Low Density Hair On Top, Am I Balding..? (pics Included) Please Help

[Amidamaru]

So I have always had a pretty low density of hair on top of my hair for as long as I can remember, the first memories dating back to like 2012 when I was 14 (currently 21). Before that I didn't really look at my hair in that way so idk. Under some light it looks pretty bad to me and under like fluorescent/office light it looks decent. I really just can't tell if I'm balding or not and it's driving me crazy, the reasons why I can't tell is because:

- My hairline is still very intact and straight (NW1 I'd say), in the pictures it might seems like some stubbles and miniaturizing or even a slight push back in the temples, but this is not the case. The barber just pushed it back a little with a straight razor.
- I have had a low density on top as long as I can remember (14+ years of age), I don't think I could've started balding at such young age and even if I did it would've been an aggressive one that would've finished me no later than 19??

All I want to find out is if I am balding or not, I'd start taking finasteride immediately if I knew the answer. I just don't want to commit a lifetime of taking a pill that I might not even need and maybe it was all in my head.

Some background info:
My mothers side: every single one of her brothers (7) has a full head of hair in their 40s, 50s and 60s. Her father died with a full head of hair at 80ish. Even her mother's side they all still have hair including cousins, uncles, etc. I have read many times that the baldness gene is more likely to come from the mothers side so this always gives me somewhat hope..
Now my fathers side is unfortunately not like that. I have 3 uncles, 2 of them including my father started balding around 25-30+ and are now pretty much NW6 at age 45+ including my dad. The other uncle has a full head of hair. My father's dad is also bald. But they all started to get noticeably bald after their 30-35ss so you'd think it's nothing aggressive hence why I'm shocked I'm already so thin on top at a very young age... The pattern that my uncles and dad balded in was also from the hairline receding, which is not my case and I'm just thin on top.

Here are 20 images of my hair:
Some notes: I naturally have 2 vertexes and in some pictures it might look very thin but it's just the very strong bathroom lighting.
https://imgur.com/a/nFVLeK8

 

[Ikarus]

Your hairline is great, it appears to be an NW0. But, it appears that you are lacking density.

Although, I'm not sure why you have that excuse for not taking a hair loss medication. It takes less than 30 seconds to take a pill. Some men suffering with hair loss, for a bizarre reason, spend so much time masturbating yet they wouldn't want to spend less than 30 seconds in a day to take a pill.

 

[Amidamaru]

Your hairline is great, it appears to be an NW0. But, it appears that you are lacking density.

Although, I'm not sure why you have that excuse for not taking a hair loss medication. It takes less than 30 seconds to take a pill. Some men suffering with hair loss, for a bizarre reason, spend so much time masturbating yet they wouldn't want to spend less than 30 seconds in a day to take a pill.

It's not the pill lol, I take multiple vitamins everyday (zinc, d3 etc.) It's the fact that there is always a risk with this sort of pill. It's not some toy, and if it's not needed I'd rather not use it only when necessary + it's a lifetime pill man I wanna be sure that I have a condition before I take a risky pill for it for the upcoming 50 years

 

[Tommybommy1363]

Yes you are aggressively diffuse thinning. You are 21 and have a nw6 pattern already, not good

 

[Tommybommy1363]

Yes you are aggressively diffuse thinning. You are 21 and have a nw6 pattern already, not good

 

[Amidamaru]

Yes you are aggressively diffuse thinning. You are 21 and have a nw6 pattern already, not good

On what picture does it look like a NW6 pattern? Man u just gave me a heart attack

 

[Charlie Foxtrot]

You’re right, finasteride is no party drug, but you have to pop that sh*t if you want a chance at saving your hair. You’re diffuse thinning for sure.

Don’t stress out too much, you have plenty of hair to save and if youre a good responder regain density. But your time to act upon it is now mate.

 

[Amidamaru]

You’re right, finasteride is no party drug, but you have to pop that sh*t if you want a chance at saving your hair. You’re diffuse thinning for sure.

U really think so? It's been like this ever since I can remember and has barely gotten worse, could it start THAT early and be such a slow progress??

 

[Charlie Foxtrot]

U really think so? It's been like this ever since I can remember and has barely gotten worse, could it start THAT early and be such a slow progress??

A couple before pictures would help to take a look at the situation, of course no one knows what your hair looked like a couple years back. But judging solely on these pictures, I’d say it’s diffusing thinning. I’m not trying to scare you, just inform you so you have the time to do something about it if you want! Also a trip to a dermatologist never hurts and might be able to help you with some helpful insights.

 

[Amidamaru]

A couple before pictures would help to take a look at the situation, of course no one knows what your hair looked like a couple years back. But judging solely on these pictures, I’d say it’s diffusing thinning. I’m not trying to scare you, just inform you so you have the time to do something about it if you want! Also a trip to a dermatologist never hurts and might be able to help you with some helpful insights.

Do you personally use finasteride? I have bought a pack of 30 1mg's 3 months ago but am too scared to use it... it feels like I'm starting f*****g heroine ffs I really wished it was just my normal hair

 

[Amidamaru]

A couple before pictures would help to take a look at the situation, of course no one knows what your hair looked like a couple years back. But judging solely on these pictures, I’d say it’s diffusing thinning. I’m not trying to scare you, just inform you so you have the time to do something about it if you want! Also a trip to a dermatologist never hurts and might be able to help you with some helpful insights.

