Losing hair since I was 16

[strateater]

Basically I have been losing hairs (just general thinning, no hairline receding) since I was 16 years old (2 years ago) and now my scalp is visible with even a bit of light.

- Both of the dermatologists I've been to say that it's just genetics (although my bald/balding family members started way much later in life and did so with hairline receding rather than general diffusing)
- I have been through some health issues and although they're not that serious I feel some strange things going on in my body now and then (including pain the thyroid area).
- I haven't tried minoxidil or finasteride and probably won't try finasteride due to the possible side effects.
- I have noticed that when I grow a beard or a moustache I have some "bald/hairless spots".

Here are some of the pictures I took of my hair (wet and dry).

 

[kpat]

I definitely see thinning in the temples. I'm not sure about the other areas because I'm unfamiliar with your hair type. First of all, don't worry about the beard stuff; from the people I've known, I've discerned that facial hair evenness doesn't have much to do with balding (plus I have really even facial hair but my hairline is receding :\). Second of all, before you pursue any treatment, be sure to have your thyroid checked! Problems with it can cause hair loss.

Anyway, I can't tell you much about finasteride that doesn't just come from research because I haven't used it, but I have used minoxidil, and it has helped regrow some hair and evened out my temples for me. However, from studies done about it and from others' experiences I've heard, it loses effectiveness after 1 year, and it won't do much else unless you combine a DHT blocking agent with it. People on this site push finasteride (and not with bad reason since it's the only drug scientifically proven to block DHT, along with dutasteride), so I'll leave that up to them. I am currently trying an experimental treatment, and I'm going to gauge the results over several months. There are a bunch of things that supposedly block DHT, but very few have research to back them up (let alone FDA approval). If you're interested in what I'm doing, I can tell you. Otherwise, I will recommend minoxidil and nizoral shampoo (for dandruff, and because it slightly blocks DHT in the scalp).

 

[asdf1234]

at your age i would go to the doctor about a fungus issue to see if that will reverse the hair loss. its not likely, but its also not that likely to be losing your hair at this age. also have you had stressful events in the past 6 months?

 

[strateater]

I have, since a younger age, suffered from anxiety and even anxiety induced physical illness (ulcers in my stomach and other places).

I worry about this problem almost every minute of the day, heck, I'm going to buzz cut my hair to see what I will look like but I don't think it would Iook good nor would it get good responses.

 

[kpat]

Anxiety could definitely be a factor, especially if it's that strong. But another thing is to remember to have you and your hair be however it makes YOU happy, not what makes other people happy.