22 year old male and hair is shedding, what's happening?

Question

My hair has always been really nice, but recently im not sure it has been shedding and i cant style it the way i usually do. I went to the dermatologist and he said that it is normal to shed some hair. However i dont feel this is normal as its shedding more than normal and i am not able to style my hair like normal.

Jae Pak, MD · Answer

Many people go through hair loss / shedding at some in their lives.  This does not mean you are balding.  If you are concerned and believe your hair loss is not typical, see another doctor for a thorough exam.  Otherwise it would be guess work.

Jeff Donovan, MD, PhD · Answer

Without seeing your scalp it's not possible to say what is the cause of your changes. Your dermatologist is correct that some shedding is normal. In young men, the most common cause of excessive daily shedding is the development of androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss). Other causes are also possible, and they can only be diagnosed by seeing your scalp up close. It's a good idea to continue to follow up with your dermatologist if the shedding persists. He or she may consider blood tests and rarely other tests as well.

R. Stephen Mulholland, MD (retired) · Answer

Dear jbalfour44,

A 22-year-old with a very mild amount of shedding can be
quite common.  However, progressive
shedding, thinning and receding hairlines or gradual exposed crowns are usually
a result of underlying Androgenic Alopecia also known as male pattern hair
loss.  This is a genetic condition within
sufficient quality and quantity of an enzyme in the follicles of the hairs in
the central oval.  They cannot break down
testosterone to useable components and a build up of intermediary called dihydratestosterone
builds up which leads to death of a hair follicle and inability to make new
hair.  This can result in thinning,
receding hairlines and exposed crowns, central scalp hair loss and ultimately
balding.  There are different types of
balding patterns and often one has a genetic history on maternal or paternal
side.

I would visit your dermatologist again and the diagnosis of
male pattern hair loss can be made by exclusion.  Other causes of hair loss in young men are
very unusual and usually blood tests, scalp biopsies and other investigations
can rule out pathological and treatable conditions.

To delay male pattern hair loss there are many treatment
choices including androgenic blockade with Propecia or Finasteride, low-level
light therapy, topical nutrient shampoos and creams as well as the injection of
stem cells such as plasma rich protein.

Ultimately if thinning is extensive or progressive follicular
unit hair transplantation may be required.

Strip graft and FUE hair transplantation techniques are the
two most common and you would seek out very experienced centres in your
city.  At SpaMedica we’ve been performing
exclusively FUE hair transplantation using NeoGraft and ARTAS robotic and
automated systems for 7 years.  We can
harvest from a donor site in the occipital region without a linear scar and
very natural hairline restorations and densifications can be the result.

I hope this information has been of some assistance and best
of luck.

For more information, please review the link below.  Also review the FUE hair transplantation
sections and the non-surgical treatments for hair loss.

R. Stephen Mulholland, M.D.

Certified Plastic Surgeon

Yorkville, Toronto

William Rassman, MD (retired) · Answer

Your biggest enemy is the
progressive nature of balding that comes about from genetic male patterned hair
loss. What will happen in the next 5 or so years is probably that you will
continue losing hair in the pattern that you inherited from your parents and
grandparents. To make the correct diagnosis you need to see a doctor and the doctor should start you on the drug
finasteride, which is highly effective at stopping progressive balding and
possibly reversing it in men of your age. Get Bulk Measurements of your hair to
determine where your present balding is now, and then after you go on the
medications, such measurements will tell if the treatment is working within a
year or so. If you are developing a more advanced balding pattern which the
Bulk Measurements will show over a one year time frame, then you and your
doctor need to develop a MASTER PLAN and that Master Plan might have
transplants as an option (impropbable). With early balding, I would not rush to hair
transplants if the drug alone will solve the problem and you will know this
within a year.

22 year old male and hair is shedding, what's happening?

Answers (4)

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