Do you think I have the privilege to wait a few months/years until it becomes obvious that this is not my normal hair but real male pattern baldness? It's really weird how I've had this low density ever since like 14 years old or even earlier.. and the idea of finasteride scares me so much

 

[Ikarus]

Yes you are aggressively diffuse thinning. You are 21 and have a nw6 pattern already, not good

NW6? What lmao

 

[Ikarus]

It's not the pill lol, I take multiple vitamins everyday (zinc, d3 etc.) It's the fact that there is always a risk with this sort of pill. It's not some toy, and if it's not needed I'd rather not use it only when necessary + it's a lifetime pill man I wanna be sure that I have a condition before I take a risky pill for it for the upcoming 50 years

Taking other vitamins isn't an excuse since they won't help your hair, and how does an extra pill add inconvenience? Before I started my regimen, I was taking 8 different supplements daily and they did nothing.

 

[Amidamaru]

Taking other vitamins isn't an excuse since they won't help your hair, and how does an extra pill add inconvenience? Before I started my regimen, I was taking 8 different supplements daily and they did nothing.

Ye but those other 8 pills don't bring scary risks with them and you're not forced to have them for the rest of your life bro

 

[Charlie Foxtrot]

Do you think I have the privilege to wait a few months/years until it becomes obvious that this is not my normal hair but real male pattern baldness? It's really weird how I've had this low density ever since like 14 years old or even earlier.. and the idea of finasteride scares me so much

Mate, I feel you. I’ve been diffuse thinning for about a year now, shedding so much hair and right now starting to slowly see the first visible signs of it. It’s f*****g devastating to see your hair go, but unfortunately that’s reality for us right now. Of course you can feel down about it, so did I and not a day goes by where I look at some thick nw0 and wish I had the same. But this is the reality we have to face, so you gotta pick yourself up and decide for yourself if it’s worth it for you to use meds to have a good chance at saving your hair!

According finasteride, don’t give in to everything you read online. Yes finasteride does give people side effects, but it’s a minority. There’s a lot of misinformation spread about these drugs by bitching people who hold some sort of grudge against it. I think it’s best to try it for yourself and form your own opinion. If you experience persisting sides, quit it and maybe try something else. I’ve always been scared of it as well, but my hair is too important for me to just give up on. I should be getting my own packet of finasteride any day now!

 

[Amidamaru]

Mate, I feel you. I’ve been diffuse thinning for about a year now, shedding so much hair and right now starting to slowly see the first visible signs of it. It’s f*****g devastating to see your hair go, but unfortunately that’s reality for us right now. Of course you can feel down about it, so did I and not a day goes by where I look at some thick nw0 and wish I had the same. But this is the reality we have to face, so you gotta pick yourself up and decide for yourself if it’s worth it for you to use meds to have a good chance at saving your hair!

According finasteride, don’t give in to everything you read online. Yes finasteride does give people side effects, but it’s a minority. There’s a lot of misinformation spread about these drugs by bitching people who hold some sort of grudge against it. I think it’s best to try it for yourself and form your own opinion. If you experience persisting sides, quit it and maybe try something else. I’ve always been scared of it as well, but my hair is too important for me to just give up on. I should be getting my own packet of finasteride any day now!

Man diffuse thinning is the sneakiest thing God has created. You really feel it coming for years but ignore it until one day you wake up and realise that things are not right. Diffuse thinning is so much worse than the usual pattern, at least with the pattern you know that it's coming and won't give yourself false hopes...

 

[Ikarus]

Ye but those other 8 pills don't bring scary risks with them and you're not forced to have them for the rest of your life bro

Would you rather take one pill where the 'risks' are evidently low and actually do something for your hair, or would you rather waste money and time on vitamins which do nothing? I always tell people to never read peoples experiences of a medication online or side effects, because you will paint a false narrative in your mind.

I'm on a regimen much more 'extreme' compared to finasteride, and all I can do is be aware of the side effects. But, I know that I will be much happier with having hair whilst risking side effects (severe gynecomastia, feminisation and infertility) than being bald. (By the way, the side effects I'm mentioning aren't from finasteride. I don't take finasteride.)

 

[Amidamaru]

Would you rather take one pill where the 'risks' are evidently low and actually do something for your hair, or would you rather waste money and time on vitamins which do nothing? I always tell people to never read peoples experiences of a medication online or side effects, because you will paint a false narrative in your mind.

I'm on a regimen much more 'extreme' compared to finasteride, and all I can do is be aware of the side effects. But, I know that I will be much happier with having hair whilst risking side effects (severe gynecomastia, feminisation and infertility) than being bald. (By the way, the side effects I'm mentioning aren't from finasteride. I don't take finasteride.)

Just out of curiosity, why do you not use finasteride then? How do you manage your hairloss then?

 

[recedingornot87]

Looking at these pictures in a vacuum I would say you are heading towards a norwood 6 pattern before 30. But I actually don't think thats the case. I think you have naturally low density if it really has been like this since you were 14. Are you shedding a lot of hairs in the shower?

Either way, considering your dad was a norwood 6 you should get on finasteride either way. Most guys with norwood 6+ fathers at a young age will also eventually go bald.

 

[Ikarus]

Just out of curiosity, why do you not use finasteride then? How do you manage your hairloss then?

Finasteride isn't desirable for me, and for what I want. I need a regimen which will clear my skin (I discontinued Accutane) and help my hair. So, my regimen currently is spironolactone and estradiol. I will be adding in dutasteride soon, and swapping the spironolactone for cyproterone acetate. To sum it up, I'm on a chemical castration and hormone replacement therapy regimen.