Hair Loss Pattern Question

[ConcernedCitizen]

Hello all!

 

I am new to the board but have found it thus far very informative and welcoming. I'd first like to thank the contributors of this message board-- I've been reading a lot of posts so far from the many people who regularly frequent this message board, and they have all been helpful!

 

With that said, I wanted to ask a question about hair loss pattern. About 5 months ago, I experienced no hair loss and began growing my hair out just because I didn't want to pay for haircuts. I would periodically shave the sides of my hair since I didn't want it to appear bushy but that was it.

 

Up to that point, I have had no hair loss whatsoever. Sometimes, people would tease me of a 'bald spot' they perceived on the top of my head, but since my hair was always matted awkwardly due to hats or sleep, I always thought that it was just the way my hair fell or was matted down that day. Whenever I took a 360 look at my head through multiple mirrors, I never once saw anything worthy of notice as hair loss.

 

After about five months of growing my hair, it was full and thick-- my hair would fall to near my eyes, and I had to brush it back. When I brushed my hair back, I would notice that the line separating my hair as it parted was much too wide for comfort. Since my hair was always thick and brushed forward, I never noticed it. And then I looked at the back of my head and this parted line went all the way down from my hairline down past the crown of my head. I panicked and shaved my hair down with a buzz cut to see what was going on. When my hair began to grow back, there was a line, about an inch starting from the crown and proceeding down and about 1 or 2 cm thick, that was bald and had no hair growth. Furthermore, this line continued from that point to the right side of my head, the same distance as the back of my head to my ears.

 

To further clarify-- there was now a bald line about 1 to 2 cm wide, pointing down to the crown of my head and then making a sharp right turn to the side of my head. Altogether, the line must be 6 inches in length and 1 to 2 cm in width.

 

My question is: Is that a normal pattern of hair loss? There is no other bald spot in my head aside from that. At first, I attributed it to telogen effluvium, or temporary hair loss, but that only accounts for 5% of hair loss in men. I cannot be fall on such a low percentage.

 

I was wondering if anyone has had similar experiences? What irks me is that the hair loss seemed so sudden-- in just five months, I went from no hair loss noticeable to a clear line that I described. Has anyone else had similar experience?

 

Thank you again for your time. I might put pictures, but as it stands, I'm a little ashamed of my hair loss since it is still very new to me.

[TC17]

There are many different balding patterns, so it's very possible that you may be experiencing an atypical balding pattern, but balding nonetheless.

 

I know you said you are reluctant to post photos because you're ashamed, but if you really want an answer to your question, you will have to post a pic. Take one with your face blocked out, just ensure that your hair is visible.

[Dr. Glenn Charles]

A few photos would really help. Remember the only people on these sites are also having the same issues you are. Block pout the face or just the eyes and I would be glad to give you an evaluation and recommendation as to your specific situation. I am sure there are many other doctors who would do the same.