- Dr Suhail Alam
- Reading Time: 5 Mins
You always knew hair loss could happen, perhaps you have relatives in your family who suffer from hair loss such as your dad and grandad.. But you never thought it would happen to you this early!
You have compared photos of your younger self, and noticed your hairline has crept backwards, or maybe you see a photo of your crown area and realised it has “all of a sudden” become very thin leaving your scalp exposed. While this might cause panic, it is a lot more common than you may believe, approximately 25% of men will notice male pattern baldness by the age of 21!
Table of Contents
Firstly Don’t Panic It’s More Common Than You Think
As we spoke about above, hair loss can affect up to 25% of males by the time they reach the age of 21. With many experts believing this number could potentially be higher, with early cases often going unreported until they are more advanced.
But does this mean you are doomed? Absolutely not! With modern advancements in hair restoration it is completely possible to regain your full head of hair.
While some will choose to shave their hair off, embracing the bald look. Others will choose medical treatments and surgeries to maintain their hair. This is a personal choice, and one that is often driven by the emotional impact of hair loss.
There is no wrong or right answer here, the choice is down to the individual. If hair loss begins to affect your everyday life, making you self conscious then we are here to let you know that help, support, and treatments are available!
You don’t have to resort to wearing hats daily, or spending 20 minutes in the morning trying to get your hair perfect so it doesn’t show your receding hairline.
Before you take action, it is important to understand the cause of your hair loss, as this will likely affect how it is treated and the options available to you.
Not All Hair Loss Is The Same
Hair loss is not a one size fits all problem.. Just because you’re a young male, it does not mean your hair loss is 100% down to genetics, other factors could be at play.
To accurately diagnose a hair loss condition, as assessment with an expert is always advised, sometimes home diagnosis can only add fuel to the fire causing more anxiety and worry.
But you came here for answers didn’t you? So let’s take a look at some of the most common types of hair loss, and the questions we ask in our clinic to start the diagnosis process.
In Clinic Hair Loss Questions We Ask
Q: Have you noticed a gradual recession in the corners of your hair line? Or perhaps your crown area has become thinner over time?
Possible cause: Androgenic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness. This hair loss condition often starts in the temple area, or the crown, and progresses over time.
Q: Have you recently gone through a period of high stress, illness or a drastic change in your diet? Followed by noticeable hair shedding?
Possible cause: Telogen effluvium, a temporary condition where stress or lifestyle changes push hair follicles into a resting phase, causing widespread shedding.
Q: Have you noticed your hair becoming thinner all over, rather than in specific areas?
Possible Cause: Diffuse thinning, a condition often associated with nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances or scalp conditions.
Q: Are you noticing sudden, patchy bald spots appearing in different areas of your scalp?
Possible Cause: Alopecia Areata, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to unpredictable bald patches.
As we mentioned above, please do not take this diagnosis as 100% accurate, as the only way to be certain is through a diagnosis with an expert. If any of these questions sound familiar, the next step is to book a hair loss assessment and get a clear diagnosis, because early action makes all the difference.
So, What Can You Do About Your Hair Loss?

As we have mentioned multiple times during this blog, there are two things that are really important. Professional diagnosis and early intervention!
Getting these two things right, often makes all the difference in the success of your hair loss battle.
So what can you do about it? Let’s break down the stages of hair loss treatments, and what is available to you.
Lifestyle Changes
In cases where hair loss is in its early stages, or your hair loss diagnosis points towards lifestyle factors such as nutritional deficiencies, lifestyle factors can make all the difference.
Here are some key lifestyle changes we often recommend:
Reduce your stress levels! – The cortisol hormone is often linked to a lot of things, but one that is often overlooked is its involvement in hair loss.
Improve your nutrition! – Your hair is made up of keratin, a protein! So what you eat really does matter, and it shows in your hair health.
Take care of your scalp! – Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Think of it like growing crops. You need nutrient rich soil for strong, healthy growth.
Hair Restoration Treatments
In early to mid stages of hair loss, where that has not been a significant loss in overall hair follicles. Hair loss treatments like PRP, PRF, and LLLT can make a real difference.
These treatments are designed to stimulate hair regrowth, improve scalp health, and strengthen existing hair without the use of medication.
Typically the best candidates for these treatments are
- Those experiencing thinning rather than full bald spots.
- Individuals with weakened or miniaturising hair follicles that need stimulation.
- Those looking for a natural, non-invasive approach before considering medications or transplants.
Hair Loss Medications
In cases where hair loss is progressive, or where treatments like PRP and LLLT aren’t enough on their own, hair loss medications can play a crucial role in slowing further loss and even encouraging regrowth.
These treatments work by targeting the root causes of hair loss, such as DHT (the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness) and poor blood flow to the scalp.
The most common hair loss medications include:
Finasteride (DHT Blocker, Prescription Only)
- Lowers DHT levels, preventing further hair follicle shrinkage.
- Works best for slowing hair loss and maintaining existing hair.
- Needs to be taken long-term for continued results.
Minoxidil (Topical Treatment, Over-the-Counter)
- Increases blood flow to hair follicles, stimulating regrowth.
- Works best when applied twice daily and used consistently.
- Can be combined with PRP and LLLT for enhanced results.
Medications can be highly effective, but they require consistency. Stopping treatment may result in hair loss resuming.
Surgical Hair Transplants
In cases where hair loss has advanced beyond the point where medications or non-invasive treatments can restore density, a hair transplant is often the best long term solution.
Hair transplants work by redistributing your existing hair, moving healthy follicles from donor areas (typically the back and sides of the head) to areas experiencing baldness or thinning.
The best candidates for a hair transplant are:
- Those with stable donor hair at the back and sides of the head.
- Individuals with permanent hair loss, such as male pattern baldness.
- People who understand that a transplant restores hair but does not prevent future loss.
Actionable Advice For You
Hair loss in your 20s can often make you want to bury your head in the sand, or use methods to hide it such as wearing a hat daily, or excessive styling with hair spray to achieve that perfect look.
But as with most things in life, the best thing you can do is to face the problem head on, and take action early!
If any part of this blog has resonated with you, and you have read parts thinking “that is me they are talking about” Then my advice to you would be to book your hair loss assessment with us today!
We have successfully helped thousands of patients with their hair loss, restoring more than just lost hair. Patients often say things such as.. “Why didn’t I take action sooner?” or “You have literally changed my life”
Whether you need some advice, or you’re serious about taking action, we’re here for you. You can book your free online hair loss assessment with us today.
Book Your Free Hair Loss Assessment
Suffering from hair loss? Book your free assessment with us today.
About the Author
Dr Suhail Alam
Dr Alam is devoted to providing high quality, holistic, patient centred care designed to make patients look and feel their best. He has a specialist interest in Hair Restoration Surgery and Regenerative Medicine.