Hey everyone,
I just joined the sbg forums today, after many weeks of browsing. I felt my story could help others get to a better place. I started losing my hair when I was about 18 (I'm 21 now). I remember someone pointing it out to me one day, and feeling absolutely horrified. Since then, I've done many things to try and combat losing my hair; from rogain to propecia, and finally to a HT last year. Long story short? None of those things helped. In fact, they just served to make me feel even worse. I couldn't even stand to look at myself in the mirror. I was afraid of every little breeze. When I got home from classes, I would rush to the bathroom to check and see if my hair was still neatly-so, as to try and cover the thinning hair. I was always afraid to wear hats because I wouldn't wan't to deal with how bad my hair looked when i would finally have to take it off. I felt as if my life was over. I completely changed. From outgoing and confident, to introverted, never wanting to leave my house. It has been the single most detrimental blow to my psyche in my entire life, and thats saying something since I've lost my mother to cancer, and had to deal with a kidney transplant (poor hair genetics aren't the only thing my pops gave me) since i was 13. I felt i was running out of options, but i knew i could no longer keep up this roller coaster of feeling good about my hair one day, then miserable the next. I was an absolutes wreck, and something had to give. So, about a week ago, after much encouragement provided by this forum, I decided to shave my head. I shaved it down to a 1 guard (1/8 inch i think). I really couldn't believe it. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off me. It was no longer consuming my every thought; no longer lurking in the back of my mind. I was no longer cultivating this huge secret. Sure, I have a big hair transplant scar on the back of my head now, but i also have a scar on the vertex of my scalp and a pretty sweet scar going down my right eye from just above the eyebrow down to the tip of my nose, so i feel like i can just say the HT scar is from something a little less embarrassing. Currently, i am still very pleased with my decision to shave my head, as i know it looks better than having it grown out; trying to hide thin spots all the time. That being said, i think the reality has sunk in a little bit too in the last day or so. Perhaps you guys could give me a little feedback on this, but I've again become a little self conscious of the thinner (tho, not terribly noticeable) spots near the front. I'm hoping that this i will eventually not mind those spots anymore. Overall, i believe shaving my head was the right move. The self consciousness i feel now is nothing compared to what i used to feel, and i am hopeful that even my current amount of self consciousness with the spots on my buzzed head will eventually stop bothering me. So, heres the summary. Im a young hairless sufferer. I know exactly what it feels like to have to deal with this problem. But if i can give a little advice? don't wait, just shave it. There is a sense of freedom, liberation even, when you look in the mirror and see that you just decided to stick it to the hair loss. I can post some pictures if you guys would like.
Great story, Sparklenut! Congratulations on taking control.
Isn't it amazing how liberating it is when you let go of the thing you thought was so important to who you are, and discover you were the only one who thought it meant that much?
The more you shave/clip and the more your scalp tans now that it is exposed, the less you will notice the hair and the bald spots. Don't let them worry you.
Welcome!
Welcome to the forum! Thank you for having the courage to come out and share your story. It almost brought me to tears. I'm sorry that you have had to go through so much so early in life, the hair loss notwithstanding. If anything, all of this will make you a stronger person. That said, it must feel good to not have to worry about hair anymore and you can enjoy life and your new found freedom. Enjoy, participate often, and feel free to post (a) picture(s) if/when you can!
Thank you for sharing your story with us! In regards to your self consciousness, give it 30 days to work itself out.
So glad for you Sparklenut. You buzzed down and like what you see. Don't sweat those thinner spots and enjoy your newfound freedom!
I did what you did. After obsessing about my hair thinning, I buzzed it down as well. Over time, I kept clipping it shorter and shorter and now I shave completely sly about twice a week. Not having to worry about my hair (or losing more of it) was and is a huge relief. Welcome!
Hey guys, thanks a lot for all the encouragement. Gotta do a quick apology for the goofy screen name. It was something I came up with back in high school, and I use it for everything because I remember it easily. I'm hoping to post and check the forums regularly. I want to be able to help other guys avoid the unnecessary "feeling like crap about yourself" phase of hair loss, so they can jump straight to the liberation of a good buzz. I'll get pics up in the next few days I'm sure, because I'm definitely excited about my new look. Hopefully as I post more, I will become more eloquent; it was actually tougher than I thought trying to put my experiences into words so people could relate.
Cheers guys, to the elite cadre of sly dudes!
Sparklenut69,
Welcome and congratulations on the freedom you are feeling already. You said you are still worried, however, about the thin spots that still show with the buzzed head. Jason Statham doesn't seem to let his bother him.. lol. Many of us started out buzzing and then went to a shaved head. I do like that when you are completely shaven, you don't have any hairline other than an occasional shadow.
Your personal story shows how thinning hair can impact a guy even more than really important things in life. Somehow, for many, when we take control and decide to be free... we can put things in better perspective. I'm sure others will be able to relate to your story as well. Thanks for sharing it.