Signs of Balding at 20: Causes, Treatments, and Guidance from Men Who’ve Navigated Early Hair Loss

Your early 20s may feel too early to pay any mind to hair loss, yet balding during this decade is notably common. Research has shown that up to 30 percent of men deal with some form of hair loss before they turn 30 years old. Take, for example, Jason C. who says he noticed thinning and loss at the crown of his head. “At first, I really didn’t care, but it was pointed out by a coworker while I was seated,” he says. 

But while you may not be able to do anything about the onset of balding no matter your age, know that many ways to manage—and maybe even reverse it—exist. “It’s not over,” says Randy B. “There are plenty of options.”  

Below, get intel on the early signs of balding in your 20s, along with information about how to stop the process using the best hair loss treatment options available today, and words of advice from guys who have navigated early hair loss. 

Hair loss and thinning hair can indeed begin at any age. But whether you’re balding at 25, 20, or 75, knowledge about what’s happening can be powerful. And, for the most part, the best evidence is noticing more shedding than usual and a less full hair density.

Male pattern hair loss, also called androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause for hair loss in men. And your genes may play a role. If you’re seeing signs of hair loss, consider whether anyone in your family also had hair thinning in their 20s. This was the case for Jimmy, one of the men we interviewed for this story. “I would wake up, and ten to 20 hairs were on my pillow. I was worried because some of the men in my family have hair loss,” he says.

For many men, early balding might look like thinner hair at the crown or hairline; it may also look like thinning all over, or more skin showing at your temples. Male pattern baldness usually comes on gradually. But in some cases, the changes happen quickly. “The first sign I noticed was abnormal hair fall. Within a year, the density of my hair was almost half,” says Ben J.

Another man we spoke to, Andrew, says that at first, he was pretty oblivious to the fact that he was losing hair. “I just found myself shedding constantly. It wasn't until I got sober that I really started noticing the receding hairline and thinning on top,” he says. “When my barber mentioned it to me, I knew I had to take action. I'm sure I would look great bald, but I'm not ready to take that step. I'm trying to be an actor, plus I like my hair.” 

The way early hair loss takes shape might look different on different men, depending on which of the causes of hair loss is responsible. For more detail on the signs to look for, check out our comprehensive guide to ways to know if you're going bald or our guide on male pattern baldness.

Many hair loss causes can present in young men, though the most common is typically male pattern baldness. That said, medical conditions, medications and even excessive stress can affect your otherwise healthy hair growth.

Male Pattern Baldness

The most common reason for hair loss in men is known as male androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. An estimated 30 to 50 percent of all men will experience it by age 50, but for some, the time will come much sooner.

Just as you can get blue eyes from Mom, you can also sometimes thank your family history for hair thinning. Genetic factors play a crucial role in how your hair follicles react to androgens, which can cause hair to thin, depending on how sensitive you are to these hormones. 

Stress, Anxiety, and Traumatic Experiences

One way your body may respond to stressful events or traumatic experiences might present as a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium, a form of nonscarring alopecia. Telogen effluvium can create excessive hair shedding and potentially rapid hair loss. So if you’re seeing way more hairs in the drain, consider whether you may be in the midst of navigating stressors, like a sudden illness, surgery, loss of a loved one, hormonal changes, drastic weight loss, or even a toxic boss.

Sound like something you’re going through? Learn more about stress-related hair loss.

Other Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions can influence your hair, including:

• Thyroid conditions. Research shows that both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism may lead to hair thinning. If this is the cause, you will likely experience other symptoms, like fatigue or weight gain for hypothyroidism and weight loss or a rapid heartbeat for hyperthyroidism.

• Autoimmune issues: Diseases like lupus and Hashimoto’s disease can lead to hair loss. Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease in which hair follicles attack themselves, can also create small, round patches of hair loss. This hair loss may not be permanent, though, and a hair growth treatment may help regrow new hair. Note that this is the second most common type of hair loss after male pattern baldness.

If you’re worried that you may be dealing with a medical condition that’s causing your balding or hair loss, learn more about illnesses that cause hair loss in this excellent guide. And seek care from a provider.

Medications

Like certain illnesses, specific medications may cause side effects like hair loss. 

If you’ve noticed your hair thinning since starting a new medication, speak to your healthcare provider so they can help you develop a game plan. No matter what, don’t abruptly stop any medications without first consulting your doctor.

Some types of medications that could be causing hair loss include:

• Antidepressants (like Prozac^® or Zoloft)

• Anticoagulants (like heparin and warfarin)

• Beta-blockers (like propranolol and Tenormin)

• Anti-inflammatory drugs (like Anaprox and Clinoril)

Learn more about medications that cause hair loss in our comprehensive guide for more details.

Nutritional deficiencies

A balanced diet can influence everything from your body to your hairline. While research hasn’t pinpointed the role of vitamins and minerals, it’s believed that a nutritional deficiency could influence hair structure and hair growth.

For example, one review of studies showed that supplementing with vitamin D, among other vitamins, could improve hair regrowth in people with androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium.

If you think you may not be getting all the nutrients you need, talk to your healthcare provider. They can run lab tests to identify any deficiencies and suggest supplements that could help, accordingly. That said, nothing beats getting nutrients from whole foods. Learn more here about what to eat for hair growth. 

