New and loosing hair ;)

[A_D]

hey guys, im new and liking the vibe of this place

recently gathered the kahunahs to shave pretty short. I do feel better in myself however the past few years of denial, and genreal anger with my genes have left me a bit down and lacking somewhat in confidence. any pointers on how to get back into life and not have to worry about something as trivial as hair would be greatly appreciated.

cheers.

[Andrei]

Welcome Aidan, great avatar!

The first thing you need to do is take control over the situation. Don't go for haircuts that don't suit you, go for something that works for you, like a short buzz.
But, you already did that, so, I think you're on the right track. Experiment a little, go even shorter, try the razor too; what do you have to loose?
In the end, choose what you think is better for you and what makes you happier.

[Frontier Guy]

Welcome Aidan,

First, you simply have to accept there are some things you cannot change - genetics is one of them.

Second, it's only hair. There are so many more things in life that deserve your energy and attention and passion.

I would suggest that you shave all the way and give Sly a try. It's possible that even short hair is working against you emotionally - reminding you of having longer or more hair. And, worst case ... if you don't like it you can let it quickly grow back to a buzz.

But on the other hand, if hair loss is continuing and Sly is in your future ... why not take charge and YOU determine when that's going to be.

I heartily recommend the 30-day challenge (shave daily for 30 days) to get a real sense of what it's like to live the Sly Life. I think that you will find a greater reserve of confidence hiding just below that buzz cut.

And stick around here. Ask questions. Express your concerns. Get suggestions from others. You've got thousands of guys here who have either faced hair loss or who choose to be bald.

You're a good looking guy and I think you will be amazed just how good you look with NO hair!

[Beardman]

Welcome to the family mate.

FG took the words right out of my mouth. I think you'd look pretty good sly. You should give it a crack, do the 30 day rule which gives you and those around you time to adjust to teh new more awesome you, and it also gives you time to refine your new shaving technique and routine. If you don't like it, you can just let it grow back out again and within a week you'll be back to at least a no guard shave!

And as FG said, we are here to help mate, with any questions you need answered, not necessarily about just shaving either.

[A_D]

Thanks guys.

Iv taken your advice (sort of) and have gone for a number 2. I felt instantly better and more confortable.
im still a bit uneasy and wonder what people think but screw them right? as long as i feel better in myself then thats all i need.
Its not like if i decide to grow it out that i will suddenly have a wondrous mass of hair to whip back an forth....

im so glad this site is here, there are so many others advising people to get surgery, try useless meds or get a head tattoo etc.... I must admit, it was tempting but the reality is, its never going to look amazing and your ALWAYS going to be worried about it until its gone.

[theman]

Welcome to the club !

[balddaniel]

I think you should try the sly look.  You will rock it.  The beard is also a plus

[mangosink12572]

Go for it  - -you will be a happy BALD -  BEARDED guy  - - -nothing like it  - - - - -great to look at and wonderful to feel

[leighmundo40]

Hey there and welcome.

The other guys have given you lots of great advice. Go with what you feel comfortable with. If that's a number 2 buzzcut or completely SLY.

You have a cheerful friendly face and I actually think your look in your photo suits you!

[nuts]

The beard and bald look is a great combination (I'm biased).  Go for it - I think you will rock the look.

[Frontier Guy]

I know Mr Z will be along shortly ... so I'll write what he would, and then he can confirm it.

Once you get to short hair (#2, #1 or no guard) there is almost no visible difference from that and being shaved to the scalp.

But OOOHHH what a feeling. That morning shave and the feel of a smooth dome will change your outlook for the entire day.

You're gonna have the itch to shave it all soon ... and you're gonna have to scratch it.

[Slynito]

Welcome to the forum...these guys know what they are talking about. 

[Mr Jules]

your ALWAYS going to be worried about it until its gone.

Which is why you might consider shaving your head. Because when you shave sly, there's nothing more to be worried about.

Frontier Guy's advice is sound: take the 30 day trial challenge.

[A_D]

i see what some of you are saying, going sly is tempting.... its just im still young. most of you guys have more miles behind you so it looks a lot more normal than it would on me.... thats all im thinking.

[SlyintheOC]

I know a few guys that are in their early 20's that prefer to shave their head and it looks really good on them.

Right now you are at a number 2 clipper guard that is 1/4 of an inch in length. Hair grows at about 1/8 of an inch per week. If you shave it smooth and don't like the look or feel of it, then you will be right back to where you are today in just a matter of a couple of weeks.

You have to want to do it, no one can convince you to do it. But there is such a liberating feeling once you shave it all off.

I was thinning on top and the front hairline was receding. I couldn't find a barber or a hairstyle that made my hair look good. I had looked all over the internet for different types of hair styles. Every where that I looked, they said that short cuts are best for thinning hair. I never thought about shaving my head. One night after work, it was time for a haircut and I took the clippers into the bathroom. I did a number 4 all over. That didn't seem to do anything to make the thinning less noticeable. If anything it made it worse. I thought maybe it just wasn't short enough. I kept cutting it guard by guard until it was about 1/16 of an inch. At that point it obviously looked even thinner since there was just a stubble on my head. I said to myself "S**t, I may as well just shave it off!" And so I did and I have never looked back.

So if you worry how your hair looks and how it continues to thin, do something about it. Life is way too short to stress out about MPB. Head shaving seems to be a very popular trend these days with guys of all ages.

I really hope that my situation can help you make the ultimate decision.

Good luck with whatever you decide. This forum is a great place to get advice.