Best Medication For Male Pattern Baldness

Are you looking at more hair in your shower drain or looking back in photos to your hairline crawling? Then you are not alone. The male pattern baldness is super common. It easily affects about 50% of men by the age of 50 and in many cases, it starts long ago, even in their 20 or 30s. But do you really know what is really the reason for this and how it happens?

Medically, it is called androgenetic alopecia, and figures suggest that it affects about 50% of men at a point in their lives.

This guide will throw light on what it is, its causes and the most effective treatment for male pattern baldness.

What is Male Pattern Baldness?

Male pattern baldness, also called androgenetic alopecia, is actually a pretty predictable condition that’s largely tied to your genes. A lot of people blame work stress, their diet, or even that favorite hat they wear all the time for this condition, but, those are just myths. They do impact scalp health, but only to a lesser extent. The main culprit of your male-patterned baldness is Dihydrotestosterone or DHT. Unknown to many, it is a powerful androgen hormone. 

Your body produces testosterone that transforms to DHT in the presence of 5-alpha reductase. Under normal conditions, DHT helps to build up your male characteristics. It is much active during the puberty phase. 

Over time, your DHT will cause your hair to undergo miniaturization. In this process, you will notice your hair becoming shorter, weaker, and thinner. 

However, you should be aware that the process is not random, but rather follows a distinct pattern. This is the reason why it is called male pattern baldness. Mostly, you will see it impacting your frontal hairline. As a result, you usually end up with is that classic receding ‘M’ shape at the front, plus a thinning circle, kind of like a little bald spot, right on the crown of your head. 

There is no doubt that the condition is progressive. There’s a very popular measurement scale that your trichologist might use, known as the Norwood Scale, to measure it. The Norwood System is a classification system to help your trichologist identify the progressive stages of your hair loss pattern. 

It is important to identify the male hair loss treatment timely to address your issues. If you fail to do so, you may continue to deal with miniaturization. So, choosing the best medication for male pattern baldness is important. 

FDA-Approved Medications for Baldness

Dealing with your hair loss issue requires a medication-based treatment, and the market offers two popular options: finasteride and minoxidil. Here are their distinct mechanisms: 

• Finasteride or Oral DHT Blocker

Finasteride is a daily oral pill that targets the DHT hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. It is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor and works with a simple mechanism. It blocks the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to DHT. 

The moment the enzyme stops acting, DHT levels in the scalp and bloodstream decrease by 70%. As a result, finasteride stops the miniaturization of your hair follicles. It is effective in reversing all hair thinning issues, specifically around the crown area. 

You need a doctor’s prescription to buy it. However, a few side effects have also been reported. Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction are among the common ones. Otherwise, it is generally safe for long-term use.

• Minoxidil or Topical Vasodilator 

Minoxidil, or a topical vasodilator, is an easily available medication for male pattern baldness. Its working mechanism is different from finasteride. Being a vasodilator, it widens your blood vessels. The moment you apply it directly to your scalp, Minoxidil will increase the blood flow to your hair follicles. This surge in blood flow delivers a richer oxygen supply, along with essential nutrients and vitamins. All these elements feed your hair follicles to extend their stay in the Anagen phase (the active growth stage of your hair). In the end, you have thicker hair. 

Minoxidil is primarily used for the crown and vertex regions. It might not work that well on the frontal hairline. 

You can obtain it in both liquid and foam forms. Usually, your trichologist will prescribe you a foam format as it is less greasy. Foam is better than liquid. 

Minoxidil is not influenced by hormonal factors. It promotes existing hair follicle growth and stimulates new hair growth overall. However, it will not prevent the DHT from continuing to miniaturize other follicles. This is why your trichologist may also suggest finasteride. 

You can try a combination of both molecules, finasteride and minoxidil, under your trichologist’s recommendation. While finasteride could block the DHT, Minoxidil should support you in stimulating growth by creating a powerful and two-pronged attack on hair loss. 

Finasteride vs. Minoxidil Comparison Table

Here is a quick summary of finasteride and minoxidil: 

How to Choose the Right Treatment?

Selecting your right treatment matters. It is, of course, your personal decision. But you need science and an informed approach to your individual needs. Here are a few factors you need to consider: 

• Age and Stage of Hair Loss: This is a crucial starting point. If you’re a young man in your 20s or early 30s who's just noticing the first signs of thinning, early intervention with a single treatment, such as finasteride, can often be enough to halt the process in its tracks. 

For those with more advanced hair loss (e.g., a Norwood 4 or higher), a combination of finasteride and minoxidil is often the most effective route to not only stop further loss but also promote some level of regrowth. Waiting until your hair is significantly thinned makes the recovery process much more difficult.

• Family History: A strong family history of baldness, especially if your father and grandfather went bald early, suggests a strong genetic predisposition. In such cases, your trichologist will adopt a more aggressive and proactive approach. Sometimes, they may put you on combination therapy to help your curve move forward in a positive direction. 

