Hair Loss at 23: A Young Man’s Struggle
December 1, 2008 by Spencer Kobren
I started losing my hair at age 19. It has gone from being absolutely thick to being very thin, and sparse. I am 23 now and have lost a significant amount of hair, people freak out when I tell them I am 23, I look like im 40 or something. I am also suffering from premature hair greying so that adds to the turmoil. About 60% of my hair is grey. Everytime I go out with my friends, I feel so depressed at the sight of a full head of thick black hair. All it takes to spoil a great day is a look in the mirror. I was a very handsome guy, had a great personality and my hair was very dense, thick and pitch black but thats when genetics decided to spoil the day. I feel so depressed sometimes when I look at the mirror, I’ve become very nervous over the years and I’m tired of fighting with my feelings for the past 5 years dealing with this mess. My confidence has shattered and this is taking so my much of my attention that I cannot focus on what is important in life. I see my friends going out, getting girlfriends, checking out 20 year olds and everytime I look at a 20 year old she thinks I’m some sick 30 year old hitting on college chicks. I don’t know how to deal with this and I have made myself to believe that I’ll be made to suffer for life for no fault of my own. I know people say ” its just hair loss, suck it up” but I wouldn’t want this curse to haunt the worst of my enemies.
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Dear Needless,
What you are describing is exactly what most young hair loss sufferers go through, and I always say, you are not alone!
Experiencing hair loss at this stage of your life can be extremely difficult, however, I believe that dealing with this issue early on only makes you better equipped to deal with everything else that life is going to throw at you. I know that this was the case for me.
By the time I was your age I realized that life simply was not fair, and that we have two choices when faced with adversity. The first choice is to just lay down and allow hair loss to take over your life, and the second choice is to play the hell out of the cards you’ve been dealt. I choose door number two.
Don’t get me wrong, I suffered for many years because of my hair loss. I still get down at times when I have a really bad hair day, or take a good look in the mirror at what I really look like when I don’t hide my hair loss with creative combing etc.
We’re all in agreement that hair loss sucks! I liken it to being a “cancer of the spirit,” but I am hear to tell you that there is life after hair loss and that you will find a way to get through it.
It is now possible to stop or slow the progression of your hair loss using FDA approved medication, so It’s important to see a doctor to discuss your options. No matter what you decide to do, you should use this time in your life to work on your career and to move forward emotionally. Do not let hair loss paralyze or rob you of your life, like it has done to so many people before.
Here’s something to keep in mind: As men our stock goes up as we get older and more established. Before you know it, you will be getting those 20 year-olds even when your in your 30′s, and no one will think twice.
Hair loss is NOT a death sentence even though it might feel that way right now. Dealing with hair loss will be a process, but you will find a way to empower yourself and to enrich your life if you want it bad enough.
I think you should check out our new hair loss community to share your story. It’s a great place to find support from others in your exact situation. http://www.baldtruthtalk.com
Be strong!
Spencer Kobren
Host of The Bald Truth Radio Show
Founder, American Hair Loss Association
Founder and Director of Consumer/Patient Affairs, International Alliance of Hair Restoration Surgeons (IAHRS.ORG)
hey I understand everything you are going through. I am 21 year old male and feel the sameway everytime i look un the miror. i thank you for writing this, and wanted to know if there was a age to get hair transplant
Hi,
I need some advice on scalp reductions please!!!
I started to lose my hair at the age of 17-18 and it had a profound impact on me. I went to a dermatologist who recommended a very good hair transplant doctor and at the age of 19, I had my first hair transplant which really helped my confidence. As the years progressed, I started to lose hair in the crown area and it was suggested to have a scalp reduction.
Well, i’m 33 years old and i’ve had 5 transplants and 5 scalp reductions. Along with some cover up, my hair looks pretty good!
But i’m still losing air in the crown area! My question is: Do scalp reductions really work? What about stretch back?
I still wonder back to the days when I was 17, and wonder if I had just shaved my head bald!!
Your thoughts and opinions are appreciated, thanks.
