I understand where you are coming from, I have had the receading hairline thing going for a long while. You seem to have more diffuse thinning.. In the shaved pic your hairline almost looks normal. I would think a buzz would look near to a normal hairstyle..it looks fine grown out but the hairloss is noticeable. I know mine was and it was a constant thorn in my side. I think the best look would be to shave or trim the beard close and keep it the hair buzzed to a 2 but that is my opinion.