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[Rajah]

I'm 24 years old. Ever since being a senior in high school, I've noticed slight thinning in my hair. It was so little at the time, I didn't think much of it and it was easy to ignore. These past two years, however, have seen a rapid increase in the speed of my hair loss. People that haven't seen me in awhile ask me what happened to my head. I just say it runs in the family. (even though few people in my immediate family are bald) Some people, when they describe me, call me the balding kid. Just from what I've heard, it seems obvious everyone notices it.

I can't hide the problem with a combover anymore so I have two options. Either I take medicine, which would be costly and probably not work 100% if at all.... or I face the fact and shave it off. And it may sound simple to most of you, but it's so hard for me! I want to shave my head, but I really don't think I have the shape for it, and I also look very young. I'd look like a cancer patient. My facial hair isn't very thick so I couldn't grow a beard to offset the lack of hair. And my family is so scrutinizing that I'm afraid I won't be able to deal with their comments. 

Here is what my hair looks like.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome! Thanks for posting the pic, it looks like the bald bug bit you pretty good.....On a more serious note, if you are not ready to go sly yet, try a short buzz cut to make the balding area blend in a little better. I think you have a nice headshape and would look good sly! Give sly a try and if YOU don't like it, you can always go back to where you were. If someone gives you a hard time about shaving your head, tell them that you did it for charity. Good luck, and participate often!

[isleepinthebuff]

to be honest I think people will look at your hair more now than if you shave it. You need to cut the sides and back as this is making the top look thinner, especially as your hair is so dark.

I think the fully shaved head will suit you but it will be a big step so I would shave it down to a number 2, then a one, then a 0 and if you feel brave enough invest in a good razor.

Once you start to shave your head you'll find people have just accepted you have embraced that you have lost your hair whereas now it does look like you're trying to keep it and sadly it ain't coming back!  

[mrzed]

Welcome.. This is the best place for guys with hair issues.

A buddy at work ( several of them actually)has thinning hair.  It's been pretty obvious to most that they are going bald.  Both recently buzzed their hair. Both really like it.  The one fellow went VERY short.  #1 guard.  The bald effect is much less noticeable.  He's not ready to shave it bald, although I wish that he would.  But that's his choice.

The other fellow went to #3 and it looks better. The thinning is less noticeable.  Says he really likes it and doubts he will ever grow it out again.

A third fellow is nearly bald. He buzzes weekly to about #1.  I encourage him to shave it bald, but he just does not want to spend the time.  I remind him that the bald head feels really good.  So, maybe some day.

Another option would be to just shave that really thin part in the front. Then it would look like receding hairline, but not as thin hair balding.

My sister n law says I look like a professor.I take it as a compliment.

Go for it.

[leighmundo40]

I agree with Slyest, because your hair is thicker and longer at the sides it kind of emphasises the thinning on top.

Start buzzing it shorter and see what you think. You don't have to immediately go SLY if at all.

I think you will start to look (and feel!) more your age when it is shorter.

[geeman]

Good advice from my bro's... Personally I wouldn't go near any wonder drug etc...you become trapped using it....or any cover up products.... Again you become trapped and live in fear of being "found out" as said....buzz it Short.... It will look so much better and you will feel so much better

[bennett11]

i would buzz it and later shave.  sure you will get some comments at first.  but then it will be accepted as you.  you will then have great self confidence.

[Focus]

And it may sound simple to most of you, but it's so hard for me!

I think it's been hard for most. Especially for me who have been very self-conscious for some time - and it changed with head shaving.

I want to shave my head, but I really don't think I have the shape for it,

I didn't neither, and many members here were afraid of their head-shape. In reality, only you are aware of that fact. Most people will never notice special bumps that you might have (we all have).

and I also look very young. I'd look like a cancer patient.

Of course, not. You'll obviously keep your eyebrows. This is enough to immediately guess you just shaved. When you see a beardless bald in the street, you do not think "here is a cancer patient". You think "here is a bald guy".

And my family is so scrutinizing that I'm afraid I won't be able to deal with their comments.

They will make comments. We all have faced them but :

1/ They will comment once when they see you for the first time. Then, they'll get used to your new look. It is much better than thinking again and again about your problem all your life.

2/ Once you go through these comments (many will probably be positive, at least from your friends, probably less from your family), you will feel more powerfull. You'll think : "I chose my style. I have the power to make these choices, even if my mother doesn't like them. It is my life and I have the choice to make what I want out of it." Then, you'll notice that you are more free/able to make what used to be difficult choices. It will become easier to do what used to be hard to do. At least, it was like that with me.


So, as anyone says : buzz it shorter and shorter (the comments if there are, will be very slight) and when you cannot go shorter, just shave. It will need a little bit of courage, but life often needs courage. So head shaving is a kind of "life school".

[Calum]

I agree with the others. Buzz it at least, see how you like it, and take it from there

[steven3444]

I'm also 24 dealing with this as well and I want to shave my head for awhile, but it's very hard for me too. I am also worried about my head shape, but I think that's all in my head (lol). 
I'll pass on a bit of wisdom.  I took the drugs (Proscar).  The only thing it did for me I think was slow down my hair loss a bit.  It is not going to get back your hair.  Very few people who take it actually grow back any significant amount of hair and it's really only affective if you start really really early in your hair loss.  I would not even bother going down that route.  And to be honest, it really was an awkward a bit humiliating picking it up.  Not because I was losing my hair, but because I was showing that I was letting hair loss really affect me.  I don't feel very good for letting my insecurities about my hair take me down that path.  Don't be that person either.

I would try buzzing it down or you might even go all the way.  I HATED the buzzed (no 2 top) look when I first got it, but now I hate when I get more than two weeks worth of growth on it.  I am sure that going sly is the same way with time.  If after a few months of going sly and you find that there is no way you could stay that way, there are other options as well.  I do not advocate those other options and they have some big time issues from what I have read, but the best way to deal with hair loss is whatever makes you happy.

[g_bald]

It's DEFINITELY not easy. I chickened out the first time I was going to go sly and I wish I had more of the guts that age brought to me.

You should go short, a #2 or a #1A might be a good choice. If it's still as noticeable (maybe give your scalp a little time to adjust to the increased sunlight and color in) then take it down to a #0 or shorter. Pretty soon, like I did, you'll just wick it off altogether and enjoy the smoothness. 

Good luck with whatever your decision is, but I strongly suspect with all the handsome dudes around here you'll feel right at home once you get used to it. Plus my scalp is MUCH happier now than before...
-gary-

[Rajah]

Ok everyone, I haven't forgotten this post. I read all of the advice and it's really empowering me. This is going to sound a bit silly, but I made a bet with a coworker who had thinning hair issues like me. I told him if he shaved, I'll shave. I went in to work today and what do you know.... he shaved. And now everyone at work is expecting me to walk in bald tomorrow. Maybe this is the excuse I needed to go for it.

So tomorrow before work, I'm going to shave and jump in the pool for an hour. I'd rather be red then have a paper white head.

So fucking scared, but I got to be a man and live to my word.

[geeman]

Go for it....once its done I guarantee you'll feel great....and wonder what all that worry and apprehension was about

[nuts]

Go for it - you've all the excuses for doing so and I guarantee you'll feel liberated and more confident.

Post a pic.

[Cave Dweller]

Many cheers to you, Rajah!

The first swipe with the clippers or razor is the hardest part. One you start, all that anxiety about shaving goes away.

And I know you probably were joking, but please DO NOT overdo the sun right away. A sunburn is only going to hurt and will prevent you from shaving again for several days. Then the peeling starts. You are not going to be happy with how it looks.