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Male hair loss—what causes it and which treatments actually work
03 June 2025
From the moment we’re born, hair becomes intricately entwined with our identity. As the first feature we can shape and mould according to our whims, changes to its cut, colour and length often come to represent various passages of time and iterations of the self. Simply put, our manes grow with us as we grow up. But what about when we grow older?
From greying to thinning, evolving hair conditions and what may feel like a diminishing of youth affect both men and women. But there’s no denying that hair loss can resonate uniquely for men. In a beauty market emphasising the female audience, popular discourse tends to stop short of, say, lip colours and extensive facial regimens for men.
The result? Ultimately, more attention is directed towards men’s manes. More than just strands, hair can come to symbolise one’s youth, virility and vitality, treasured and tended to over decades. After all, it’s not for nothing that the moniker ‘crowning glory’ is earned. But when it starts to fall, the impacts can be felt deeply.
Quiet beginnings
Male hair loss typically starts subtly—the first signs of thinning at the temples or receding at the hairline. Hardly a sudden, dramatic change, androgenetic alopecia—or, less intimidatingly, male pattern baldness—affects a significant number of men as they age.
Dr Sean Lim, a medical practitioner at IDS Clinic, explains: “Most male pattern hair loss starts at the frontal hairline, slowly progressing to thinning and miniaturisation of the individual hairs at the vertex, or crown (essentially, the highest point), of your head.”
But where do its causes lie? Lim points to the key role of—brace yourself—dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a derivative of testosterone. “Genetic predisposition influences the sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT,” Lim shares. “The likelihood of male hair loss increases with age, also becoming more pronounced over time due to the cumulative effects of genetic predisposition and ongoing DHT influence.”
Inflammation or scalp disorders may also be culprits, as can certain medications and other health conditions.
A path forward
Not every individual experiencing male hair loss will feel the need to address it. An entirely natural process, it’s a shift that can be embraced and taken in stride much like any other sign of maturation. However, for those feeling a hit on their confidence, measures can be taken.
To this end, it is advise consulting a reputable expert or clinic as a first call of action. Over-the-counter remedies and ‘miracle’ treatments may sound promising, but can ultimately lead to more frustration down the line. “Accurately identifying the condition causing hair loss, and having personalised treatment recommendations, are important,” affirms Lim.
Nowadays, an abundant bevy of treatments is available, from oral medications to laser therapy and topical serums.
IDS Aesthetics' Hair Regrowth Treatment
Hair growth stimulants and DHT blockers are often a first line of defence, respectively prolonging the growth phase of the hair cycle and targeting the follicle-shrinking hormone. “Other emerging therapeutic options include low-level laser therapy and microneedling—including radiofrequency microneedling—to improve scalp health and promote healthy hair growth,” Lim elaborates. (Try IDS Aesthetics' Hair Regrowth Treatment)
Often, a combination of treatments will be prescribed. These can extend to nourishing the roots with detoxifying, inflammation-reducing scalp treatments and home care products. Not just any will do, however.
Surgical methods of hair transplantation may also be discussed, as well as products to aid with cosmetic camouflage, from keratin fibres to semi-permanent hair extensions.
Ultimately, though, it starts with expert care and targeted treatment. Male pattern hair loss can be partially reversed with the right care. A crowning glory it may be, but for many who have spent the better part of their lives investing in their hair, an inevitable arc of lesser tresses can carry a certain freedom. And no matter the state of your strands, that is a confidence worth hanging on to.
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