My 15 Year Old is Losing His Hair!

[futureman]

Title edited for caps. Please read Rule 9! -jpm

Looks to be genetic rather than some other temporary condition (he's been to a pediatric dermatologist). I've never seen male pattern baldness setting in this soon in a boy's life (although I've heard it happens)!

I started losing mine in my mid-late 20's. It never inhibited my social life (although I obsessed over it for years until I finally embraced it). I like to think I was a trailblazer for the shaved-head and scruff look. I like the way I look. Yet I can't imagine what this is like for a self-conscious teenager who associates baldness with adulthood. We have him on minoxidil and medicated shampoo/conditioner, but I wish I could dispense effective encouragement. I've tried.

Anyone here have similar experiences, either as a teen or a parent? Thoughts appreciated!

 

[mso489]

I think the peer judgement could be challenging, since most men don't face significant hair loss until their thirties or later; however, I think having a dad who has faced this and handled it with acceptance and some confidence will help a lot. You're wise to have your son seen by a doc, to make sure there isn't anything else going on that needs attention, but it looks clearly genetic. At least, it's a good time in history to go hairless, since there are a lot of media stars, male and female now, who go clean shaven on top.

 

[CoffeeAndBourbon]

I had a receding hairline in high school...

 

[timelord]

It happened to one of my University friends; he started to lose his hair when he was 16 and was completely bald by the time he was 20. He didn't seem to be bothered by it; I guess a lot will depend on the reaction of other kids at school.

 

[captainsousie]

Looks to be genetic rather than some other temporary condition (he's been to a pediatric dermatologist). I've never seen male pattern baldness setting in this soon in a boy's life (although I've heard it happens)!

I started losing mine in my mid-late 20's. It never inhibited my social life (although I obsessed over it for years until I finally embraced it). I like to think I was a trailblazer for the shaved-head and scruff look. I like the way I look. Yet I can't imagine what this is like for a self-conscious teenager who associates baldness with adulthood. We have him on minoxidil and medicated shampoo/conditioner, but I wish I could dispense effective encouragement. I've tried.

Anyone here have similar experiences, either as a teen or a parent? Thoughts appreciated!

It may not help but you could introduce him to the work of Kevin Bull on Ninja Warrior. He also does a lot of work with kids who have alopecia so that might be an avenue your son could explore. Helping others through a tought time similar to what you are experiencing can be quite therapeutic. Either way, he has my sympathy as that cannot be easy to go through at that age.

 

[kcghost]

It's problem for a 15 year old boy because boys the same age are just looking for some one to rag on. The only saving grace is that he is male.

 

[JOHN72]

Perhaps a hereditary problem, any time of stress or anxiety due to any concern.

 

[Philosopiper]

I started losing my hair around 15 or 16. A diffuse loss, as opposed merely to a receding hair line. I had medium-long hair. I was terribly upset for a time. But, my hair loss is very slow. I buzzed my head for close to decade, but since then have kept it longer but short.

An adolescent man has to mature into an adult man, and embrace the physical traits like hair loss that represent their maturity. That’s the only thing to do. Be a mature man, and the physical traits of a mature man won’t be out of place.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

Seems like he has a good father.
That counts for a lot.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It sounds like you are doing a super job at being a dad. I don't have much advice to help, but you're never too young to start wearing fedoras.

 

[anotherbob]

Looks to be genetic rather than some other temporary condition (he's been to a pediatric dermatologist). I've never seen male pattern baldness setting in this soon in a boy's life (although I've heard it happens)!

I started losing mine in my mid-late 20's. It never inhibited my social life (although I obsessed over it for years until I finally embraced it). I like to think I was a trailblazer for the shaved-head and scruff look. I like the way I look. Yet I can't imagine what this is like for a self-conscious teenager who associates baldness with adulthood. We have him on minoxidil and medicated shampoo/conditioner, but I wish I could dispense effective encouragement. I've tried.

Anyone here have similar experiences, either as a teen or a parent? Thoughts appreciated!

