hairpiece vs shaving for semi-bald guys

[mike87]

I'm 25 and lost most of the hair on my crown of my head for the past 5 years.

it was awkward to use the hair powder products and i like to swim so i went with  a
hair piece for the past 2 years. the hair piece covers the crown up the about 3 inches from my widow's peak.. (still have some hair)

i don't want to live with the insecurity of a hair piece anymore but am afraid it will look weird being bald and I work in the sales industry for anti-aging products (obviously haven't tackled baldness yet)

Do I go for the plunge and just buzz my head or keep hassling with the hair piece?

[TV guy]

It is axiomatic that "Bald is better than balding".   Balding always makes you look older; for better or worse. Bald is semi ageless - it's harder to place the age correctly (and that's a good thing).   

We do live in a time when a shaved head is acceptable in most life circumstances and jobs. No matter how much or how little you shave off it still looks like YOU made the choice and that boosts confidence. Without photos I cannot suggest alternatives that might work and there might be some; I'd say ditch the piece, shave the dome, dress well and conservatively and smile.   

[Laser Man]

Unless the hairpiece is really, really good, it will look always like a hairpiece.  Furthermore, if you have an active life in which you like to swim and do other athletics, a hairpiece can be pretty limiting. 

If you read through this site, you will see posts from guys who've worn hairpieces or "systems" for years and maintaining the image becomes both expensive and oppressive (limiting their lives, activities, etc.)  Most are exhilarated when they finally give up on the hairpiece game.

If you find yourself thinking about your hair all the time and refraining from enjoyable activities because of it, try the sly look.  While being sly is not a cure-all, it certainly frees you from the hair worries.  And being sly has become pretty acceptable, especially for young guys, so that should not be an issue.

[TheSlyBear]

Ditch the rug, go natural.

You won't look any "weirder" than the rest of us do.

[schro]

Ditch the rug, go natural.

You won't look any "weirder" than the rest of us do.

Speak for yourself Bear!

Mike, ditch the rug...follow us to freedom!

[stasiu]

Hey Mike ! Welcome to SBG ! 

Today's hair systems are very realistic and polymer adhesive to the bald scalp and not just taped on like a hair piece.  Don't you have other "baldies" in sales with the Company you work for?  Also ... shaved smooth or buzzed tight is so mainstay today ... it might help sell with an "honest" look.  Confident look and a great smile with creative sales pitch!  Post a pic if you don't mind. 

[smoothsailing]

You should go bald.  Especially if you have nice skin.  People will have an entire head of healthy skin to look at while you confidently sell to them the very products that you'd probably use on your bald head

[Hingatao]

Here's another vote for shaving it all off.

[mrzed]

Scroll down through the avitars on this site. Bald is a good choice. Looks good. Acceptable in society. Look around your community. If it's like mine, I see shaved bald guys every day. All over the place, and this is not a military base community. 

Shave bald with confidence.  It looks and feels good.

[buddha]

Shaving is cheaper.

[TheSlyBear]

Speak for yourself Bear!

My point being, of course, that we all look great!

How many times have we seen a new member say "You all look good, but I'm gonna look weird!"?

And we know it doesn't work that way.

[bella]

Not the same as a hairpiece or "hair system" per se, but since going sly I did end up buying a wig (a very nice one) for professional situations with conservative clients.

My experience is...

IT. IS. MISERABLE.

Beyond the nerves about it somehow falling off, even though that's not remotely likely, and the weird paranoia that everyone knows it's fake, it just feels wrong.  I know it's not my hair, and I don't act natural around it no matter how often I wear it.  My friends all swear it looks completely natural on me but I know it's just not legit and I'm ill at ease every time I wear it.

I'd rather look stupid bald (even though I don't! ) than deal with the insecurities and issues that come up wearing fake (i.e. not mine, someone sold their hair for this wig) hair.  I decided that if I economically need to deal with such conservative clients I'd rather grow my hair out a few weeks than deal with the anxieties and issues associated with the wig. 

Though 90% of the time I'll just test my clients on how conservative they REALLY are once they see my work versus my appearance.     My work usually wins.

Just my experience. 

[mike87]

Thanks all! I'm gonna buzz it to a 1 this summer pics too come.

[leighmundo40]

Theres pros and cons to EVERYTHING! Most people think hair pieces, "Systems" whatever all look like comedy wigs from the 70's, truth is that the modern ones can be undectectable, but they are a lot of upkeep.

The choice really is yours. Be good to see photos of you now so we can see.

Just go for what makes you happy, either way, support is here!

[50plus]

1. The members on this site are THE BEST and really tell it as it is and at the same time they all RESPECT the individual a lot.

2. The following is my own experience and if it helps you then that's great. Really it's up to you.


A bit more than a week ago I DID exactly what you are thinking of doing. I also had a hair program but for 8-9 years.

I buzzed to a number 2 and then 1.5 front blending into a number 2 at the back.

I can't shave yet as I have hair folical infections and am on anti biopics. That's if I decide to shave.

I have a scarring/patchy alopecia and so I thought the look was going to be a bit much.

I walked out of the barber a NEW MAN. So many positives to the decision I made and (very) few negatives.

I too had a hair program that only covered the top - a bit like in an oval shape.

All the very best with your decision as it's not such an easy one at first (I know) but all I can say is that I'm very happy with the move I made and I think you will be too.