Receding hairline, male pattern baldness or maturing?

[HNMB]

I have very little hairloss in the family. One of my grandfathers had a full set of hair, the other had some hair loss. My dad has a good amount of hair (especially for his age) and the only good amount of hairloss which exists is in a few of my uncles, and even then none of them are completely bald.

Because of this, I became pretty concerned when I started noticing A LOT of hair shedding starting about a year ago as I'm only 20 years old. No one in my family has experienced hair loss this early. I noticed a lot of hair in the shower, towel drying my hair, or even just running my hands through my hair. The thickness, length, and location of these fallen hairs seemed to be random.

I used to have a "round" hairline which I've read is almost always lost during puberty. So is this change in my hairline male pattern baldness, or is this just a normal part of puberty?

Also on a side note, I noticed my hairloss starting getting really bad about 10-12 months ago. During this time I've also noticed that my acne had gotten a lot worse as well. The past year has been very stressful and I read that stress might contribute to hair loss. I also had a pretty bad diet (lots of sugar, low protein/healthy fats, and not many vitamins/minerals). Do you guys think this combination of things may be causing my hairloss if it is actually male pattern baldness?

Here are some pictures -

My hair about a year ago (before I noticed this all this hairloss):

My hairline about 5 months ago:

My hairline about 3 months ago:

My hair now (My hair is longer than in the other pictures, sorry if they're not very clear. I think it looks a little worse in person, but it could just be me):

Thanks.

 

[Raz]

Temporal recession, miniaturization and discoloration of the hair would suggest early stages of male pattern baldness. I'd set up a meeting with a hair transplant surgeon or anyone actually credible in the field (derms don't know jack **** in general), then going from there. Also, keep taking pictures of your hair every one month or so, in identical conditions. If you can confirm having male pattern baldness, I'd just get on finasteride and maintain that full head of hair for life (with potential improvements). You will know by meeting up with a specialist and/or observing changes in your hair (for the worse).

 

[HNMB]

Temporal recession, miniaturization and discoloration of the hair would suggest early stages of male pattern baldness. I'd set up a meeting with a hair transplant surgeon or anyone actually credible in the field (derms don't know jack **** in general), then going from there. Also, keep taking pictures of your hair every one month or so, in identical conditions. If you can confirm having male pattern baldness, I'd just get on finasteride and maintain that full head of hair for life (with potential improvements). You will know by meeting up with a specialist and/or observing changes in your hair (for the worse).

Thanks for the reply. Are those general signs of male pattern baldness or are those signs you saw from the pictures? If so, what do you mean by discoloration of the hair because all my hair is the same color more or less. Also, if it is male pattern baldness, are there any non-genetic factors which cause male pattern baldness? Thanks again.

Also I forgot to add in the OP, I do get a decent amount of dandruff, if that is any way connected to hairloss.

 

[Raz]

Thanks for the reply. Are those general signs of male pattern baldness or are those signs you saw from the pictures? If so, what do you mean by discoloration of the hair because all my hair is the same color more or less. Also, if it is male pattern baldness, are there any non-genetic factors which cause male pattern baldness? Thanks again.

Yes, receeding temple points are some of the signs of male pattern baldness. Patterns vary, but this is a common type of hair loss as well.

I guess there is the offchance of this being a "mature hairline", but I think this is a risky point to throw around because it can create a sense of false comfort and in most people's cases it can still be balding, albeit very slow balding that is later to speed up, potentially. Mature hairlines also generally are more even, whereas balding people have one of the temples thin at a faster rate.

What I meant by discoloration was referring to your miniaturized hairs on the temples, not your actual hair color in the parts where your hair is strong as ever.

I'm not overly well versed in the multi-facetedness of male pattern baldness but rare cases (Telogen Effluvium etc.) aside, male pattern baldness is genetic. It can skip generations and other nasty things, so looking at your immediate family is not always an indicator. You might have to look further, on both sides. You mentioned some uncles etc. also having balding.

