Maturing Hairline at Age 21

Hi there. I’ve browsed around your site a little bit, and I’ve found some interesting information. However, to be honest, I am even MORE paranoid now about losing my hair! I am 21 years old, and I have always had a full head of thick hair. But within the past year I’ve noticed my forehead getting larger…or, as you’ve already deciphered, my hairline receeding. Nobody I know has noticed it because my hair is long, and its more on one side than the other. It is at the very beginning stages of receeding, but I wanted to see what kind of advice you had for me at THIS point. Should I already start taking propecia at 21? My dad and my grandfather on my mother’s side both have full heads of hair, but my mom’s brothers and my brother are balding. Are there any type of topical creams that are known to work at ALL??? or is it all just a waste of time and money?
Thanks for your time

Panic will not be productive. If you have a problem, you need to get a diagnosis in hand by a competent doctor and then you respond properly. A rising hairline does not mean that you are balding, as you may be transitioning to a mature hairline, which by its nature causes the hairline to rise about 1/2 to 3/4 inch from its childhood location. Whether you have genetic balding in your family or not, males develop a higher hairline between the ages of 17-29 (on average). This gives them that “distinguished” look that younger women talk about being attractive. This is normal (and actually desirable) and is not anything to be concerned about.

You should see a doctor and have a good microscopic evaluation of the scalp. If you only have a maturing hairline in transition, then there will be no miniaturization in the remaining parts of your scalp. Take charge, get a good doctor and find out if there is a problem before you jump to do something that you may regret.