I think we're all lucky that baldness and a lot of other things people including youngsters are more "woke" about and accepting. Though one way he could play it is a sign of maturity he could lean into that and embrace it. Not sure how well that would work I'd have to know the kid and I don't. But one thing for him and you to keep in mind is the other way can be just as bad. I knew a guy named Elliott who didn't show signs of puberty until he was well into his 20s. It was weird it was like hanging out with a child who knew about teenage things as well teenagers and who was also knowledgeable about school stuff too. He once expressed confusion about what I found so great about having multiple girlfriends (one gives you a perfect excuse not to take anyone to the prom!). At least your kids not missing out and if he might even be able to play the whole thing to his advantage.

 

[futureman]

Thank you all for your kind words and sage advice. He's somewhat in denial, so any effort to encourage him is interpreted as a confirmation that he's losing his hair. It's a delicate issue that requires prudence on my part. Fortunately he has lots of friends (who, on the other hand, can make sport of each others' alleged defects); and he has a good chance of making the golf team, which would be a huge boost to his self-confidence. *Fingers crossed.*

 

[briarbuck]

Indeed. If he's OK with it I'm not sure I would even say a word. I started loosing my hair in High School. Never bothered me at all. I took it with pride as gift from my Irish ancestors.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

That sucks. I was lucky because my hair didn't start thinning until I was in my 40's. I shave it now because I like the way it feels and i'm not really that concerned with how it looks anymore. I hope you can find a solution.

 

[woodsroad]

Embrace it. Own it. Make it yours. Move on.

 

[Bengel]

he has a good chance of making the golf team, which would be a huge boost to his self-confidence.

Then he can wear wild outfits and that will take the focus off the hair line?

 

[Egg Shen]

There was a kid in my home economic class who was 17 or so with the same. Sure we busted his balls a bit since it was unusual. It’s not the ball busting but the response that matters. And he was good about taking it in stride, which probably led to less ridicule. We all change and get uglier for the most part as we age. Ugly by the standards of media and such anyway. But beauty and confidence come from within and that can outshine any physical drawback. I would explain this to your son as well as getting him involved in things that build confidence, like weight lifting. Honestly women just appreciate confidence. I’m 43 and baldish and can still get beautiful women that are 10 years my junior. That wasn’t working out so well when I was busy giving a fuck about my hair though. You can exude charm personality and style to such a degree that women don’t care that you’re bald. So just do that is my advice to him. And fake it til you make it, if that’s what it needs to be!

 

[mortonbriar]

That's a tough one.

 

[futureman]

There was a kid in my home economic class who was 17 or so with the same. Sure we busted his balls a bit since it was unusual. It’s not the ball busting but the response that matters. And he was good about taking it in stride, which probably led to less ridicule. We all change and get uglier for the most part as we age. Ugly by the standards of media and such anyway. But beauty and confidence come from within and that can outshine any physical drawback. I would explain this to your son as well as getting him involved in things that build confidence, like weight lifting. Honestly women just appreciate confidence. I’m 43 and baldish and can still get beautiful women that are 10 years my junior. That wasn’t working out so well when I was busy giving a fuck about my hair though. You can exude charm personality and style to such a degree that women don’t care that you’re bald. So just do that is my advice to him. And fake it til you make it, if that’s what it needs to be!

Love this. Thanks.

 

[Grangerous]

I have an older cousin who lost all body hair while in the Marine Corps. At the tender age of 18 he lost everything, eyebrows, lashes, facial hair, head, body. He’s 70 today and looks much younger than most of us sporting gray hair.

But at 18 he was quite distraught. At his wedding, a waiter made a joke and Jimmy beat the piss out of him.

Someone mentioned confidence. That’s the key. Women don’t care about looks as much as we believe. But they all respond to confidence.

There are women that like bald men and women that don’t. He’ll attract one that does. It sounds like over simplification but no less true!

Building up confidence is a tough enough task at 15. But that is the road to take. There’s a study that says the bald men are perceived as leaders.