- - - Updated - - -
I was about to comment on the dandruff part, seeing some "flakes" on some of your pictures (pics 3-5). I have some scalp flaking even now and it's been somewhat prevalent since my male pattern baldness kicked in. Be mindful, some of this is due to Minoxidil-use nowadays. Again, I don't claim to be an expert, but posting based on empirical evidence and having browsed around for several years.

 

[HNMB]

Yes, receeding temple points are some of the signs of male pattern baldness. Patterns vary, but this is a common type of hair loss as well.

I guess there is the offchance of this being a "mature hairline", but I think this is a risky point to throw around because it can create a sense of false comfort and in most people's cases it can still be balding, albeit very slow balding that is later to speed up, potentially. Mature hairlines also generally are more even, whereas balding people have one of the temples thin at a faster rate.

What I meant by discoloration was referring to your miniaturized hairs on the temples, not your actual hair color in the parts where your hair is strong as ever.

I'm not overly well versed in the multi-facetedness of male pattern baldness but rare cases (Telogen Effluvium etc.) aside, male pattern baldness is genetic. It can skip generations and other nasty things, so looking at your immediate family is not always an indicator. You might have to look further, on both sides. You mentioned some uncles etc. also having balding.

- - - Updated - - -
I was about to comment on the dandruff part, seeing some "flakes" on some of your pictures (pics 3-5). I have some scalp flaking even now and it's been somewhat prevalent since my male pattern baldness kicked in. Be mindful, some of this is due to Minoxidil-use nowadays. Again, I don't claim to be an expert, but posting based on empirical evidence and having browsed around for several years.

So judging by the pictures you think it's male pattern baldness? Do you think it might be Telogen Effluvium since I'm experiencing a good amount of shedding?

I have some uncles and one grandfather who have/had some hairloss, but they all had pretty much all their hair until at least age 30. As far as I know, no one in my family has experienced it this young (or even close to this young). That's why I'm wondering if there is something else which may be causing this.

 

[Raz]

I believe this is male pattern baldness, but you might want to wait for others to chime in. Telogen Effluvium is really rare. It also sucks to begin balding young, but it is what it is. I started balding at 19 and while my family history isn't as good as yours, most of my relatives only started balding in their late-20s and beyond. This sh1t is not fair at all.

I also suggested you to go meet up with an expert, because the extent to which you've lost hair is still little, hence arbitrarily telling another young man to get on some medication for life might sound rash. I also do not want you to wait until you're NW3 and then acting - the faster you can act after confirming you have male pattern baldness, the better. Meeting up with an expert will give you this clarity.

From what I've seen through the years of Norwood-spotting, yeah, this seems like male pattern baldness.

 

[TD500]

Like raz said go see a hair transplant surgeon, he/she can better evaluate your hair more then anyone here can.

 

[shookwun]

I honestly dont know.

it could be a mature hair line development or male pattern baldness.


male pattern baldness typically has a U shape..... this is very angular, common with mature hairlines.

 

[g.i joey]

i see male pattern baldness... you see those little thin hairs at the corner of your hairline? the sparse ones... that used to be filled in.. they are miniaturizing, which is male pattern baldness... imo at this point it is too early to get on meds but you wouldnt want to wait too long just incase. go get an opinion from a doctor and see what they suggest..

 

[HNMB]

i see male pattern baldness... you see those little thin hairs at the corner of your hairline? the sparse ones... that used to be filled in.. they are miniaturizing, which is male pattern baldness... imo at this point it is too early to get on meds but you wouldnt want to wait too long just incase. go get an opinion from a doctor and see what they suggest..

Do hairs not miniaturize when the hairline is maturing?

 

[g.i joey]

Do hairs not miniaturize when the hairline is maturing?

Yeah they do I think, 2 years ago my hair dresser told me i have a mature hairline and i wasn't gonna bald cause i had alot of density up top. I'm. Now nw3 with thinning on my crown but still manageable and doesn't show unless in certain lights (just something to consider). Thats why I said don't get on meds yet. You're best bet is to just wait it out till it gets worst but keep an eye and act on it as soon as u see a legit noticeable change

 

[HNMB]

Bump, does anyone else have any opinions? It's the last two pictures which worry me the most.

 

[californian_4]

How's your hair looking now ?