Can Men's Hair Loss Be Reversed?

Male pattern hair loss cannot be cured, but it can, in many cases, be slowed, halted and partially reversed. Two treatments are FDA-approved for it: Minoxidil and Finasteride. Below, we explain how each works and what the clinical evidence says about the results you can realistically expect.

This is a genetic condition that most men will experience from post-puberty onwards. Research published in Dermatologic Surgery found that 16% of men aged 18 to 29 and 53% of men aged 40 to 49 show moderate to extensive hair loss, confirming that likelihood rises with age (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9865198).

Can hair loss be cured or reversed?

With the right treatment, male pattern hair loss can often be slowed and controlled, leaving you more confident about your hair and hairline as a result. It's a genetic condition that can't be cured, so the key to tackling it successfully is getting a diagnosis and a suitable treatment plan as early as possible: the earlier you start, the more hair you're likely to keep.

Minoxidil is a topical treatment applied directly to the scalp. It shortens the telogen (resting) phase of the hair growth cycle, prolongs the anagen (growth) phase to keep hair in place for longer, and may encourage new growth from dormant follicles. It also acts as a vasodilator, stimulating blood flow to the area of application and creating a better growth environment for follicles (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14996087).

Finasteride is a daily oral medication that reduces production of type II 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone responsible for miniaturising hair follicles in male pattern hair loss. Sensitivity to DHT varies between men, which is why hair loss doesn't progress at the same rate for everyone. Rather than blocking a specific type of loss, Finasteride reduces DHT production at the source, which is why it can slow or stop loss and, in some men, regrow hair.

How effective are these treatments?

Treating hair thinning effectively means addressing the hormonal sensitivity within the follicles themselves. The most effective approaches usually combine one or more of the following:

• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors such as Finasteride (the active ingredient in Propecia)

• Topical hair follicle stimulants such as Minoxidil

• Topical antiandrogens, available in some of our formulations following a Trichologist consultation

• Stress management, since stress can raise DHT levels in the body

Finasteride as an oral treatment: a study of 1,553 men aged 18 to 41 with male pattern hair loss found a clinically significant increase in vertex hair counts after two years of 1mg daily Finasteride, compared with an ongoing decline in the control group (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9777765). Further published results showed Finasteride slowed hair loss and increased hair growth around the hairline, with significant results continuing into the second year, underlining the need for consistent use.

When it works, initial results from Finasteride are typically visible after three to four months. Consistency matters: stopping the medication means beneficial effects start wearing off after six months, and by twelve months hair usually reverts to its pre-treatment state, with any regrown hair likely to fall out.

Topical Minoxidil was originally developed as an oral hypertension treatment before its effect on hair growth was discovered. Trials comparing it with placebo found it "strongly effective for promoting hair growth in men with androgenetic alopecia". Response varies: some men see genuine regrowth, but in most cases the realistic goal is maintaining existing density rather than significant regrowth, and where genetic predisposition is strong, treatment may only slow further loss rather than stop it. Starting early, before extensive follicle miniaturisation, gives the best chance of retaining hair. First results are typically visible after four months.

Topical Finasteride has emerged more recently as an alternative to the oral form. A 2021 study found it produced a significant improvement in hair counts versus placebo, comparable to oral Finasteride but with a lower likelihood of associated side effects (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34634163). A further study comparing topical Finasteride alone against topical Finasteride combined with Minoxidil found the combination produced significantly greater improvements in density, diameter and overall appearance, a finding a subsequent systematic review and meta-analysis also supports. Topical and oral Finasteride shouldn't be used together.