I Just Realized I Have Retrogade Alopecia...

[Alphalete]

so I had a look at my hair like usual after applying minoxidil, and I saw that I'm thinning behind my ears just like someone with retrogade alopecia would. What does this mean? Is retrogade alopecia another word for aggressive balding?

What options do I have? I've been using Minoxidil on my hairline and temples for almost 6 months now, along with nizoral.

I'm 18.5, so finasteride won't be an option for now.

I'd rather not post pics, since I know for sure that it is retrogade alopecia..

Any thoughts?

 

[doyle11]

I'd rather not post pics, since I know for sure that it is retrogade alopecia..

Any thoughts?

No you don't.

 

[Alphalete]

No you don't.

What's that supposed to mean, how do you know that I don't??

 

[doyle11]

What's that supposed to mean, how do you know that I don't??

How can you know for sure? You don't even know what it is. Have you been diagnosed?

I've had hair loss for over 10 years and still haven't got a formal diagnosis despite seeing multiple doctors and dermatologists

It's probably the most misdiagnosed form of hair loss there is. Everyone believes they have it but it's often no hair loss at all.

 

[Alphalete]

How can you know for sure? You don't even know what it is. Have you been diagnosed?

I've had hair loss for over 10 years and still haven't got a formal diagnosis despite seeing multiple doctors and dermatologists

It's probably the most misdiagnosed form of hair loss there is. Everyone believes they have it but it's often no hair loss at all.

I had a look at pics online, and they seem'd confirmed as RA.

Look at that pic and try to tell me that it aint retrogade

 

[Xyz23]

This could be the beginning indeed. But is hasnt to be retograde right now

 

[Alphalete]

This could be the beginning indeed. But is hasnt to be retograde right now

What is it then? What should I do. Keep in mind i'm 18.5

I already know that I'm balding. That's no surprise lol. You can check my success thread; but what worries me is if it's DUPA + Retrogade

 

[deadhairfollicle]

That's normal imho. Most guys have this

 

[Alphalete]

That's normal imho. Most guys have this

I wish but I'mnot sure man

 

[Alphalete]

@rclark @1knox1 @kj6723

 

[Georgie]

True retrograde effects the entire circumference of the hairline. I have it. Means your nape, forelock, temples, temple points, sideburns, ears and behind the ears all miniaturise and converge. It's f*****g sh*t. Especially when you have diffuse patterned thinning everywhere else. hard to treat as well, but oral minoxidil somewhat worked for me.

 

[Xyz23]

What is it then? What should I do. Keep in mind i'm 18.5

I already know that I'm balding. That's no surprise lol. You can check my success thread; but what worries me is if it's DUPA + Retrogade

You could maintain this "look" forever. Maybe the density isnt as good as before but it HASNT to be retograde
BUT thats how reotrage actually starts. I had the same issues. At first i started balding like most men do, at the top and crown. When I was nw4-5 I started to notice that im losing sides and neck aswell. Just keep an eye on it. you cant do more than you're doing right now i suppose

 

[rclark]

@rclark @1knox1 @kj6723

?

 

[Alphalete]

True retrograde effects the entire circumference of the hairline. I have it. Means your nape, forelock, temples, temple points, sideburns, ears and behind the ears all miniaturise and converge. It's f*****g sh*t. Especially when you have diffuse patterned thinning everywhere else. hard to treat as well, but oral minoxidil somewhat worked for me.

I only experience thinning at the temples to behind my ears. I never knew I had this, nor have I ever paid attention to the back of my head... Lol

 

[Alphalete]

You could maintain this "look" forever. Maybe the density isnt as good as before but it HASNT to be retograde
BUT thats how reotrage actually starts. I had the same issues. At first i started balding like most men do, at the top and crown. When I was nw4-5 I started to notice that im losing sides and neck aswell. Just keep an eye on it. you cant do more than you're doing right now i suppose

Hairline is doing good these days. Does retrogade convert to the hairline aswell?

I think the ultimate choice I have is finasteride, but I feel like I'm too young for it..

 

[Alphalete]

?

Would really appreciate some of your input mate

 

[rclark]

I don't have DUPA or retrograde baldness, so I don't really know much about it.

Your top and sides don't like they are thinner (although sides are too short to tell).

I saw the picture on the back, the back hairline looks normal, and the density looks
good.

 

[Alphalete]

I don't have DUPA or retrograde baldness, so I don't really know much about it.

Your top and sides don't like they are thinner (although sides are too short to tell).

I saw the picture on the back, the back hairline looks normal, and the density looks
good.

Alright. Thanks alot for your input. I won't harass you anymore, you've helped me enough

 

[rclark]

Your hairline is good, so you have that under control.

If either the shedding on the top or hairline is much worse than the back and sides, you need
to be concerned.

That said, Minoxidil will temporarily cause hair to shed once per follicle. That's normal, and it
will/should grow back in as quickly as it falls out.

 

[BaldBearded]

What is it then? What should I do. Keep in mind i'm 18.5

I already know that I'm balding. That's no surprise lol. You can check my success thread; but what worries me is if it's DUPA + Retrogade

I could just be DUPA (Diffuse unpatterned alopecia).