21 year old male thinning

[wickle]

So about two or three weeks ago I started noticing that my cowlick was looking larger than usual. I didn't think much of it because I've always kind of had a spot in the back where my hair parts. It wasn't until I had my haircut on Friday that I noticed that my hair was definitely thinning out in the back. Obviously I freaked out because this is the first I'd noticed of it.

I'm a 21 year old college student and I'm not ready to lose my hair, but I'm sure none of us ever are. I've always had pretty thick hair and it's always grown pretty quick. If I don't get my haircut every month it gets pretty wild so this was really unexpected. I hadn't noticed anything previously so what's happened has happened pretty quickly. I'm not sure if I'm panicking, but I have read that it's much better to approach this sooner than later so that's why I'm here. Some of my friends have lost some hair and I'm not willing to be like them and cover it up with a hat and pretend to be in denial all of the time. If I am losing my hair I want to go down swinging so any advice is really appreciated.

As far as background goes I was on Accutane from 8th grade to the beginning of my college career so about 5 years. I wasn't constantly on it, but in different cycles. Recently I started taking Solodyn for my skin and I'd love to think that it was causing this, but honestly I know I'm just trying to find excuses. My dad has little hair left, but he's 56. I'll attach a photo of him in his mid 30s where he still has a decent amount of hair on his head, although it's not necessarily thick. My uncle still has hair on his head, and my grandfather from my dad's side lost his in 40s. My mother's dad still had a full head of hair when he died at 80, but I'm guessing I wasn't as lucky.My brother is 32 and has a full head of hair. Those are all of the males in my family.

I tried to attach some pictures, but I realize they aren't the best quality. All were mostly shot in the same light in my bathroom. I can try to post better ones from my camera when I return home for Thanksgiving. If there are specific things I should be taking the pictures of then I'll do that. As far as the front of my head goes I'm still 100% happy with my hair, I'm just worried that the back is thinning and this will progress. I don't wake up with hair on my pillow or anything like that. I mean after a shower when I towel dry my hair I see some hairs on there, but I feel like I'm only noticing this now because I'm a bit paranoid. I've done just a bit of reading and am trying to figure out where to start. Should I use minoxidil or is finasteride a better idea for someone my age?

If you guys think that this is something that I should start looking into right now then I do want to see a dermatologist so that I have a professional to speak to. I did call my dermatologist, but she doesn't do hair so she recommended me to Richard Strick in Santa Monica. If you guys know any other places I should check out in the Los Angeles area I would love to have some options. All advice is appreciated and let me know if there is more I can tell you about myself. Thank you.

[2020]

Accutane may have accelerated your balding process... just read other forums. It also has other permanent side effects like stunted growth. wtf are people still taking it? How tall are you?

[Tracy C]

If you guys think that this is something that I should start looking into right now then I do want to see a dermatologist so that I have a professional to speak to.

You are thinning quite a bit. If this bothers you, you do need to see a dermatologist who specializes in treating hair loss. You are not catching this as early as others but you are still early in the process. So your likelihood of keeping what you have and reversing some of it is very good.

[wickle]

Accutane may have accelerated your balding process... just read other forums. It also has other permanent side effects like stunted growth. wtf are people still taking it? How tall are you?

I'm 5'9". My dad is 6'3", but I honestly don't think my growth had anything to do with Accutane. My brother is only 5'8" and never used it.

You are thinning quite a bit. If this bothers you, you do need to see a dermatologist who specializes in treating hair loss. You are not catching this as early as others but you are still early in the process. So your likelihood of keeping what you have and reversing some of it is very good.

Thank you Tracy. If anyone knows anyone who specializes in treating hair loss in Los Angeles I would appreciate it.

[clandestine]

Not really worth visiting specialist IMO, unless it's free, or you're looking for a propecia script.

[wickle]

Not really worth visiting specialist IMO, unless it's free, or you're looking for a propecia script.

yeah i guess a prescription is the thing i was most curious about. i've read that getting script for proscar and splitting the pills is the most affordable option. i'm guessing this is something i can have any doctor write for me though? also i kind of want a professional opinion as well. sorry if any of these questions are silly.

[BigThinker]

Welcome to the forums buddy.

I'll start with saying that it does indeed look like you are in the early stages of MPB, unfortunately. Your hairline is thin, appears to have the "M" shape, and also you're crown is thinned pretty good (nothing you didn't already notice, obviously). **I'm not a professional, but have a receded hairline as well as thinning at the hairline/temple**

I would strongly suggest seeing a dermatologist. I'm impressed you called in regards to hairloss before going and wasting money on a visit - good move. Let me further suggest seeking a dermatologist at a University. I'm only saying that because of my experience. I attend a major research University in the midwest and the Derm was nothing short of competent and even had a four-page packet of questions regarding my hairloss so she could learn more about very specific symptoms. I saw a GP before the derm, and he wasn't helpful at all; he saw me for 5 min, gave me 2% keto, and sent me out the door.

