Serious topic. And seriously, no "just go shave your head" replies please.
I'm seeing some thinning hair in my temples at age 27. Assuming it takes at least a few months for thinning to start becoming apparent, the timeframe seems to roughly correspond with two events in my life:
1. I started lifting at the gym.
2. I went through an extremely anguishing period over a oneitis - really, the first time I've been through something like this.
I know hairloss is mostly genetic, and I've read through all the scientific (and not-so-scientific) literatue on the subject. One of them suggests that weightlifting can accelerate hair loss due to the spike in testosterone that occurs after a workout session.
Most parties seem to agree that steroid use definitely has risks in balding. The question of whether just lifting weights, without any steroids, can do likewise, seems to be up in the air.
On one hand, I want to gain some muscle. I also genuinely enjoy lifting.
On the other hand, I do NOT want to lose my hair. Shaving my head is not an option except as an extreme last resort, as I do not have the head shape nor any other characteristics that it would look decent. I already have enough problems with women that another nuclear kick to the groin as far as confidence goes isn't going to help.
Short version: I want to gain muscle, I enjoy working out. I fear it might contribute to hair loss. I'm not overweight. I can be content with not being fat but with a full head of hair rather than being buff but bald.
Anyone have any information on this matter?
For what it's worth, I'm Asian. Based on what I've read, Asians are least vulnerable to male pattern baldness out of any ethinc group except Native Americans. I know from the people around me none of the other Asian men under the age of 40 seem to be losing their hair in any substantial amount.
My maternal grandfater was bald when he passed away, but he started losing hair only after 50+. My father has also lost hair, but even as he approaches 60, he still has most of it and isn't bald. All my maternal uncles have full heads of hair more or less at 50+.
I'm seeing some thinning hair in my temples at age 27. Assuming it takes at least a few months for thinning to start becoming apparent, the timeframe seems to roughly correspond with two events in my life:
1. I started lifting at the gym.
2. I went through an extremely anguishing period over a oneitis - really, the first time I've been through something like this.
I know hairloss is mostly genetic, and I've read through all the scientific (and not-so-scientific) literatue on the subject. One of them suggests that weightlifting can accelerate hair loss due to the spike in testosterone that occurs after a workout session.
Most parties seem to agree that steroid use definitely has risks in balding. The question of whether just lifting weights, without any steroids, can do likewise, seems to be up in the air.
On one hand, I want to gain some muscle. I also genuinely enjoy lifting.
On the other hand, I do NOT want to lose my hair. Shaving my head is not an option except as an extreme last resort, as I do not have the head shape nor any other characteristics that it would look decent. I already have enough problems with women that another nuclear kick to the groin as far as confidence goes isn't going to help.
Short version: I want to gain muscle, I enjoy working out. I fear it might contribute to hair loss. I'm not overweight. I can be content with not being fat but with a full head of hair rather than being buff but bald.
Anyone have any information on this matter?
For what it's worth, I'm Asian. Based on what I've read, Asians are least vulnerable to male pattern baldness out of any ethinc group except Native Americans. I know from the people around me none of the other Asian men under the age of 40 seem to be losing their hair in any substantial amount.
My maternal grandfater was bald when he passed away, but he started losing hair only after 50+. My father has also lost hair, but even as he approaches 60, he still has most of it and isn't bald. All my maternal uncles have full heads of hair more or less at 50+.