What early hair loss actually looks like.
Most men don't notice they're losing hair until they've already lost a significant amount. That's not because the signs aren't there — it's because the process is gradual, and we're not taught what to look for.
Male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) follows a predictable pattern. It almost always starts in one of two places: the temples, where a slight recession begins on either side of the hairline, or the crown, where a small circular thinning patch appears at the top of the head. In many men, both happen simultaneously.
Signs worth paying attention to.
A receding hairline at the temples — your hairline forming more of an M shape than a straight line across the forehead.
Thinning at the crown — a circular patch where the hair appears less dense, often only visible in certain lighting or from above.
More hair than usual coming out when you wash or brush your hair. Losing 50 to 100 hairs per day is normal; if you're consistently seeing more than that, it's worth noting.
Your hair taking longer to style or sitting differently — a sign of reduced density even before it's visually obvious.
Family history. If your father or maternal grandfather experienced hair loss, your risk is significantly elevated.
Worth knowing: Hair loss is not caused by stress, wearing hats, poor diet, or washing your hair too often. It is driven by genetics and the hormone DHT. These are the only factors that matter when it comes to male pattern hair loss.
The earlier you act, the more you keep.
The single most important thing to understand about hair loss is that it is progressive. Hair follicles that have been miniaturised for long enough eventually become permanently inactive. Treatments like finasteride and minoxidil can halt this process and in many cases reverse it — but only while the follicles are still viable.
Men who start finasteride or minoxidil in their twenties or early thirties, when follicle activity is still relatively intact, consistently achieve better outcomes than those who wait until significant hair has already been lost.
If you've noticed any of the above signs, the practical step is a quick assessment. It takes two minutes, there's no obligation, and a NZ-registered doctor will review your answers before any recommendation is made.
Take a free 2-minute assessment and get a personalised recommendation from a NZ-registered doctor.
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