Early Signs of Balding — And What to Do About Them

The first signs of hair loss can vary from person to person. So while you might have a family history of androgenetic alopecia (also known as male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss), it may not look the same as it did on your dad, uncle, or grandfather.

Androgenic alopecia doesn’t happen overnight, so what are the early signs of balding?

Though sudden hair loss can happen in some circumstances, genetic balding is more gradual, with subtle changes in the hairline, hair density, and how much scalp is visible.

Worried you’re going bald? We’ll cover the early signs of balding, answer some frequently asked questions about balding, and go over what to do if your signs point to hair loss.

Male pattern baldness occurs in stages, as outlined by the Norwood scale. If you learn how to recognize the signs early and are quick to start treatment, you may be able to not only keep the hair you have but even get some of what you’ve lost back.

So, how do you catch it earlier? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, these early signs of balding can often signal that you’re beginning to lose your hair: 

• Excessive hair shedding after showering or brushing

• A noticeable change in your hairline 

• A clearer view of your scalp

• Random bald spots

• Hair that takes longer than usual to grow

• Others mentioning changes in your hair

• Photographic evidence of hair changes

Let’s explore these in more detail.

1. Excessive Hair Loss After Showering or Brushing

On average, people lose between 50 and  100 hairs a day. So, the four or five strands you notice in your hands after shampooing probably aren’t anything to be concerned about.

Natural hair shedding happens as individual hairs exit the final phases of the hair growth cycle. Some stray hairs on your pillow or at the bottom of the shower drain is normal. But if you’re noticing more than usual, you could be experiencing hair loss and you may want to schedule a consultation with a dermatology provider.

2. A Noticeably Receding Hairline

A receding hairline is a classic sign of male pattern baldness. Unfortunately, it’s also a sign many guys ignore until it gets severe, either because they don’t notice it developing or because it isn’t particularly pleasant to acknowledge.

Receding hairlines often start around the temples. Over time, the pattern usually worsens until the hairline is lower in the center than at the sides.

About 25 percent of men aged 40 to 55 have this type of hairline, according to an article published in the journal Male Androgenetic Alopecia. 

You might notice your hairline is beginning to recede when:

• Some hairstyles expose more of your forehead than you’re used to seeing

• You spot your hairline taking on an M-shape when washing or drying your hair (which looks like the frontal top of your head is bald with hair on the sides)

• You notice a little more scalp showing on the back of your head

For some men, this type of hair loss appears at the crown of the head — the area right at the top of your head. If you’re going bald on top, you might notice your skin is visible through your hair when you look at the back of your head in the mirror. 

Over the course of a year or two, you should be able to determine whether or not you’re losing hair around your hairline.

3. More Visible Scalp

Diffuse thinning — a type of hair loss affecting the entire scalp — results in baldness that starts from the back or crown rather than from the front hairline.

Like a receding hairline, overall hair thinning is common. Roughly 31 percent of men aged 40 to 55 have some signs of vertex baldness (balding at the crown).

This hair loss signal can be diffuse (all over your head), but it might also be prominent along the part, crown, or in areas where your hair is cut shorter.

Just like a receding hairline, the easiest way to spot diffuse thinning is to see how your hair feels daily. Pay attention to what it feels like when you run your fingers through it, when you get out of the shower, or when you comb it.

If your hair looks and feels thinner, it could be the result of male pattern baldness.

4. Random Bald Spots 

Male pattern baldness can cause a bald patch at the crown of the head. But if it’s forming elsewhere, it may not be androgenic alopecia.

Besides male pattern baldness, other forms of hair loss may lead to patchy areas or random bald spots on your scalp.

Potential causes of bald spots include:

• Alopecia areata, a form of autoimmune hair loss that can make hair fall out in round or oval-shaped patches

• Telogen effluvium, temporary hair loss that can occur after traumatic events or during periods of severe stress

• Hilarious attempts at waxing with your friends watching in delight

The good news is that these non-genetic forms of hair loss are usually temporary.

5. Slow-Growing Hair

Slow-growing hair could be one of the early signs of balding. Hair follicles age like the rest of the body and may grow at a slower rate later in life.

