Hair Loss: Myth, Stress, or Genetics?

tuscloud311

Aight so....this SUCKS.

Every time i take a shower and wash my hair, i notice my hands are almost covered in hair. Naturally, this worries the HELL out of me because...uhh, im only 21 years old and my hair really isnt that "thick" anymore.

I live the most stressful life i have ever seen or met in anyone else. Perhaps that is it?

Now, on Genetics: I heard that in order to tell of any balding pattern in the family, you are supposed to look at your mother's father. Well if that is the case, my hair would be like an Afro cause Grandpa over there has a full head of bright white hair. And that guy is tickin away at 86 years old still.

so what the hell?

Also, what can i do to prevent it? take some magic pills? rub some magic cream on my dome? Im freaking out here because i can definately tell of a receeding hairline.

BTW, this is happening to my closest brother as well.

DrFrylock

The latest research reinforces that the male-pattern baldness gene may be passed on through the mother. You have an X chromosome from your Mom and a Y from your dad. Your Mom has two X chromosomes, one of which she got from each parent.

The baldness gene, according to the research, is on the X chromosome. So you got it from your Mom. However, it might be on the X chromosome that she got from HER Mom or HER dad. So, even if your maternal grandfather is hairy as all get-out, it might be your Mom's Mom's father that's the bald one. Or it might go back further. And it's not clear that everyone with the gene actually goes bald, since other factors may be at play.

I'd say just go with it. Use it as an opportunity to wear fashionable hats. Two of my friends went bald in their early 20s and, well, that was pretty much it. You can use Rogaine, which might help stave it off for a while. Or not. There's no cure.

Doc

The genetics part can be a lot more complicated than that. Stress can play a role, as can diet. Eating a generally healthy diet helps a lot in many aspects of appearance and general health, so if you aren't doing that, consider it.

As someone with a receding hairline, I can tell you that it's not actually that big of a deal once you get over trying to "save" it. I shaved my head for a while, now I've grown it back. Just keep it short and you'll look fine. For God's sakes, don't try to cover it up with a combover or growing it long in the middle/front and using that to cover up the sides; people can tell and you will look sad.

urahonky

I'm 22 and have a receding hairline as well. It's pretty bad in the top center of my head... I swear stress is related. I started noticing it when I was working at Best Buy 50+ hours a week. I had a bad diet too, so that could be related as well.

Now I'm a lot less stressed, and eating right. Hopefully that'll slow it down a bit.

brandotheninjamaster

Funny thing...I was going through the same thing you are Tuscloud. When I quit smoking my hair grew back. Don't if there is anything documented that was just my personal experience.

Cycophant

See, that's the thing. If it's genetics, you're pretty much screwed anyway.

But especially at your age, the odds are much more likely your hair loss relates to poor health, stress, or lack of taking care of your hair. You said you were going through a pretty stressful time, that's more than enough to cause a lot of people to start losing hair. If you're the type of person who puts a lot of product in your hair, that'll do it too. And simply not eating well/not exercising can do it as well.

So I'd look at those options first, before running around cursing your family tree and buying all the Rogaine you can find.

oldsak

Yeah I'm going through the same thing. It does suck. I'm 24 and it only really started at the beginning of this year when I was 23. My hairline is receding and my hair is thinning all over. It especially sucks cause I have long hair and love having long hair. I guess it's time to say goodbye to the days of coasting through life on my looks.

You can try changing your diet and exercise habits as they can play a role.

I'm inclined not to go the chemical route because even if it does work (results vary) you're stuck paying for an expensive chemical forever.

And while it does suck and I hate it, I guess I realize deep down that it's not like I'm the first and if other people can deal with it, I guess I'll manage as well.

Proto

Cycophant wrote: »

See, that's the thing. If it's genetics, you're pretty much screwed anyway.

But especially at your age, the odds are much more likely your hair loss relates to poor health, stress, or lack of taking care of your hair. You said you were going through a pretty stressful time, that's more than enough to cause a lot of people to start losing hair. If you're the type of person who puts a lot of product in your hair, that'll do it too. And simply not eating well/not exercising can do it as well.

So I'd look at those options first, before running around cursing your family tree and buying all the Rogaine you can find.

I dunno, mine started falling out in my early twenties (genetics), so did my brothers. There are so many things it could be, the best thing to do is try and reduce your stress, eat right and hope for the best.

