Category: Hair Loss Causes

Hi,
Im a 25 year old male and Im confused about a development in my hair over the past few years. Four years ago I had thick (like a bush) hair all over my head. Now my hair seems to be thinner all over (almost as if I lost density on the whole top of my scalp at once). My hair line, however, is and has been stable since I was in high school.

Am I losing hair/going bald or is this just my hair “maturing” ?

Thanks

You are within the period that hairline maturation occurs. Some of your frontal hair loss might be associated either with the maturing hairline (the frontal 1/3rd inch) or possibly genetic balding (which would be behind the frontal 2/3rds inch). Since you are experiencing generalized thinning (mostly behind the leading frontal hairline), you may have some components of male pattern hair loss with miniaturization, suggesting some ill defined early ‘patterned’ loss. In order to confirm your diagnosis, you need to be examined and get your hair mapped out for miniaturization to help define the diagnosis of your current condition and it can be used to predict where you are heading in terms of eventual hair loss.

I am a 30 year old male who has been balding slowly since age 17, and now it has finally accelerated.

I am curious as to whether eyebrows also become thin with balding, and does one grow more hair on their chest after they bald? I used to have a hairy chest but now it seems like that is also falling out!

Chest hair results from a combination of genetics and testosterone. Both are needed for a hairy chest. Hair loss on the scalp comes from the same combination. Loss of chest hair may reflect genetic factors. Are you on Propecia (finasteride) for your balding?

Hello Dr. Rassman and thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

I am a 16 (almost 17) year old male and I am experiencing hair loss on the temple of my head. My father is near bald and has just surpassed 50 years of age. I read on the internet that uncontrolled diabetes can also affect hair loss and because my mother has diabetes I have wondered whether I also have diabetes, hence the reason for my hair loss. None of my grandparents were bald, although they had a receding hairline. I also recognize that I am at Norwood II. I am wondering if my hair loss is permanent or not?

Diabetes is not a cause of hair loss, but genetics certainly are and if the genetics are there, the stress of diabetes may accelerate the genetic patterned hair loss. If the diabetes is out of control, then clearly it can cause hair loss as well. You should confirm if you have diabetes, easily done through your family doctor.

If a diagnosis of male pattern balding is confirmed, then finasteride (brand name Propecia) is the best approach to preventing or slowing down any genetic hair loss process. Even a Class II patient in their 20s may be thinning from genetic causes. Early, aggressive treatment is the best prevention at any age.

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i have long hair. does that mean that my roots are weaker and can cause me to lose more hair

Not unless you are pulling on it when brushing.

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Hi, Im a 29 year old male. In the last few months I have started shedding more hair than Ive noticed before. Im finding about 10 – 20 hairs on my pillow and a similar amount coming out in the shower. Also if I run my hand through my hair one or two hairs falls out each time. At this stage though there is no visible thinning/receding. I have a high forehead but as far as I can remember this has always been the case, there has been no substantial change throughout my 20’s.

I have started a new stressful job recently. Also my father started thinning in his mid 30’s. He is 60 now and has a type III/V Vertex on the Norwood scale. There is no baldness on my mothers side. I guess my question is, is moderate shedding enough to justify getting concerned? I have heard that people can get overly caught up with counting hairs and worry themselves silly, something which I can be prone to. I don’t want to begin taking Propecia prematurely.

If you get your hair mapped out for miniaturization and there is none present, it would be reasonable to assume that you are not currently balding and need not worry. Most men who begin balding start to see miniaturizing of the hair before the hair loss occurs. That is why mapping out the head for miniaturization is so important. It takes the guess work out of the process and therefore should control your fears. Then, considering your family history, you should get your hair mapped out yearly for some advanced warning of impending hair loss. Most men at 29 years old should show miniaturization if they are losing hair.

i have an area next to my goatee that is a smooth solid area. the area doesnt really look like the pigmentation is gone, just there is no hair. the areas that its spreading to will lose the hair that was once there. what is this? i have sent a picture of this with this blog, i hope you get it, and can tell me what this is. its worrying me.

It had spread very quickly for about 2 weeks, but has just stopped. I have been to a dermatologist yesterday, and he said he “thinks” it is alopecia areata, and gave me samples of a cream, pendazol or something. it’s a steroid, which im sure you know, and after one day of using this cream, I already notice I have white hair growing back. Hopefully this works.

Do you believe this is alopecia areata?

thank you for your help in advance.

It is behaving like alopecia areata. A biopsy will confirm the diagnosis. The area may widen even further, may pop up elsewhere on the face or scalp, and may last for weeks, months, or years.