24 and NW3. Should I shave it all off? pics and my story included

[justaguy]

Like some other people on this forum, I began to bald at an early age (18). Unfortunately I really didn't do anything about it until I was much older when I had already lost a lot of hair. About a year and a half ago, I started taking propecia. I was on it for 6 months. While it did stop my hair from falling out, I was experiencing horrible side effects. I stopped taking propecia, and thankfully the side effects went away. But my hair continued to fall out.

This is me in February:
http://i.imgur.com/hI8N68x.jpg

Around this time, I started using rogaine. I've been using rogaine twice a day since then.

This is me now:
http://i.imgur.com/9cFc52R.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/x096D74.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/86HvaUg.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/gdd1dTP.jpg

Other than growing out my hair, not much has changed. I'm not sure if it's gotten any thicker or thinner.

I'm not sure what to do. Please tell me what you honestly think: should I try to rock this look for a few more years or should I go bald?

[slymyke]

Welcome, Justaguy! 

I think you still have quite a bit to work with and could go for a while longer.  You will look good with a buzzed or shaved head when you are ready, but why rush it?    (my opinion)..   

[Cave Dweller]

Welcome to the forum, JustaGuy.

Like Slymyke, I don't see your balding as too far advanced just yet. If you are not ready to shave, then my opinion is you should stay as you are and enjoy your hair while you still have it.

There is plenty of time to shave when and if you decide to do it.

[Mike E. P.]

Guy,

I don't see much of a difference from February till now. In my opinion, you look good. How do you feel? If you can be happy with your hair the way it is now, I'd keep it. But if you want to experiment, buzz it. If you don't like it, grow it back.

I finally buzzed mine when when I felt my hair was just looking bad. I think yours still looks good.

[Mikekoz13]

I agree with the other guys. I think you're good to go for a while but i would get off those damn drugs if I were you. Is a little extra hair (maybe) worth the possible long term effects? Wouldn't you rather have that money in your pocket?

If you are obsessing about this at all, maybe it's time to try a change.

[swimmerbro]

I think you look good now but I say shave it... why not? you're obviously thinking about it, so I say take the plunge

[DOC_OSMC]

I agree with the others, go for a buzz, maybe a little shorter than the pic from February.  Looks like there's still quite a bit of coverage so  buzz would work.  I buzzed my hair for about a good year before I shaved it and I had far less to work with than you do.

[justaguy]

Thank you all for the positive feedback. To be honest, I had planned on shaving it down to a number 1 tomorrow, and posted here for moral support. I've always felt very conscious of my hair, but maybe it was all in my head?

Do I really look that great? I'm not trying to fish for compliments; I'm still on the fence with this.

Here's another picture without my hair combed to the side or any type of substance in it:

http://i.imgur.com/EAQ2Zac.jpg

[Cave Dweller]

Hey, if it is what you want to do, then DO IT.

It is your head and your hair. You will look fine, sir.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome! Like the others said, you still have enough to put off going sly for now...but in my honest opinion, I think the shorter buzz will make the temple recession a little less obvious....Good luck!

[Bald Guy]

You look like a candidate for a high and tight flat top.

[Frontier Guy]

Along the lines of what the others have said ... you can coast along "as is" or buzz or shave it all the way down.

What do YOU want to do, in your most honest opinion? Because that's what is most important.

Though ... if it is bothering you and you are spending significant time and energy on the topic, then I think it's time for a change.

[wpruitt]

Try a shorter buzz - a 1 or 2.  It's a good step on the road to slydom

[fcb2001]

Try a two first

[matt548]

I tried Rogaine for a while when I still had hair.  I think the problem is that while using it I let it grow longer and as a result, couldnt really tell if it worked.  Then I started shaving and last year decided to try the new rogaine foam.  I figured since I was already shaving I wouldnt care if it didnt work, and i'd be able to tell better if it did.  After a few months I did notice some thickening of the "stuble" that would grow in, but not enough in the back to actually grow a head of hair if that makes sense.

I agree with the others, try it buzzed short, use the rogaine, but keep it short, that way will be easier to tell if it actually is working or not