It took about six years before it got to the point where I said fuck it, and shaved it off. I like it! It nice not to have to worry about it. I think I look better this way anyway.

MKR

I'm 23 with a nice, long history of balding people. The only thing that's different about me is that I've gotten buzz cuts for as long as I can remember.

Edit: I have a full head of thick, short hair.

aesir

me too dude. im 22.

I guess we could try the rogaine root but that gets really expensive. Other than that, short hair has been the way to go for me.

Big Dookie

Yeah, as others have said, it's doubtfull that you could attribute it to one factor. The combination of genetics, stress, diet, lifestyle, etc all contribute to how quickly and how much hair you lose. Even something as simple as a naturally elevated testosterone level contributes to it. The bottom line is, other than a hair transplant or expensive drugs, there isn't much you can do about it. Just keep it cut short or shave it off, and you'll get used to it after a while.

I've been keeping mine short (thanks to the same problem), but I'm probably going to shave it clean soon. My hair may be falling out, but at least I have a pleasantly-shaped head.

Krikee

I've read quite a few times that coffee helps fight male pattern baldness. I never read anything in depth about it but that could be something worth looking up.

tuscloud311

Well son of a B...

sorry to use...harsh...letters.

- If it really is ANYTHING to do with genetics, then it is definately NOT the problem, as everything with 2 legs on my mom's side has a full head of hair since birth to grave. So uhh, unless im the start of it, i dont think it could be that....

- If you havent caught my other thread (about eating monsters...lol), then you wouldnt know i am on a different diet. So hopefully that will help? ive never even heard about that before until today.

- Stress seems to be my number 1 factor i guess. But how the hell do you cut down on stress? lol...a mystery never solved.

- I dont drink or smoke or do anything, so bodily harm is out of the equation. I live a relatively healthy life

- I DO use hair gel ( i spike all sides of my head). I would hate for that to be the cause of it, but i could definately go a month without gel to see if that is the problem.... If a month without gel would even show signs of no hair loss?

Trowizilla

Whatever you do, don't try to hide what your hair is doing naturally. A man who's balding can still be very sexy if he's confident; a balding guy who's trying to hide that fact is very unsexy and kind of pathetic. Own what your hair is doing, pick a flattering hairstyle, and don't worry about it beyond that.

Quid

Sometimes shit happens. And genetics aren't a sure thing. If I'd gotten my mom's side I'd be literally balled by 21, but I seem to have gotten my father's side of just having an extended forehead. Relax and don't worry about it.

Zeon

Are you sure your hair is falling out? I used to think that before too, mainly for the same reasons, hair in my hands in the shower, what looked to be a receding hair line... then i saw a picture of me as a kid and i realised... ive just always had a Dylan Mckay hairline.

And if the hairs coming out in your hand are long, then you dont really have a problem. You need to start worrying when the short hairs are falling out. That means its falling out faster than it can grow.

tuscloud311

Zeon wrote: »

Are you sure your hair is falling out? I used to think that before too, mainly for the same reasons, hair in my hands in the shower, what looked to be a receding hair line... then i saw a picture of me as a kid and i realised... ive just always had a Dylan Mckay hairline.

And if the hairs coming out in your hand are long, then you dont really have a problem. You need to start worrying when the short hairs are falling out. That means its falling out faster than it can grow.

Well, no im not 100% positive it is falling out beyond repair but....its scary nonetheless.

As far as the length goes...the majority of it is long whereas some of them are short.

And on the subject of what to do with my hair...dont worry, i wont cover it up. my boss is an indian dude with a huge comb over and i cant help but stare at it all the time. Its funny as all hell.

Cycophant

tuscloud311 wrote: »

- I DO use hair gel ( i spike all sides of my head). I would hate for that to be the cause of it, but i could definately go a month without gel to see if that is the problem.... If a month without gel would even show signs of no hair loss?

With what you've been describing (lots of hair coming out in the shower), this could very well be your problem right here.

I used to use a lot of hair product when I was younger too (just a few years ago). And I started freaking out for a bit when I'd get into the shower and realize it seemed like I had clumps of hair coming out. Then I realized, it was because of the hair product.

Hairs fall out naturally throughout the day as they're replaced. If you've got a crapload of gel on your head, it's holding these detached hairs until you finally take a shower, and they all come out at once.