As for treatments, that is a choice you have to make. You will need to balance the chance of efficacy with chance of sides and cost. You can get 1% keto shampoo and/or Minox without a prescription, but, understand all treatments are typically coupled with a shedding phase that turns many off to the drug.

Take your hairloss seriously and do everything medically responsible to control it. At the same time, keep functioning and do not let it control your life. I hear what, to me, is the worst horror story of them all on this website.. people dropping outta school because of their hair loss due to depression. Remain in control.

Best regards.

[wickle]

Welcome to the forums buddy.

I'll start with saying that it does indeed look like you are in the early stages of MPB, unfortunately. Your hairline is thin, appears to have the "M" shape, and also you're crown is thinned pretty good (nothing you didn't already notice, obviously). **I'm not a professional, but have a receded hairline as well as thinning at the hairline/temple**

I would strongly suggest seeing a dermatologist. I'm impressed you called in regards to hairloss before going and wasting money on a visit - good move. Let me further suggest seeking a dermatologist at a University. I'm only saying that because of my experience. I attend a major research University in the midwest and the Derm was nothing short of competent and even had a four-page packet of questions regarding my hairloss so she could learn more about very specific symptoms. I saw a GP before the derm, and he wasn't helpful at all; he saw me for 5 min, gave me 2% keto, and sent me out the door.

As for treatments, that is a choice you have to make. You will need to balance the chance of efficacy with chance of sides and cost. You can get 1% keto shampoo and/or Minox without a prescription, but, understand all treatments are typically coupled with a shedding phase that turns many off to the drug.

Take your hairloss seriously and do everything medically responsible to control it. At the same time, keep functioning and do not let it control your life. I hear what, to me, is the worst horror story of them all on this website.. people dropping outta school because of their hair loss due to depression. Remain in control.

Best regards.

yeah i definitely will not let it control my life. it definitely really affected me the first couple of days i started to notice, but that's when i decided i needed to stop being upset and do something about it, whether that be try to find a way to reverse it or to accept it. i'll look into university research, as i had not thought of this before. thank you for all of your words!

[BigThinker]

yeah i definitely will not let it control my life. it definitely really affected me the first couple of days i started to notice, but that's when i decided i needed to stop being upset and do something about it, whether that be try to find a way to reverse it or to accept it. i'll look into university research, as i had not thought of this before. thank you for all of your words!

I kind of inferred you weren't the type to let it control you, based on your post. You'll triumph hairloss, whether it be with an effective treatment or owning the baldness. Be sure to let us know how everything goes.

Best

[konfusion]

Accutane is said to be bad for hair, so it might have contributed. I was on it for 3 months in highschool and my doctor immediately put me off it after seeing my blood work. I didn't know what the results meant nor do I remember the values but I remember the look on his face. I think it's a way too dangerous than Fin or even Dut in terms of what it can do to your body.
Apart from that I think you really should see a doctor and get on treatment if you are concerned about your image. There is no point in waiting when it is obvious that you have a problem. At first I thought no this cannot happen to me, my maternal grand dad also had a full head of hair when he died at 83 and we almost look like twins but I was not lucky. So I decided to do something about it. And that is motto for me, I always try instead of sitting and waiting.

[wickle]

Accutane is said to be bad for hair, so it might have contributed. I was on it for 3 months in highschool and my doctor immediately put me off it after seeing my blood work. I didn't know what the results meant nor do I remember the values but I remember the look on his face. I think it's a way too dangerous than Fin or even Dut in terms of what it can do to your body.
Apart from that I think you really should see a doctor and get on treatment if you are concerned about your image. There is no point in waiting when it is obvious that you have a problem. At first I thought no this cannot happen to me, my maternal grand dad also had a full head of hair when he died at 83 and we almost look like twins but I was not lucky. So I decided to do something about it. And that is motto for me, I always try instead of sitting and waiting.

have you had success with treatment? if so what worked for you?

[konfusion]

have you had success with treatment? if so what worked for you?

if you mean Accutane, to a degree yes. Even 3 months cleared %80 of my acne. It's powerful stuff.

if you mean Finasteride, I should also say yes. Especially in the first years, I thought my hair was immune to DHT. I was NW1 when I got on it and after more than 5 years my doctor classifies me as still NW1. But one thing is I also lost a little ground. But without it I would probably be worse now. I am trying to hold on to what I have as long as it works. I think you can benefit from it, especially when you are still young. But then again it's for you to see to try and find out if it's worth the potential risks. For me it did worth.

One thing which definitely did not work for me is Minox. I even get sick when someone says "Minox". Personally hate it.

Btw, now I am on Dutasteride. I am trying to see some growth after my loss with Minox.