Let’s face it, thinning hair isn’t fun. Whether you’ve just noticed a receding hairline or you’re already seeing more scalp than you’d like, male pattern baldness (MPB) can mess with your confidence.
The good news? Science and accessibility to options has got a whole lot easier over the last 5 years. Treatments have come a long way, and there’s a growing range of tools to slow, stop, or even reverse hair loss.
Let’s break it all down, the treatments, how they work, and what would be the most effective beginner stack for tackling hair loss.
Navigation
What Is Male Pattern Baldness?
First Line Treatments That Actually Work
Finasteride
Dutasteride
Minoxidil
Ketoconazole Shampoo
Treatments Worth Trying
Beginner Hair Loss Stack: Where to Start
Final Thoughts (My own testimony)
What Is Male Pattern Baldness?
Male pattern baldness (aka androgenetic alopecia) is the most common form of hair loss in men. It’s mostly genetic and linked to sensitivity to a hormone called DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT shrinks hair follicles over time, making hair thinner and shorter until the hair stops growing altogether.
First Line Treatments That Actually Work
1. Finasteride (Oral or Topical)
Finasteride is a prescription medication that blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT. Less DHT = less follicle shrinkage.
- Oral finasteride is the most common (usually 1mg daily).
- Topical finasteride is a newer option with potentially fewer reported side effects, though I’d take that with a pinch of salt. Personally, I get experience more sides from topical treatments than oral.
💡 You can get finasteride through providers like Hims or Manual, often bundled with other hair care products.
2. Dutasteride (Usually Oral)
Dutasteride is a prescription medication that blocks both type I and type II forms of the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT – making it even more effective than finasteride at lowering DHT levels.
Oral dutasteride is typically taken at 0.5mg daily, though it’s not officially approved for hair loss in some countries.
Topical dutasteride is less common, but it’s starting to gain traction for those looking to reduce systemic side effects. Although in my own experience; the side effects of DHT inhibitors (Fin&Dut) occur more frequently when used topically rather than orally.
💡 You can access dutasteride through some private clinics or online providers, but availability may vary depending on your location.
3. Minoxidil (Topical or Oral)
Minoxidil (best known as Regaine in the UK or Rogaine abroad) increases blood flow to the scalp and stimulates hair follicles.
- Topical minoxidil is widely used (2% – usually for women and 5% formulas for men).
- Oral minoxidil is gaining popularity but should be used under medical supervision.
⚠️ Keep in mind: it can take 3–6 months to see visible results with these treatments. Patience is key.
💡 You can get Minoxidil through providers like Hims or Manual, often bundled with finasteride in either oral or topical form.
4. Ketoconazole Shampoo
This one flies under the radar, but ketoconazole shampoo is a legit addition to your hair loss routine.
Originally made to treat dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis, ketoconazole has anti fungal and anti androgenic properties, meaning it can help reduce DHT on the scalp (yep, the same hormone that causes male pattern baldness).
How It Works:
- Fights inflammation on the scalp, which can help create a healthier environment for hair to grow.
- Reduces DHT locally, which may slow the miniaturisation of hair follicles.
It’s not a miracle fix on its own, but when combined with finasteride or minoxidil, it makes for a very effective protocol.
Treatments Worth Trying
Microneedling
Using tiny needles to cause controlled micro-injuries, this technique boosts collagen and bloodflow enhancing absorption of topical treatments like minoxidil.
Microneedling and topical treatments shouldn’t be done on the same day. Doing so can allow the medication to enter the bloodstream, making it systemic rather than local. This increases the risk of side effects like reduced libido and widespread DHT suppression.
Microneedling tools come in a few forms: derma pens, dermarollers, and dermastamps. From personal experience, I’ve found dermastamps to offer the best balance of effectiveness and value for money.
Derma pens can be pricey, and while dermarollers are cheaper, they tend to deliver less precise results and can be harsher on the skin compared to a dermastamp.
