How much hair does your teen lose in the shower?

[Anonymous]

Hi OP -- I hope the derm. appt went well?

[Anonymous]

My 18yo ds definitely has a receding hairline. The derm recommended Rogaine. I think he is using it. He is pretty bothered by it buy my message to him is to figure out how to start owning it because it's inevitable. His dad and grandfather and greatgrandfather gave him this gene.

He found someone who cuts his hair like he likes it so that helps. I told him it's not as uncommon as he thinks and he will meet more guys in college with the same situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 18yo ds definitely has a receding hairline. The derm recommended Rogaine. I think he is using it. He is pretty bothered by it buy my message to him is to figure out how to start owning it because it's inevitable. His dad and grandfather and greatgrandfather gave him this gene.

He found someone who cuts his hair like he likes it so that helps. I told him it's not as uncommon as he thinks and he will meet more guys in college with the same situation.

MPB is not normal. We have normalized it but it is connected with significant health problems. It is linked to worse heart health and general inflammation. He needs to cut down on his caffeine intake, reduce the amount of white carbs and fast food he eats and take magnesium and iron.

Just because the cause is genetic does not mean it is inevitable. He might have a genetic risk of low magnesium or inflammation from eating salt. Hair loss is the symptom of what is happening in the body. No other mammal loses hair like this - if your dog was going bald, you would take them to the vet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 18yo ds definitely has a receding hairline. The derm recommended Rogaine. I think he is using it. He is pretty bothered by it buy my message to him is to figure out how to start owning it because it's inevitable. His dad and grandfather and greatgrandfather gave him this gene.

He found someone who cuts his hair like he likes it so that helps. I told him it's not as uncommon as he thinks and he will meet more guys in college with the same situation.

MPB is not normal. We have normalized it but it is connected with significant health problems. It is linked to worse heart health and general inflammation. He needs to cut down on his caffeine intake, reduce the amount of white carbs and fast food he eats and take magnesium and iron.

Just because the cause is genetic does not mean it is inevitable. He might have a genetic risk of low magnesium or inflammation from eating salt. Hair loss is the symptom of what is happening in the body. No other mammal loses hair like this - if your dog was going bald, you would take them to the vet.

Fine to do this if the message is about health. Not fine if the message is because balding is bad.

[Anonymous]

Nutrafol, propecia and rogaine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am Indian-American and oil massaging the scalp before shampooing was a SOP for hair care growing up. My mom has beautiful hair (all gray but full, shiny, smooth hair) even at 80 yrs of age. She never washed her hair without putting some concoction on it first. Some of it smelled pretty bad like the raw egg yolk mask that had to be put on the scalp and let dry and then washed with cold water first otherwise you would have poached egg on your scalp.

She frequently used to just put home made plain yogurt on her scalp to combat dandruff. Every once in a while she would mix pure henna powder, beet powder, amla powder, fenugreek and god knows what else with oil, cool brewed tea, honey and apply the paste on her scalp and mine and just let it dry and then wash. It made a mess of the bathroom. But our hair was amazing - healthy, bouncy, glossy, silky, with a tinge of red glow.

Of course, if I tell my teen to do all of this they will just say "ewww". .

I don't think whatever you mom put on her hair made a difference; Indians have the best hair genes - you have the highest density follicles of all ethnicities. I'm from Europe, where Roma are common and they also have amazing hair, as they trace all the way from Northern India. This is why the wigs made with Indian hair are thousands of dollars.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here; I just learned that my grandfather started to go bald in his early 20s; he was bald very early. Does this make it more likely that my DS is starting to go bald? I’m crushed for him - he’s obsessed with his hair. This is really going to upset him. We have an appt. with a derm tomorrow.

Are there any safe treatments for teens? Anything he can do?

My son lost his hair in elementary grade due to Alopecia. it was very difficult for him and me. The best advice I got from anyone was (1) let him have control over what he can control--if he wants to wear a hat, he wears a hat, if he doesn't, he doesn't (2) don't kill yourself looking for medical solutions when there are none because doing so sends the message that he's not ok without a full head of hair or rather that he's "broken" somehow. I think this advice applies equally to teens like your son. You want to be supportive, confirm there is not medical problem and then DO NOT CATASTROPHIZE this. Hair is just hair.

OP here. This is good advice. Thank you.

YES, this is such good advice. Empathize and listen but keep things light and in perspective. I hate people who say it could always be worse, but it’s true. If it is male pattern baldness, get him Minoxidil and offer to pay for a trainer. The buff guy with a close cut hair cut is stylish and edgy. If necessary, help him focus on a new look, new clothes.

[Anonymous]

Maybe add biotin supplement?