Opinions On Rapidly Receding Hairline

[MKP05]

This is my first post. I’m 45 years old and in May 2018 I noticed my left temple had started to thin drastically. Then about 6 weeks later the right. Now my entire front hairline is rapidly thinning and going bald. The receding/thinning I’ve had in 3 months is staggering. I’ve literally gone from a thick full front hairline to a thin whispy receding mess. I’m 5 weeks into a finasteride + minoxidil 5 + Nizoral 1% regimen. Was wondering where I was on the Norwood scale and if there’s anything else I should add to treat this. I’m also very concerned about the pace of my hair loss and that I will be way worse once the treatments start to take effect (assuming they do at all). Has anyone else experienced such a sudden and rapid onset of receding at the hairline?

I’ve also suffered from alopecia arreata for 20 years and was in remission for the last 10 until February- exactly one month before the hairline thinning started. But I’ve had two dermatologists tell me that this was genetic pattern loss and not AA.

I took pictures with wet and dry hair. Apologies for the long post. Any opinions, suggestions or guidance would be appreciated.

 

[alekgn]

This is my first post. I’m 45 years old and in May 2018 I noticed my left temple had started to thin drastically. Then about 6 weeks later the right. Now my entire front hairline is rapidly thinning and going bald. The receding/thinning I’ve had in 3 months is staggering. I’ve literally gone from a thick full front hairline to a thin whispy receding mess. I’m 5 weeks into a finasteride + minoxidil 5 + Nizoral 1% regimen. Was wondering where I was on the Norwood scale and if there’s anything else I should add to treat this. I’m also very concerned about the pace of my hair loss and that I will be way worse once the treatments start to take effect (assuming they do at all). Has anyone else experienced such a sudden and rapid onset of receding at the hairline?

I’ve also suffered from alopecia arreata for 20 years and was in remission for the last 10 until February- exactly one month before the hairline thinning started. But I’ve had two dermatologists tell me that this was genetic pattern loss and not AA.

I took pictures with wet and dry hair. Apologies for the long post. Any opinions, suggestions or guidance would be appreciated.

Norwood 3.5 approaching a Norwood 4. Finasteride, minoxidil, and nizoral is all you can really do. If you're looking for something more potent than Finasteride, then look into Dutasteride. However, I wouldn't consider that unless it's very clear finasteride's not doing the job.

 

[MKP05]

Alekgn. Thanks for the response. Wow. I was not prepared to hear 3.5 approaching 4. I knew it was getting bad but didn’t know it was that bad. Like I said I hadn’t had any thinning/receding until May. Posted a few more pictures if anyone else has opinions.

 

[Heinrich Harrer]

I was like you at 19. You’re lucky this sh*t hit you so late but unlucky at the same time. If you can handle the treatment you are now, it’s all you need. Plus a transplant in a few years and you will never live to see what a real balding head is.

 

[MKP05]

Norwood 3.5 approaching a Norwood 4. Finasteride, minoxidil, and nizoral is all you can really do. If you're looking for something more potent than Finasteride, then look into Dutasteride. However, I wouldn't consider that unless it's very clear finasteride's not doing the job.

My concern is that from what I’ve read the results can take months if not longer. Is it possible to regrow what I’ve lost? What stage is the point of no return?

 

[Heinrich Harrer]

My concern is that from what I’ve read the results can take months if not longer. Is it possible to regrow what I’ve lost? What stage is the point of no return?

You won’t. Based on the head shape and pattern, not a chance. However, your hairline is still pretty good as is. Also, the kid above is a Norwood 0, don’t ask him. Ask us, we have been tortured extensively and will respond with confidence.

 

[SteveTabernack]

Man this is not close to NW4 don't listen to the crazies around here.

Still a great head of hair for your age. You should be just fine now that you've jumped on finasteride.

 

[Panda89]

don't listen to anyone that tells you definitive answers when it comes to response to treatment. the truth is we don't know how your body will respond and most people don't post their results on the internet for people to see. in the most amazing cases we see people who responded in 2-3 months and experienced amazing regrowth. we also have people who are on it for 2+ years and can only managed to maintain / slow down hair loss. the general consensus is to wait for 6 - 12 months and re-evaluate. stick with the big 3. in my opinion your hair does not look that bad at all.. you only start to look ridiculous once the hair on the top starts to shrink and die and become diffused

 

[MKP05]

I was like you at 19. You’re lucky this sh*t hit you so late but unlucky at the same time. If you can handle the treatment you are now, it’s all you need. Plus a transplant in a few years and you will never live to see what a real balding head is.

Thanks for the reply. I’ve been dealing with AA hairloss since I was in my early twenties. I once lost almost the entire back of my head so I can relate at least from a perspective of having hair loss at a younger age - albeit the reversible kind. I can’t get past the fact that this recession came right on the heels of my latest AA flare up (also on the back of my head but which is now growing back in). I have yet to even consider a transplant...holy sh*t. So far no side effects from the finasteride. But my fear is that by the time it starts working I might be beyond helping.

 

[MKP05]

Man this is not close to NW4 don't listen to the crazies around here.

Still a great head of hair for your age. You should be just fine now that you've jumped on finasteride.

Ok. I’ve stopped hyperventilating now after reading your post. Thanks for the positive outlook. I know anything can happen but I’d be more than happy to maintain what I have even after losing so much in a short time. Where do you think I am on the Norwood scale?

 

[MKP05]

You won’t. Based on the head shape and pattern, not a chance. However, your hairline is still pretty good as is. Also, the kid above is a Norwood 0, don’t ask him. Ask us, we have been tortured extensively and will respond with confidence.

I’d be more than happy to maintain what I’ve got. I’m just praying the front doesn’t recede too much further before the treatment starts working. Thanks for the response.

 

[InvaderZim]

You really have a great head of hair for your age.

 

[MKP05]

You really have a great head of hair for your age.

Thanks. It was even better 3 months ago! I know I’ve been pretty lucky so far even though I’ve battled AA on and off for 20 years. But still very freaked out about receding/thinning so much in a short time.

 

[1knox1]

Nowhere near Norwood 3.5. Great head of hair for your age.

A lot of misinformation on these forums recently as a lot of veterans have moved on with their lives.

Good luck.

 

[MKP05]

Thanks. That post definitely freaked me out as I thought I was best case a 2 and no worse than a 3.

 

[crikey1980]

Dont worry mate,you are nowhere near a norwood 4,you're a norwood 2.5 and have good density,i think your hair looks great when styled.

 

[Retinoid]

Hair looks very good. Of course pulling your hair back as hard as possible will make you look worse and is NOT accurate.

 

[DoctorHouse]

Classic NW3. Just remember you are also at an age where your density can decline due to age. Be patient with hair loss treatments. It took you 45 years to reach a NW3. It's going to take some time if you can either maintain or regrow.

 

[SteveTabernack]

Ok. I’ve stopped hyperventilating now after reading your post. Thanks for the positive outlook. I know anything can happen but I’d be more than happy to maintain what I have even after losing so much in a short time. Where do you think I am on the Norwood scale?

I honestly would call this a NW2 or NW2.5 at most. NW2 with a bit of forelock thinning maybe. In the fourth picture you posted the forelock seems to be hit by some thinning but in second set of photos it looks totally fine.

 

[MKP05]

Hair looks very good. Of course pulling your hair back as hard as possible will make you look worse and is NOT accurate.

I appreciate the feedback. I’m new to this forum and didn’t want to cheat myself for an honest opinion. I thought it best to post a variety of angles and shots. Obviously it looks thinner wet and more receded pulled back than when it is dry and styled.