I just bought a set of clippers...

[ScottGrim]

Hi All,

I posted in the introduction thread not long ago. I'm 26, been losing my hair (slowly) since 19, and I'm reaching the point where I can't hide it anymore. My hairline has a slightly uneven recession, and my hair is generally thinning.

I've been experiencing extreme anxiety and depression the last few weeks because of this. I've been hiding under a hat every day, and I'm sick and tired of it. I need to accept and love myself the way I am so I can get over this dark time in my life.

A few questions, and reasons why I'm hesitant:

1) Since I've been under a hat this whole time, co-workers are going to be pretty shocked if I buzz my hair down and come into work sans-hat. I'm not sure of the best way to do this.

2) I don't even know how short I should buzz my hair...

3) How long do you think it will take to get over this, and for me to be happy again?

4) If I don't like the way it looks buzzed, what are my options?

Thanks in advance!

[ScottGrim]

For some reason, the edit option wasn't working:

Also, I look very young for my age. I've been told around 17-18 years old. I cannot grow dense facial hair yet either...

[luckyone824]

I saw your post in the introduction thread and the picture you posted. To be honest, your hair looks fine, so I don't think you should shave it all off. If you actually want to go shorter because you think it'll look better, then just go to a stylist and ask them to start at a certain length and to keep going shorter if you still want to. However, there's no reason for you to buzz/shave it completely.

[Mike E. P.]

Scott - just read your initial post.  I was exactly in your shoes many years ago.  I started noticing my hair receding at 17 and stressed about it for many years without talking to anyone about my anxiety.  I was constantly worried and wondering if people were noticing.  The funny thing is that probably no one noticed the first years.  But it was a constant source of stress.  Some girl had once told me my hair was my best feature (uh oh!)  I finally bit the bullet when I was about 31 after seeing a picture of me from the back.  I knew I was losing it in the front but had no idea about the back!  I couldn't feel it and was afraid to look at myself from behind!

I initially asked the barber for a "crew cut."  I was still not completely bald and the buzz cut gave me the appearance I had more hair.  No one really made any comments (although I had a 4 year old son and he wouldn't look at me at first!)  I have felt so much better about myself since the day I buzzed my head.  All the worry started to go away and before long, I didn't worry about my hair anymore. Over the years I lost all the hair on the top of my head, but I kept buzzing my hair shorter and shorter and so my transition to totally bald was not very noticeable since my hair was so short anyway.

Occasionally I shave it completely and I like the feeling, but most of the time I buzz it once a week with no guard.

You're not going to be unhappy about this forever.  If you are like me, the sooner you buzz, the sooner you'll start feeling better.  Good luck!

[clipped]

To Mike E.P.: My journey has been like yours. I noticed my thinning crown at 38; switched to a #2 buzzcut at 52 from a short businessman cut when I could "see through" the front of the hair on top of my head.  I should have done it much sooner.  Now clipper shaved. 

To ScottGrim: My advice:  do the buzzcut now.  It's really great, and will not be an issue at work after a day or two.  Look around: there are lots of guys your age who are buzzed or shave...same for my age now at 60.   

[Mike E. P.]

To Mike E.P.: My journey has been like yours. I noticed my thinning crown at 38; switched to a #2 buzzcut at 52 from a short businessman cut when I could "see through" the front of the hair on top of my head.  I should have done it much sooner.  Now clipper shaved. 

To ScottGrim: My advice:  do the buzzcut now.  It's really great, and will not be an issue at work after a day or two.  Look around: there are lots of guys your age who are buzzed or shave...same for my age now at 60.   

Clipped - what kind of clippers do you use?  My cheap ones just crapped out.  I'm looking for a decent clipper that will leave me almost bald with just a shadow of hair.

[Bilko1]

Hi!

Don't stress anymore, bro. Take the clippers & do the buzzcut now whilst you are contemplating it. You will look fine. There are a lot of guys going for the buzzed & shaved look now, so it should not be an issue at work.

If you get fed up of having a buzzcut you can always let your grow back out.... Not a problem.

All the best,

Bilko

[Baldstu]

As I have said before  the employer should be more concerned about the prformance of there staff than whether or not they choose to be sly or not . The sly look is totally compatible with any uniform . Some guys dont have a choice , why nit pick against BBC guys ?

This could come uner the remit of bullying and harrassment at work

[clipped]

To: Mike EP:  I use the Andis BGRC with interchangeable blades.  For blades, I have #1, #000, #00000 & #000000, and alternate as the mood strikes me.