Usually, the hair on your scalp grows about six inches a year, which means you’ll gain about an inch of new hair every couple of months.

Right now, there aren’t any scientific studies showing that male pattern baldness affects the speed hair grows.

However, male pattern baldness can affect hair count (the total number of hairs on your head or the density of hairs in any specific area). So you might find that it takes a little longer for hair to grow back to its usual look after a short haircut. 

And if you don’t act quickly with treatment, your hair may never grow quite as thick as it used to.

6. Other People Notice Your Hair Thinning

A partner, friend, or barber might be able to see places on your head that you just can’t, like the crown or back of your head. If they see your head regularly, they’re likely to notice a change.

Nobody knows the top of your head better than your go-to barber. And if it turns out you are starting to lose hair,  they can probably recommend other hairstyles to help your hair appear fuller or conceal thin spots.

7. Photographic Evidence

If you’re really concerned about hair loss, you can take pictures of your hairline or the top of your head every few months in the same lighting conditions to see if your hairline is receding.

Doing side-by-side comparisons of photos from ten years ago to see if your hair looks thinner might help with some perspective, as well.

The signs above are the real-deal best ways to identify where your hairline stands. That said, other things you may think are signs of baldness aren’t actually signs at all.

False signs of early balding include:

• Itchy scalp. An itchy scalp is typically caused by dandruff or other scalp conditions.

• Hair that looks thinner when wet. Thin-looking hair after you swim or shower is more often a result of hair sections clumping together and revealing your scalp than actual hair loss.

• Widow’s peak. A widow’s peak is a dominant genetic trait. This inherited hairline shape can resemble an M-shaped hair pattern seen with male pattern baldness but isn’t actual hair loss.

• Normal hair shedding. A few hairs on your pillow or bar of soap are completely normal and not a reliable indicator that you’re losing an abnormal amount of hair.

• Club hairs. A tiny white bulb at the end of a hair that falls out is a natural part of the hair growth process and isn’t a cause for concern.

• A bald grandfather on a certain side of your family. While scientists don’t know exactly how male pattern baldness is inherited, they do know this is nothing more than a myth.

Does masturbation cause hair loss? Read our blog for answers.

For most men, hair loss develops gradually over the course of months, years, and even decades, with the hairline steadily receding and scalp hair slowly getting thinner.

That being said, there’s no definite timeline of when you’ll go bald. Depending on your sensitivity to the effects of the male hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone), you may notice rapid hair shedding or slow but steady hair loss.

Regardless of how quickly or slowly you’re going bald, it’s important to treat hair loss as quickly as possible to protect your hair and prevent it from worsening. 

Though you may not be able to reverse balding completely, understanding the source of the issue may at least help you slow down the process or stop it from worsening. And there are several reasons your hair might begin to thin or disappear.

It could be:

• Male pattern baldness

• A medical condition

• Lifestyle factors

Here’s what to know.

Male Pattern Baldness

If you’ve taken a moment to Google, “Why am I balding?” chances are, male pattern baldness was the first result that came up. This common cause of hair loss is mostly genetic and affects the majority of men who suffer from hair loss. 

With androgenetic alopecia, hormonal changes cause an increase in DHT, which makes hair follicles shrink, resulting in thinner, shorter hairs. This shrinkage of hair follicles prevents new hairs from being produced, leading to hair loss.

Our guide to the causes of hair loss has more info on other factors of hair loss, such as medication, stress, or skin infections.

Medical Conditions That Can Cause Hair Loss

While the most common cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness, there are other medical conditions to consider in terms of why your hair is falling out.

Some of these include: 

• Thyroid conditions. Severe thyroid disorders (like Hashimoto’s disease) can cause hair loss. But if this is the cause, you’ll likely experience other symptoms, like fatigue or weight gain.

• Malnutrition. According to some research, severe malnutrition — especially not getting enough protein — can result in hair changes. However, this cause of hair loss is unlikely without an extremely low intake of calories and protein. 