Beginner Hair Loss Stack: Where to Start
Finasteride (DHT Blocker)
What it does: Finasteride is a prescription medication that works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT (the hormone responsible for shrinking hair follicles).
Why it matters: DHT is enemy number one in male pattern baldness. Reducing it is the single most effective way to slow down or even stop hair loss.
Dosage: 1mg daily is the standard dose. You can also explore lower doses (like 0.5mg) if you’re sensitive to side effects.
Heads up: It’s oral, so it affects your whole system. Some guys report side effects (myself included) like lower libido, but many tolerate it just fine. Stick with it for at least 6–12 months to see full results.
Minoxidil (Topical Growth Stimulator)
What it does: Minoxidil is a topical solution or foam that stimulates blood flow to the scalp and encourages hair regrowth.
Why it matters: While finasteride stops hair from falling out, minoxidil helps you regrow what you’ve already lost, especially in the crown and frontal hairline area (this is where i’ve personally had the most gains).
How to use: Apply once or twice a day to thinning areas. Foam is easier for styling, while the liquid absorbs deeper. Both in my own experience have led to a dry scalp & dandruff despite Ketoconazole usage.
Pro tip: Stick with it, shedding in the first few weeks is normal. Regrowth usually kicks in after 3–6 months.
Ketoconazole Shampoo (Anti-DHT & Anti-Inflammatory)
What it does: Originally an anti-fungal, ketoconazole also reduces scalp inflammation and may have mild DHT-blocking effects when used topically.
Why it matters: A clean, inflammation-free scalp = better hair growth. It also helps treat dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, which can make hair loss worse.
How to use: Use 2–3 times a week in place of your regular shampoo. Leave it on for 3–5 minutes before rinsing.
Dermastamping (Microneedling)
What it does: Dermastamping creates tiny controlled injuries in the scalp to stimulate collagen and increase absorption of topical treatments like minoxidil.
Why it matters: Multiple studies show that microneedling + minoxidil leads to significantly better results than minoxidil alone.
How to use: Start once a week with a 1.5mm dermastamp. Avoid applying minoxidil on the same day to reduce irritation, wait 24 hours after stamping.
Avoid: Dermarollers can cause more skin trauma and uneven depth. Dermapens are great but expensive. For beginners, a dermastamp is the sweet spot for price and effectiveness.
Final Thoughts (My own testimony)
I’ve been using this exact stack for over four years now: finasteride, minoxidil, ketoconazole shampoo, and weekly dermastamping, and I can honestly say it’s worked for me.
My hair loss was never the classic bald spot on the crown. For me, it was overall thinning across the top, and a gradually receding hairline — especially around the temples. I wasn’t going bald overnight, but my hair was getting weaker, less dense, and harder to style. The slow fade of my hairline hit my confidence more than I could ever have expected. Although I am in a much better position than I was in my late teens, the constant mirror glancing, looking to see if I am showing any of my thinner hair regions, is still very much a thing to this day.
At first, I wasted time (like most people do) trying every “natural” fix: random amazon supplements, biotin, caffeine shampoos nothing made a real difference. Until I finally committed to this stack, I started seeing results:
- Finasteride stopped the constant shedding within a few months. That was the first real win, just knowing the decline had stopped.
- Minoxidil helped strengthen and thicken the hair I still had, especially through the front. I wasn’t expecting regrowth, but it actually did fill in the weaker areas over time.
- Ketoconazole shampoo made my scalp feel healthier and less irritated and I now use it twice a week as a standard part of my routine.
- Dermastamping has been key for my hairline. Combining it with minoxidil gave me better texture and density in areas that looked like they were heading for trouble.
It took patience. Results didn’t happen overnight, I’d say it was around the 6–9 month mark is when I started to see a noticeable improvement. Now, four years in, I’ve not only held onto my hair but regained some of the ground I thought I’d already lost.
If you’re seeing the early signs and wondering whether it’s worth starting… it is. But the key is consistency. No magic pills, no overnight fixes – just sticking to what scientifically works, long term.
Trust the process. It’s worth it.
