New Member: 21 years old and thinning fast.

[Hawksley]

Hey Guys!,

I have been lurking the forum for a number of months now and have just decided to join and enter in some of the conversation.

A little background information: I live in Canada, I am 21, and will be starting my third of four years of university in the fall to become a high school English teacher. I started to notice my hair thinning when I was about 16 or 17 years old, but since I have some minor psoriasis on my scalp, I tended to attribute the diffuse thinning to my skin condition. Nobody in my gene pool has ever experienced hair loss this early in life, so I didn't think that it was even a possibility. But fast forward 5 years and around Christmas this year I all of a sudden began to shed like crazy and have noticed HUGE changes in my hair density within the last 6 months. My hairline is now receding, my crown is becoming quite thin, and the rest of the head seems to be thinning as well.

To be perfectly honest, no one has noticed my hair loss at all yet (or at least they haven't mentioned it) because I wear it at a medium length and it doesn't show very badly. But I still feel that I want to try going sly simply just so I can clear my mind and stop thinking about my hair falling out. It has got to the point that I'm having trouble focusing on school work and it's affecting my overall view on life and things I once found joy in; so that is where you know you have to draw the line.

For all of you that are sly because of MPB you are aware that the worst part is probably actually seeing your hair all over everything (your pillow, your shirt, the drain, your beanie, etc.) So I would like to at least try sly in order to avoid that experience. I have had a very tight buzz cut before and think I have a decent head shape. I guess I'm just nervous about whether or not it's time to throw in the white towel.

Anyways, I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that I'll more than likely be a part of the sly fraternity in the near future when I think I'm comfortable and ready with that decision. I also just wanted to say that this is an absolutely fantastic site and it surely helps hundreds of men, especially young like me, deal with a problem that can seemingly feel like the end of the world from time to time. It's very comforting to know that there is a group of guys to help lift one another up and spread knowledge about the sly lifestyle. So the next drink is toasted to Tyler for creating such a friendly, welcoming online environment, and to all you guys for extending such a helping hand to a young guy like me. Bye for now!

[balddoc]

Welcome to SBG, Hawksley! I decided to shave because of progressively-worsening MPB, which started around 18 years of age. If it's bothering you, do something about it. Chances are that people are noticing, but aren't saying anything - balding is a sensitive topic.

My advice would be to buzz it off first, get used to your head and let the scalp tan a bit before you finish the job off with a razor.

Good luck bro.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome aboard! When your hairloss is becoming an issue to the point where all other aspects of your life are affected, it's time to do something about it! Glad you found us and post often!

[Lynchy]

Welcome!

I am 23 and have been slowly losing hair since my teens.

Going sly is the best thing I've done. Wish I did sooner!

Good luck and hope to see you sly soon

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome Hawksley!

If your hair loss is affecting your life, and you state it is, then it is time to be pro-active and do something about it.
And DO NOT look at it as "throwing in the white towel"........ look at it as "opening a new door to a worry free life".

[Frontier Guy]

Welcome Hawksley,

That's an impressive and logical introduction - certainly worthy of a future high school English instructor. Kudos to you.

So I read the very valid justifications for joining "Camp Sly" but I didn't see anything to justify waiting.  Not to push too hard, but what are you waiting for? As Lynchy wrote (and many others have echoed), "Wish I'd done it sooner." (Me included, though I'm BBC.)

I think once you do you will sense such an incredible release from worry you will find your days to be much more fun and joyful.

If you're been lurking about, you've probably seen the thread by "the big guy" who committed to shaving if 13 of us here agreed that was the right decision. Took just a few hours to round up the votes. We can do the same for you if needed!

Good luck with your decision. We are here to support you.

[mrzed]

To be perfectly honest, no one has noticed my hair loss at all yet (or at least they haven't mentioned it) because I wear it at a medium length and it doesn't show very badly.

They probably think they are being kind and not saying anything. It probably shows.

I have had a very tight buzz cut before and think I have a decent head shape. I guess I'm just nervous about whether or not it's time to throw in the white towel.

The difference between a tight buzz cut and shaved bald is hardly noticeable, but the feel of a smooth head is very different from the fuzzy buzz.  

As you read around here on SBG, the most common statement from the guys is "Why did I wait so long". I said that myself and I'm BBC.  Summer is a good time to take the razor to your head, get some color tan on top and you'll be all set for your senior year.  If your hair is thinning, no need to wait. Take command and go bald now.  



See Bud's introduction from earlier today:

The guy was bald and asked me, bald? I said yes. And he did his job and shaved my dome. I can say I dig the look. Should have done it sooner.

[stasiu]

Welcome to SBG !   Those strays on pillow are indication its time to zero buzz or sly smooth or both !  We are here and been there !

[RoWilJr]

Welcome to SBG! Hope to see ya on the Sly side soon 

[Natedawg]

But I still feel that I want to try going sly simply just so I can clear my mind and stop thinking about my hair falling out. It has got to the point that I'm having trouble focusing on school work and it's affecting my overall view on life and things I once found joy in; so that is where you know you have to draw the line.

Welcome, Hawksly. This is a good enough reason as any to give it a try. Your hair should never control other aspects of your life. I'm glad to hear you are gearing up to go sly. I think you will find great relief in it.   

[Snakehandler]

One of my sons started losing his hair in his late teens so he went sly at age 20 while away at college. It looked great on him and still does 11 years later. I should have done it then too. It looks great ! Feels great ! And is very freeing ! Try it you'll like it !! 😄

[IllinoisBaldy]

Welcome Hawksley.  I know what it's like to lose hair so young.  The sooner you shave, the sooner you can move on with life.

[mangosink12572]

Shave it and enjoy the BALD DOME - -There are alot of us out there.

I counted BALD guys today - - and so far  I have seen 28 (totally shaved) - - -in cars or where I eat breakfast  - -then lunch.  Tonight  at dinner I will probably   see 5-6 more.

Go for it

[Paul the Headblader]

welcome

[mrzed]

Re: Strays in the ....

Two brothers in their 20's were living with their parents. The younger apparently had thinning hair and it left globs of hair in the shower. The older brother was 'disgusted' with the mess that his younger brother was leaving.  So, to prove his point that the hair really was that of the younger brother, he shaved his head.  There. Now the hair in the shower CANT be mine!

Proved his point. Thought it was funny.  Younger brother has since moved out and older brother has returned to short hair, but not bald.