- Hair loss affects many young people in their early 20s.
- Those affected like M. (37) experience great self-doubt and look for solutions.
- A doctor explains that hair loss in boys is not a new phenomenon.
- She recommends early clarification in order to have a positive influence on the course.
Philip (24) sits in a comfortable leather chair, behind him the hairdresser lifts up a hand mirror to show him his new hairstyle from behind. At that moment he sees them clearly for the first time: bald spots. “I noticed: This is getting worse.” His hair was always important to him. “They were almost like a trademark.”
It’s not just older people who suffer from hair loss, Gen Z is also affected. That’s why there are now countless shampoos, oils and serums on the market that promise relief. At Galaxus, sales of such funds have tripled in the last three years.
“There are days when I wish my hair was back.”
Philip also tries everything. Over-the-counter tinctures and prescription medications such as minoxidil. Nothing helped, on the contrary: “My scalp suffered greatly.” The family doctor finally advised me to stop. «It was difficult for me to come to terms with my hair loss. My self-esteem has already suffered because of it.” It took two years until it was fully accepted. Then Philip shaved his head. “With my bald head I only got positive feedback.” Although he is now at peace with his hair loss, the issue has not completely gone away: “There are days when I wish my hair was back.”
For M. (37) this wish is still omnipresent. She has curls, invests a lot in care products and defines herself through her hair. She didn’t notice that her hair was thinning until her hairdresser pointed it out to her three years ago. Months later, her sister also discovered bald spots on her. So she went to the dermatologist and the diagnosis hit her hard: androgenetic alopecia, i.e. genetically caused hair loss. “For me, my world has collapsed.”
“Why me?”
Since December 2023, M. has been taking minoxidil – in the form of tablets and as a local tincture. “It helps a little, but the procedure reminds me every day that my head of hair is gone.” Nevertheless, she wears her hair looser; styling it simply takes longer. “When I look in the mirror, I often ask myself: Why me?” A transplant is still out of the question for her, but rather autologous blood therapy – despite the high costs.
“I’m pretty self-confident and I don’t get that from my appearance.”
Hair loss treatment methods
These therapies are most commonly used for hair loss:
Minoxidil
A drug that was actually developed to treat high blood pressure. For hair loss it is used locally or as a tablet. It dilates the blood vessels and can thus slow down hair loss and stimulate hair growth – but only works as long as it is used regularly.
Hair transplant
Hair roots are transplanted from denser hairy areas into bald areas. The procedure is expensive and permanent – but not suitable for everyone, especially for very young people.
Autologous blood therapy (PRP)
The body’s own blood is prepared and injected into the scalp. The aim is to stimulate the hair roots and slow down hair loss. The treatment is expensive and must be repeated regularly. The chances of success vary from person to person.
Finasteride
A prescription medication in tablet form that is primarily used for genetic hair loss. It can stop hair loss, but must be taken continuously and can have side effects such as loss of libido.
Jonathan (26) has experienced gradual hair loss since he was 20 years old. “Every year I had less hair.” He always had to listen to sayings from those around him. “They got annoying after a while.” Nevertheless, it didn’t weigh on his psyche. “I’m pretty self-confident and I don’t get that from my appearance.” The only problem for him: “You automatically look older with less hair.” He has been bald for a year now. «For me that was the best solution. “It looks better than bare spots.”
Doctor: “Hair loss in young people is not a new phenomenon”
Juste Baksanskaite from the Mara Hair Loss Practice also observes that more and more young people are seeking medical help for hair loss. “Gen Z is very health-conscious and highly sensitized through social media,” she says. Stress can also play a role – “but by far the most common is genetic hair loss, in both men and women.”
The difference lies primarily in how it is handled. “For men, hair loss is more socially normalized. Baldness is often seen as an accepted solution,” says Baksanskaite. “For women, the topic is more taboo and therefore usually more stressful.” Also because “only” around 30 to 40 percent of women are affected by hair loss over the course of their lives, while around 80 percent of men are affected.
Baksanskaite does not see an increase in cases. “The fact that patients are getting younger doesn’t mean more hair loss – but rather an earlier reaction.” And that is a good development. “The earlier we examine and treat, the easier it is to influence the course and speed of hair loss.” Hair loss in young people is not a new phenomenon, she says. “What’s new is that you no longer have to wait years before the problem is treated.”
How important is your hair to your well-being?
Carolin Teufelberger (cat) has been working as an editor in the News, Business & Video Reports department for 20 minutes since 2024.
date: 2026-02-11 12:05:00