17 years old high schooler possibly in early stages of baldness [Photos included

[Cosmogenesis]

Hey there, internet fellas.

The title says it all... It seems like I am starting to go bald.

Firstly, I must confess that I had already accepted a bald fate a few years ago, due to my genetics. But I wasn't expecting it to come for at least another 15 years or so... And now that the curse has made its first appearance, I am completely desperate.

I am quite the testosterone dude, when it comes to puberty. I had a very severe puberty that kicked in really early with some terrible acne (thank god it is gone though). But also the good stuff came in early. My facial started to thicken up when I was only 15. And so did chest hair, deep voice, hairy legs, and more "adultish" features. And, as you can expect, it felt good. It felt good to look around and see that I was ahead of the other guys in the beard game. And if felt good to be treated as and adult, go to concerts, buy some booze, and other stupid stuff that teenagers do to feel older than they are. But, unfortunate also brought me something earlier: the baldness.

Some months ago I noticed some 'shedding' (hair falling out? I'm new to these terms)during shower. When I ran my fingers through my head to wash, a few hairs would fall and wrap around my fingers. Not many, if you ask me. But I don't know much is many. Other than that, no shedding at all. Zero hairs on my pillow and sometimes just a single hair would gently land on my desk at school. I freaked out a bit and then I switched to another shampoo. And apparently the problem disappeared for some time.

A few days ago I went to the barber and got a haircut. I used size two clippers on the side and cut the top much shorter than it was before. And I experienced some more shedding on the following two or three days, which is gone for now. Until a few days ago some hairs would wrap around my fingers when I washed my hair, but I think it's gone now. And it seemed that it would only shed during shower.

But after getting this haircut, two close friends of mine started to say that my hairline is creeping its way up my forehead, which pretty much brought my world down. Even though we pick at each other, I think they were serious this time: it is what it is.

I snapped a few pics and posted my story on other hair loss communities that seemed serious. But the members where incredibly mean to me. I was told to either go see a hair transplant specialist (I am only 17 years old and I am not even out of high school yet!) or shut up and deal with it, because that's just life. And it only made me feel even worse.

This problem is bringing my down real bad. It gets me depressed, self conscious and it is bringing me self esteem problems that I did not have before. This 'condition' is affecting even my relationship with my girlfriend! I know it sounds way too exagerated, but we all have to agree on something: Going bald itself is bad. But going bald AS A TEENAGER brings the problem a whole new dimension. It sucks, man. My condition is not that noticeaeble yet, but it might become very apparent. in the upcoming months. I AM NOT READY TO EMBRACE BALDNESS YET! And I am also not ready to go for a hair transplant, what the heck!

I need some doable solutions here, guys. And some advice. And some biological lecture, if that's possible. What if this is all just madness? What if my hairline is just 'maturing'? The following link will take you to an imgur album with a few photos of my hair:

http://imgur.com/a/OH4Nt

Thank you all.
Seriously.

[voxman]

I think, judging by your pics, that you are years away from seriously dealing with any hair problems. Your hair may very well be 'maturing' a bit more that you wish, but it may in a few years just stop and settle into a nice NW II for a decade or longer. You are not done growing or fitting into an adult body, and your brain certainly has growth ahead. (...and I mean that in a nice way!). You've got a good head of hair right now - be aware of what real balding and thinning looks and feels like, but don't be overly concerned. There are guys your age who wasted precious years obsessing over nothing. Enjoy.

[Cosmogenesis]

I think, judging by your pics, that you are years away from seriously dealing with any hair problems. Your hair may very well be 'maturing' a bit more that you wish, but it may in a few years just stop and settle into a nice NW II for a decade or longer. You are not done growing or fitting into an adult body, and your brain certainly has growth ahead. (...and I mean that in a nice way!). You've got a good head of hair right now - be aware of what real balding and thinning looks and feels like, but don't be overly concerned. There are guys your age who wasted precious years obsessing over nothing. Enjoy.

Hey man,

Your response has certainly comforted me a lot. But I am getting different views of my condition. A senior member of another notorious hair loss support forum said I clearly have "AGA" (whatever it is) and I should run to a dermathologist and get some treatment with medicine that I never heard of. I am confused, and I am scared. I am not ready to face this, not yet. I am only 17, come on!

I don't know where to turn, or what to do. There is just too much information going on right now, and I am desperate. I don't want to be a 21 year old bald guy. I need some serious help.

[Cosmogenesis]

By the way, how bad is my crown doing?

[Cosmogenesis]

By the way, how bad is my crown doing?

[Captain Combover]

Voxman put it perfectly. You have no issues at the moment. Many guys hairlines recede into a NW2 pattern in early adulthood.

Your hair may virtually stay the same for the next 10 years.

On another note. Girls don't really consider guys balding until they are a NW3. The next 4-5 years of your life are going to be your best. So chin up and live your life with that view.

If you do find in 3-4 years time that your hair continues to retreat try Rogaine and research Finasteride.

Good luck and enjoy life and there is nothing wrong with your crown. Be careful on some particular forums some posters are not general members of the public, they are paid to post and may offer advice to you that is not in your long term interests.

[polios]

Your crown looks perfectly fine man! I think that this is some pretty average crown you are having there.