Hello! Bald at 21

• Hello! Bald at 21 by Austinb8 on 29 Aug, 2012 20:08
• Hello everyone! My name is Austin and my hairline started receding a little bit around the age of 16. I was really worried about it at the time and it slowly continued until I was around 19. Since then it hasn't receded any more, but when I joined the Army the whole top seems to be thinning - worse toward the back crown area. It's pretty noticeable. I have a feeling it is from all the stress, as I am currently going through nearly 2 years of intensive training and I'm in class about 8 hours a day with hours of homework and nearly no free time. I keep my hair cut with no guard as I am in the military I either have to have it all cut short or tapered up, but it would look dumb to have the sides tapered with the top thinning haha. I consider completely shaving it, but in the mornings I barely have enough time to shave my face and brush my teeth so I doubt I'd have enough time to shave it every morning. Anyways, glad to be here - I just figured I'd give a little background information.
• #1 by Slynito on 29 Aug, 2012 20:15
• Welcome to the forum, Austin. Have you tried shaving it all off? Then you could see how much time it takes you to do it. I use a Panasonic much of the time and I can do a fair job of the face 'n' head in 5 to 7 minutes. Good luck!
  
   
• #2 by Hingatao on 29 Aug, 2012 20:21
• Welcome to the club, Austin.
• #3 by Sir Harry on 29 Aug, 2012 20:47
• Welcome, Austin! As a recently retired soldier, I want to thank you for your service and sacrifice at such a young age....if you should go all the way, there are a number of methods to help you. Good luck and we're here for support...with your hair loss and your military career!
• #4 by Frontier Guy on 29 Aug, 2012 21:11
• Welcome Austin. Glad you've joined us here.
• #5 by Paul the Headblader on 29 Aug, 2012 21:39
• hey. all this will go once with headshaving.
  feel free to shave it off, and you'll see that baldness will not haunt you anymore
• #6 by KG on 29 Aug, 2012 22:09
• Welcome Austin.  We are with you bro.
• #7 by Juan Jose Colin on 30 Aug, 2012 00:51
• Welcome!
• #8 by kalbo on 30 Aug, 2012 04:19
• Welcome to the bald brotherhood Austin.
• #9 by Andrei on 30 Aug, 2012 11:55
• Welcome Austin!
  I don't have much time in the morning, so I prefer to shave in the evening.
  Plus, you don't have to shave on a daily basis, you can shave every two days. Try it for some time and see how it works out.
• #10 by xnewyawka on 30 Aug, 2012 12:18
• Welcome Austin. Try a shave at least once to see how you like it. I'm sure you will.
  Shaving the head should only add about 5 minutes to your routine, less as you improve your shaving skills.
  Good luck with your shaving, and your military career. Thanks for your service. 
• #11 by Frontier Guy on 30 Aug, 2012 18:56
• The first few shaves will take longer; I found after about a week the added time for head shaving was only about 5 minutes if I'm in a moderate rush.
• #12 by Bilko1 on 11 Sep, 2012 04:49
• Hi & welcom, Austin.
  
  I was about your age when I joined the army here in the uk.
  I understand what you are talking about when you talk about the seemingly lack of time in the mornings.
  
  Although, we were not really allowed to shave our heads smooth in those days we were allowed to have our heads clippered every 3-4 days. This was done mainly in the evenings. I guess you have more time at night.
  
  What I would suggest is ask one of your military colleagues to shave your head for you & see how that works out.
  
  God bless,
  
  Bill