Growing My Hair Out And Can't Tell If I'm Thinning Or Not...

doihavempb

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The photos under brighter lighting tells more. You're thinning but a typical slow burner given your age. You really need to compare the thickness to when you're younger(20's) and not 3 years ago. It's perfectly normal to recede and thin as we get older, although many would say it's still male pattern baldness. What it is, is hairloss. You need to look closely at the hairs in the thinning are and compare to the thicker areas, you should be able to tell the thickness between individual strands. I'm in the same situation as you, but mine is easy to tell from photos. You should visit a derm, since I'm sure you're concerned being on this site.

Whether or not you want to risk treatments at this point is entirely up to you. You might stay that way for quite some time. Your hair still looks great.
Thanks. This is a bit more helpful.

I'm going on 32 and if I do go bald I'll just shave. No interest whatsoever in any of the meds or other methods currently available.

Is there a chance I never go fully bald or get a horseshoe? Is it possible to tell?
 

Mushu

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Thanks. This is a bit more helpful.

I'm going on 32 and if I do go bald I'll just shave. No interest whatsoever in any of the meds or other methods currently available.

Is there a chance I never go fully bald or get a horseshoe? Is it possible to tell?

No one can tell. Even looking at family history is not 100% guarantee, but does give insight. With your current state, you have a good chance of not going fully bald. As everyone has said, just keep an eye out.
 

doihavempb

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so i guess there are a few things i am confused about:

1. i don't really see where the thinning is. i do see a patch of less dense hair as well as some shorter hairs in front but i thought that was due to how my hair grows (and has been that way for quite awhile) and due to the fact that i lined up the front of my hair with a clipper not long ago.

2. my hairline, in my opinion, seems to be strong in comparison to many people my age so to hear i'm balding is somewhat surprising.

i took a few more, higher-quality photos in the hopes you guys can point out exactly where the problem areas lie.

at the end of the day, if i am balding and do go fully bald i will just accept it until, if ever, a true cure of sorts comes along without a ton of negative side effects.

photos:

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AnxiousAndy

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You have an amazing head of hair. The least bald man on this forum. Even @davesmith420 would be jealous.
 

Mushu

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You're not balding per se, just receded and thinned a bit. See if you can check back when your front hairline was thicker for comparison. It most likely was thicker. Either way it's very mild. There's differing opinions, but many norwood spotters classify any hairloss compared to your teen years as hairloss, which technically it is. But receding as you get older is as normal as less skin elasticity.

Based on family history and your current state of hairloss relative to age, one can somewhat deduce chances of going full bald. Just know that there's no 100% guarantee, as the norwood reaper can hit at anytime/age,but your chances are much slimmer. It doesn't mean you need to turn paranoid and take all kinds of precautions, which it appears you're not. My hair is in a worse state than yours and I didn't realize I had miniaturization until I got older, but it has pretty much stayed at my current state for quite some time. Just be glad we're slow burners.
 

doihavempb

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You have an amazing head of hair. The least bald man on this forum. Even @davesmith420 would be jealous.

You're not balding per se, just receded and thinned a bit. See if you can check back when your front hairline was thicker for comparison. It most likely was thicker. Either way it's very mild. There's differing opinions, but many norwood spotters classify any hairloss compared to your teen years as hairloss, which technically it is. But receding as you get older is as normal as less skin elasticity.

Based on family history and your current state of hairloss relative to age, one can somewhat deduce chances of going full bald. Just know that there's no 100% guarantee, as the norwood reaper can hit at anytime/age,but your chances are much slimmer. It doesn't mean you need to turn paranoid and take all kinds of precautions, which it appears you're not. My hair is in a worse state than yours and I didn't realize I had miniaturization until I got older, but it has pretty much stayed at my current state for quite some time. Just be glad we're slow burners.

Thanks both. This is helpful.

I guess what leads to confusion are all the various opinions in this thread.

Some doom and gloom (mainly @g.i joey), some cautious and some quite positive and optimistic.

At almost 32 I'd like to think my hair is in solid shape but, being OCD as I am, I do get into my own head sometimes...
 

Alphalete

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It's funny how you only thank the ones that tell you that you're not balding :D I used to in denial like you but then I realized that it was actually happening. Don't worry in a few years when you're back you would've wish that you had acted sooner, just like all of us
 

doihavempb

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It's funny how you only thank the ones that tell you that you're not balding :D I used to in denial like you but then I realized that it was actually happening. Don't worry in a few years when you're back you would've wish that you had acted sooner, just like all of us
I appreciate your insight as well but I posted updated photos and asked for help identifying the problem areas.

And as I already mentioned, if I'm balding I'll just live with it. I have no desire to fight nature with the currents drugs available.
 

Alphalete

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I appreciate your insight as well but I posted updated photos and asked for help identifying the problem areas.

And as I already mentioned, if I'm balding I'll just live with it. I have no desire to fight nature with the currents drugs available.

Then why do you seem to disagree with everyone who says that you're balding? You claim to be fine with it either way. But you seem dissatisfied therefore you just upload more pics until you get the answer you're searching for
 

doihavempb

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Then why do you seem to disagree with everyone who says that you're balding? You claim to be fine with it either way. But you seem dissatisfied therefore you just upload more pics until you get the answer you're searching for
Because just as many people, if not more, say I'm not...
 

1knox1

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Sure and if by some stroke of luck they tell me I'm not, you'll pay for the visit?

He's right though. You're obviously in great shape for 32 but you're getting 50/50 answers here; best get it checked for miniaturisation by a derm. I'm sure it will put your mind at rest too.
 

doihavempb

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He's right though. You're obviously in great shape for 32 but you're getting 50/50 answers here; best get it checked for miniaturisation by a derm. I'm sure it will put your mind at rest too.
Probably will. Any derm will do or are there specific ones for male hair?
 

Alphalete

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Sure and if by some stroke of luck they tell me I'm not, you'll pay for the visit?

Sorry bro. Can't take that risk. I went in there as a Diffuse NW2 and was told that I wasn't balding :D
You're 32.. I'm sure you can afford it
 

doihavempb

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Sorry bro. Can't take that risk. I went in there as a Diffuse NW2 and was told that I wasn't balding :D
You're 32.. I'm sure you can afford it
Lol no reason to go if they don't know wtf they're talking about anyway right?

This thread is legit 50/50 split so maybe we'll just wait and see.
 
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