- Hair loss is a common concern among young men, according to Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist.
- She described catching male-pattern baldness early as the best way to prevent further hair loss.
- She says hair-growth shampoos aren’t worth your money but medications like minoxidil can help.
Though there is no cure for male-pattern baldness, some treatments can help slow hair loss and even regrow hair if caught early, according to Dr. Susan Massick, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Ohio State University.
Massick said she frequently saw patients for hair loss and young men were especially concerned about prevention. The most important thing to keep as much hair as possible, she said, is to catch hair loss early.
Massick told Insider a balanced diet and topical minoxidil were two methods she’d recommend to patients to help treat hair loss and male-pattern baldness.
A balanced diet rich in protein and iron can help
Massick said that while hair loss could come from stress and an autoimmune disease called alopecia areata, the majority of her patients had androgenic alopecia, or male-pattern baldness. According to Cleveland Clinic, 25% of men will notice hair loss before age 21, and 70% will experience hair loss as they age.
Male-pattern baldness is caused by the hormone dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, Massick said, which shrinks hair follicles, causing hair to grow thinner and fall out more easily. While there’s a genetic component to male-pattern baldness, it can’t be linked to one side of the family, she said.
Massick said male-pattern baldness occurred primarily on the hairline, temples, and top of the head. This hair loss happens slowly, and she said it’s important to catch it as early as possible to keep as much hair as you can.
A balanced diet rich in protein and iron found in foods like eggs, spinach, beef, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, and black beans, for instance, will help keep your hair healthy and strong, Massick said. Protein is most of what makes up hair follicles and contains iron, which helps the body bring oxygen to cells associated with hair growth, according to Healthline.
Dr. Debra Jaliman, a board-certified dermatologist who is an assistant professor at the Dermatology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, previously told Insider that when the body doesn’t get enough protein, the protein that is consumed is allocated toward essential body functions, which doesn’t include hair growth.
Put as little stress on your hair as possible
Massick said to avoid putting tension on your hair whenever possible; hair styles like perms, extensions, and hair straightening can put stress on your hair that can make it more likely to fall out.
She said reducing the amount of hair styling and product you use is also a good idea.
Massick says shampoos that advertise hair growth usually aren’t worth your money because they don’t stay in your hair long enough to penetrate to your follicles. She said shampoos meant to treat conditions like dandruff and eczema, which can cause hair loss, can be effective at treating those conditions but not hair loss itself.
Topical minoxidil can help prevent hair loss when used regularly
Minoxidil, commonly known by the brand name Rogaine, is an over-the-counter medication that Missack said had been shown to help prevent hair loss and, in some cases, regain lost hair. While it’s unclear exactly how minoxidil works, it’s thought to enlarge hair follicles and increase the body’s hair-growth phase, according to Healthline.
She said the most important part of using the medication was consistency.
“It’s not how frequently you do it,” she said. “It’s more the consistency in using it over time. So whatever benefit it may give you, you’re going to lose if you stop.”
Ask your doctor about oral medications
Missack said that if you’re concerned about hair loss, you should talk to your doctor about a medication called finasteride, which is usually prescribed to treat both enlarged prostate and male-pattern hair loss. She said the medication worked by reducing levels of DHT in the body.
Though finasteride can help prevent hair loss, she said there’s a risk of side effects such as erectile dysfunction and reduced semen production. Missack said while this could be an effective medication, people should make sure to discuss the side effects with their doctor.