39 Suddenly Noticed Crown Thinning. Need Some Advice

[OregonTrail]

Hey everyone, new member. For the past 12-13 years I've noticed my hair in the crown has been thinner but there was decent coverage. Yesterday I got a short haircut and told the stylist I like to leave more on top and in the front, but she seemed to use a 3 clipper all over including the crown area. And just left the front longer. And only half the mid scalp.

My heart dropped when she handed me the mirror to see the back as I've never seen it so thin. And the overhead lighting was atrocious for these type of things lol.

So I went in the bathroom and took a pic you'll see below and it looked fine. As it does in ideal lighting. But in my kitchen I couldn't believe how much thinner it is

I'm hoping if I use nizoral and grow it back out it'll give me even the illusion of coverage as i think it is normally not this short

I've never takin any products. And have been reading here ever since yesterday. Seeing what everyone's opinion is.my hairline has been the same since I was 21 with slight retraction and this is the worst this has got at 39 years old so I may be moving at a snails pace thank god.

If in 2 weeks I am not satisfied with it growing in a bit would minoxidil be decent for my situation? I know most here reccomend finasteride, but not wanting to pull out the big guns yet. And risk any sides etc

Had a freak out night but this forum has helped me remain calm and have hope.

Would Rogaine fix this ?

 

[Retinoid]

I know what a shock it is to get a short hair cut and see a big bald spot there. The crown sneaks up on us since we never really try to look there and can't see it regularly.

You should first feel 'lucky' that you have managed to have such great hair at almost 40 when I am sure many of your peers are probably visibly almost bald. Many of the members here are unfortunately under 20 and have just as bad of hair loss as you.

Minoxidil is great in this area. The liquid can really irritate the scalp so if you are prone to irritation, then use the foam.

Also be aware that Minoxidil will make the area look worse before better. It is normal to see a lot more shedding.

In the meantime look into hair concealers such as Topikk to conceal the area.

 

[OregonTrail]

I know what a shock it is to get a short hair cut and see a big bald spot there. The crown sneaks up on us since we never really try to look there and can't see it regularly.

You should first feel 'lucky' that you have managed to have such great hair at almost 40 when I am sure many of your peers are probably visibly almost bald. Many of the members here are unfortunately under 20 and have just as bad of hair loss as you.

Minoxidil is great in this area. The liquid can really irritate the scalp so if you are prone to irritation, then use the foam.

Also be aware that Minoxidil will make the area look worse before better. It is normal to see a lot more shedding.

In the meantime look into hair concealers such as Topikk to conceal the area.

Thanks so much man. Needed some moral support. Been down these 24 hrs. It's shocking how the lighting in pic 1 in the bathroom of the stylist looked fine. But when i checked later it was shocking.

Another question should I just use the Rogaine on the crown and hairline even if the hairline has been the same for like 15 years? Wondering if it could get some regrowth too

 

[Retinoid]

Thanks so much man. Needed some moral support. Been down these 24 hrs. It's shocking how the lighting in pic 1 in the bathroom of the stylist looked fine. But when i checked later it was shocking.

Another question should I just use the Rogaine on the crown and hairline even if the hairline has been the same for like 15 years? Wondering if it could get some regrowth too

You could apply to the front too. Again just be aware that Minoxidil causes a lot of shedding, you need to be mentally fortified for that. Also it is for life...usually.

 

[Roberto_72]

You have two options in the short term, two in the long
Short:
- toppik
- different hairstyle (buzz it)

Long:
- minoxidil and fina
- hair transplant

 

[Red October]

Hey everyone, new member. For the past 12-13 years I've noticed my hair in the crown has been thinner but there was decent coverage. Yesterday I got a short haircut and told the stylist I like to leave more on top and in the front, but she seemed to use a 3 flipper all over including the crown area. And hustbleft the front longer. And only half the mid scalp.

My heart dropped when she handed me the mirror to see the back as I've never seen it so thin. And the overhead lighting was atrocious for these type of things lol.

So I went in the bathroom and took a pic you'll see below and it looked fine. As it does in ideal lighting. But in my kitchen I couldn't believe how much thinner it is

I'm hoping if I use nizoral and grow it back out it'll give me even the illusion of coverage as i think it is normally not this short

I've never takin any products. And have been reading here ever since yesterday. Seeing what everyone's opinion is.my hairline has been the same since I was 21 with slight retraction and this is the worst this has got at 39 years old so I may be moving at a snails pace thank god.

If in 2 weeks I am not satisfied with it growing in a bit would minoxidil be decent for my situation? I know most here reccomend finasteride, but not wanting to pull out the big guns yet. And risk any sides etc

Had a freak out night but this forum has helped me remain calm and have hope.

Would Rogaine fix this ?

It's an awful feeling to realise this. I think we can be in denial too for a while. Best thing is to say to yourself that most men lose their hair at least somewhat at 40. Yours looks pretty good at the front so that's a positive. I would find out where you can get the cheapest finasteride and minoxidil and get on them. See how it goes for six months. The crown could thicken up nicely. No way to know till you try. But you do have to take it seriously if you want to save your hair imho.

My hairloss got much more aggressive after 35. I wish I'd done more then. Now I'm hoping to salvage what I have at 40. So be careful not to let it drift. finasteride and minoxidil are for life but it's that or shiny head! Good luck.

 

[MorningGlory]

I know most here reccomend finasteride

And we recommend it for a reason: it addresses the underlying cause of your hair loss and can help stabilise it. Minoxidil is a growth stimulant.

 

[abcdefg]

Trust me when your 40 or 45 you will still want your hair regardless of your situation. You might care a little less with looks as you get older, but you never stop caring at all about what you look like unless you gave up at life.
Anyways dont over think it. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then its probably a duck or in this case male pattern baldness. You have zero choices but finasteride IMO. Nothing else works, and I think at 35+ with mostly crown loss that is minor/slow is the ideal candidate for propecia.
You wont know unless you try. People on here often have analysis paralysis where they never stop theorizing, and actually take action. Accepting male pattern baldness, and aging in general is also an option. I mean aging will get all of us regardless of what you do its not the end of world just accept we cant look young forever.

 

[OregonTrail]

You could apply to the front too. Again just be aware that Minoxidil causes a lot of shedding, you need to be mentally fortified for that. Also it is for life...usually.

Right on. I think I can brace for the shed. I know everyone is different but does it make you look way more bald or it's just you notice more hairs in shower and in hand. Crazily I never shed. I never see hairs in shower. Sink or on hand. I swear my sh*t moves slow as molasses