18, female. Is my hair receding/balding? Could it be something other than TE, AGA, etc.? (Photos)

Question

18F, 5’4, 112lb. My hair has thinned and lost volume in the last 1-2 years. In the past year alone my hairline has become very thin and the hairs are finer/lighter. All of my hairs seem weaker and thinner than in 2023/2024 though. My scalp is also sometimes sore to the touch, however that is a new development in the past few months and seems to be from me using drying, harsh products for oil and buildup and brushing my scalp a lot. My symptoms coincide with AGA or TE, however I am wondering if my thinning could be from something else? I have hard well water with iron and magnesium, I started using Mielle Rosemary Shampoo, awapuhi oils on my scalp, and dry shampoo 2x a week on my hair in early 2024. Mielle has a lawsuit for hairloss, specifically the rosemary line, and reformulated in 2023/2024 when I began using the product. I also have had very bad stress since June 2024 till now. Very very bad. In August 2025. i noticed my hair seemed thinner and less volume after a haircut. I also noticed my hair was extremely greasy despite washing and looked like it had some sorr of film. In September I quit mielle, awapuhi, &dry shampoo and began exfoliating, clarifying, and chelating . Some volume has come back but my hair is still thinner, hairline still looks extremely thinned, and my scalp still seems to have something on it. My mom also said my scalp smells rancid when exfoliating/oiling. Could my hairloss be other than AGA, TE?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for providing such a detailed history and photos—it really helps to understand what’s happening. Based on what you’ve described, there are a few important points to consider.

At 18, it is uncommon—but not impossible—to develop classic androgenetic alopecia (AGA), especially if there is no family history at a young age. Telogen effluvium (TE) is certainly plausible, especially given the significant stress you’ve experienced since mid-2024, which is a known trigger for diffuse shedding.

However, there are several other factors that could be contributing to your hair thinning and scalp changes:

Chemical and product-related irritation: You mentioned using harsh/drying shampoos, oils, and dry shampoo frequently. This can damage hair shafts, weaken follicles, and irritate the scalp, which may explain soreness and fine hair. Certain products—like the Mielle Rosemary line—have been associated with hair shedding in some users, so this could have played a role.

Mineral buildup: Hard water, especially with high iron and magnesium, can coat the hair and scalp, making hair look dull, greasy, or “coated,” and can contribute to breakage or poor hair quality. Chelating and clarifying routines you’ve started can help, but hair recovery takes time.

Scalp health issues: A scalp that smells rancid or feels coated may suggest seborrheic dermatitis, bacterial or fungal overgrowth, or buildup from oils/products. Ongoing scalp inflammation can worsen shedding and slow hair growth.

Stress and systemic factors: Prolonged stress can exacerbate hair shedding. Other medical conditions (thyroid issues, iron deficiency, nutritional gaps, autoimmune scalp conditions) can also mimic or worsen TE or diffuse thinning.

So yes—while TE and early AGA are possible, your hair loss could be multifactorial, involving product-related irritation, scalp health issues, hard water effects, and stress. The good news is that stopping irritating products and improving scalp care can help hair quality recover over months, but fine or miniaturized hairs from true AGA or chronic TE can persist.

In short, your situation is likely a combination of stress-induced shedding, scalp irritation, and possibly product/build-up-related effects, rather than classic AGA alone. Recovery is possible, but careful scalp care, gentle hair handling, and monitoring for underlying medical contributors are key.

18, female. Is my hair receding/balding? Could it be something other than TE, AGA, etc.? (Photos)

Answers (1)

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