Anxiety

[Shane21]

I used to feel like it was a curse to be losing my hair and I wasted way too many years just letting life pass me by because of it. A friend of mine asked me a few years ago why I let it bother me so much... I honestly couldn't give him an answer. I still don't know what the answer to that question is... I realize that everybody that has mpb doesn't suffer the anxiety over it that others do. I just wondered what everybody's thoughts are as to where all the anxiety and self esteem issues due to hairloss are rooted... What do you guys think?

-Shane

[mrzed]

I think that you look great with a shiny dome.  The facial hair is a nice plus.

Nothing to worry about.  Just go out there and boldly show off you bald head. Not every man is willing to do that. Some hide under a 'rug'.  Head out each day with a smile on your face knowing that you are sporting a hair style that not all guys are willing to do. You have a special and unique look/style.

Wear the bald head proudly.

[Cave Dweller]

My thoughts are that most of us care about how we look and whether we will be attractive to others. Hair is a part of our facial area, and society puts a lot of emphasis on how that area of the body looks. It also is the area most of us use to identify people.

When a guy has grown accustomed to styling his hair so that he feels good about himself, losing it can mean the same as a loss of the charisma he thinks he has. Add to that the fact that bald men have been the butt of a lot of jokes, and the guy easily can see balding as a very negative thing both from a personal and societal perspective.

It doesn't surprise me at all that some guys view it as a curse and are wiling to blow a lot of money to wear rugs, have surgery or ingest drugs to try to get back their hairy head.

[Magoo]

I think Cave Dweller is correct . We all want to attract a sex partner in our life, and hair has always been one of the ways we felt to do this. When we were  young most of us had a full head of hair. So no wonder when we saw the hair going down the drain, we thought our dating days might be over. But as time goes by we see this is not the case.

[Mike E. P.]

Shane,
I felt like you. I had so much anxiety over losing my hair and it went on for years. I would notice my hair receding and then worry about how much more it would recede and when - just really the most all consuming thoughts. I am an anxious person by nature and I am pretty certain my stress just help the hair loss process along.

It bothered me tremendously and I'm not sure why. I just couldn't get over it. Probably because Society and I put such a premium on a full head of hair. I probably thought I would be ugly. Sounds so stupid to me now!

It sounds like you are past this now and you're looking great sly. Good for you, man!

[Shane21]

Thanks for all the input guys. I just find it amazing that we have been programmed to believe that you have to look a certain way or have a full head of hair in order for others to accept us or find us attractive. The really sad part is that the gimmick companies will do anything to keep that myth going in order to make some bucks... I never wanted to try any of those gimmicks that are advertised to restore or cover up hairloss... I would be more self conscious using some rug or cover up... I'd rather be free! Thinking about all the time I wasted worrying about it makes me sick.

-Shane

[Mike E. P.]

The really sad part is that the gimmick companies will do anything to keep that myth going in order to make some bucks...

Those advertisements infuriate me. I hate the fact that they are trying to take advantage of men who are vulnerable. They just add to the worthlessness that these men feel, compounding how badly they feel about themselves.

And like you, the thought of getting some hair system or rug is horrible. Talk about being a slave to balding. I'd be self conscious about my hair forever - a virtual prisoner. It feels amazing to be free of all that bs!

[slymyke]

The really sad part is that the gimmick companies will do anything to keep that myth going in order to make some bucks...

Those advertisements infuriate me. I hate the fact that they are trying to take advantage of men who are vulnerable. They just add to the worthlessness that these men feel, compounding how badly they feel about themselves.

And like you, the thought of getting some hair system or rug is horrible. Talk about being a slave to balding. I'd be self conscious about my hair forever - a virtual prisoner. It feels amazing to be free of all that bs!

I agree about the advertisements.  I remember the years of thinning hair and receding hairlines.  I was not worried about it, during my average day... but if I stumbled across an advertisement, I would get sucked in and start to feel the worry and my self esteem would take a beating.  I was fortunate that I didn't get overwhelmed by it, and would be able to put it out of my mind.  There were two times when I let a hairstylist talk me into buying an expensive shampoo when I first started noticing the thinning on top.  I remember leaving with the shampoo thinking that if this really does what she said it does, then why are there bald guys walking around?   I knew it was not going to work but bought it anyway!  WTF!    I'm glad I never spent another penny on any false hair promises after that.  I just wish I had seen shaving as an option at that time. 

[reddog]

For those with anxiety, it is great that we are now in a time where shaved heads are everywhere, and accepted as a style. I think it will be more and more common for a long time. I'm BBC, so no anxiety here. As I've stated before, I found that most women like my sly look, some love it.

[Mike E. P.]

Unless they come up with some miracle drug or lotion that regrows a full head of hair, I think the sly look is here to stay!

[Baldstu]

It must seem strange to guys who lose therehair that a large number of chaps choose to be bald by choice

[Mike E. P.]

I think the sly look is cool and looks good on most guys. So I totally understand why guys who are BBC would shave bald. But I do wish I had the choice!

[g_bald]

I have been a fan of short hair and the bald look going back to my teens (PLEASE don't ask how long ago that was!! lol). I used to HATE having my hair cut. My mom generally cut it and she would yank and saw away with the scissors. One summer I went to a barber shop and got a #2 buzz. Man was that frightening leaving the shop. I even wrote a piece about it to a 'haircutting story' website.

The anxiety, thus, was lessened but going all the way is a new chapter. I just realized I have been smooth for almost 90 days! The first few days were the worst, trying to acclimatize to it and the reactions. Then it started to blur and become a non-event. The daily head shaves became a source of quiet "me-time" and enjoyable.

Shane, the bald look suits you very well. I think you're well on your way and it's a commanding look that demands attention !!!