Am I balding at 16?

[shadyfire]

I'm 16 and I've recently noticed that my forehead is kinda too big. I looked on the Internet for some more info and it turns out that I might be balding. Can you tell me if I really am and if yes, what can I do to slow the process down?

 

[bilboswaggins]

hard to tell, take an aerial shot with your hair pulled back. You should also compare with pics of yourself at a younger age to see if you were born with that hairline. Are you really 16? You look 25!

 

[alex85]

Hard to tell from this pic, but more like yes then no.

 

[shadyfire]

So if my hairline is really receding is there anything I can do or should I just accept it?

 

[doublebatman]

You appear to have miniaturised temple points, combined with your recession. I would say you are in trouble hair wise.

There is finasteride which will help maintajn your hair but I wouldn't recommend it while you are 16 and still developing.

Minoxidil and nizoral will buy you time

 

[Brutus]

Yes. If you already have a beard at 16, chances are you have high DHT which will only speed up the process. What is your family history like?

 

[archdemon123]

There are ways to prevent the hair loss, but at 16? nah.

 

[shadyfire]

I've always thought I've been developing way too fast. I'm going to see a dermatologist and if noting can be done,oh well... I'll shave it all off and try to get used to it. By the way... Thank you all for the help. If it weren't for you I could have realised that my hairline was receding much much later.
P.S.: I've been using nirozal for quite some time because I've been rocking a long hair and it helps me maintain my scalp clean.
P.S.2: My father said he's been completely bald since he was 30 and that he started losing considerable amounts of hair since he's been 17-18.

 

[Notcoolanymore]

I wouldn't go overboard and shave it off at this point. Looks like you still have a good amount of hair.

 

[shadyfire]

I've always been thinking of donating my hair (it can reach my back) and I think I have one more reason now to do it.

 

[Notcoolanymore]

If you can deal with the shaved look then I would say go for it. Me personally I just think I started buzzing my hair earlier then I really had to.

 

[shadyfire]

I think I can live with transforming from the guy with the really long hair to the guy with completely shaved head. I mean I'll have to do it soon or later... Nonetheless I'll wait and see what the dermathologist has to say.
Btw why do you all hate the shaved look so much?

 

[Notcoolanymore]

I just don't like it on me. I never shaved with a razor, but used a #2 clipper all over my head for a number of years. I didn't look hideous or anything like that, but I just think I look better with hair.

You might be one of those guys that looks good with a close cut. Try it and see. If you like it then you are in good shape.

 

[shadyfire]

I love how supportive you are. I will, at some point, leave my beard grow and get a close haircut. I think bald is kinda better than balding.
P.S.: Has anyone had any real progress with those medications or they just slow the inevitable?

 

[GoldenMane]

The medications work, they don't just slow down the inevitable, they literally regrow and maintain what you have for years, maybe decades..

Sometimes people at 16 do take them. I would say they're only really risky for guys who haven't finished physically maturing, but based on your facial hair I don't think it's an issue. It's great that you've made peace with the shaved look, actually it's incredible!

But don't be so quick to throw in the towel; You could well get on finasteride and keep your hair for another 10 years or longer, maybe regrow some in the receding temple region. I think it's something you should consider, 16 is too young to accept it. It's much easier to keep what you have than regrow what you've lost. You may be accepting now, but later you may feel differently. When it's gone, it's gone, prevention is key.

 

[shadyfire]

Here is the aerial shot some of you asked for. I'll go see a dermathologist as soon as possible.
P.S.: Thank you all for pointing me the problem and helping me to try and find a solution. If it weren't for you I wouldn't know what was going on and that there are solutions. I would probably just give up without fighting. Now even if the meds won't help me I'll know that at the very least I've tried.
P.S.2: Does this hairloss have anything to do with my lifestyle? Because I have to study A LOT (I want to get in med uni) and often I only get like 5-6 hours of good sleep.

 

[Notcoolanymore]

I wouldn't go as far as to say that it is impossible, but 99% of the time hair loss is not caused by stress, lack of sleep, etc. It is just plain old male pattern baldness. I personally would not tell a 16yo to jump on finasteride. That should be between you and your Dr, maybe even your parents. The point is you do have options. You don't have to give up the fight so early.

 

[GoldenMane]

That's what I meant. He should be aware that it is something he can fight, and in all likelihood with success for many years to come. If he does choose to fight it, he could well reach 30 or older with as much or even more hair than he currently has. It's a very personal decision. If it was me I would take it. I respect acceptance, but you should be aware that finasteride isn't great at regrowing hair. It can, and does regrow slight to moderate amounts, but in most cases finasteride is a baldness preventative, not a cure. If you choose not to fight it, go bald, and at 25 change your mind and decide you'd rather have hair, then it will be too late. Hair loss, like most conditions, early action is essential, and ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...

 

[shadyfire]

Thank you again. Of course if I can fight it, I'll with all it takes. I've just always thought that those hair loss prevention meds are plain snake oil. You have no idea how happy I am that this forum and people like you exist.

 

[PinwTyropites]

are you seriouuuuuuuuuuuuuuus? giving up at this point? at the age of 16???????? yes u have signs of male pattern baldness but u still have a good head of hair. shaving ur head by now? no. just no. fight it . You can read stories here from people maintaining their hair for 15 years thanks to meds and u wanna give up now?