I'm 19 - My Crown Looks Very Thin

[mogro0022]

Hi,

I'm new to the forum and I recently had an urge to start posting here because of the noticeable condition of my hair. Here are some pics I took today of the top of my head exposing what I think is a massive thinning region on the crown of my hair:



I first noticed it over a year back in one of the photos my dad took of my university. Only the backside of me was showing and I saw what appeared to be a large, thin, circular region on my crown. My hair was very long then because it was during the summer and I didn't mind it growing out while school was out.

Well fast-forward a year and my cousin pointed it out while I was sitting down. Anyways, I visited the derm two weeks back and she told me that it was probably male pattern baldness like many of you on this forum experience. My hair right now is of a length that is almost identical to that in the photo where I first noticed the spot a year back (I don't have that picture with me). Also, my hair gets very oily and I have quite a bit of dandruff as well. I was told by my family doctor many years back that it was better that I washed my hair less frequently so that the natural oils could protect it and keep it healthy. He also said that it would stop becoming very oily after a while. I still have the dandruff problem and I'm using Head & Shoulder's at the moment to try and reduce it although I don't think it's working. Anyhow, the rest of my hair is very thick including my hairline (I still have a small V-shaped droop in the front-center of my hairline).

I always had a whorl in the center of my head but it was more circular and very small compared to the pictures above. I completely changed my hairstyle during highschool from a long shaggy look, to a short spiked-up look that extended from my hairline to the top-back of my head. I'm not sure if it's the combination of my hair being oily in those pictures, the way that it's combed in the back (maybe a weird cowlick??), and the fact that it is very long that makes my crown look thin, OR if it's truly male pattern baldness. My derm unsuprisingly saw my hair as it is in those pictures and told me to start using Rogaine 2% twice daily. I have just started using it yesterday but I want to know what you guys think about my hair in the pictures.

I have a family history of male pattern baldness on both sides of my family (my dad went bald in his mid-20s, my mom's dad went completely bald in his 30s, and her oldest of two brothers went bald in his mid-20s) so I'm quite worried at the moment and it's quite a depressing situation as I'm only 19. I had an accident earlier this year and it caused me to become very stressed out but I don't think that could be the reason for why that spot appeared because I have a photo from before then that shows the same thing as I've mentioned before.

Sorry for the long post, I tend to overtype when I'm very nervous and depressed as I am now. I appreciate any advice or comments you share!

 

[SayifDoit]

Wow that is pretty horrendous, considering your history of male pattern baldness in your family I think with hundred percent certainty you are balding heavily and nots going to stop, no sir.
I can already see how that is going to be a slick bald spot in a maybe less than a year from now.
Your only hope is to get on finasteride and I would also recommend Minoxidil.

 

[Vlatch]

Finasteride, nizoral 2% for dandruff and minoxidil 5% for more regrowth (though minoxidil is pretty aggressive and if you already have dandruff it will probably not make your symptoms better).

Wash your hair at least every two days to clear your dandruff, if nizoral (ketoconazole shampoo) isn't enough, alternate with one or several shampoos/lotions containing the following components : ciclopirox olamine, piroctone olamine, zinc pyrithione (I believe your head&shoulders contain this one), salicylic acid, selenium sulfide, coal tar.

The night before shampoo you can apply a zinc sulphate lotion or apple cider vinegar on your scalp to relieve the inflammation.

Good luck, start treatment now if you want to keep your hair.

 

[Cincinnati Kid]

Bad news, it looks like definite thinning in the vertex. The good ol' Norwood 3v variety it seems...same as me. Good news, you're early in the game. Get on the big 3 NOW. The minoxidil will help you thicken that spot up, while the other two will help keep the DHT killing your hair follicles from making it to your scalp.

 

[saja2148]

Don't be depressed. Unfortunately you are losing hair but there are treatments out there that can help. Be proactive and fight hairloss bro. Look at the success stories section, hairloss can be beat. Good luck

 

[mogro0022]

So here are some more pictures I uploaded today after washing my hair. Note that these were taken 30 minutes after I exited the shower so my hair is still a bit damp. I currently use 2% Rogaine liquid as I mentioned before and I think I started shedding A LOT sooner than I expected. In fact I just started using it 2 days ago and while I was combing my hair yesterday night, over 5 strands were falling out every time I ran my comb through my hair to a total of 30-40. This is way more shedding than I ever have normally. Most times I run my comb through my hair, very few strands if any fall out. I don't know if this is normal or maybe I am very sensitive to Rogaine. Also, should I be taking 5% Rogaine as opposed to the 2% I'm taking now? My derm told me to use 2% but I want to maximize my regrowth. I guess I should make another appointment so I can ask her about finasteride. I want to get on it as soon as possible but am unsure of whether my derm will even let me take it because of my age. I am turning 20 in January but she said last time that she would prefer not putting me on "hormone-altering" drugs.

