If you’re male and in the 90% of hair loss cases, take a deep breath. It’s okay. MPB is easily treated using widely approved treatments.

You’ll be able to recognise if you have MPB. It first affects either the hair above your temples or on your crown. You’ll see your hairline receding into a “widow’s peak”, a v-shaped hairline at the front of your head. Elsewhere, thinning hair will be seen across the top of the head. Importantly, it won’t fall out suddenly or in clumps, and it won’t leave behind a rash.

There are two effective and approved treatments for a receding hairline. Known as Finasteride (often sold as Propecia) and Minoxidil (Rogaine or Regaine).

The first, Finasteride, tackles the root cause of MPB by blocking the production of the hormone DHT. Effective in 90% of men and usually taken orally as a daily pill, Finasteride intervenes to prevent the shrinkage of hair follicles before they become permanently damaged.

Minoxidil, meanwhile, is applied topically as a spray. It’s a “vasodilator”, widening blood vessels on the scalp to facilitate the transport of nutrients and oxygen. Use the spray twice daily – and it’s shown to help regrowth in two thirds of men. We recommend that men use both of these treatments together.

Note: Many men report that topical Minoxidil has not worked for them because they lack the SULT1A1 sulfotransferase enzyme in their hair follicles to activate the topical Minoxidil to the active form Minoxidil Sulphate. Studies show oral Minoxidil (a tablet form) is more effective as it utilises the sulfotransferase enzyme present in the liver, and is not reliant on it being present in the scalp.