Another 'am I going bald' question

[Teetee]

Hi all,

I see there are quite a few of these sorts of threads, hopefully it's okay for me to create another. I'm 27 and have always had quite fine hair, but I was wondering whether I'm suffering from early male pattern baldness or not, looking at my crown, or whether that's just how my hair is (or whether it's hard to say). My front hairline 'matured' a few years ago to a fairly regular adult male hairline, but doesn't seem to have changed much in recent years. Here's a link to an imgshack album with three pics of my crown: http://img85.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=photo560.jpg, and another one I'm unable to add to the album: http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9692/photo558.jpg

Thanks a lot.

TT

PS. I'm not looking for drug recommendations - thanks!

 

[karl_h]

I think you are starting to lose a little hair in the crown area but it does not appear to be a lot.

It would be easier to determine if you are losing your hair in the crown area if you could cut your hair short and then post the same types of pictures again.

 

[Teetee]

Thanks for the reply. I had my haircut today so it's unlikely to be any shorter for a while Is losing a little hair in the crown area the beginning of a continuous process, or can it stay that way for years/decades/ever?

Also, any other opinions on the photos appreciated - thanks. I'm not sure if it's the beginning of hair loss or not either.

 

[karl_h]

Is losing a little hair in the crown area the beginning of a continuous process, or can it stay that way for years/decades/ever?

That is a good question. I have actually seen people begin to lose their hair in the crown area, have it stabilize for a couple of years and then pick back up again.

 

[cuebald]

Some people (esp those with fine hair) have "empty" patches on the crown and do so all of their lives.
Hard to tell in your case. I would probably say you're not balding.

If it was a recent development it almost looks like the female pattern (i.e. a Ludwig 2) than classic male pattern baldness, imho.

 

[Axl_Rose]

Hair looks fine.

 

[treeshrew]

has this bald area appeared only recently?

any history of male pattern baldness in the family?

how's the hair line?

 

[somone uk]

has this occurred all of a sudden?
could be Telogen Effluvium which would just regrow (i used to get random spots of telogen effluvium as a kid)
if i was you i would take a hairdx and see if it's positive
if it's negative chances are you have Telogen Effluvium, your hair seems to of not thinned or anything just a little spot
well if the worst comes to the worse i don't think you would need to bombard with treatments, 2% minoxidil would do the trick

if you noticed any sudden shedding then you DON'T have male pattern hairloss

but i think the chances are you just had telogen effluvium where your hair temporarily sheds (it happens most on the crown) and it might just grow back but do get it checked

 

[Death]

show some pics of your hairline and people well be able to help you tell easier

 

[Teetee]

Thanks for all the knowledgeable replies, it's made me feel better reading some of them. To answer some questions individually:

has this bald area appeared only recently?

I don't know. I first noticed it I guess a month or two ago, but that was only because I checked for some reason. My crown may have been like that for years.

any history of male pattern baldness in the family?

My father started balding a couple of years ago and he's 56 now. His father - my grandfather - had a full head of naturally black hair until he died in his 70s (which was fairly incredible to see!).

My mother's father is fairly bald and I think he started balding in early middle age (late 30s, perhaps?). Not sure when exactly.

how's the hair line?

It matured a couple of years ago but I don't think it's really changed since then. I checked for those short hairs right at the front of the hairline - they're evidence of miniaturisation, right? - and there are a few but... well, it looks okay to me. Should there be no short hairs there if all is well, or is it normal to have a few?

Just taken a few pics: http://img24.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=photo566.jpg. Looks a little out of context as my face isn't in the photos, I guess, heh.

Thanks again for all your replies.