Hello everyone

[MyHairHatesMe]

22 year old NW4 over here. The reason I joined is that I am very close to taking the plunge and shaving it all off, it's just I worry about a few things... How people will treat me, the reactions I'll get from people who haven't seen me for a couple of years. Stuff like that.

I've spent the last 2 years trying to cover up my hair loss and avoiding things I wanted to do, putting my life on hold, even, because I felt like crap about going bald. Did rogaine for a while, and it "worked". Also, saw palmetto which really DID work but screwed everything else up so it wasn't worth it in the end.

But whatever, I think I've come to an acceptance now. I'm going bald. Just like my grandfather did at the same age. Jack s*it I can do about it but accept it, right? I checked out some of the other hair loss forums and they're all so negative, like going bald might as well be a terminal illness (well, I did kinda feel like this for a while myself). But yeah, it's good this place seems focused on acceptance and moving on. So, uh, any advice?

[chgobuzzbald]

Welcome. So many guys these days are shaved anyway, its easy to fit in. How many buzzed/shaved guys do you see everywhere you go these days ?  Its just a haircut. Post a pic. Try a very close buzz first.

[OzSly]

G'Day mate 

Welcome to the Bastion Of Baldness.

Don't worry what other people think, bugga them. It's you that has to feel comfortable and like what you see.

Why don't you try a buzz cut first and see how that goes and, then try going SLY.

Being Sly these days is much more acceptable than they were years ago, so give it a try.

[bennett11]

at your age i was happy to have a really short buzz - wasn't common then.  Now shaved is reasonably common.

[Mr Jules]

I'm going bald. .... accept it, right? ... this place seems focused on acceptance and moving on.

You've made the point well.

You are going bald. Start shaving to see how you get along. And you've come to the right place. 

[Sir Harry]

Welcome, MHHM! You've made a big step in realizing that your hair is going and not coming back. Like the gentlemen above said, you can always go gradually shorter before going all the way sly. As far as people's reactions, almost everyone probably won't care, and the other few probably need to go get themselves a life....Why don't you post a pic if/when you can. Good luck and keep us posted!

[Hingatao]

Welcome to the club. You're right, it's time to embrace the inevitable and move on. Yeah, it'll feel weird for the first few days, it did for me too. You'll get used to it though and so will everybody around you. Good luck and enjoy!

[Woodyhavoc]

You should give it a shot man.  I am 25 and I have a pretty bad receding hair line as well.  I thought about letting it grow really long at first, but after about a month, I couldn't take it anymore.  After talking to my wife about it for a bit, I realized that the only option was to shave it off.  My only regret is that I did not make this choice sooner!!  Give it a shot, it is likely that you will love it, and if you don't just let it grow back, no harm done.

[bud]

Welcome!
I can imagine your fears, but I tell you, just do it, the sooner the better.