Cowlick or Balding? :(

[flanpudding]

Most people ask me why am I going bald but I've looked around the internet and I can also see other people experience this problem. So I want to know if what I have is a cowlick or am I going bald?

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/al...shot_20100405_18.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/al...shot_20100405_20.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/al...shot_20100405_22.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/al...pshot_20100405_5.jpg

 

http://i169.photobucket.com/al...pshot_20100405_6.jpg

[Blake Bloxham]

Hi Flan,

Well first, and foremost, you made a good decision coming to HTN. I do have a few questions though:

 

1. Age? You look a bit young in the pictures, and this could probably help with your inquiry.

 

2. Ethnicity?

 

3. Can you take some higher resolution photos? The pictures are a bit blurry, and it's difficult to tell.

 

At an initial glance, the exposed scalp on the vertex does look a bit larger than normal. However, you stated 'most people ask me why I'm going bald.' How long have people made these comments? If it's been quite some time, it could lend more weight to the cowlick theory.

 

I think the best thing you can do is answer the few questions I asked (it will really help clarify), try to take some higher resolution photos, and, if necessary, consult with a doc.

 

Don't stress though, and feel free to ask any further questions on this thread or send a PM if you'd like.

[flanpudding]

Hi Future_HT_Doc

 

Thanks for answering Well, I am 16 years old, Filipino and not everyone asks me that question. They've been asking me that for about 5 years now. But not a lot has been asking me why. Only a few people.

[MikeTheDane]

Very few people start to show signs of balding at age 16. Personally, I'd take pictures and compare them once every year until you turn 20. My bet is that there's no male pattern baldness going on yet..

[flanpudding]

well yeah, there's one thing i'm sure of, its that this remained the same ever since.

 

it didn't grow larger nor did it become smaller

 

i'm just curious as to why my head is like this

[Blake Bloxham]

Flan,

I had a sneaking suspicion you would be young. Frankly, like others have said, male pattern baldness at 16 isn't very common, and the fact that people have been asking for 5 years (since you were 11) further indicates that the exposed vertex is a combination of the natural characteristics of your hair, natural density, and, probably, a cowlick.

 

Personally, I think you are okay (as of now). Like others suggested, you can always monitor certain problem areas, and catch thinning/loss at an early stage if and when it does occur. However, as of now, it is very unlikely that it's balding (in my opinion).

[SharpTooth]

A good friends hair started to thin when he was 16/17. It was drastic thinning, but his hairline had just barely begun to receed. By the time he was 22/23, he had the Bruce Willis thing going on.

[SharpTooth]

Flan ---- NOT to imply it's happenin to you!! Just tossing that out there that I've seen hair thinning that early on someone.