The Problem
Thinning hair: what actually works
Two treatments have real evidence. Everything else is marketing. Here is the honest playbook.
The Short Answer
Start with a licensed minoxidil treatment and commit to it for six months. Nothing else on this page matters more — and most “hair growth” products are noise.
Male pattern hair loss affects half of men by fifty, and the industry built on that anxiety is mostly noise. Strip it back and the evidence supports a short list: minoxidil (licensed, over the counter), finasteride (prescription — a conversation for your GP, including the side-effect profile), and adjacent basics like treating scalp conditions and not crash-dieting.
The honest sequencing: photograph your crown and hairline monthly, start with the licensed options early — both work better at preserving than regrowing — and judge everything on twelve weeks of evidence, not a fortnight of mirror checks. Caffeine shampoos and supplements sit firmly in the “harmless, marginal” category: fine as additions, negligent as the whole plan.
What to Look For
- Evidence over marketing — only two treatments have real data
- Licensed and available without prescription
- A daily habit you will actually sustain for six months
- Realistic expectations: preservation beats regrowth
FAQ
Does stress cause hair thinning?
Acute stress can trigger temporary shedding (telogen effluvium), which typically recovers. Pattern hair loss is hormonal and genetic — stress can coincide with it but does not cause it.
Are hair-loss supplements worth taking?
Unless you have a measured deficiency, the evidence is weak. They are reasonable insurance alongside licensed treatments, not a substitute for them.
When should I see a doctor about hair loss?
If thinning is patchy, rapid, or accompanied by scalp symptoms — or if you are considering finasteride — book a GP appointment. Pattern loss caught early responds best.