the classic question

[ikibah]

Here we have the big question. Am i balding? I've had a super intense widows peak my whole life but there has definitely been a change over the last five years, not drastic, but definitely a change.what do your guys think? Can this just be a mature hairline or should i start getting on the case? Thanks!

[mattj]

What I see there is classic male pattern baldness. Obviously it's in the early stages and your hair still looks good. The forelock looks strong.

You may want to research the preventative medication Finasteride (AKA propecia) to slow further loss and maybe add Minoxidil (AKA Rogain) to see if you can gain anything back.

[ikibah]

Thanks, does it make a difference that my father has a similar hairline and a full head of hair? or are you pretty sure what I have is MPB

[mattj]

As you said your hairline has receded over the past 5 years it sounds like you experiencing male pattern baldness at a slow rate.

It's possible that it won't get much worse. Some people see their MPB just stop and stay where it is for many years.

How old are you? At what age did your father's hairline recede? The more your rate of loss and age of onset match your fathers, the more likely it is to follow the same pattern.

[ikibah]

I'm 23, my father's hairline has really always been crooked (like mine) and he claims from his late twenties throughout his life it's changed but very little.

Thanks

[PatientlyWaiting]

Choose what you want to do wisely. Just know that if you lose anymore, it's going to be awfully hard for you to ever go back to a satisfying head of hair without a hair transplant or two. It's not mission impossible to get back hair on fin+minoxidil, but a lot of people don't like to use finasteride because of it's possible sexual side effects, so figure out if you're going to be one of those people or if you're going to give it a shot, don't wait for years to know what you're going to do. That's the biggest mistake people with MPB do.

[ikibah]

Thanks, does that mean you think it's mpb too? I know it looks intense but It's always been, I just think theirs been a difference between now and what I looked like five years ago, I hope I'm not in denial! (Also,that second picture was only a few weeks ago, It looks much better b/c my hair is dry and I'm only lifting up the front)

[Pentarou]

It's definely MPB. No other form of hair loss would lead you to getting hairline in that pattern. Look up the Norwood scale on Google and compare.

FWIW, I didn't realize that I had hairloss until years after it was (partially) visible, as I had a widows peak, pointy forelock thing going on my whole life, and assumed that my receded hairline was how it was always been.

[ikibah]

The pattern has been like that my whole life. The sides have always been really high. What's been bothering me is the lower most point/center of my hairline, that's gone up a little bit.

[The Alchemist]

Ahh young grasshopper - to ask the question, is to answer it.

[ikibah]

I have no idea what that means

[mattj]

Best advice is to keep an eye on your hair (without obsessing over it) and keep a photo record and see if it continues to recede.

As it is now your hair looks good. Your forelock looks like it's still low, so if it receded it would actually make the temple recession look less pronounced.

[The Alchemist]

I have no idea what that means

It means if something is going on with your hair to the point where you have to ask questions about whether you're balding on a forum, then odds are you're most likely balding.

You're a classic nw2/3 with fairly deep recession. Yes, you have the MPB.

[Shan]

That is definitely not a mature hairline. That is classic male pattern baldness.
If you are the same as your father and not expected to lose more , then not taking Fin is probably advised but also is it a risk you want to take, you could lose more and Fin is your best bet to stop it.

[ikibah]

Just wanted to thank everyone...ive been on fin for the last 2-3 years and have had great results (tiny bit more loss but then I think some regrowth!) no side effects!