17 Year Old. Scared. Some Advice Would Help, Thoughts Are Also Appreciated.

[Anders Persson]

Basically last year in about October when I was 16 years old - I did for the first time in my life cut my hair short and started using hair styling products for the first time. I basically went from a routine of shampooing/washing my longer hair about 1-2 times a week and putting a hat on each day to Shampooing it every day, sometimes twice and using hair styling products like gel and wax every day also combing it alot, hard. I later heard from a buddy of mine that it was bad shampooing it that often so I stopped and washed it about 3-5 times a week instead. During this time (November 2016) I lost alot of weight and my father got really concerned asking if I had anorexia or something, I was also extremely stressed at the moment because of school and friends. I later in late december gained weight again but during December 2016 to mid february 2017 I went through one of the worst periods of my life. I started eating less, badly, I lost my girlfriend and a family member, fighting every day at home going through enormous stress, my gym membership also went out in january and never trained since which im not used to. And during this time I noticed TONS of shedding everyday, I could pick around 30 hair strands everyday from the shower just by going through the hair with my fingers, Since then I've watched my scalp everyday.

During late mars till now the shedding in the showers has pretty much completely stopped and after doing some research before I felt like it was obvious that it wasnt male pattern baldness, but instead both Traction Alospecia (Because of how I suddenly treated my hair differently) and Telogen Effluvium (Because of the stress, weightloss and depression). I was also extremely stressed at this time because of the hairloss.

However now that it's been 6-7 months since this stress/ depression was over with, I haven't Noticed any regrowth really, rather the opposite. which has me scared because im starting to think I have male pattern baldness that just happened to kick in right at that weird timing of stress, depression, weightloss and me starting to care for my hair completely differently. I also noticed my one year older brother has had some thinning. On my fathers side there are lots of balding men, but it usually started in their 30's, barely any on my mothers side and I've been told my hair looks more like its from my mothers side (Beause it's darker)

I've been planning on going to a derm but there is none close to me and I dont have that much money right now.

What are your thoughts? Message me for pictures

Ive grown out my hair long since january, getting a haircut on monday. Debating wether to just cut the sides (Which I've planned) or cut it all short but im scared of what I might look like, since I havent had short hair since just before the hairloss started like 8 months ago.

 

[IdealForehead]

I would do the following:

1) Get your thyroid, iron, zinc, B12 levels checked - blood test, any doctor can order this, even a walk-in clinic. Likely these will be normal.
2) Compare your density on top to your density on the sides/back. If it is male pattern loss, your density on top will be lower than the sides and back (horseshoe).

If you are experiencing greater loss on top than the sides and back, you are an unlucky sufferer of male pattern baldness, and I would try some finasteride.

Either way, you may also want to try some minoxidil 5% topically twice daily as it may stimulate some regrowth in addition.

 

[Anders Persson]

I would do the following:

1) Get your thyroid, iron, zinc, B12 levels checked - blood test, any doctor can order this, even a walk-in clinic. Likely these will be normal.
2) Compare your density on top to your density on the sides/back. If it is male pattern loss, your density on top will be lower than the sides and back (horseshoe).

If you are experiencing greater loss on top than the sides and back, you are an unlucky sufferer of male pattern baldness, and I would try some finasteride or dutasteride. If those give you intolerable side effects, try RU58841.

Either way, you may also want to try some minoxidil 5% topically twice daily as it may stimulate some regrowth in addition.

damn :/ I did test my blood and all that, came out normal. it's pretty hard to tell the density between sides and top, gonna ask a friend to do it.
Really sucks, was always some kinda outsider with a hat on and low self esteem. Starting to fix my hair after switching to a new school, getting nicer clothes have really made a huge difference in my self esteem and life. It would honestly suck to have my hair taken away, with my self esteem just months after starting to feel good about myself with the hair

 

[IdealForehead]

You should be able to compare the sides and top yourself. I wouldn't trust a friend unless they are meticulous and very detail oriented. To casual observers 10-20% hair density loss is not "noticeable".

There are effective hair loss solutions as mentioned above. If it is true progressive balding you will have continuing hair shed, scalp itch, and the density/hairline changes will become more obvious.

If that is the case, treat it early.

 

[Anders Persson]

You should be able to compare the sides and top yourself. I wouldn't trust a friend unless they are meticulous and very detail oriented. To casual observers 10-20% hair density loss is not "noticeable".

There are effective hair loss solutions as mentioned above. If it is true progressive balding you will have continuing hair shed, scalp itch, and the density/hairline changes will become more obvious.

If that is the case, treat it early.

Well my hair shed isn't continuing, it stopped several months ago. Could that be a sign that it isn't male pattern baldness?
Also, Im very unsure about treatments, not only because of the possible permanent side effects (The chances is low I know) but mostly because it doesn't work for some people, especially not 10+ years.
Also can you explain the itch?