How to stop hair loss: what actually helps

Most male hair loss is androgenetic, the inherited 'male pattern' type, which shows up as a receding hairline or thinning crown and progresses slowly over years. It is driven by follicles' genetic sensitivity to DHT, not by anything you did wrong.

Other causes exist, such as stress-related shedding, thyroid issues, nutritional gaps or medication effects, and these behave differently and sometimes reverse on their own. Because the cause changes what helps, the sensible starting point is an assessment rather than guessing, especially if the loss is sudden, patchy or unusual.

For male pattern hair loss specifically, two treatments carry the strongest evidence, and they work in different ways.

• Finasteride: an oral, prescription-only medicine that lowers DHT, the hormone behind the shrinking of follicles.
• Minoxidil: usually a topical product, available over the counter, that acts on the follicle and is often used alongside finasteride.
• Both only work while used, so stopping generally means the loss resumes. Neither guarantees regrowth; for many men the realistic aim is slowing further loss.

Plenty of products are marketed for hair loss without the evidence to match. Caffeine shampoos, most supplements, and low-cost devices may make hair look or feel thicker temporarily, but there is little to suggest they stop male pattern loss the way the two most-studied treatments can. That does not make them scams, but it does make them a poor substitute if actually halting the process is the goal.

The other common trap is waiting. Because the condition is progressive, the hair you keep is easier to hold than the hair you have already lost is to recover, so delaying rarely helps.

You have two mainstream routes. See your own GP, who can assess you in person and manage treatment with your whole health in view, or use an online telehealth service where a registered Australian practitioner reviews your case and prescribes if it is appropriate, usually with the medicine and delivery included in a plan.

Either way, the step that matters is a genuine assessment. Mosh is one Australian men's telehealth service that runs this kind of review for hair loss, and you can compare it against your other options first.