• Alopecia areata. This condition causes hair loss in small, typically discrete, circular bald patches anywhere on the scalp. Alopecia areata is a disease that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, causing them to fall out. 

• Telogen effluvium. This is a temporary type of hair loss often caused by very stressful, anxiety-inducing, or traumatic events, hospitalization, or even as a side effect of medications. It can be confused with permanent hair loss, but it’s reversible. And the best news is that it usually resolves on its own.

• Tinea capitis. This condition is a fungal infection on the scalp that causes small, scaly spots and pustules. If left untreated, it can lead to hair loss from permanent scarring. But tinea capitis is almost never seen in adults.

• Trichotillomania. Sometimes, folks experiencing a mental health issue will pull out their own hair. If this is the cause of your hair loss, seek support from a mental health professional, as therapy or medication might help.

• Traction alopecia. This is temporary hair loss as a result of tight hairstyles that cause pulling and friction on the scalp.

Daily habits and other factors can lead to hair loss as well, including:

• Excessive styling with harsh hair care products (bleach, chemical straighteners)

• Tight hairstyles (braids, cornrows, ponytails)

• Rapid weight loss

The good news is that if any of these led to your hair loss, your hair should eventually grow back once you stop doing the thing that caused it.

It might not be too late to kickstart hair regrowth with a variety of proven balding treatments.

Minoxidil (Generic Rogaine®)

Minoxidil is an FDA-approved topical treatment for hair loss. Because it’s topical, you may experience fewer side effects compared to other treatments like finasteride.

You also can get minoxidil over the counter in the United States, making it an easy option for anyone looking to take action right away. Hims offers both minoxidil liquid solution and minoxidil foam.

Finasteride (Generic for Propecia®)

This FDA-approved oral treatment is very effective at treating male pattern baldness. Through Hims, you can also get finasteride as a topical finasteride spray or a chewable version.

Finasteride works by blocking DHT, the main culprit of male pattern baldness.

In many cases, drugs like finasteride and minoxidil can help men regrow lost hair, although there’s no guarantee this will happen.

Biotin Vitamins 

Biotin vitamins aren’t medical treatments for hair loss, but the nutrient is an essential building block for new hair.

According to a systematic review, these supplements may help your body grow healthy hair with an extra biotin boost, particularly if you suffer from a deficiency.

Hair-Thickening or Dandruff Shampoo 

Saw palmetto is a popular ingredient in hair-thickening shampoos that may help with hair loss. Like finasteride, it works by partially blocking DHT.

Anti-dandruff shampoos containing pyrithione zinc or ketoconazole may also help by supporting a healthy scalp.

In a study conducted by ISRN Dermatology, researchers found that 15 men who used a hair lotion composed of finasteride, minoxidil, and ketoconazole for 90 days experienced noticeable hair growth. 

Stress Reduction

You may not know it, but stress affects your health in a number of ways. It can zap your energy, make you feel physically ill, and even cause your hair to fall out. 

That’s right, stress can contribute to thinning hair in men. On its own, stress-related hair loss is generally temporary and usually resolves itself over time.

Hair Transplantation Surgery

If you’re looking for results and can swing the price, hair transplantation surgery might be up your alley.

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure that involves harvesting healthy hair from the scalp or body hair that’s not affected by male pattern baldness. These hairs are transplanted into areas with thinning or baldness.

Although several types of hair transplant surgeries are available today, they tend to be costly and can involve a lengthy recovery time. 

For more information on this hair restoration process, check out our comprehensive guide to hair transplants.

Long story short, if you think you’re experiencing hair loss, you’re not alone. Most men lose at least some of their hair at some point. 

But the worst thing about hair loss may not be the physical loss of hair so much as all the variables involved. Aside from the many potential causes, it can happen at varying speeds, to varying degrees, at almost any time in life.

Here’s what you should take away from this:

• Learn to spot the early signs of balding.

• Know your treatment options.

• Act quickly.

To learn more about your options to treat hair loss, see our guide to the causes of thinning hair.

If you’re ready to dive in with a research-backed hair loss treatment today, connect with one of our licensed healthcare providers online from the comfort of your home.