26 - Not sure if I am currently receding from MPB or just driving myself insane

[GuyInAHurry]

I have relatively thick hair, but I think I've noticed some recession above the temples recently. My male relatives on my mother's side were almost completely bald by my age, and my father started receding in his late 50's / early 60's, so I assume I am going to experience some degree of MBP; I just don't know when or how severe it will be.


This is my hairline about four years ago:

http://imgur.com/vs8Yew8

About one year ago:

http://imgur.com/JzP0j7P

This is my hairline today:

http://i.imgur.com/PUBGYDM.jpg

http://imgur.com/xZ8bLES

http://imgur.com/eDkn7MY

http://imgur.com/2AuNlFT

I think there is definitely some recession above the temples / around the 'corners', but I can't be sure. I also think there is some thinning around the crown, but I've always had a big cowlick there, so I'm not sure if that is what I'm seeing.

[Bran]

It seems fine to me. You may have less hair than 4 or 5 years ago, however you're 26 and most men lose a little bit of hair between 20 and 30. Doesn't mean you'll go bald at all. Apparently you didn't inherited mpb from your mother's side. I suggest you take a look at pictures of your father when he was your age.
You should see a doctor and ask him. The sooner the better I guess...

[GuyInAHurry]

Links stopped working. Here they are corrected:

This is my hairline about four years ago:

http://imgur.com/5S8H6Pg

About one year ago:

http://imgur.com/Z4pslOR

This is my hairline today:

http://imgur.com/uKD3qDe (crown)

http://imgur.com/Mw1LeSH

http://imgur.com/dZftXOX

http://imgur.com/3f5Iktq

[Ken Anderson, MD, FISHRS, ABHRS]

Hello,

I know exactly how you feel. I felt this way in 2003 when I thought I noticed hair loss on my own head. To help you determine whether or not you have active hair loss in any given area I suggest a micro exam of the areas in question. A micro exam is essentially looking at the roots of your follicles with a dermatoscope...which is a hand-held camera that is built to closely examine the skin. We use a wireless FireflyŽ Digital Dermatoscope, and have a look at the areas in question. You only see about 10 or so follicles at a time, and you can closely examine the caliber of hairs coming from these follicles. It is normal in any given area to see up to 15% of the hairs in a miniaturized state. So I start at the back of the scalp and have a look at the donor area and get a good feel for the caliber of your hair shafts, the density of your follicles, and the percentage of hairs that are in a miniaturized state. Then I go to the areas in question and have a look with the camera and compare it to what I just saw. The FireflyŽ scope I use allows me to snap pictures in both areas for careful comparison on the computer monitor. If the areas in question (in your case the frontal hairline and the crown) have over 15% of the hairs in a miniaturize state, it is reasonable to assume that hair loss is occurring in these areas. In 2003 when I checked my own scalp with a dermatoscope, I found that indeed some early hair loss was occurring and it allowed me to jump on preventive therapy right away, rather than wait until it was obvious to everyone. Most dedicated hair restoration surgeons will have a dermatoscope, and so I suggest you visit one recommended by the IAHRS and have a close look at what is going on. I hope this information is helpful to you.