Just turned 18 and greeted with this...

[Afraidofmyhair]

My first post, and anxious for replies and discussions. So,am I really already losing hair? Great way to start being a grown-up. :sobbing: I remember the top of my hair being very thick, but now it feels thinner and is far less thick. I talk to friends and family and they all think I look the same and deny I am getting my hair recessed. To add, my father's side and mother's side both had lasting hair, what about me? My father tells me because he has a really tall hairline and not much hair loss, I will have the same, but this isn't what it looks like. I mean he's much older than I am. I understand this can happen to people at a young age, but I didn't think it would be this severe. My temples have gotten much more sunlight if you know what i mean... I also noticed during class, I would see at approximately 10 hairs on my desk everywhere I sat everyday. I gently ran my hand through my hair and what do you know, It was mine! Anyways, I want to hear what you all think. Honestly, how bad does it look? And if it is getting bad, what do I do? How do I approach my parents? I am the only one in my high school who's having this issue (as far as I can see) and its hard to feel outcasted, so if there's a way to alleviate this feeling, please tell me.

 

[FridgeFridge]

Yeah i'd say that was male pattern baldness and the best thing you could do right now would be to do your research on finasteride, nizoral and Minoxidil.

I dont think your families comments are that uncommon a lot of (lets say) 'layman' just dont seem to notice receding hairlines very well. Take my girlfriend for example, to her you are either bald, or you have hair...maybe she'd notice if you are balding to the extent of having hair simular to that of a monk, but otherwise theres just not really an in between for her, perhaps she would say someone has a big forehead instead of thinking that their hair had receded.

Its your choice what you do but the only 2 things I would say is not to be put off by the 'horror' stories and dont panic about the chances of sides, while real, the odds of not getting sides really are with you.

finasteride is also brilliant at maintaining hair (look up the 10 year studies) but is not so good at regrowing hair, so it really is the sooner the better!

Good luck.

 

[Abercrombie]

Hi there man! Yes theres no doubt that you are experiencing the first stage of male pattern baldness. Welcome to the club! It sucks big time when it starts that young and I know exactly what youre going through right now emotionally...it hits you like a sledgehammer. Your only options really are Rogaine (minoxidil) and Propecia/Proscar (Finasteride) if you want to halt the progress of hairloss, unless you just let it fall out and go with the buzzcut.

 

[psyhotria]

You come only now on the idea that you have hair loss? Oh dear.. you're quite advanced on the scale already..

 

[Afraidofmyhair]

Thanks everyone for the prompt responses. The reason I didn't notice it is because it was gradual, and someone brought it up in my family that my hair was thinning out. Once I took a look at it, I noticed what I originally posted. So I'm getting a doctors appointment hopefully soon, so I will keep you all posted!

 

[Woodyy]

NW2+ already I'd say, get one propecia ASAP and minoxidil if you want.

 

[lifewithouthair]

Quite obvious thinning at the temples. Does male pattern baldness run in your family? if its hereditary hair loss get on treatments as soon as possible.

 

[Afraidofmyhair]

Quite obvious thinning at the temples. Does male pattern baldness run in your family? if its hereditary hair loss get on treatments as soon as possible.

Nope, everyone from both sides had thick hair, except on my dad's side (his brothers including my dad all have tall hairlines).

 

[JustAnotherOne]

I can't offer anymore product insight (rogaine/propecia) than anyone else has already, but one thing you can do immediately would be shave/severely shorten the hair on the sides and back of your head. Maybe even shave some of the hair on your temples back a little so the hairline lines up more evenly.

Also, just remember that not everyone is looking as closely at your hair as you do. Most people won't even notice or they'll just think that's how your hair is (similar to what FridgeFridge said up there in his response).

 

[Jacob]

Just turned 18..get on finasteride? :doh:

 

[The_Mentalist]

My heart goes out to you, kid. You have classic Androgenetic Alopecia pattern. Your loss is accelerated at this young age. And that you are seeing hair on desks etc. couple that with your hairline/quality and race, I would say you are going fast, and in the next 3 to 5 years, you will be slick. If you are really concerned and wanna do something about it, research on finasteride. and decide if you can commit to it. Because quitting it after substantial use will have drastic effect on your hair and you would lose all hair you would maintain with finasteride in a matter of weeks.

 

[Kev123]

Get on finasteride and rogaine right away.

 

[The_Mentalist]

Kid, I must also add that I totally understand how you feel. The way you described your feelings, your being alone and feel outcasted and all ....... this is all legit feelings specially at this young age. But, I wanted to tell you that you are definitely not alone and there people worse off than you. Sometimes, what you focus in your mind, you would feel that others are also looking at the same, but that is not entirely true. Do not let these feelings get in your way... hope for best and that you may just have this process not so bad as it seems.... let us know if you have any questions or concerns

 

[SDK]

This is just the worst thing to have to deal with if you are in your teens.

Mine started receding at 17.