 

[zzzzz]

you don't have to start minoxidil that isn't something a normal person would notice (people who are aware of early signs of balding such as on here will though). Definitely start finasteride or dutasteride, and nizoral 1% or 2% shampoo twice weekly (due not use this shampoo daily or almost daily or it will ruin your hair). 2% minoxidil is weak use 5%. And if you think your bald spot is bad look at the thread in my signature. I am the same age as you.

 

[mogro0022]

Thanks for all the help! And I am really wanting to start on finasteride. I don't think my derm is going to let me take dutasteride but I'll ask anyways.

you don't have to start minoxidil that isn't something a normal person would notice (people who are aware of early signs of balding such as on here will though). Definitely start finasteride or dutasteride, and nizoral 1% or 2% shampoo twice weekly (due not use this shampoo daily or almost daily or it will ruin your hair). 2% minoxidil is weak use 5%. And if you think your bald spot is bad look at the thread in my signature. I am the same age as you.

Well my cousins definitely noticed and so did my mom (although she might be OCD about me going bald because she works in a pharmacy and realizes how likely I am to go bald because of my family history). I always had extremely thick hair since childhood which is why my parents keep bugging me to get treatment for the thin region they notice at the moment. Secondly, WOW your hair really improved on that regimen. I honestly don't see any signs of crown thinning at all in your last picture after being on treatment.

Another thing I want to ask about is the shedding I have already noticed after being on minoxidil for 2 days. I combed through my hair yesterday and a good 5 strands would fall out each time to a total of around 20-30 hairs. And I'd like to add that I have never shed like that in my life. The most hairs that would normally fall out when I combed my hair was 1-5 strands max. I realize that the average human sheds at least 100 strands per day but I've never had that much hair fall in one combing session. If the shedding has already started, is it normal for it to happen this soon after starting minoxidil?

I'm only on the 2% conc. at the moment too. I will try to upgrade to 5% soon as I am going to make an appointment for finasteride as well.

Sometimes I think the stress I got from my parents telling me to worry about losing hair in the future for all these years is what is causing me to thin but hopefully treatments can maintain and possible even restore what is lost.

[EDIT]: I forgot to mention that when my hair falls out, each strand has a ball of skin attached to the end of it. It isn't just that white bulb that indicates that the hair is at the end of the cycle (that bulb is also present but there is a ball of skin surrounding that bulb as well). Sometimes, there are two strands of hair attached to one bulb of skin when it falls out. I am not sure of what that is or why it's happening (maybe its related to my oily hair and dandruff problem?) but it is quite worrying.

 

[Vlatch]

I forgot to mention that when my hair falls out, each strand has a ball of skin attached to the end of it. It isn't just that white bulb that indicates that the hair is at the end of the cycle (that bulb is also present but there is a ball of skin surrounding that bulb as well). Sometimes, there are two strands of hair attached to one bulb of skin when it falls out. I am not sure of what that is or why it's happening (maybe its related to my oily hair and dandruff problem?) but it is quite worrying.

Daaaandruff, it's normal, use the products I recommended you and -hopefully- it will take care of the problem.
By the way, avoid eating too much fat/sugary stuff, it doesn't help.

 

[zzzzz]

Thanks for all the help! And I am really wanting to start on finasteride. I don't think my derm is going to let me take dutasteride but I'll ask anyways.



Well my cousins definitely noticed and so did my mom (although she might be OCD about me going bald because she works in a pharmacy and realizes how likely I am to go bald because of my family history). I always had extremely thick hair since childhood which is why my parents keep bugging me to get treatment for the thin region they notice at the moment. Secondly, WOW your hair really improved on that regimen. I honestly don't see any signs of crown thinning at all in your last picture after being on treatment.

Another thing I want to ask about is the shedding I have already noticed after being on minoxidil for 2 days. I combed through my hair yesterday and a good 5 strands would fall out each time to a total of around 20-30 hairs. And I'd like to add that I have never shed like that in my life. The most hairs that would normally fall out when I combed my hair was 1-5 strands max. I realize that the average human sheds at least 100 strands per day but I've never had that much hair fall in one combing session. If the shedding has already started, is it normal for it to happen this soon after starting minoxidil?

I'm only on the 2% conc. at the moment too. I will try to upgrade to 5% soon as I am going to make an appointment for finasteride as well.

Sometimes I think the stress I got from my parents telling me to worry about losing hair in the future for all these years is what is causing me to thin but hopefully treatments can maintain and possible even restore what is lost.

[EDIT]: I forgot to mention that when my hair falls out, each strand has a ball of skin attached to the end of it. It isn't just that white bulb that indicates that the hair is at the end of the cycle (that bulb is also present but there is a ball of skin surrounding that bulb as well). Sometimes, there are two strands of hair attached to one bulb of skin when it falls out. I am not sure of what that is or why it's happening (maybe its related to my oily hair and dandruff problem?) but it is quite worrying.

It is impossible for minoxidil to cause shedding within days. Shedding due to minoxidil will not start for weeks after you begin treatment.

The bulb means it has gone through a cycle