26 years old considering FUE hair transplant to correct hairline? Is this a good idea? (Photos)

If you are considering surgery, it is best to have a consultation with a doctor in person.   You can certainly change your hairline but you would need an examination and understanding of possible future hair thinning/ hair loss. You may want to see other patients in person to see what is real and what is possible.  If you are in Los Angeles, you may consider visiting our monthly Open House event (next one on Aug 11, 2018) to meet patients in person.
If you choose the FUE method you will have to shave the back of the head, unless you choose the LONG HAIR FUE which may not be possible with short hair.

It all depends on the hairline placement.  Filling in the existing hairline, without significant lowering, is appropriate. But imagine lowering the hairline and then losing the hair behind the hairline, which is likely given your existing hair loss and age. You have a finite amount of donor hair, and you need to save as much donor hair as possible for subsequent procedures. Beginning finasteride will also help with this, and it needs to be discussed with your physician.

Yes in photos you present as a good candidate for FUE hair transplant surgery, but this would have to be determined through a virtual or office evaluation. Both the asymmetry in your naturally higher hairline and possible genetic hair loss that you are referring to can be visually improved with a hair transplant. You could be a potential candidate for FUT, FUE, or ARTAS Robotic FUE Surgery, which would likely include a nonsurgical topical and oral regime as well. It's important to see an experienced hair restoration surgeon for best results.

The short answer is, "Yes" just by reviewing your photos. You can expect a more youthful look by an FUE procedure.You need to be evaluated microscopically. We call this miniaturization study that gives us a better understanding of where you are heading from here. We combine that with your pertinent family history to get a good prediction of your future hair loss pattern. That is a good way to come up with a master plan which is a long term solution to your hair loss condition. 

A great first step would be an online consultation. Often you can submit photos to top hair restoration surgeons for a complimentary evaluation. This should help lead you in the right direction. Having multiple consultations with different doctors cannot hurt. 

Also; information such as your family hairloss history as well as your preventative regimen that you are on such as minoxidil use and other topicals would be helpful.

This is a great idea. However, in order to make this idea reality, you need to make an in person consultation with an experienced hair transplantation surgeon. During the first visit, you will learn about your surgical and non surgical options. In addition, you need to discuss hairline aesthetics relative to your goals and aging. You'll also see pictures and reminders of what a natural and aging hairline is supposed to look like. Internet research is a good start, but it will be incomplete without the consultation. 

You should get a HAIRCHECK test to find out if there is any loss that you can't see in the top and crown area of your head. You need to know this is the possibility that you might develop hair loss elsewhere.  I call this a Master Plan which every 26 year-old having a hair transplant should have.  You look, on the surface, to be a great candidate, but if the HAIRCHECK test reveals hair loss behind the hairline, it is something you MUST know (see:below)