Is it possible to actually be too ugly to go bald?

[Rube]

Hey guys, I've been balding at a highly uneven pace since I was 13 (as in I lost a bunch of hair initially, then it stopped, and now I'm losing it again). It's gotten to the point where I have very little hair left, and based on what I've read the best thing to do would be to shave it off. But whenever I ask people if I should shave my head, they all give me a very strong "NO!" Many people have also added that I would look horrible bald, and I think they might be right. My ears and nose are enormous, and my head isn't very symmetrical. My forehead also looks big, but I think that's just because of the balding thing. I've read posts similar to this one, but in all those cases it was the poster thinking they looked too ugly to shave their heads. But in my case I realize I need to shave it, but everyone else thinks I'd look like a clown if I did. I've also already got depression and possible social anxiety pretty bad, so I'm worried that if I shave my head and it turns out to be a disaster that I might do something stupid.

So what options are available for people who are losing their hair but actually are too weird looking to shave it? There's no way I could afford a surgery, and I'm not going to become a slave to rogaine or anything like that. Should I just buzz my hair really short and see how that goes? Furthermore, I work outside so my face is pretty tan. In order to avoid having half of my head being stark white and the other half almost brown, should I wait to shave it until the winter when the rest of my head isn't as dark? I know it'll be pretty cold, but I'm not too worried about that. I've attached some pics so you can see what I'm talking about (I know I'm supposed to link them, but I got an error message when I tried to download the google picasa thing).

[anton86]

Shave it, you will look great.

I can see from the 2nd pic that you will suit a shaved head. Just buzz it down with no guard and it will look really good. Don't worry about what others say, they will always try and persuade you not to shave it.

I had the same problem with you with depression and stuff and even wore a piece for 2 years thats how much I didn't want to shave. Eventually I had to give in as it was torture. And you know what, its really not too bad. I am getting used to it.

You have a much better head shape than me so I would deffo shave it.

Its going to keep falling out anyway so you might as well take control and do it.

[TheSlyBear]

Dude, with that great smile how could anyone possibly deem you ugly?

Just grab your balls and shave it off! You will likely be amazed how great you look. Even in the unlikely event you decide you'd rather have a sparse mop on your head, it grows back. You have nothing to lose by trying it!

[Redgrave101]

We can all relate to that feeling of anxiety before shaving your head for the first time. But hey If you don't like it, It'll grow back. (As many others here will likely tell you!)

My advice would be to crack on now while there's still enough sun around to get a little colour on your dome. Don't worry about the tonal difference, That's gonna happen in winter also!
Start off by buzzing it down to say a #4. Get used to that and them progress towards a #2 and so on until your shaving without a guard. Then you can bust out the wet shave! 

Some people prefer the 'All or nothing' approach, But I gradually worked my way down and I'm pleased I did as it gave me and others time to get adjusted to my new look.

As for the depression etc.. I was there a little over 1 year ago, Shaving my head really helped me get over a few issues. Also some well spent time talking to people, Whether professionals or otherwise 

[buddha]

It is definitely possible to be too ugly to go bald! Look at me! But I went and did it anyway because I just don't care what others think.

[Mike]

You will look much better once you shave it off. I know that when I still had hair I was always worried about what people were thinking of me but once I shaved it off I got a huge boost of confidence. If you dont like it once you go smooth, its only hair and it can grow back. I am one of the 'all or nothing' types, get over the initial shock of it and enjoy it

[Laser Man]

A couple of things: 1) you won't look like a clown if you shave.  2) it's almost impossible to visualize yourself bald, so when other people say you'll look bad, it's only an opinion, not a fact.  3) you can buzz short and see if you like it, then decide if you want to shave it off.  4) if you don't like it, your hair will grow back. 

Regarding #2 above, I stood in front of the mirror covering my hair with my hands, trying to imagine being bald.  I couldn't do it.  When I first saw myself completely shaved, I was startled at the difference, yet I very quickly grew to love it.   You probably will love the new look and feel when you decide to go for it.

You may be nervous about seeing people at first - most of us were, but realize that most people are too busy with their own lives to pay too much attention to your head.

Give it a try - Good luck!

[Rube]

Thanks for the advice guys! I've decided I'm gonna go ahead and buzz it way down this week before school starts, so that when people meet me at the start of the semester I'll already be nearly bald. Hopefully this will cut down on the shock if I decide to shave the rest of it off later.

[Acme]

Everyone had great advice.  From pic #2 I think you'd look really good.  I'm an all or nothing person.  Why spread the anxiety out and continue trying to gage other people.  It's what you think that matters.  My opinion would be to shave it now so if you don't like, it will have a little time to get to the #1 length.  Why let everyone see you with #1 and then go all the way?

I'm 4 days in today.  Went to work today for the first time, and overall, had a pretty good day.  The main issue I had to today was me.  I thought I was feeling really confident but realized I still had some doubts.  Early in the morning and a couple other times spaced throughout the day, someone took one look, paused, and lit up when they said "I like it.  It's great."  That got me through the day.

No doubt you will have the same.  I think you look good.  Bad hair just looks bad.

[Ming the Merciless]

Weirdness is as weirdness does.  What is it with this hesitancy about "looking strange" if you go sly?  Now for "strange," you want Tom Hanks or Justin Bieber, surely.

I went to a festival (incognito, of course) the other night, and there were many sly among the throng.  Not one of them looked "ugly."  But, then, those of us who are sly have many reasons to favor the look. 

If you think people might whisper and point, just dress as I do.  Their attention will be diverted, I guarantee.  Red, I say, RED.

[Razor X]

There's nothing wrong with how you look.  You would definitely benefit from a headshave.  A severely receded hairline isn't flattering on anybody.

[marshd1000]

I echo all the other voices here.  You will look good totally bald.  I started shaving my head when I knew that it was getting noticable up front.  Since then I grew hair out a couple of different times and saw that the top and back were getting thin.  So now I just keep it shaved.  Besides if you shave now, it is not a shock when full male pattern baldness takes place!

[PigPen]

I say hell no, just shave it off. It's only ugly if you let it be ugly. Wear it with pride

[chgobuzzbald]

You have a great facial and head structure and no your ears are not too big for a shaved head. Check the gallery here for many pics of guys who are shaved. Your nose is not too big either. I bet the people you asked are not headshavers and most likely your family. Families hate changes in appearances. Also older folks still have a memory of previous generations when being bald was viewed very differently than it is today. Tonight at my kettlebell class 3 of the 5 guys had shaved heads. Each looked great btw.

[Bluebriz]

You've got nothing to worry about.  As everyone else here has said, just do it and soon you'll feel much better about yourself.