Start of male pattern baldness?

[sish93]

Hey everyone,

I'm new to this and have recently become a bit distressed about my hair loss. I've always had very thick dark hair and it wasn't until around the age of 18 that I noticed my hairline had matured or had got higher, this didn't phase me as I know a hairline is supposed to change as you get older, however two years down the line now I'm 20 and the difference has really started to become noticeable and my hair has started thinning and receding rapidly, so much so that other people have now noticed and started ridiculing me as I am the only person people know of at my age to have started to really be effected by hair loss.

It has really affected my confidence as I feel that it doesn't look healthy or how it used to, it makes my general appearance worse and just make me look and feel older than I actually am, it is a constant effort to cover it up and I just wish that I could have normal hair cuts.

I am posting some pictures exposing in full light the extent of my recession and thinning frontal hair, I would really value some opinions on how bad it is for my age and of course advice on what I can do to treat it. I realize it may be early male pattern baldness but I have heard the earlier its treated the better chance there is of maintaining hair, I've decided to stop covering it up and rather would tackle it even if this means a hair transplant at some point down the line.

Many Thanks,
S

ps pictures attached

 

[dreamermerlin]

Not concludent...Compare with a picture from 2 years ago, same angle.

 

[jnr8]

Hey S,

It looks like a typical Norwood 2 to me. Maybe you have what people call here a "mature hairline", which is also what I have. I developed mine around 18 and it has basically stayed that way for the past 12 years. Maybe it is just the beginning of MBP and you will slowly progress to NW3, 4, etc.

In any way, you should not give a f*ck what other people say about your hair. You're a guy, and most guys' hairlines look like yours. Don't let anyone upset you about that. People push your button about hair because they know it's a sensitive spot. Don't let that be.

That being said, if it is stressing you out and hurting your confidence, why not going on the big 3 (Nizoral + Finasteride + Minoxidil). Provided you are consistent, you will most likely slow down hair loss, and maybe regrow some hair.

 

[talmoode]

It looks that you have high temples and a bit of thinning going on in the front if any. Otherwise your hair overall looks thick and healthy. Do you have a family history of hair loss?
If really concerned, go see a dermatlogist!

 

[sish93]

Hey S,

It looks like a typical Norwood 2 to me. Maybe you have what people call here a "mature hairline", which is also what I have. I developed mine around 18 and it has basically stayed that way for the past 12 years. Maybe it is just the beginning of MBP and you will slowly progress to NW3, 4, etc.

In any way, you should not give a f*ck what other people say about your hair. You're a guy, and most guys' hairlines look like yours. Don't let anyone upset you about that. People push your button about hair because they know it's a sensitive spot. Don't let that be.

That being said, if it is stressing you out and hurting your confidence, why not going on the big 3 (Nizoral + Finasteride + Minoxidil). Provided you are consistent, you will most likely slow down hair loss, and maybe regrow some hair.

The weird thing is that I haven't lost any hair round the crown area so that kind of implies to me that if that hasn't started yet then I will have a good couple of years before my hair becomes overall more thin. A Norwood 2 for my age isn't majorly worrying though is it? I mean obviously everyone matures at different times but as long as it isn't completely worrying.

I am starting to get sick of the jokes because if they were going through it they would understand that for a young guy you need your friends to either not mention it or be more reassuring than just being a**holes about it I guess everyone just knows I'm so insecure about it.

Yeah I have done a lot of research on Minoxidil and Finasteride and they sound promising but I thought Nizoral was for scalp conditions though eg psoriasis?
Does anyone know if Alpecin shampoo is worth any sort of consideration btw?
Either way I will be visiting a dermatologist/trichologist to assess my options and hopefully some results will come .

Thankyou for your reply by the way I really appreciate it.
S.

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It looks that you have high temples and a bit of thinning going on in the front if any. Otherwise your hair overall looks thick and healthy. Do you have a family history of hair loss?
If really concerned, go see a dermatlogist!

Hey talmoode,

Yeah I have always had a high hairline/tempes but the hair at the front has never been thin, my fringe is now extremely thin. Its not thinning anywhere else though ie the crown which is what I find confusing. Only history is my mum's father who started losing it in his thirties, I'm guessing I just inherited that gene and the process may be beginning early.
I will be going to see one asap just to put my mind at ease.
Thankyou for your response.
S

 

[anonymous]

I wouldn't worry about it. Almost all men recede at the temples around that age.

If you have MBP, you will notice at the crown or vertex way before it's completely fallen out. Nobody wakes up bald the next day. If you start to notice unusual shedding or thinning then you should explore methods to retain and possibly regrow. You've got a good head of hair though. The temples will give you a more "adult" appearance.

Pluck a hair from the vertex/crown areas and another from the back of your head. If the top hairs are much thinner than the back sample, then that might be an indication of more to come.

 

[twothree]

I have a really similar hairline. I've always had a somewhat high-ish hairline as a kid and into my teens (windows peak)