Hi guys, just joined the site tonight and thought I'd give some background to my own situation and experiences.
I am 27 and have been noticing my hair thinning on top for around 4 years. For the first year it was only noticeable when it was wet and I was able to style it so that only I knew it was an issue.
Then about 3 years ago a few friends started to notice. This is when my obsessiion with it really began. I tried 1 shampoo I can't even remember the name of, it was useless and after a while just made my hair look greasy. Then about 2 years ago I went to the doctor. I decided against propecia given the potential side effects and was advised of the Regaine products - I started using the spray twice a day and after a few months it was definitely helping. Looking back on photos around that time my hair looks pretty good. Then they stopped stocking the spray in my pharmacy and I had to get the new "foam" version which was apparently better. I hated it using it and when at the barbers one day I decided to go for a 3 buzz cut. Bad decision so after a few weeks of embarrassment, I re-grew to its normal length.
Around 6 months later (1 year ago), the comments / jokes were starting to become a lot more frequent and friends would regularly tease me about looking like my dad (who is bald). I had enough and went for a number 1 buzz cut. My wife liked it and more importantly I loved it! For the first couple of days. See I hadn't given any thought to the fact that it would re-grow and how bad it would look once the affected area (top of my head down to just above my fringe) started to fill out! After a lot of pressure from family etc I was convinced with my wedding coming up that I shouldnt have a shaved head for the photos. It took around 6 weeks for my hair to start looking normal again, I kept getting the back and sides shaved to allow it to grow in on top and have continued with this haircut each time I go to the barbers (1 at back / sides, smal trim on the top).
Now we are 1 year further down the line and my hair is continuing to thin, I really feel the urge to shave it and keep doing so. I am using alpecin shampoo which I'm really not convinced about. I wash my hair every morning, towel dry it and wait around 30-40 minutes for it to fully dry out. Then I take my comb and try to style it in as best a way I can. I'm obsessed with looking at my hair in mirrors / reflections and my self confidence is really low. I am totally blessed that I have a beautiful wife who doesn't care and a kid on the way. Given my issues and the fact I can't bear to be outside in wind / rain in case it affects my hair, coupled with the fact my life is going to change when we have our baby I really feel like taking the plunge and just shaving my head. I know my family won't like it (mom / dad / grandparents etc) and I don't like the idea of people constantly pointing out I've had a haircut. But it seems like the right thing to do. Just very apprehensive at how it will look. I also have some chicken pox scars on my head which I fear will become noticeable shoud I shave my hair off.
Has anyone else been through something similar? Sorry for the long story but it has helped getting everything off my chest. There are more important things in my life than hair, but I can't seem to shake my obsession with it.
Thanks
