It’s hardly a new phenomenon.
If you’ve spent any time on the balding forums, you know that many men in their teens and 20s, with relatively minor hair loss, elect to hop on fin ASAP. On the Norwood scale, many of these men are NW 2’s or less. Perhaps you’re in a similar situation with two options in front of you, to take Fin, forever possibly, or wait it out and see how your hair loss “evolves”…
Of course, this is entirely your call!
Personally, I wouldn’t take Propecia for mild hair loss, which I consider anything up to the non-island, Richard Nixon-style Norwood 3. I’m talking about the m-shaped Norwood 3, a la Tom Hanks or Jimmy Fallon. I’m not going to alter my hormones unless I’m dealing with significant hair loss. That’s me, some hair loss specialists disagree with me, and perhaps the majority of balding forum visitors disagree, and that’s alright.
The Main Factor to Consider
I’m Talking About Genetics, Of Course.
I realize the “mature hairline” is sort of a controversial topic. But, I see many men with NW 1.5 to NW 2 hairlines who show no signs of “balding” in the classic sense. And in my opinion, if you’re one of those men, going on fin would be a ridiculous idea. Granted, I’m a bit of a conservative when it comes to medications, as I state in this op-ed explaining why I wouldn’t take Propecia without trying alternatives first.
That said, there are always exceptions to the rule. If hair loss, particularly of the early-onset, severe variety runs in your family, then finasteride may be something to consider, even if you’re still only a NW 2 or less. But I would not suggest going the medication route until you have professional hair examination with miniaturization testing. If you have thinning beyond your hairline, then fin may be a viable option for you.
Get tested. It’s a good idea if you think you’re going bald, if you have any close relatives who are bald, or if you enjoy anonymous hook-ups on tinder or grinder.
How Sharp is Your V?
Generally speaking, the sharper the v, the more likely it is to recede further. There are many exceptions, as always. I’ve had a fairly sharp NW 2ish hairline since I was about 21-22, and it’s the same now at 32. Some might call it a “mature” hairline, others would disagree. My dad had the same hairline until he was well into his 50s and is now a NW 3v at 66. I don’t think the NW 2 hairline is a big deal personally, and it certainly doesn’t always indicate imminent baldness. My hairline doesn’t bother me, nor does it pose any major stylistic challenges. Slicked straight back styles don’t work fantastically, but I never liked that look anyway. But enough about me….
Can You Afford to Wait it Out?
If you’re a Norwood 2 or less with no other thinning going on, and your hair genetics aren’t horrible, you could elect to play the waiting game. There’s a pretty decent chance you’ll be okay and make it into your 30s or beyond with the same hairline in tact. According to the International Society of Hair Restoration Surgeons, men only have about a 20% chance of experiencing hair loss in their 20s; I assume they don’t count Norwood 2 or men with “mature hairlines” as among the hair loss sufferers, otherwise the number would be much higher.
The point is, you could be just fine, but if you have any doubts or are obsessing about your Norwood 2/hair loss situation, I’d suggest seeing a professional. If you do truly start going bald in your 20s, there’s a high likelihood that your MPB will be of the aggressive variety, so keep that in mind.
Hopefully this will help a few of you NW 2 gentlemen choose the right course for you. Don’t feel pressured to jump on the Fin bandwagon, and don’t hesitate to seek professional guidance if you’re concerned.
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.