How Do You Diagnose DUPA?

Hi Dr. Rassman,

I am an 18 year old male. I have experienced diffused thinning on the top and sides of my head for the past 10 months. I’ve probably lost 50% of my density. My sides are slightly thinner than the top. I was wondering if this would be diagnosed as DUPA?

The reason I’m asking is that my back is as thick as ever (of course there might be miniaturization that cannot be observed by the naked eye). Also, is it possible for a person to get DUPA this young?

In case it helps, no one in my family has MPB or DUPA. All 4 of my grandparents have quite thick hair on their sides, back and top

DUPA (diffuse unpatterned alopecia) is a condition found in men where the hair on the fringe area (back and sides) have significant miniaturization (greater than 20% of hairs). And yes, teens can have it.

No one knows what causes DUPA, but it looks like the pattern we see in women with significant female genetic hair loss, although their miniaturization may extend to other areas of the scalp.