How Often Should I Map My Own Scalp?

Dr. Rassman,

Thank you for answering my last question. I have one more for you, if you do not mind.

I mapped my own scalp for miniaturization per your instructions, and found it a very useful tutorial, though I took a nod from a recent entry and snipped a few bits of hair from my head instead. I compared 5 locks of hair from all around my head (temples, forehead, crown, donor area) using my donor area as a control, and to be perfectly honest I could not see a difference in the hair shaft width between any of the samples. Unfortunately I do not have equipment to give hard numbers, but my hair does not seem any less pigmented or thinner in any of the areas compared to my donor zone. I examined it under a magnifying glass, but have access to a microscope if that is insufficient.

I’ve also visited a dermatologist. He did not have the equipment to map my scalp but he said I was a NW2 and was fine.

That said, how often do you suggest this process be repeated? Every three months? Six months? Yearly? Is there a certain age after which you can just stop as there is unlikely to be further progression?

I am 26 with no known male-pattern baldness in my family; both grandparents died with Norwood 2 patterns, and none of my uncles have any hints of balding.

Thanks!

I am assuming that the mapping showed no significant miniaturization. If that is the case, once a year mapping or more frequent mapping may have value if you think that the problem may be appearing or getting worse. The mapping exercise is best when comparing:

1. The hair in the back of the scalp (donor area) with hair elsewhere on your head, or
2. Hair within various local areas with hair-by-hair comparisons where the miniaturization shows up well

As for age, some men will lose hair in their teens, some in their 20s and 30s… it can even happen in the 40s and beyond (though it’s less likely). You might be one of the lucky ones and not have any hair loss problems, but I really have no way to tell at this point (and without at least an exam).