• Target Area: If your main concern is a receding hairline, finasteride is often considered more effective for stabilizing and potentially improving the frontal area. For overall density and crown improvement as well, finasteride is excellent, but for a noticeable boost, especially on the top of the head, adding Minoxidil is a game-changer.

So, what is right for you? Here is a more detailed checklist: 

• You're in the early stages and want to stop it before it gets worse: Consider finasteride. It’s the best preventative measure against further miniaturization.

• You're looking for an over-the-counter solution to thicken your hair and boost growth: Start with minoxidil, especially if your thinning is on the crown.

• You want to maximize your results and fight hair loss from all angles: Discuss combination therapy (finasteride + minoxidil) with a doctor. This is generally the gold standard for treating androgenetic alopecia.

• You're experiencing sudden or patchy hair loss, not the typical receding hairline: See a dermatologist immediately. This could be a sign of a different condition that requires a different type of treatment.

Other Natural & Supportive Options for Hair Growth

Here are some more supportive hair growth options: 

1. DHT-Reducing Foods

While you have finasteride to chemically block the enzyme activity of 5-alpha reductase, you have certain natural foods, too. Below are some of them: 

• Pumpkin Seeds: These seeds have zinc and phytosterols. The key one is beta-sitosterol. It blocks the enzyme that produces DHT. A handful of pumpkin seeds daily is essential for a healthy hair routine. 

• Flaxseeds: Flaxseeds have lignans. They are phytoestrogens that monitor your hormonal levels by inhibiting DHT production. 

• Green Tea: Green tea is a powerful antioxidant containing EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). Several scientists claim it is a DHT-inhibiting molecule. A cup of your morning green tea is always a great and healthy start to your day. 

• Saw Palmetto: Although often sold as a supplement, it’s a natural extract from a palm tree. It has long been studied for its potential to act as a natural DHT blocker for hair loss by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme.
  
  

2. Microneedling 

It is not a ‘natural’ remedy, but rather a non-pharmacological one. It significantly enhances the effectiveness of your topical treatments. You need a biomedical device with tiny needles. With the help of this device, the trichologist will create micropunctures throughout your scalp region. 

This process stimulates collagen production and growth factors. A combined action of both these elements helps to revitalize your hair follicles. Most importantly, such micropunctures help to improve the absorption of your topical treatments. 

3. Scalp Massage

Scalp massage is both a simple and effective habit. You just need to reserve 5-10 minutes of your daily time to increase your blood flow to your hair follicles. Scalp massage creates a more conducive environment, allowing your new hair to grow easily. You can massage your scalp using your fingertips. These days, you also get a hand-held massager to do the needful for you. You can even opt for a carrier oil such as Jojoba. 

4. Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

This non-invasive therapy uses a special wavelength of light to wake up your hair follicles. There are even laser caps and combs you can buy for home use. The idea behind LLLT (low-level laser therapy) is that the light boosts your cells’ energy (ATP production) and helps calm down inflammation in your scalp. 

It’s not quite as powerful as finasteride or minoxidil, but it can still be a great add-on treatment, especially in the early stages of hair loss.

Common Mistakes that Make Hair Loss Worse

You may easily fall prey to its common pitfalls. Here are some of the common mistakes that most people make that worsen hair loss: 

• Skipping Doses or Inconsistent Use

Without any doubt, skipping doses or being inconsistent with the regimen is the biggest mistake. Medicines such as finasteride and minoxidil are to be used daily. You need to take your finasteride daily to keep your DHT levels low and stable. Minoxidil provides your hair with the nutrients it needs. The moment you miss your dose, your balding pattern will immediately resume. 

All the progress that you have made so far will eventually be lost. The miniaturization process will pick up where it left off last time. As the condition is chronic, the solution should also be continuous. 

• Using Harsh Chemicals with SLS

No shampoo can cause you complete baldness. However, using harsh products can certainly create an unhealthy environment on your scalp. Out of the several harsh chemical ingredients, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or SLS is a strong detergent. 

It can wash off all your natural essential oils. Without natural essential oils, your scalp will become dry and irritated. An irritated scalp is never supportive of hair growth. A sulfate-free shampoo is gentle and supports your natural scalp biome. 

• Believing in ‘Miracle Cures’ or Unproven Remedies

The world of the internet is loaded with misinformation. There are countless articles and videos available to promote everything from onion juice to rosemary oils. All these are promoted as a male pattern baldness cure. While some of these might improve scalp health or make your hair look better, they don’t tackle the root cause of androgenetic alopecia. 

The truth is, relying on these unproven remedies can drain your time, money, and energy while your hair loss continues to progress. If you’re serious about slowing or reversing hair loss, sticking to science-backed options. 

• Delayed Treatments for ‘Later' 

Putting off treatment is a mix of hope and denial, and unfortunately, it can cost you. Once a hair follicle is damaged beyond repair, there’s no way to bring it back. The earlier you start proven treatments, the better your chances of keeping the hair you have and even regrowing some of what you’ve lost. Waiting too long often means fewer options and less noticeable results. 

