Last Updated on January 5, 2021 by Robert Price
I came across this young gentlemen on YouTube. He was concerned about the possibility of hair loss and wanted to know if I could take a look at his hairline, to see if he was “maturing” or experiencing an early case of male pattern baldness. I said sure, no problem. Here’s his original email:
Hi Rob, first of all thank you for providing me with your email on you tube! I need your help assessing my situation.. I know you’re likely no doctor but I visited mine regarding hair loss in the past and he was useless.
I showed him my recessed hairline and he told me it was stress, that it would grow back which we both know isn’t true.. so I’m unfortunately out of options. I’m 19 and I’ve been receding for about a year now (Norwood 2, V shaped hairline. I never noticed thinning or recession, literally as if it appeared from nowhere. I’m not sure whether it’s my hairline maturing or not?
I don’t have a family history of hair loss bar one relative, so it’s causing me a lot of confusion and paranoia. My father and both grandfather’s all still have hair and have barely recessed past their mature hairlines.
The one relative who did have the MPB gene was my maternal grandmothers father, whom was Norwood 6/7 so I’m kind of sitting in a life or death situation here. None of my family experienced recession until late 20s either so it’s leading me to believe I’m taking after my great grandfather.
Another thing I noticed was that my crown sat in the exact same place as my grandmother’s. I know I’m being very detail oriented but I’m trying to give you any information that might be useful. I’d attach pictures but I’m not sure how I’d do it on my phone?
Either way my hair still seems very thick, it’s simply recessed.. Though I’m not sure when it’s going to stop. Anyway, if you took the time to read this then thank you Rob. Your help means a lot! I apologize for ranting on but I’ve had no where and no one to discuss this issue with.
My Initial Response:
No worries, I actually just wrote a post about this on my blog available here if you’re interested: The Norwood 2 Conundrum – To Hop on Fin or Not?
If you’re not thinning, there’s a good chance you’ll be fine. I’d suggest seeing a professional though, to see if you show any signs of miniaturization beyond your hairline, as that would indicate male pattern hair loss.
To me Norwood 2 doesn’t necessarily indicate MPB, and it can simply be a “mature” hairline, but not everyone agrees with me about that. I see many, many men who recede to a NW 2 in their teens or twenties and never recede any further until decades later, occasionally never. Anyway, hope that helps. You can send some pics if you’d like too. Cheers.
The Photos (click to enlarge)
My Second Response After Viewing the Pictures
No problem. Yeah, you want to see a dermatologist or hair loss specialist and get your scalp mapped for miniaturization if possible. Many dermatologists don’t offer that service, or even necessarily “specialize” in hair loss, unfortunately.
What’s interesting about your hairline is that the front part looks like it’s located on your highest forehead wrinkle, which is where the juvenile hairline is generally located. Your corners have receded a bit, to more of a “mature” position. That recession is more noticeable because of how low your central hairline is.
Overall, it’s hard to say. I certainly wouldn’t classify you as “balding” at this juncture. Looks like it’s maturing. I have a detailed post on the mature hairline if you’re interested. The front part of your hairline will likely move back a bit as well.
My article on the mature hairline contains everything you need to know about the maturation process.
The crown looks maybe just a tad sparse, but everyone has a cowlick back there which can look like a mini bald/thinning area even in some non-balding people. It’s probably more noticeable in your case because of the dark hair-lighter skin contrast. That’s about all I can say at this time. Definitely get it checked out if you’re concerned!
Keep in mind I’m not a doctor.
There’s also some minor thinning along the edges of your hairline, but that could very well part of the maturation process, which can take up to a decade, but usually not that long. Those are our naturally weakest hairs, along the edges, from what I’ve gathered.
You even see non-balding women with slight thinning along their hairline corners and temple peaks. In men, as we enter young adulthood, all our built-up testosterone just sort of kills those weak hairs up front — and then, presto: we no longer have Ross from Friends hairlines, but instead have mature hairlines. If the hair loss keeps going after that or there’s other thinning going on simultaneously, then it’s officially MBP.
Robert Price is a writer, consumer advocate, and hair loss researcher with thousands of hours of experience in the field. His goal is to keep you out of the hair loss rabbit hole, underworld, or whatever you want to call it. He founded Hair Loss Daily, the unbiased hair loss blog, in 2016. You can learn more about Robert in the my story section of this website.