Feeling really down today

[cjk]

I just began curly girl this morning. Co washed my hair, did the gel, and it's actually still drying halfway through the day. My hair is very porous.

But while taking pictures for documentation I noticed that my thin spot on top, a holdover from a medication shed years ago, looks particularly thin. I look like I'm balding.

Major blow to the ego.

I've been bald. Shaved. But I've never been balding, except that one time which was caused by medication.

This sucks.

https://i.imgur.com/7Thh8C7_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

https://i.imgur.com/S3BiOMP_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

https://i.imgur.com/9fCGHDb_d.jpg?maxwidth=640&shape=thumb&fidelity=medium

[Margarita]

First of all, are you trying to get curls right? Good, i would recommend you to crunch your hair for a few minutes, then put a creme(not a gel) and continue to scrunch for a few minutes.
Hmm, some medications cause problems like these. I dont know if you have a health issue in order you're taking medication but, i can advice you to try massaging your scalp and applying some oils before you wash your hair. I hope i helped you, have a nice day sir =)

[cjk]

Prednisone after glaucoma surgery. But that was a decade ago. It caused a massive shed and a bald spot which, because it was centered could be hidden in plain sight by wearing a flattop.

The hair grew back but was never the same. But it was there.

My reason for growing is that I still can...and today I saw evidence that it might not always be that way. I've shaved to a bonehead and maintained it for a long time. But bald by choice affects a guy differently than the realization that he is bald-ing.

[JennGalt]

Sorry to hear you're going through that. I still think your hair looks nice :)

Reyesuela has started a couple of informative threads about her experience with hair loss, as well as what did and didn't work. (Apparently Monoxidil/Rogaine and Nizoral were the most helpful and are useful for both men and women facing hair loss.) There are also a few support threads for thinning hair.

If nothing else, maybe focus on growing your beard. I know a few men who would gladly give up a limb to have a beard like yours.

[cjk]

Any flaw, so long as it is symmetrical, can look intentional. Been thinking about it today.

I wore a flattop. It was supposed to be bald in the center, the landing strip. Hidden in plain view.

There are symmetrical long hair styles too. It'll take some thought but I'm sure I can make it look proper.

I have plenty of volume to work with. And apparently my hair likes the CG conditioner. Look at those ringlets, and on my first day.

Just had to vent. Balding isn't exactly unexpected at my age, but it still sucks.

https://i.imgur.com/O7szhD7.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/2B7qjrN.jpg

[littlestarface]

Yep I knew you was a curly :rollin:

[ravenskey]

Your hair looks great cjk and your curls are awesome.

[Aredhel]

Sorry to hear you're going through that. I still think your hair looks nice :)

Reyesuela has started a couple of informative threads about her experience with hair loss, as well as what did and didn't work. (Apparently Monoxidil/Rogaine and Nizoral were the most helpful and are useful for both men and women facing hair loss.) There are also a few support threads for thinning hair.

If nothing else, maybe focus on growing your beard. I know a few men who would gladly give up a limb to have a beard like yours.
So true! Obviously the beard can't fill the hair void and I wouldn't expect it to, but hopefully there's comfort somewhere in the fact that you can grow a thick and glorious beard. My fiance sure would love your beard genetics, Cjk! Men in his family can only grow a few hairs on their face. :lol: But I digress...I can see the spot that you are referring to when your hair is damp, but the thickness and volume of your hair when it's dry totally masks that area. My hair is on the thin side so I actually see scalp too when my hair is wet. :)

[cjk]

So true! Obviously the beard can't fill the hair void and I wouldn't expect it to, but hopefully there's comfort somewhere in the fact that you can grow a thick and glorious beard. My fiance sure would love your beard genetics,

In fact, the same genes that promote beard growth also correlate with baldness. So those of us with both are a minority.

And I admin several beard groups on Facebook including one that focuses on having a bald head and a beard. I've shaved to a bonehead before, it's a good look and I can wear it well.


My hair is on the thin side so I actually see scalp too when my hair is wet. :)

It's just in that one spot. I have hella thick hair, except...there.

[Kae612]

Your dry hair looks lovely and voluminous!

A friend of mine is in his mid-20s and is having the same issue. He had just started growing out his hair because he left home & had the option for the first time. :/ (I've had unintentional balding as well, and it never grew back in the same, but it did grow back. I do worry about balding in the future also.) But like you he has nice curls and I think it isn't terribly noticeable except when he has greasy or wet hair.

[lapushka]

To be fair, I didn't notice a real "bald" spot, maybe a thinner spot, but that might be due to wet hair. When it's wet it looks all kinds of different from dry; examine it again when dry; please do so!

I had this happen age 13/14, 3 bigger bald spots on my head and major thinning. Took 2 years to recover from, and was "just" a hormonal imbalance. But the doctor said to wait until it naturally evened out. I was just too young. It needed to regulate itself. It was tough on me, I remember that much.

