Yes, denial is common in some young guys. I know this guy, around age 25, and really thinned out on top. Wears the see-thru dark brown hair combed forward, bangs to his eyes. Granted his sides/back hair is thick, but the top is not. He grew a medium reddish-brown beard to off set the balding but insists that "just a bit thinning on top". BTW - he teaches marketing.