Hair Transplant | 17 Years Old and Losing My Hair - Looking For Answers

17 Years Old and Losing My Hair - Looking For Answers

I am a 17-year old boy and have been losing my hair for a year now. I am losing quite a lot of hair on top but that’s not the thing, the thing is that I am losing some hair on the sides and the back of my head and it’s really scary. There is no doubt that I have male pattern baldness but I am wondering if one becomes a 5 in the Norwood class, can that person lose density on the sides and the back or does this just happen in more severe cases like Norwood 7 and beyond?
- - - - - - - - - - - - -

When experiencing hair loss at the age of 16, the usual reaction is exactly what this person expressed: “it’s really scary.” There is often a family history of male pattern baldness, and the person will often envisage himself looking like his bald dad or uncle or grandfather in a few years time.

The most important first step is to consult a physician who is knowledgeable about hair loss. Although the most likely cause is male pattern baldness, there are several medical reasons for hair loss, such as scalp dermatological conditions as well as systemic illnesses such as an underactive thyroid gland or a low blood level of iron.

Once these medical conditions have been ruled out and a diagnosis of male pattern baldness has been made, I will discuss the natural course of MPB and reassure the patient that there is hope. With the advent of medications like Propecia and Rogaine, the progression of hair loss can be slowed down, stopped, or in some cases reversed. Hair transplantation can be considered when the time is appropiate, so that it is not inevitable that the person ends up looking bald like their older relatives.

Because MPB is progressive, any person who experiences thinning in their teens may be a potential Norwood class 7 when they are older, but with medical therapy +/- hair transplantation they may never proceed to this.

Although what you see in the mirror may look “really scary”, don’t be scared; get professional informed medical advice & work out treatment goals together with your doctor.

Mark McKenzie, MD
Member, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons
Member, American Hair Loss Association