I would not immediately panic. Keep an eye on it. And if you are worried and it is actually worsening, get some medical advice.

Have you noticed more shedding, BTW?

[nycelle]

It's difficult to tell because your hair is blonde and wet. But honestly, I don't see any "bald" spots. The chances of you going bald at your age is pretty slim if it hasn't happened already. You can thin out a bit, but bald? nah.. your hair's good.

[cjk]

To be fair, I didn't notice a real "bald" spot, maybe a thinner spot, but that might be due to wet hair. When it's wet it looks all kinds of different from dry; examine it again when dry; please do so!

Looks better now. Still noticeably thinner but not...bald. And because of the color the scalp isn't as obvious as it would be with a higher contrast.


I would not immediately panic. Keep an eye on it. And if you are worried and it is actually worsening, get some medical advice.

Have you noticed more shedding, BTW?

I'm not panicking. It's been a thin spot for 11 years. Darned prednisone and eye drops.

But since I cut my pompadour off 8 years ago I've not had hair long enough to be obvious. This is the first time I've noticed it...doesn't feel good.


chances of you going bald at your age is pretty slim

Upper forties. But thanks for the vote of confidence! ;)

[nycelle]

Looks better now. Still noticeably thinner but not...bald. And because of the color the scalp isn't as obvious as it would be with a higher contrast.



I'm not panicking. It's been a thin spot for 11 years. Darned prednisone and eye drops.

But since I cut my pompadour off 8 years ago I've not had hair long enough to be obvious. This is the first time I've noticed it...doesn't feel good.



Upper forties. But thanks for the vote of confidence! ;)

I know, that's why I said "at your age." I think your hair would have been much thinner by now if you were going to really lose it.
So even if it thins out a bit, I think you're safe from the typical "male pattern baldness." Lucky!! :)

[lucid]

Male pattern baldness doesn't nessesarily mean that the person will go completely bald. Some people thin fast, for others it's a slow process, and for some it stops after a while (as was the case for my dad, his hair thinned to a certain point, and after that it staid the same).

Receding hairline and thinning at the crown typically means androgenic alopeci, or male pattern baldness. In my opinion you/cjk show signs of this. If androgenic alopecia is something you'd consider treating, I'd see a doctor to get a diagnosis, as treatment is more effective when started as early as possible. If not, just embrace your hair on whatever journey it takes. Your hair looks great, and with your curls and volume there is no way of telling that it's thinning/has a thinning spot when it's dry. :)

[cjk]

Receding hairline and thinning at the crown ... you/cjk show signs of this.

If not, just embrace your hair on whatever journey it takes. Your hair looks great, and with your curls and volume there is no way of telling that it's thinning/has a thinning spot when it's dry. :)

This has been my solution until recently. Hidden in plain sight. And the receding hairline has not moved since I hit puberty, which has been more than a few years. Hasn't budged.

https://i.imgur.com/rIfe2PP.jpg

Had to learn to cut my own flattop, though, because none of the local barbers could do one consistently.

If it becomes obvious or problematic I'll figure out a way to incorporate the thin spot into my style.

My flaws are not hidden. I try to work with them, even embrace them, though not always in the most obvious ways. Requires thought and consideration, and sometimes a bit of soul searching, but it's a much healthier approach than most others.

Look. I'm not complaining. More like venting. I saw it and it got me down. Freely admit to that! Healthy and accepting doesn't always mean happy about it.

[spitfire511]

Agreed with the others that your curls are amazing and it does look fantastical :-)

Though I can't personally relate (though I have a sister who can) it's got to be upsetting for you for sure - so many hugs... :grouphug:

[Wendyp]

I think thinning/balding is totally fixable these days. so many things we dont have to suffer as we get older anymore. we have made huge strides physiological changes over time. If that is in fact happening you can get it resolved pronto. I say go look into it with a specialist for your peace of mind. You have lovely hair btw.

[cjk]

Well I always have this as an option. Good thing I know how to sew!

https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/zoolander/images/8/84/Mugatu.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20160304173642

[Beckstar]

I don't see any balding spots. I see a few spots where it looks a little thinner but that could be because of the way your hair grows and because it's so light. I think your hair looks amazing.

[chiapommama]

I'm with Beckstar here. Just looks thin, not balding. Looks like the CG method agrees with your hair. Very nice. Love your ringlets.

[Beeboo123]

I’m sorry to hear that you might be balding. I hope you find a way to manage the hair loss. On another note, your curls look great.

[vega]

I can see the thinning you mentioned, however you have beautiful hair and embrace what you have ☺

[erebus]

I don't like how my scalp looks with wet hair either, when your hair is dry it looks great mate

[enting]

Curly hair is great for masking thinner spots, I think. I've never noticed a thinner area on your growing hair when dry. That's not to say that feeling down is invalid - it is valid! There are lots of threads on the forum about thinning or hairloss and the negative emotions associated with that lack of choice. If it makes you feel any better though, it's not readily apparent in the pictures you've posted.