Is it a mature hairline or balding?

[davidHair]

Hi,

I mentioned this in another thread but I want to focus on this part of the question.

I saw a nurse on my receding hairline and she prescribed me Propecia just in case. But she didn't know whether it was male pattern baldness or a mature hairline. My dermatologist visit isn't until 3 months later.

I'm 20, asian, and my hairline has only receded for the past year. My dad and my dad's mother are the only ones suffering from hairloss. Nobody else in my family has it.

Is there a way for myself or for the dermatologist to determine whether
I'm balding or just having a recding hairline?

Because if not, I might just dive right into rogaine and propecia.

 

[Skaff]

There's no way your doctor will be able to tell. They have tests for Telogen Effluvium (which are not conclusive) but no way to diagnose a mature hair line. He'll base any decision on your family history and since your dad is bald all signs point to male pattern baldness. I'd get on the propecia but definately wait on the rogaine until you've given propecia a decent shot.

 

[Sean68]

a mature hairline at 20?

 

[UK1]

a mature hairline at 20?

Haha.. that's what I was thinking.

 

[porajj]

a mature hairline at 20?

Haha.. that's what I was thinking.

Its unlikely, but possible. My dad started receeding at 18-20 into a Norwood 2 pattern that he has kept for pretty much forever. Only now is it starting to get a little worse, but thats because hes 60.

 

[s.a.f]

A change in your hairline at 20 is'nt odd at all.

 

[kalbo]

My observation is that Asians usually don't get mature hairlines and keep it that way for the rest of their lives. If the hairline recedes at a young age, then that's usually a sign of male pattern baldness.