What to Expect After Starting Medication?  

Start your hair loss treatment journey with realistic expectations. Hair growth is a very slow process following its biological timeline. Below are the key timelines you should be aware of: 

• Months 1–2: Approximately 1 to 2 months into your treatment, you may experience what feels like an increase in hair loss. This is known as ‘initial shedding’ or ‘the purge,’ and it's a completely normal and positive sign that the medication is working. The weak, miniaturized hairs are being pushed out by stronger, healthier ones. It marks the end of your old cycle and the beginning of a new one. 

• Months 3–6: Your hair fall will gradually slow down. Now, you will not see a lot of them around your shower drain or pillow. It is a period during which your medicine is successfully maintaining its efficacy in preventing further miniaturization of your hair. 

• Months 6–12: You may notice that your hairline appears stronger, and the thinning on your crown is less noticeable. The question is male baldness is reversible starts to feel like a reality during this stage. You’ll be able to see the concrete results of your consistent effort.

• Beyond 1 Year: The results will plateau, and your goal becomes consistency. Finasteride and minoxidil are not a cure for male pattern baldness in the sense of a one-time fix. They are a long-term commitment. The moment you stop taking them, you may notice the positive results fading and making way for your hair loss to resume its activity. This long-term commitment is the single most important factor for men who successfully manage their hair loss over a lifetime.

When to Start & When to See a Doctor?

Early detection and intervention are the first and most important steps in the successful journey of your hair loss treatment. Here is the secret spilt: 

• Start When You First Notice Thinning: Spotting your hair thinning issue early is important.  

• Seek Medical Advice if Hair Loss is Patchy or Sudden: Male pattern baldness is one of the common issues of hair loss noticed in men. However, it is not the only one. Other conditions, such as alopecia areata, are autoimmune diseases that cause hair loss. Thyroid issues and severe stress can also play their part. 

It is essential for readers like you to understand and refrain from using medicines without consulting a healthcare professional. You can easily obtain Minoxidil at your local pharmacy. However, Finasteride is a prescription-only molecule. Your doctor is your best guide for determining how to stop hair loss in men.

FAQs 

Q1. Can I take both minoxidil and finasteride? 

Yes, combining finasteride and minoxidil is a good combination. Finasteride addresses your hormonal issues, and minoxidil enhances your follicular blood flow. This dual approach is proven to address your hair loss issues from multiple angles. 

Q2. What happens if I stop taking them? 

If you stop taking finasteride or minoxidil, the effects will reverse. Any hair you have regrown or maintained will likely begin to shed within 6 to 12 months, and your hair loss will continue its natural progression. These are treatments, not cures, and require a long-term commitment.

Q3. Can I use oils with these meds? 

Yes, you can use oils while having both the meds. Certain oils, such as rosemary or peppermint, are touted for their benefits to your hair. They should, however, not be considered as a replacement for the FDA-approved medicines. If you choose to use them, be sure to keep a buffer after applying your minoxidil solution. Avoid using thick and greasy oils to prevent clogged pores. 

Q4. Is it safe to use finasteride and minoxidil long-term? 

Yes, you can use both finasteride and minoxidil for the long term. However, do not miss the opportunity to see your trichologist to determine the dose. Regular check-ins with your trichologist can help you monitor your progress with the treatment. 

Q5. How much does treatment cost per month? 

Your monthly treatment cost can vary quite a bit. A generic finasteride can cost as little as ₹200-₹500 per month, while minoxidil, which is available over the counter, usually falls in the ₹600-₹1,200 range depending on the brand and strength. If you’re combining both treatments, or adding supportive options like biotin supplements or laser therapy, your overall budget will naturally go up. 

Takeaway

Your baldness doesn’t have to be permanent. Finasteride and minoxidil are FDA-approved medications and are one of the best medications for male pattern baldness. Pairing these with a healthy lifestyle and good scalp care gives you the best chance at noticeable results.

But here’s the key, patience is everything. Hair regrowth isn’t an overnight process; it’s a commitment that typically takes 6 to 12 months to show visible progress. Since hair loss is a progressive condition, sticking to your plan consistently is the only way to truly keep it in check.

Hair loss may be largely genetic, but having the right information and guidance can make all the difference. That’s where Traya’s experts come in. We combine the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with the latest advancements in dermatology and nutrition to create a holistic, personalized plan just for you. Connect with us today and take the first step toward healthier, fuller hair, and better overall well-being. 

Let us help you better understand your hair and scalp. Take the hair test now.

References:

• https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/androgenetic-alopecia/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557634/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10765065/
• https://www.healthline.com/health/cosmetic-surgery/hair-miniaturization
• https://www.healthline.com/health/norwood-scale
• https://www.drugs.com/finasteride.html
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK555930/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9777765/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482378/
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11829753/