Ds(14) has very thinning hair at back and hairline. We went to gp where he got blood tests which were all clear. He got a referral to a dermatologist with a specific interest in hairloss, which I got through my work health plan so we got seen quicker.
She examined him closely with various equipment and said she can see from the skin and hair folicals it was basically typical male pattern baldness, and very unlucky it is so early.
She prescribed minoxidil (regaine for men) twice a day and ketoconazole shampoo twice a week on prescription (we are in Scotland). She said it works for some and he will need to try it consistently for at least 6 - 9 months before starting to see any potential difference. She also told us to stop giving him a multivitamin with vitamin A in it as too much can add to hair loss.
She said we could try other vitamins/etc but none were clinically proven for a reason so she didn't recommend wasting money on them, although we do now give him a general /hair vitamin without A.
She also said there was an option of a hormone suppressant, can't remember the details but again she said at 14 she wouldn't recommend as there are unwanted side effects. We have discounted that as a route to go down.
Other, expensive Alternate is hair transplant but she emphasised that would be something he might consider as an adult but to come back and talk to her as it is very invasive with a high risk of infection and it is important to go to the right place.
We are about 4 months in and dont notice much difference yet. We do make an effort now to take him to the barber every 3 weeks as it looks much better when consistently short/neater at the back and ds feels better now he is doing something that might work.