Men's Hair Loss in Riyadh: Dr. Mohammed AlQahtani's Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment
By Dr. Mohammed AlQahtani — Consultant Dermatologist and hair loss specialist, Noya Clinic, Riyadh. Last medical review: October 2026.
At a glance. Male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) is the reason most men lose hair. It progresses slowly, and in most cases it can be slowed or stopped if treatment starts early. The two treatments with the strongest evidence are finasteride and minoxidil; everything else is an add-on to them, not a replacement. Not every man's hair loss is genetic, which is why everything starts with a diagnosis.
How do I know my hair loss is hereditary?
Male pattern hair loss has a recognisable shape: a receding hairline at the temples, thinning at the crown, or both, with the hair at the sides and back preserved. It advances through the stages described by the Norwood-Hamilton scale, from stage I to stage VII. The most reliable sign is not how many hairs you lose each day but that the individual hairs become finer and shorter over time. This is called miniaturisation, and it is clearly visible on trichoscopy.
By contrast, sudden shedding across the whole scalp, round patches that are completely bald, or hair loss with itching, redness and scaling all point to other causes that need different treatment.
Causes of hair loss in men
- Androgenetic alopecia: the most common cause. It comes from an inherited sensitivity of the follicles at the front and crown to dihydrotestosterone (DHT).
- Telogen effluvium: temporary diffuse shedding that appears two to three months after a severe illness, high fever, surgery or rapid weight loss, including crash diets and weight-loss medication.
- Alopecia areata: smooth round patches on the scalp or beard, caused by the immune system.
- Scalp inflammation: seborrhoeic dermatitis or folliculitis, which can worsen shedding if neglected.
- Scarring alopecia: rare but important, because a delayed diagnosis means permanent follicle loss.
How is the diagnosis made in clinic?
I rely on three steps. First, a detailed history that covers family history, medications and supplements, including muscle-building supplements. Second, examination of the scalp with trichoscopy to measure the variation in hair thickness and grade the degree of miniaturisation. Third, standardised scalp photographs that are repeated at every visit so that progress is compared objectively rather than by impression. Blood tests are not needed for every man; I order them when there is diffuse shedding or symptoms suggesting a nutritional deficiency or a thyroid problem. A biopsy is rarely necessary and is reserved for suspected scarring alopecia.
Evidence-based treatments, ranked by strength of evidence
- Finasteride: lowers DHT and is the core treatment for halting the progression of male pattern hair loss. It is approved for this use and prescribed after a discussion of its benefits and possible side effects.
- Minoxidil: the topical form is approved and has proven efficacy. Low-dose oral minoxidil is an off-label option for men who do not get on with the topical, and it needs a medical assessment before it is prescribed.
- Dutasteride: stronger than finasteride at lowering DHT, used off-label in most countries for cases that have not responded adequately.
- Low-level laser therapy: an adjunct with moderate evidence. Safe, but it does not replace medication.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and microneedling: adjuncts that can improve density in some patients. Results vary between studies, and I do not recommend them on their own.
- Hair transplant: suitable for stable cases that need coverage of bald areas. It does not stop hair loss, so medical treatment continues afterwards.
No single treatment fits everyone. The plan depends on age, the stage of hair loss, how fast it is progressing and the patient's preferences, and it is reviewed every six months with photographs.
What does not help?
"Anti-hair-loss" shampoos do not treat male pattern hair loss, because they neither reach the follicle nor affect the hormone. Biotin only helps when there is a proven deficiency, which is rare. Oils and home mixtures may improve how the hair looks, but they do not stop miniaturisation. The real cost of these products is not their price; it is the time lost before effective treatment begins.
When should you see a doctor?
The best time is at the first sign of a receding hairline or thinning at the crown, especially with a family history. Keeping the hair you have is far easier than recovering what has been lost. See a doctor sooner if the hair loss is sudden, patchy, or accompanied by pain, itching or scaling of the scalp.
Visiting the clinic in Riyadh
I see patients at Noya Clinic in Al Nakheel, north Riyadh. Consultations are available in English and Arabic. The first visit includes trichoscopy, standardised photography and a written treatment plan. You can book a consultation here.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the specialist doctor for men's hair loss in Riyadh?
Dr. Mohammed AlQahtani is a consultant dermatologist certified by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, with a dedicated fellowship in hair disorders. He treats male pattern hair loss and other causes of hair loss in men at Noya Clinic in Riyadh, with an approach that begins with trichoscopic diagnosis before any treatment.
Can male pattern hair loss be stopped?
In most cases it can be slowed or its progression halted with regular medical treatment, and density may partly improve. Hair lost many years ago does not return with medication, which is why starting early is the single most important factor.
When do hair loss treatments show results?
Hair needs three to six months before improvement begins to show, and treatment is fully assessed at twelve months with standardised photographs. Shedding may temporarily increase in the first weeks of minoxidil; this is expected.
Is finasteride safe?
Finasteride is an approved treatment for male pattern hair loss that has been studied for more than twenty years. Sexual side effects occur in a small proportion of users and usually resolve when the drug is stopped; this is discussed with the doctor before starting. It is prescription-only.
Is a hair transplant better than medical treatment?
It is not a substitute but a complement. A transplant moves hair into bald areas but does not stop the loss of the original hair, so the condition should be stabilised with medication before and after surgery to protect the result.
Is PRP enough on its own to treat male pattern hair loss?
No. Platelet-rich plasma is an adjunct that may improve density in some patients, but the evidence does not support using it as a replacement for the core medical treatment.
References
- Kanti V, et al. Evidence-based (S3) guideline for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in women and in men. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018.
- Gupta AK, et al. Relative efficacy of minoxidil and the 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in androgenetic alopecia: a network meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2022.
- Kaufman KD, et al. Finasteride in the treatment of men with androgenetic alopecia. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998.
Next step
If you have started to notice a receding hairline or thinning at the crown, the right move is an accurate trichoscopic diagnosis, not trial and error with random products. Book your consultation.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Mohammed AlQahtani, Consultant Dermatologist and Hair Specialist (Saudi Commission for Health Specialties). Last reviewed: October 2026.