Do I possibly have retrograde balding and what can be done about it? 22 y/o male (photo)

I can understand how frustrating and worrying this must feel, especially at your age. What you’re describing doesn’t sound like the usual male pattern hair loss, since that tends to affect the hairline and crown first. When thinning shows up on the sides and back, especially with itching and pimples, it often suggests that inflammation in the scalp or another condition may be playing a role.

Because you’ve had alopecia areata before, it’s possible this could be connected, though the shedding you notice in the shower or when running your hand through your hair can also be part of the normal growth cycle. Finasteride is very helpful for classic male pattern thinning, but it doesn’t always target hair loss in those other areas.

The most important thing is to calm any scalp inflammation and figure out if something besides genetics is contributing. Once that’s clearer, treatment can be more effective and tailored for you.

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. Based on your concerns, I recommend treatments with Exosomes and/or PRP injections. Exosome and PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections are innovative treatments aimed at combating hair loss and promoting hair growth.

Exosome therapy involves injecting exosomes, which are extracellular vesicles containing growth factors and signaling molecules derived from stem cells. These exosomes help to stimulate hair follicles, promote hair growth, and improve hair thickness and texture. They are particularly effective due to their ability to deliver bioactive molecules directly to target cells, enhancing the regenerative potential of the scalp.

PRP injections, on the other hand, utilize the patient's own blood plasma enriched with platelets. Platelets contain growth factors that promote tissue repair and regeneration. When injected into the scalp, PRP stimulates dormant hair follicles, prolongs the growth phase of existing hairs, and improves overall hair density.

Both exosome and PRP injections are minimally invasive procedures performed in a clinical setting. They are safe and well-tolerated, with minimal downtime. While individual results may vary, many patients experience noticeable improvement in hair thickness, texture, and overall scalp health over a series of treatments.

I hope this helps and best of luck!

Hair loss is diagnosed with proper examinations (including trichoscopy). no, photos won’t do it in this case! You are asking tough questions and these can be easily answered with a proper examination.