Bonjour à tous!

[Mr.Perfect]

Hey!

First of all, I want to thank everyone who's gonna take some time to read my story, and i'm sorry if my english is not perfect, but I do my best!  I'm from Quebec, and i'm reading a lot on slybald since a month or 2, and now decided it was my time ...

My name is Patrick, and I started loosing my hair at 18 ... really early.
Since I was the only one going bald at my age, I felt REALLY alone. At the beggining, my hair line was balding on the front only, and as time went by, I started loosing hair at a very good pace...

I tried everything. Minoxidil .. Toppik..

Here's how I looked at 17. I had a lot of hair back then ...





At 20, I started loosing hair constantly
Starting then, I started thinking about this ... everytime .. I was shy of going under lights, and came the point where I couldn't go outside without a hat, a baseball cap or anything..

When I found my job ( Men's wearhouse ) I could'nt ( of course ) work with a hat so I had to do something, so I tried Toppik ...

I looked like that

It was pretty obvious that I was trying to hide my hair loss with a product that was becoming more and more visible since I had less hair ...

Of course, I was googling everyday : Cure for baldness, etc, to try to found a solution to my problem ...

The major issue in my case is my age. I think that if I was 30, i would care less since it's more "normal". But I'm 22 and almost completly bald..
I keep thinking to myself that a girl of my age can't see me as attractive.. How could she be interested in me, I'm 22 and bald... I know it's the wrong way to think since I know I have a great personality..

Applying Toppik was nice at the beginning, but at the end, my customers were often looking at my hair... they knew something was unnatural .. So in 2 days, i've made my decision .. SHAVE IT ALL!

Here's how I look now!




I don't hate the look at all but still, I feel less attractive.. and my confidence is not at the lever it used to be, and that's the toughest thing about it to me ...

I know I look good, but there's a thing I can't stand, and it's the U behing the head ( don't know how to explain myself )
I don't have a lot of colours right now ( winters are cold in Quebec ) and I wonder if getting some tan would "erase" the U line behind my head ...

SO i'm a proud member of slybald now, if anyone has any advice to get my confidence back, It would be really appreciated!


Thank you for reading!
From a french follower,

Patrick

[slyjoe]

Always remain confident (easier said than done) you are not unattractive, a lot of women prefer bald men. Embrace it, and I'm glad you feel more confident. Keep asking for more advise and realize those looks you get from people are from immature punks. Stay positive Perfect.

[Mr.Perfect]

Thank you for your comment, I really really appreciate it! And thanks for the advice!

[Sir Harry]

Welcome, Patrick! You look good sly! As far as the U behind your head, we call that a horseshoe....Most bald guys will have that shadow where you can see how far a guy's hairline has receded. A tan goes a long way toward diminishing that horseshoe, but also shaving against the grain will help. Stick around and there are many topics that can help you maintain the sly look. Good luck and post often!

[Gary~]

Welcome my friend. You look much much better bald than with hair. It looks natural on you and you don't come across in the photo as lacking in confidence -- so if you are only you will know.

No one really notices the colour difference between the "horseshoe" and the rest of the scalp except for its owner -- you. As SlySirHarry13 says there are things that you can do if you want to.

If you are working somewhere you will come in contact with people and you are in a heated environment and don't cover your head then you will soon adjust and realise how good it looks. And every time that you shave it it will feel good all over again -- fantastic.

I just checked the current temperature for Quebec and at -15C I reckon that you will be wearing a good hat when outside. I am awarding you 10,000 bonus points for going sly at that temperature.

Keep posting and help make the forum an interesting place.

[boston501]

bien fait!

[Slyfive]

Welcome Patrick! I'm 23 so I know how it feels to go bald this young, and although it was hard at first, it's given me my own identity and now I have fully embraced it. Just give it a little time to get used to it and you'll feel more confident, as had already been said, the fact that you work in the public eye will help with your confidence, face it, bald guys are cool!

[Lynchy]

Welcome mate! Looks good to me.

In time I hope you become to accept your state.

Personally I love the look.

[Andrei]

Welcome Patrick,
You did the right thing shaving, there is no better cure for balding than the razor. So be proud for the step you made.
It's a great haircut, looks good, enjoy it, and then you'll the rest will fallow.

[mrzed]

Patrick, I'm going to respond without reading the other guys comments to bias my thoughts.

1. Good for working at Men's Warehouse. It's my favorite clothing store!

2. The guys at Men's Warehouse are sharp dressers.  Your bald head will look GREAT in that context.  I wish that you worked at my local Men's Warehouse.  I'd come by and give you any support you need it realizing that you wear the bald look very well.

3. Your second photo from 20 looks like you are covering something.  Your current photo looks 'commanding'. Nothing to hide. A beautiful bald head.

I look around my community and there are many bald guys, or nearly bald guys.

Be encouraged, you look great.  A gal would be crazy to pass you by because of your head.  Your current looks is quite handsome.

Concerning the horseshoe, the only people who notice this are the wearer and a few bald guys who look very closely.  The slight shadow of the remaining hair ... no one else really notices.  I commented to my wife about a co-worker who buzzes his head. She insisted that he was BALD.  He has a big shadow, but she does not see it.  She thinks he's bald (in a good way).  (secretly wished that he would just shave his head --- be a true bald buddy, but that will wait for one of these days).  Anyways, the shadow of a hairline is only a big deal to the owner who is just a few inches away and looking in the mirror. To others, you look genuinely bald. No shadow.

Look at the smile in your bald photo.  You love it.

[Mr.Perfect]

Thank you so much everybody for your words and everything! It's helping a lot to know that a lot of people has gone trough this and got their confidence back! I just have to give myself some times, it's just been 2 weeks now!

Thanx again!

[Bensen]

Welcome to the Forum and thanks for sharing our story.
The new look works for you The Horseshoe it not so much noticeable at least not in the Picture. Some tan will be good against the horseshoe effect, yes.

[Crusher0209]

Welcome. Can't add anything else to the great advise the ones have already given. Keep on rocking the bald head

[mrzed]

Thank you so much everybody for your words and everything! It's helping a lot to know that a lot of people has gone trough this and got their confidence back! I just have to give myself some times, it's just been 2 weeks now!

Thanx again!

When I first started shaving my head, out the door I would go. Big smile on my face. To match the bald head. Matter of fact, I still do that. Proud to show off the bald head. Wear your bald head proudly.  When possible, let it shine and look cheerful.

[marty22]

welcome! Great change and the correct one.