Should I Shave My Head?

[jtom]

Hey guys!

I am a 25 years old and I have been suffering from a receding harline in the temple region since about 2005.  In 2007 I started rogaine and propecia. Rogaine did not work for me and I have been on propecia since 2007.  Propecia has not stopped the receding hairline and I have noticed more hairloss lately.  I have posted pics for you to look over.  My parents think I would look stupid with no hair and insist that I just grow my hair in the front as long as possible to hide the hairline.  I am thinking that while that can be a temporary solution, as more hairs fall out it will look bad.  I personally like my hair short but have never had a buzz cut or been bald so I have no idea how I will look and I am apprehensive about doing so.  I hope I would look decent as I know one day I will have to shave it as the hairline goes back too far.  

This past weekend I did get a few looks from the ladies so I am not sure what to do at this point.

[jtom]

Another Pic

[Paul the Headblader]

I'll say:
get buzzed for a while, get used to it. if you like it, feel free to shave. it's how I did it, and I wasn't forced by some reasons. I DON'T REGRET A SECOND for shaving my head.
hiding hairloss problems is a big mistake, trust me.

[jtom]

One More

[mangosink12572]

There should be no question about going SLY BALD  - - - -Go for it  - - - -30 days  - -  if you don't like it  - - -it grows back

[theebaldguy]

There are two things you said that make me cringe:

I am 25 years old

AND

My parents think I would look stupid with no hair and insist that I just grow my hair in the front as long as possible to hide the hairline. 

If you're a minor living with your parents, then I suppose they have a say in how you present yourself...but you're 25 years old, and legally an adult. Just sayin'...

Go with what makes you happy. 

[Sly Red]

Oh yeah, get off the Propecia.   

That stuff will do in your sex life. 

Red

[buddha]

TheeBaldGuy beat me to it with the age vs parents thing.

You didn't mention, and it's no one's business but yours, whether you're living under their roof and they're footin' the bill for you. If that's the case it throws in a wrinkle that can definitely become uncomfortable.

[tomgallagher]

25 seems like a nice round number to stand on your own two feet and do what you please.

[theebaldguy]

Yes, also what SimplyRed says. I don't speak from experience, since I've never used Propecia or Rogaine, but it's worth remembering that there is no known cure for male pattern baldness. They are just preying on the insecurity that most young men have over losing their hair. Don't waste your money on snake oil. Life is so much easier when you accept your hair loss, and make the best of it. For many of us, that means shaving the rest off, instead of trying to sweep the problem under the rug. (sorry, bad pun  )

[jtom]

TheeBaldGuy beat me to it with the age vs parents thing.

You didn't mention, and it's no one's business but yours, whether you're living under their roof and they're footin' the bill for you. If that's the case it throws in a wrinkle that can definitely become uncomfortable.

You got it.  I lost my job a year ago, I had to move in with them and they support me so its a little different.  Its really more that I just dont know how I will look with no hair, Im nervous I will look worse.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Well, you seem to be hesitating without understanding that time and hairline wait for no man.  This is a chart of the general parameters of male pattern baldness.  Generally as time progresses your hairline will follow the progression it shows.  So, you can either: (1) take charge and either buzz really short or shave it sly, or (2) let Mother Nature take you there--there is no other reasonable option.  Drugs often have unintended consequences and to risk that for hair just isn't a rational choice.



You appear to be about a 3A now and it will continue at a pace determined by your genetics to possibly a 7--that's what mpb is.  Sly you control.  So, shave or buzz or let Nature do it slowly, hair, by hair, by hair. 

What are you going to do?

[TheSlyBear]

Yeah, my mom gave me the same "grow your hair" advice. She meant well.

But I went ahead and did what I wanted, which at the time was a zero-guard buzz.

It's your head, not theirs. Do what you want.

[Acme]

Welcome.

You can't really hide it for much longer.  My mother was the only drastically negative reaction when I shaved my head about 2 months ago but I don't live with her and even if I did, I would still do what I wanted.  It's only hair.

As far as nervous about how you'll look, I was actually trembling until I took the first wide swipe accross the top of my head with the no-guard clipper.  It was all postive from there.  I'm sure you will rock the look like the rest of us.

[Slynito]

Give it a try for a few weeks and if you don't like it...