Buzz cut question

[Country]

I am new here and just wanted to get some opinions on my new haircut. First I will start by saying that I had a full head of hair in July. I had been noticing that when my hair was wet it looked thin. Thin enough you could see scalp. I have had a little recession on one side for a few years but it never bothered me. All of a sudden I was scared to go swimming with my son because it looked bad. When my hair was dry it looked fine, I didn't really have to try to cover anything up. Anyway I buzzed it down to a 3 and at first I thought it looked ok. Now I notice in sunlight or under other light it looks thin. I am learning to deal with it but I was wondering if maybe a 3 was to long. Under light u can see the horseshoe but in shade or low light it looks fine. I know you are going to want a picture but I was just wanting to know if going shorter would help or not. Thanks.

[Country]

Here's pic

[Marshal S.]

There is nothing that will stop people from seeing the thinning parts under strong light.  Shorter, as in very short, will make that less relevant though.  It really depends on what you would prefer.

[Baldstu]

You know what , it looks great as it is , shave it if you feel like it but your call .

[bennett11]

i think it would look good buzzed very short.

[isleepinthebuff]

Problem with hairloss is once it starts going and you cut it down, it can show the receeding more, which is why a lot of us go sly (i,e we take it all off) that way you can't see the hairline.

At your stage, longer hair MIGHT look better than the grade you have, otherwise I'd say go to a 1, 0 or all off.

It's a hard thing to face but you came to the right forum

[Country]

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I have thought about growing it back out for duck season, it can get pretty cold on the river even in arkansas. My only problem with that is then i would be back to where I started and I didn't like it there. I might just keep what I have for the winter and go shorter in the spring. I have one more question though. Since I started losing hair I have had a itchy-flaky scalp. I tried every OTC shampoo I could think of and no relief. So I went to a dermatologist and he said seborrheic  dermatitis and gave me some drops that don't work and said use t-gel shampoo. After two weeks of daily use it is less itchy but still flaky and dry. Any advice would be appreciated I have never had this problem in my 30 yrs so its new to me.

[slybeard]

A lot of guys with scalp issues have reported that after shaving their scalp issues cleared up.  The only way to know is to give it a try for about 30 days.  I previously had minor issues with flaking, but none since shaving.

[Baldstu]

Very interesting comments  Country, the loss of haircould be hormonal changes in men , flaky skin . Dermatology could be interesting

[Country]

I'm pretty sure I have MPB because of the pattern. I still think the SD might be making it worse. It seems like every time I scratch I have flakes and hair under my nails. It doesn't seem to matter where i scratch. My wife's says just don't scratch but that is easier said than done. I was hoping that cold weather would help because I work outside and wear a hat so the sweat irritates it. I don't think I'm ready to shave it all off though. I know everyone worries about how it will look but I'm 6'6" so I stand out anyway. Since reading on the forum I have realized I don't know a single person from my small town that shaves their head slick. Everyone just has a horseshoe or the younger guys might buzz down. Anyway I really enjoy this site and any comments or advice would be appreciated.

[fencer]

Hey Country!
What part of Arkansas do you call home?

[slymyke]

Hi Country,

I have heard guys say that shaving helped with their scalp issues because it was easier to apply lotions and other topical treatments to their scalp.  Plus, the exfoliation that occurs so regularly.  The only concern would be if your skin condition was irritated by the shaving.  I would ask the doctor's opinion. 

As far as being the only one in your small town to have a shaven head... I say go for it.  You may be the trendsetter.  You said there are a good deal of horseshoe heads walking around.  You can show them how it's done.

[iamthedood]

Thanks for all the comments and advice. I have thought about growing it back out for duck season, it can get pretty cold on the river even in arkansas. My only problem with that is then i would be back to where I started and I didn't like it there. I might just keep what I have for the winter and go shorter in the spring. I have one more question though. Since I started losing hair I have had a itchy-flaky scalp. I tried every OTC shampoo I could think of and no relief. So I went to a dermatologist and he said seborrheic  dermatitis and gave me some drops that don't work and said use t-gel shampoo. After two weeks of daily use it is less itchy but still flaky and dry. Any advice would be appreciated I have never had this problem in my 30 yrs so its new to me.

Well said, sir

Hi Country,

I have heard guys say that shaving helped with their scalp issues because it was easier to apply lotions and other topical treatments to their scalp.  Plus, the exfoliation that occurs so regularly.  The only concern would be if your skin condition was irritated by the shaving.  I would ask the doctor's opinion. 

As far as being the only one in your small town to have a shaven head... I say go for it.  You may be the trendsetter.  You said there are a good deal of horseshoe heads walking around.  You can show them how it's done.

[Country]

About half way between Memphis and little rock.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome, Country! It seems like that part of you wants to go ahead and do the deed, but others' reactions may concern you....which is perfectly normal. We have several members who have had scalp issues and they cleared up when they shaved. It's all in what do you want and what makes you happy....Not all of our members shave, and looking at the pic in your second post, I hardly see any thinning which means that you probably can get away with shorter haircuts a little longer before buzzing or going sly. As far as being a "big bald guy that stands out" we have several members that are on the north side of six feet tall and walk around proudly with bald heads, buzz cuts, etc. Good luck and keep us posted on your journey!

P.S. My uncle is from a small town in Eastern Ark.  about 40 miles to the west of Memphis....made a few trips up there as a young boy, but I haven't set foot in Ark. since 2008 when I went to N. Little Rock for military training.