Male pattern baldness is related to your genes and male sex hormones. It usually follows a pattern of receding hairline and hair thinning on the crown, and is caused by hormones and genetic predisposition. Each strand of hair you have sits in a tiny hole (cavity) in the skin called a follicle. Generally, baldness occurs when the hair follicle shrinks over time, resulting in shorter and finer hair. Eventually, the follicle does not grow new hair. The follicles remain alive, which suggests that it is still possible to grow new hair. In general, men with genetic hair loss at young age have following treatment options : 1. MINOXIDIL. This is a topical product you rub on your scalp.This drug helps stop hair loss in 30 % or so of men. 2. FINASTERIDE. This is not a topical medication but rather a "pill". Finasteride stops hair loss in 90% of men and can "improve" hair in 40%. Helps the top of the scalp (called the crown) AND the front too in young men.