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Dermatology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
hair loss at 19
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.

hair loss at 19

by joel, May 27, 2001 12:00AM
hi, im a 19 year old boy, and from the front of my hair line, to about the middel of my head, i am loosing lots of hair, i can start to see my scalp through my hairs now, i know that hair loss is caused by male hormones, except that i havnt really got hardly any body hair or need to shave much, so how can i have hair loss by male hormones ??? could i have to much female hormones which is causing this ??
i have just started taking saw plametto herb to see if it could make a differnce.
what shall i do, should i have a hormone test ????
please answer my question as my hair is driving me insane!!!!!
thanks a lot joel

by Alan Rockoff, MD, May 27, 2001 12:00AM
Joel:

Please see a doctor, and don't drive yourself insane.  In all probability, you have a lot of hair loss genes in your family and are losing you hair in the usual male way, only faster than most.  Everyone has male hormones, even women, and the amount of body hair you have has little or nothing to do with it.

The only treatments worth considering are minoxidil (applied externally) and Propecia (taken by mouth.)  To decide whether either makes sense for you, please see a dermatologist, even if it's just to put your mind at rest.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (4)

by BAH, May 27, 2001 12:00AM
How bout how do you increase chest hair growth?  Is there any medicine that a man can take to increase chest hair growth?

BAH

by Alan Rockoff, MD, May 27, 2001 12:00AM
No.  Dr. Rockoff

by hello, Jun 17, 2001 12:00AM
Hi, I am havig the same problem. I have hair loss as well on the top of my head. The sculp is very visible and only a few strands of hair exist there.

I haven't actually noticed I had this problem untill my friend told me I had a bold patch there. I'm only 18 and this shouldn't happen. I wonder if it will grow back. It is also near to the right side, and I think it is mainly caused due to constant scratching of the head which is a bad habit I had when doing home work. I'm right handed so that explains why the path is located there.

Anyways I've read a few sites and says that alopecia is perminant, and some say it's temporary. Can you help me please? I also understand that it's only permanent depending on how much I scratch it, in that if I scratch it a lot, and thus forming a thick layer of skin there, then hair won't regrow. Can you please tell me my condition and how long it usually takes to regrow if it does. Thanks.

by tizon, Mar 03, 2008 12:22AM
A related discussion, losing hair at 19 was started.
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