If you find the opportunity, stop putting product in your hair for a few weeks. I'm almost certain you'll notice that most of your hair will stop coming out in the shower.

ElJeffe

If you want to see if your hair is really falling out, get a line tattooed on your scalp right at your hairline. If you notice the distance between the line and your hair growing, then your hairline is receding.

That was a joke. Do not actually do this.

What you do is: Don't sweat it. Look at Hollywood - all kinds of guys there have receding hair lines or thinning hair and yet still manage to be sex symbols. Bruce Willis started losing his hair back in the Moonlighting days, and yet still managed to bag Demi Moore. Go for a shorter cut, because long, thinning hair is nasty, unless you're a rockstar, in which case it's still nasty but nobody will care because you're famous. Find something short and simple, and just go with it. Pay attention to people on the street with similar hairlines and thicknesses to yourself, and see what hairstyles work on them.

Don't go for bald unless you can get away with it. Not everyone can.

tuscloud311

Cycophant wrote: »

tuscloud311 wrote: »

- I DO use hair gel ( i spike all sides of my head). I would hate for that to be the cause of it, but i could definately go a month without gel to see if that is the problem.... If a month without gel would even show signs of no hair loss?

With what you've been describing (lots of hair coming out in the shower), this could very well be your problem right here.

I used to use a lot of hair product when I was younger too (just a few years ago). And I started freaking out for a bit when I'd get into the shower and realize it seemed like I had clumps of hair coming out. Then I realized, it was because of the hair product.

Hairs fall out naturally throughout the day as they're replaced. If you've got a crapload of gel on your head, it's holding these detached hairs until you finally take a shower, and they all come out at once.

If you find the opportunity, stop putting product in your hair for a few weeks. I'm almost certain you'll notice that most of your hair will stop coming out in the shower.

that made me feel a lot better to be honest. It helps to know that i NEVER lose hair except when in the shower and washing my hair. I was hoping that the gel wasnt KILLING my hair, but rather just keeping the dead hair there.

Sliver

It isn't necessarily genetics. It could be something much less serious. Like thyroid disorders, renal failure, liver damage, or exposure to heavy metals.</SARCASM>

EliteLamer

I am 22 and my hair is going too.

EliteLamer

Sliver wrote: »

It isn't necessarily genetics. It could be something much less serious. Like thyroid disorders, renal failure, liver damage, or exposure to heavy metals.

Typo because liver damage sounds serious to me.

vytrox

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telogen_effluvium

This is one type of stress or trauma related baldness which occurs 2-3 months after the stress/illness etc.

I started losing hair at 19, and yes Rogaine does work. Problem is you have to keep using it forever.

After you get over the initial shock, you get over it and buy some hats.

The other thing is pretty much all men will have their hairline recede to one degree or another. That doesn't mean you are going bald necessarily.

The main thing I hate about being bald is the sunburns. Other than that I can live with it.

PirateJon

Bald isn't all bad so don't freak out too much.

With hair:

Without hair:

Sliver

vytrox wrote: »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telogen_effluvium

This is one type of stress or trauma related baldness which occurs 2-3 months after the stress/illness etc.

I started losing hair at 19, and yes Rogaine does work. Problem is you have to keep using it forever.

After you get over the initial shock, you get over it and buy some hats.

The other thing is pretty much all men will have their hairline recede to one degree or another. That doesn't mean you are going bald necessarily.

The main thing I hate about being bald is the sunburns. Other than that I can live with it.

I got this kind of hair loss after I had some surgery done when I was 17. My problem is, it never grew back. So at this point I'm scouring the internets trying to figure out exactly what the hell is going on.

Creagan

Stress does play a big role in hair-loss. I'm a cisfemale, and lost about half an inch off the circumference of my pony-tail during a particularly stressful time last year. (A friend died, roommate became toxic, I thought I failed half my classes and developed an anxiety problem.)

But it could also be a health problem. If large stress-sheds aren't natural for you, check with your doctor. My mom got mercury poisoning a few years ago, and one of the first signs was her hair started falling out in clumps.

Fantasma

What you need to do is start an exercise regime that will control your testosterone levels, jogging for example. Stop using any hair product that contains alcohol. Relax, have a healthy sex life, and add B-complex Vitamins to your diet.

Just in case, visit a good Dermatologist.

Good luck.