25M | Hair transplant candidate or am I overreacting? (2024 vs 2026 progression pics)
Hey everyone,
I’m 25 years old now and trying to figure out whether I’m a realistic candidate for a hair transplant or if I should focus on medical treatment first.
The photos labeled 2024 were taken when I was 23 years old, and the photos labeled 2026 are current at 25 years old.
What I’ve noticed:
• Recession appears to be progressing at both temples
• Hairline has become more uneven compared to 2024
• Density on top still seems decent overall, but I feel like I’ve lost ground in the frontal corners
• Crown doesn’t appear to be a major issue yet (at least from what I can tell)
A few questions for those with more experience:
Does this look like typical male pattern baldness progression?
Roughly what Norwood level would you put me at?
Based on the photos, would you consider me a reasonable hair transplant candidate today?
If you were me, would you start finasteride/minoxidil first and wait a year before considering surgery?
Any estimates on how many grafts might be needed to restore and strengthen the hairline?
I’m mainly interested in restoring the temple areas and improving the overall shape of the hairline.
Thanks for any honest feedback. I’d rather hear the truth now than make an expensive mistake later.
Age: 25
Ethnicity: Black/African American
No prior hair transplant procedures
2024 photos = age 23
2026 photos = age 25
Photos attached: 2024 → 2026 progression comparison.