Shave or meds?

[BenV]

Hey Guys -

Great place you got here.

Im 33 and noticed hairloss in my mid 20's. I had messy hair which kind of worked for me, but it go so bad recently i really had to shave it off. I know if i took medication, i could possibility grow back alot of hair. I thought id try this bald look awhile, and i know its more 'real' than covering it up in other ways.

ATM - I am quite uncomfortable with the shaved head, even though i know it can look great on some!  I do admire the confidence you guys have, which at the end of the day, is way more important than looks.

Anyway, let me know what you guys think, here a pic i took about a year ago with my messy hair...

[kalbo]

Hi Ben, welcome to the brotherhood. Based on your photos, you look good either way. I suggest you read through the forum with regards to taking medication on hair growth, there may be a lot of harmful side effects.

[valldo]

Amazing difference between the two pictures, both suit you but I don't need to tell which look I would pick if I had to choose one.
I would stay away from any medication, either let it grow or shave it off....there is lots of info on this forum and if you need us to encourage you, just let us know
You say you feel uncomfortable with your head shaved....give it a thought,  sometimes it's the people that most matter to us that make us feel that way...it's your look, your head, and your life....people around you will get used to it faster than you think

[tomgallagher]

Welcome to the group. Stay away from the snake oil salesmen.

[Chavster]

Hmmm...well, it goes against the grain for me to say this, but in your 'with hair' picture, your hair looks like it needs to be introduced to a talented stylist and a decent bottle of shampoo, however comparing both pictures, I think you look better with hair than without Sorry

But I'm not sure I understand your post anyway. Are you saying the 'with hair' picture is almost 10 years old? If so, I'd probably like to see a more recent 'with hair' pic compared to a more recent 'without' pic.

But comparing the two pictures like-for-like, IMO, you look better with hair.

[BaldHDbiker]

I think you look fine both with and without hair.

Would your hair be as full now as it was a year ago when you took the pic?

Should you decide to go sly you owe it to yourself to try the 30 days and then make a decision. Since you can still grow hair you can grow it back at any time.

I also agree to stay away from the meds for hair growth.

[Arnie]

Looks like you have options either way.

Welcome to SBGs!!!

[buddha]

I'm not going to say to stay away from all the bs meds (or did I?). Instead I would advise you to check out potential side effects on any of probably millions of websites. Read peoples' experiences with the side effects. Then if you decide to do the meds, well, more power to you, brother!

[Razor X]

Your head is already shaved so the best course of action for now is to stick with it for a while and see how you adjust.  Keep shaving for 30 days -- it takes about that long to adjust to the change -- and then reevaluate.  I wouldn't use the drugs under any circumstances.

I think your head looks great shaved.  You also look good with hair but I'd suggest a different style. You said that photo is a year old, so the questions now are how much hair do you currently have and for how much longer?  If it truly is going, then you might as well just stay bald.  It's normal to have some reservations in the beginning.  At the end of the 30 days you'll know for sure whether this the look for you or not.

[Paul the Headblader]

with or without, it's just a haircut
if you're having problems, keep it shaved. looks good.

[CraftyGuy]

Hmmm...well, it goes against the grain for me to say this, but in your 'with hair' picture, your hair looks like it needs to be introduced to a talented stylist and a decent bottle of shampoo, however comparing both pictures, I think you look better with hair than without Sorry

But I'm not sure I understand your post anyway. Are you saying the 'with hair' picture is almost 10 years old? If so, I'd probably like to see a more recent 'with hair' pic compared to a more recent 'without' pic.

But comparing the two pictures like-for-like, IMO, you look better with hair.

Nothing a little facial hair wouldn't fix!   

[Chavster]

Real men dont eat quiche, but they do have facial hair

[BenV]

That pic was from about 18 months ago, and the shaved one is recent. I've had a shaved head for about 3 months.

Well, the hair is thinner than it looks in that pic with hair, its part of my magic hair trick. There is still lots of follicle action, but they have miniturized alot. Now with the shaved dome i have a hairline shadow, and a white dome!

So guys - if i was to stay sly, what are some ways to help me with the look? Im a skinny dude! and white! I guess there are two places to start  

Re facial hair, i usually keep it at a few days growth, not really thick enough to go past that.

Thanks for all the honest opinions.

PS - theres another pic of the shaved dome in profile pic.

[Laser Man]

If you like the look and feel of the shaved head, stick with it.  The skin color will even out (assuming you get some sun) and there's nothing wrong with a hairline shadow (I have one, so I know what I'm talking about!) 

There's also no single "look" - it's up to you to decide what you like and what works best.  Being sly isn't restricted to any single build or complexion, so just try a few things, e.g., facial hair and see what you think. 

[MikeBrke]

I think you look great shaved. Your face is angular and you have high cheek bones, a look that lends itself well to a shaved head/bald.

Also, I am just like you; I have a hairline and a ton of follicles but they are miniaturizing quickly. Most people don't realize that I am balding because they see the shadow of the follicles. I tell them to give me a couple years, haha.