stages of my hairloss applying it once in the morning and once at night. Currently I apply it once a day before bed. It works even better when combined with microneedling.

Microneedling (1.5mm dermastamp)

Honestly, this is the game changer. I use a dermastamp once a week. It helps stimulate collagen production and improves absorption of topical treatments like minoxidil. It’s uncomfortable, but absolutely worth it.

RU58841 (5% Quite possibly my favourite)

This has been my favourite combo by far. RU blocks DHT at the follicular level, while minoxidil boosts blood flow and regrowth. I noticed less shedding within 2 months of use and improved density.

What I love about RU is that I have experienced literally 0 side effects, no hormone disruption, no erectile dysfunction and i’ve actually seen results!

Ketoconazole Shampoo

I use this a few times a week. It helps reduce scalp inflammation and may lower local DHT. It won’t work miracles on its own, but it complements the rest of the stack well.

Stuff That Didn’t Work for Me

To save you some time and cash, here are the things I wouldn’t bother with again:

• Caffeine shampoos – minimum effect, although I did notice my hair grew much quicker, no effect on thickness or quality of hair though.
• Biotin – unless you’re deficient, it’s pointless
• Saw Palmetto – might work slightly, but not enough on its own
• Hair thickening sprays – purely cosmetic

The Takeaway From Someone Who Started Balding at 16

Hair loss is awful. There’s no nice way to put it. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can slow it down. You can even reverse it if you act early enough. I’ve done both and so can you.

The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. If I could give one piece of advice, it’s this: start early and be consistent. Don’t overcomplicate things. Get on the basics, track your results, and stick with it.

If you’re not sure where to begin, this is what I’d recommend starting with:

• Finasteride + minoxidil both orally.

That’s your foundation. Everything else is optional.