I'm beautiful. Not sure if I'm ready to be bald and beautiful yet though.

[Hotpocket]

Well thanks for all the helpful info and words of encouragement. I made a step today in becoming sly. I cut it down to an eighth an inch all around and in all honesty it was my mom who was doing all the freaking out, not me. I'm kind of sporting a 'bad ass' look at the moment and I don't think it looks too bad. It helped me not look like I'm even thinning.

So all's good for now. With any luck I'll keep what I have for a few years.

I'm still unsure about the whole propecia deal. I still have to talk to my dermatologist yet so we'll see after that. On the whole it sounds pretty unappealing to me though.

Not sure about the cons yet of having my head buzzed this short, but one pro is I love the way it feels. It's spiky yet soft. 

Cheers

Hotpocket

[TheSlyBear]

Propecia is not "poison" anymore that ibuprofen, birth control or any other drug.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. But personally, I wouldn't let that sh*t anywhere near my body.

I think comparing ibuprofen to propecia is like comparing a dental x-ray to nuclear fallout. After all, they're both just radiation, right?

[MikeBrke]

Propecia is not "poison" anymore that ibuprofen, birth control or any other drug.

You are, of course, entitled to your opinion. But personally, I wouldn't let that sh*t anywhere near my body.

I think comparing ibuprofen to propecia is like comparing a dental x-ray to nuclear fallout. After all, they're both just radiation, right?

I really don't understand your x-ray and nuclear fallout analogy.  Are you trying to say that propecia is worse for you than ibuprofen or any other drug for that matter?  If you are, why?  What evidence do you have to prove that?  Sure, propecia alters hormone levels, but not outside of normal ranges.  The only hormone it does alter outside of normal range is DHT, and it has been shown this is not detrimental, even in studies up to 7 years.  As a matter of fact, many people have naturally low levels of DHT and they are fully functioning healthy adults.   

You are calling propecia "sh*t" without any credible evidence that it is "sh*t."  I respect your choice not to put in your body (which is my choice too), but to call it a "poison" and "sh*t" when all signs point to it not being so, is misleading and uninformed. 

[Basqueman]

I made a step today in becoming sly. I cut it down to an eighth an inch all around and in all honesty it was my mom who was doing all the freaking out, not me. I'm kind of sporting a 'bad ass' look at the moment and I don't think it looks too bad. It helped me not look like I'm even thinning.

 Hotpocket.  Over the years as my MPB progressed, my wife would always tell me that the shorter I kept my hair, the more it looked like I had more of it.   Based on your photo, it looks like you may still have several years of hair left in you.  Wear it as short as you can stand it until you're ready to go Sly.  As you make your way, notice the Sly guys around  you.  There are alot of young guys that shave their heads.  Its a popular and  fashionable look that fits men of all ages.  Be cool and good luck!

[Mikekoz13]

the only reason I'm even considering it would be for the ladies.

So you're considering a drug that can make you impotent? Really?

Sounds like a "Gift of the Magi" (O Henry) situation.

The Wise Bear makes a great literary analogy!!!

[Razor X]

Forget the side effects for a moment; the fact that you will have to take and pay for these drugs for the rest of your life, for what in most cases yields only minimal results, is reason enough to shy away from them.  Save your money for something more worthwhile.

I was about 20 years old when I first noticed that my hairline was receding; which means that it probably started a year or two earlier than that.  It progressed very slowly; I didn't shave my head for the first time until I was 33, though in retrospect, I probably should have done it a year or two earlier.  Your photo looks like you've still got a decent amount of hair left, so I really wouldn't worry about it for now, if I were you.  I'll just repeat the advice that others have already given you:  cut your hair as short as you feel comfortable with; it draws attention away from the thinning areas.  Go progressively shorter as the thinning continues.  Getting used to wearing very short hair will make it a lot easier to make the transition to shaved if and when you decide to go that route.

[Mikekoz13]

A word on the Propecia topic...... Here at SBG we espouse the "No rugs, No plugs, No drugs" side of the equation. If you feel so strongly about the use pf Propecia being a good thing you may be on the wrong Forum.

Don't get me wrong... you are welcome here of course but if your philosophy is strongly Pro-drug you may just be in the wrong place.

Peace

[tomgallagher]

+1

[MikeBrke]

A word on the Propecia topic...... Here at SBG we espouse the "No rugs, No plugs, No drugs" side of the equation. If you feel so strongly about the use pf Propecia being a good thing you may be on the wrong Forum.

Don't get me wrong... you are welcome here of course but if your philosophy is strongly Pro-drug you may just be in the wrong place.

Peace

Quite the contrary, I am anti-drug.  However, I believe that everyone should make informed decisions based on the best available evidence.  It is better for a guy to say "I am fully educated and aware of propecia based on discussions with my doctor and the latest scientific evidence, but I choose to shave my head."  Rather than "I don't really know anything about propecia except it is "poison" and "sh*t." I am going to shave my head."

[TheSlyBear]

Side effects of finasteride include impotence (1.1% to 18.5%), abnormal ejaculation (7.2%), decreased ejaculatory volume (0.9% to 2.8%), abnormal sexual function (2.5%), gynecomastia (2.2%), erectile dysfunction (1.3%), ejaculation disorder (1.2%) and testicular pain.

No thanks.

(Quote from Wikipedia.)

[zed]

http://www.propeciasideeffects.com/
I think you should look at this, not only are there devastating consequences they. don't go after you stop takin the drug, also be aware it only works for certain people...

[Nonick]

Gee, if someone werre to tell me that I might be able to grow some hair for a few years but I'd have a 1 in 4, or 1 in 3 chance of screwing up my sex life PERMANENTLTY, I'd have to think long and hard about that one!  Am I really THAT vain, that I need hair? 

[MikeBrke]

Well, I wouldn't consider Wikipedia and an internet forum the most trustworthy sources of information on propecia.  And with regards to propeciasideeffects.com, I due believe that some men have problems with propecia, but that is a very small percent of men.  And even then, almost all men who have side effects and then stop taking it, the side effects go away.

I would bet a majority of the men on propeciasideefeffect.com suffer from the placebo effect and are freaking out. Millions of men take propecia, it works, and they are healthy.  Again, taking any drug has its risks and propecia is no different.   

The last thing I will say about this issue is this: you can trust science or you can trust anecdotal stories and internet pseudo-scientists.  Your call.     

[zed]

I disagree, you can't always trust science and you definitely can't always trust drug companies. Sometimes drug companies are less interested in advancing science and more concerned with turngin a profit/
For info the information detailed on propeciasideeffects was not anecdotal - it came from a pretty reliable source - the Food and Drug Administration...

[Nonick]

zed, got a link or a quote from their website?  There are so many lies and partial truths on the Internet that some people won't even believe if you show them the website.  But then, some people like playing Russian Roulette with their per, er um, pe, um personals!