What you’ve written here describes exactly what I’m going through, word for word in fact. I’m also 23, started losing at 19 and it’s got to the point where I can’t walk down the street without feeling nervous. I can’t shave my head and can’t afford a hair transplant at the minute, but I’m looking into hair replacement systems. No-one wants to have to do that, but imagine the confidence you can regain if you’re not worrying about it. Hey, it’s better that than live a life of being depressed, hairdirect and coolpiece are pretty good from what I gather. You’re not alone mate, I’m right there with you.
I’m 21 , I started to lose my hair at age 16, I remember crying myself to sleep because I like any guy at that age was always worried about my looks and what people thought of me. Throughout my early teenage years I used to comb my hair back, but in highschool I decided to change hair styles so I parted it because I decided I was going to grow long hair. Well my hair is a little over 12 inches long now, one day I combed it back to my old hair style and I really noticed how much hair I’ve lost, my current style conceals it well but its starting to become more noticeable. My hairs thin on top and as months go by my forehead looks like its growing. More and more people are starting to notice, and I’ve gotten some rude remarks by bald guys themselves lol. The thing is before I had my long hair and before I combed it back I used to have it bald ( like a 2 ) and people always told me I used to look ugly, so when I go completely bald, I’m just going to shave it all off.
I’m just worried that ill never find a girl my age and that people will look at me differently, which I know they will. I just hate the fact that I’m going bald at this age and I wish there was a cure, I just cannot afford transplants which they tell me someone as young as me shouldn’t get because of the progressing male pattern, I don’t want to take propecia because I hear it has very nasty side effects, and I’d rather go bald than not have a dick haha. Rogaine, that’s just a waste of money. Your hair will still fall out and it makes your scalp very itchy. It seems that nobody really has a choice when it comes to male pattern baldness..I feel bad for women who have this. All I can really do is wait for mother nature to do its thing…still when I look at the mirror I tell myself that this isn’t the last time ill have hair, eventually someone will find a cure ( not a treatment), the best bet we have now is stem cell research. Goodluck guys, remember…..our looks fade away one day and this happens to all.
i know how youfeel i got alopecia when i was like 6 or 7 and im now 33 i had bald patches when i was younger but wheni was like 21 ilost all my hair i dont know if its related i also have severe ocd (like washing my hands fifty times a day) im really nervous i have had mild agrophobia for like 10 years i also rely heavily on cannabis (probably were most of the stress iscoming from)thats me peace out any waypeps hope yall get better
I feel you man. I’ll be 20 next month and i’ve been losing my hair for a about 2 years. It hurts quite a bit. Every time i get out of the shower i feel depressed when i look in the mirror. All it takes to ruin my mood for the rest of the night is looking at it. Whenever i’m outside of my home, I don’t feel comfortable unless i’m wearing a hat because I can’t stand it when someone makes a short little joke about it. They forget about it a minute later, but what they said is on my mind for a day or two. I have massive hair envy as well. Whenever i’m watching t.v, the first thing i look at is the actors hair, I can’t help it, i just do. And every time one of them has a nice head of hair I can’t help but wish with I had the same. Its the same even walking down the street.
You’re not a lone my friend. Thank you for posting this too, it helps knowing I myself am not alone.
Im browsing in the Internet on baldness in young man and I found this site. Im 27 years old and Im getting bald at my crown area and more obvious at the left back of my head. Ive started to notice this since last year. It irritates me most when other people comment on my baldness and make assumption on what causes my baldness like im using too much of hair product, I have cancer, Ive been taking too much of fried chicken, how pity I am of having baldness at young age etc.
Im not sure whether Im hearing voices or not, but I get the feeling of people are commenting my hair whenever I walk pass them. It makes me very sad and angry all at the same time. Not to mention, everytime I take bath and wake up from bed, Ill check how much hair follicles will stick on my towel or on my pillow. I even check my back hair everytime before I go out hoping I will know how severe is my baldness condition and Ill not be too sad when other people comment me later.
So far, Ive not visit a doctor to ask for treatment. Maybe I should do so. Deep down in me, I hope all the hair falling is due to stress or imbalance diet. But I know, late treatment might make the condition worse.
I just post here to vent my feelings. Good luck guys. Bald guys can be stylish or sexy too, I think.
started losing my hair at age 19. It has gone from being absolutely thick to being very thin, and sparse. I am 23 now and have lost a significant amount of hair, people freak out when I tell them I am 28, my girl friend not impreseed to me. please give idea how to protest my hair fall.