Physical damage to your hair or scalp

Hairstyles that pull tightly on the hair follicle can cause damage over time, leading to a type of hair loss called traction alopecia. If you’re a fan of cornrows, dreadlocks or braids, you may want to consider looser styles.

“The most obvious [sign of balding] was my receding hairline, which I attributed to wearing hats a lot and pulling my hair back,” says Ian G., whose first sign of hair loss may have been traction alopecia, not male pattern baldness.

This type of hair loss can be reversed if you stop the tension on the hair follicle. However, sticking with tight styles can eventually lead to further hair loss and permanent damage.

Moving fast is critical when it comes to managing hair loss. Thinning hair doesn’t typically happen overnight. Signs of hair loss often occur slowly, typically beginning with a receding hairline or balding on the crown of the head and eventually leading to a bald spot.

The earlier you take action — preferably before you see the full bald spot — the more hair you’ll be able to save before it becomes permanent hair loss. It’s easier to keep what you have than to grow new hair.

Here are some gold-standard methods to help slow or reverse hair loss.

Medications

Finasteride

• Oral finasteride. This once-daily pill is FDA-approved to treat male androgenetic alopecia. Commonly sold under the brand name Propecia^®, finasteride helps target dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which can shrink hair follicles and cause thinning over time.

• Topical finasteride & minoxidil spray. This two-in-one spray combines the powers of finasteride and minoxidil to help kickstart hair growth. If you’re not a fan of taking pills, this quick-drying spray might be the pick for you.

Minoxidil

• Minoxidil foam. Typically the first line of defense recommended by dermatologists, minoxidil is FDA-approved to treat male pattern hair loss and is available over the counter. You’ve probably heard of the popular brand name Rogaine^®.  Because 5 percent minoxidil has been shown to be more effective than 2 percent minoxidil for treating alopecia, this stronger formulation might be the better bet if you’re dealing with a lot of hair thinning.

• Minoxidil solution. This easy-to-use dropper at 2 percent strength is perfect for targeting patches or specific areas of thinning.

Healthy Habits for Hair Growth

While many factors of your hair situation may be due to genetics, lifestyle habits well within your control also play a role. Here are some of our top tips for getting your hair in its best shape:

• Remember we talked about that healthy diet? If you think your diet can use a little rounding out, incorporating a supplement like biotin gummies may not hurt. But also make like Popeye and get some more spinach into your diet, too.

• Volumizing shampoo and conditioner. A healthy scalp is the root of healthy hair. Has your hair looked really flat lately? If so, it may not just be thinning. A scalp and strands that are greasy can look lifeless. Picking a volumizing shampoo and conditioner will help give strands some lift and extra body.

• Thickening shampoo with saw palmetto: If you have hormonal hair loss, hair-care products infused with saw palmetto may be a good bet. These may help block DHT, the hormone known to cause hair thinning. A review of studies found that topical and oral saw palmetto can help improve hair count in men with both androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium with basically no side effects.

• Taking care of mental health. Remember that whole bit about stressful situations being associated with hair loss? While bottling up feelings might seem like the easiest route, talking about things with a professional can help manage stress and anxiety.

What would the guys say to someone else dealing with early balding?  We asked them for their advice.

• “What helps me is keeping a short haircut and wearing a hat. If you’re not a fan of going completely bald, I'd suggest a good barber and really low hairstyle. Keep it lined up. Also, grow a beautiful full-face beard!” —Sergio B.

• “[Managing hair loss] requires a very specific routine and takes patience.” —Kevin L.*

• “Bodies are weird and strange and also wonderful, so it's just something that happens. But it's not the end of the world, especially if you act fast.” —Ian G.

• “Everyone I know my age has thinned or receding hairlines. It's just something that happens, and we can take control of it. If you can and are willing to spend the money, why not?” —Andrew D.

• “It’s possible to prevent it if you catch it early.” —Jimmy C.

• “This journey is a continuous one. Even today, with most of my hair back, I still panic a bit when I think about switching up my hairstyle or even going to the barber because my mind tricks me into believing I’m still losing mass amounts of hair. My partner reminded me that at this point, I’ve gone from bald to long hair.” —Brandon D.

• “Hair loss is nothing to be ashamed of. But moreover, it is okay to seek treatment or help to combat hair loss.”  —Everett F.

We know it’s no fun to deal with losing hair in your 20s, but remember that there are effective treatments you can try to restore that lush head of hair.

Here are two few things to keep in mind:

• Move quickly. Please don’t wait until the last act to make some changes. If you’re noticing even slight thinning, it’s better to get going on a treatment before hair loss becomes permanent.

• Find the right hair loss treatment. Whether you have traction alopecia or medication-triggered hair loss, knowing the root cause will help you figure out the right course of action. Hair loss treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, or a biotin supplement can be helpful methods to get the hair of your dreams.

Hair health is a lifelong practice — the sooner you take it seriously, the better. While bald is beautiful, if you’re not ready to embrace baldness just yet, we’ve got you covered. Check out our hair loss treatments that can slow hair loss and may help regrow your hair.