Hey everyone,
My name's Matt, I'm 20 years old and I'm goin bald. My hair has been a huge source of stress for me for the greater part of my life. I was born with a high hairline and for one reason or another i've always been embarrassed by it. Hence, I've had it constantly hidden behind a veil of locks. A couple years ago I realized my hairline was receding, which was a surprise to me because my dad is just now losing his hair at 57. Now needless to say its been kinda messed up for my confidence, and I spend waaayy too much time beating back social anxieties. It's getting to the point where I want to just get it over with already and shave it off. But there are plenty of worries that come with that, like "will a shaved head fit me? is my head going to look freakish without that protective layer of brown shag? How's my girlfriend going to take it, will she accept and respect the new (and hopefully improved) chrome dome? I'm paralyzed, stuck between a life of constant hair ruffling, checking it out in any reflective material available, wearing hats in any windy situation; and a hairless life where I will either feel liberated from the tyranny of hair, or even more self consciousness if I turn out to look strange with my hair shaved.
The reason I'm worried: I'm tall, lanky, pale, and lack substantial facial hair. Also who knows what my head will look like...
Anywho, that's the deal. I don't know what to do at all.
Glad you joined us, Matt.
Losing you hair is not fun. Mine started falling out at 17. You also are not the first to worry about how you will look. I pondered the decision for over two months.
You have not included a picture, so there is nothing for us to base an opinion, but in all seriousness, there are very few heads that do not look good shaved. You might get an idea of what you will look like by slicking back your hair as tightly against your head as you can, but the only way to know for sure is to do it.
The first swipe of the blade is the hardest to do, but it is amazing how fast the anxiety will go away away when you start shaving the hair off.
Welcome, Matt! I just looked at your photos, and based on just the first picture, I would have never guessed you were balding. But in the second picture with the hair pulled back, I can see that slight recession. Since it seems that you are only receding in the front; I would just go for a short buzz to start. You have a nice headshape for sly, but you can take it slow like going from a 2 to a 1, etc. Most barbers are willing to offer suggestions as to how short you should start. Good luck!