Not sure what's going on with my hair/hairline

[HNMB]

For some background information, I'm 20 years old and for the past few months I have noticed a lot more hair being shed than normal. Especially when in the shower or when styling my hair. I know it is normal to lose 50-100 hairs per day, but I lose 40 hairs just shampooing and another 15 or so when styling. If I run my hands through my hair a couple times I almost always get a hair or two. From what I can tell the hair falls from all over the top of my head and they're usually as long/thick as the rest of my hair (though time to time they are thinner than normal). My hairline has also caught my attention. It has slightly recessed. Its not huge but definitely noticeable and has made me concerned. The corners of my hairline where it has recessed isn't completely bald but is messy with a few hairs scattered around.

Balding also doesn't run through my family too much. My mom's side of the family has pretty much no hair loss. My dad has a slightly receding hairline but it definitely isn't bad for his age. The only decent amount of balding in my family comes from my uncles in my dad's side of the family. My older brother also doesn't have any balding whatsoever. Could it be telogen effluvium, a maturing hairline, male pattern baldness, or something else? If I need to elaborate on anything please let me know. Thanks.

 

[zzzzz]

Probably male pattern baldness since the description sounds like diffuse thinning. Keep an eye on it, once you are sure it's male pattern baldness start finasteride to stop it

 

[HNMB]

Probably male pattern baldness since the description sounds like diffuse thinning. Keep an eye on it, once you are sure it's male pattern baldness start finasteride to stop it

Does diffuse thinning effect the corners of the hairline?

 

[zzzzz]

diffuse thinning and recession can occur at the same time and usually does

 

[hairlifted]

Pulling out a few hairs really isn't all that much of anything, since most people lose 100 hairs a day. Keep an eye on it (take pictures), but it sounds like it doesnt run in your family so at least you have that going for you. If you notice signicant loss from the pictures then its time to take action.

 

[HNMB]

diffuse thinning and recession can occur at the same time and usually does

In diffuse thinning are the hairs noticeably thinner or do they just fall out? Also what are the causes for diffuse thinning?

 

[shookwun]

:worthless:

 

[HNMB]

Sorry here are some pictures.
These are all recent:







These are from about 4 months ago:



These are from about 10 months ago:





In my opinion the recent pictures seem to be better than what my actually hairline looks like in real life, though it is accurate for the most part. It seems to me that my hairline has recessed a little bit and the temple areas look much wider now. A couple years ago I actually had an "upside U" shape hairline.

Anyone have any opinions? Thanks.

 

[HNMB]

I just posted pictures, can a mod approve? Thanks.

 

[zzzzz]

In diffuse thinning are the hairs noticeably thinner or do they just fall out? Also what are the causes for diffuse thinning?

the cause is the same as all other male pattern baldness, and the hair falls out and grows back thinner every time it goes through a life cycle

 

[Quantum Cat]

you honestly think that's diffuse thinning?

I seem to have to say this on a daily basis here now but hair shedding is not a sign of male pattern baldness! why can't people understand this?? :doh:

- - - Updated - - -

you could try Head and Shoulders though (no offence )

 

[HNMB]

you honestly think that's diffuse thinning?

I seem to have to say this on a daily basis here now but hair shedding is not a sign of male pattern baldness! why can't people understand this?? :doh:

- - - Updated - - -

you could try Head and Shoulders though (no offence )

Haha my hair is usually pretty clean. But as for the hairloss, I know it is nothing major but I want to catch it as early as possible if it is anything. The reason I brought up the thinning is because I noticed I'm losing a LOT of hair (not necessarily thinner hair) and I was not sure if it was normal (about 40 in the shower and another 10-20 when styling). I also have definitely noticed a change in my hairline near the corners, whether it is natural or male pattern baldness I'm not sure. Are the small hairs near the corners of my hairline considered "miniaturization"? Also is the crown ok? Thanks.

 

[Quantum Cat]

it really doesn't matter how many hairs you find on your comb/shower whatever - because male pattern baldness doesn't work like that. It isn't an indication that you have or are beginning male pattern baldness. Shedding is a total red herring. It's probably the biggest single misconception people have about male pattern baldness.

you're right about catching it early - I've always advocated that - but at the same time I don't believe guys should just jump on Propecia to prevent any future possible hairloss, unless it's 'beyond reasonable doubt', to use a legal term, that they definitely have the beginnings of male pattern baldness. Using propecia isn't a decision to take lightly.

The miniturization you see at the temples is what happens to virtually every man in late teens/20s. Maturing hairline. Doesn't automatically = male pattern baldness. On the other hand, it might. You just never know with male pattern baldness - it's unpredictable.

My advice is just to monitor your hair very carefully with documented photos - even get a professional to. Watch the crown in particular to observe any thinning - but don't get paranoid either.

 

[HNMB]

it really doesn't matter how many hairs you find on your comb/shower whatever - because male pattern baldness doesn't work like that. It isn't an indication that you have or are beginning male pattern baldness. Shedding is a total red herring. It's probably the biggest single misconception people have about male pattern baldness.

you're right about catching it early - I've always advocated that - but at the same time I don't believe guys should just jump on Propecia to prevent any future possible hairloss, unless it's 'beyond reasonable doubt', to use a legal term, that they definitely have the beginnings of male pattern baldness. Using propecia isn't a decision to take lightly.

The miniturization you see at the temples is what happens to virtually every man in late teens/20s. Maturing hairline. Doesn't automatically = male pattern baldness. On the other hand, it might. You just never know with male pattern baldness - it's unpredictable.

My advice is just to monitor your hair very carefully with documented photos - even get a professional to. Watch the crown in particular to observe any thinning - but don't get paranoid either.

Thanks, do you think my hairline is fine now or does it shows any signs of male pattern baldness? What concerns me the most is the 5th picture (it's closest to what it looks like in real life). If it is male pattern baldness and since it isn't too common in my family would there be any other factors that may cause this? Thanks again.

 

[mr.patches]

Thanks, do you think my hairline is fine now or does it shows any signs of male pattern baldness? What concerns me the most is the 5th picture (it's closest to what it looks like in real life). If it is male pattern baldness and since it isn't too common in my family would there be any other factors that may cause this? Thanks again.

Didn't you hear Quantum Cat? NO, NO and NO. You do not have male pattern baldness, your hairline is not receeded at all and everyone sheds from time to time, that doesn't mean thinning. See a shrink.

 

[HNMB]

Didn't you hear Quantum Cat? NO, NO and NO. You do not have male pattern baldness, your hairline is not receeded at all and everyone sheds from time to time, that doesn't mean thinning. See a shrink.

Sorry about that, I understand my hair loss isn't significant but I have noticed a change in my hairline. My questions should've been if that change is due to male pattern baldness or the hairline is simply maturing. In the past my hairline was an upside down U shape if that makes sense.

 

[HNMB]

Sorry one more question, does it look like my temples have widened at all? That seems to be the biggest change I've noticed. I'm not sure if the pictures show it too well. Does anyone see a widening as well? Also if this isn't male pattern baldness, what else could it be? Thanks again.

 

[HNMB]

So I saw a dermatologist the other day. He looked at my hair for like half a second, then said it's nothing don't worry about it. I told him I noticed a change in my hairline and he said it happens to all males but it depends on your family and not to worry about it. I've definitely noticed some hair loss in the temple areas, but I'm lost as to what to do now. Any suggestions?