Alopecia Areata, want to shave head

[Chap]

Hey guys, I've been lurking for a few months and I decided I should make an account here. I'm an 18-year-old male with shoulder-length black hair who just finished high school and who goes to university in a month. (Also, English is not my native language, so I'm sorry if I make a few mistakes.)

Two years ago I discovered a bald patch on my crown. It's Alopecia Areata. I was ashamed and depressed (still am) and kept it a secret. I managed to struggle through high school but now I'm through: I want to shave my head and get it over with.

However, since it's Alopecia Areata, there's no stubble on the bald spot. I'm afraid it will look like this when I shave all my hair off (random pic on google):



Is there a way to prevent this? If I shave it every day will it not show? I really need advice. I'm going to university in a month and I don't want to look like a freak. I won't be able to grow my hair back because the bald spot would be highly visible in the mean time.

Thanks in advance!

Chap

[AJ Q-Ball]

Could it just be the start of male pattern baldness with it being just one spot? Alopecia areata contains multiple bald patches. Do you have a picture displaying the bald spot on your head?

[Chap]

Could it just be the start of male pattern baldness with it being just one spot? Alopecia areata contains multiple bald patches. Do you have a picture displaying the bald spot on your head?

Nope, the bald spot has been the same size for 2½ years and I also lost part of my eyebrow. The bald spot appeared over night when I was 16. I'm sure it's Alopecia Areata. Alopecia Areata doesn't have to be multiple bald patches. Sometimes people loose all their body hair, sometimes it's just a bald patch.
My hairline isn't receding yet by the way.

Also, I don't really feel comfortable posting a pic of myself on the web (at least yet), but it looks just like this:



I'm willing to accept my baldness but I'm just afraid it will look like an island. I spent two years covering it up in high school and I don't want to live like that now I'm going to university...

[AJ Q-Ball]

You're fine man. This is a very supportive forum. It definitely is alopecia areata by the looks of that spot. Yeah I had always understood hair loss associated with AA can occur in multiple areas where hair is. I have a former student who had spots on his scalp bigger than yours when I taught him and he always looked his best completely shaved.

If it bothers you to the point that it's always on your mind, you would be better off shaving your head.  Since you have really dark hair, it unfortunately makes it stick out more.  When shaved, the spot won't stick out as much.  I have a bald spot at my crown that is 5 inches in diameter due to MPB. When I had hair, it stood out like a sore thumb since my hair was dark.  Ever since I've shaved my head, it looks so much better.

With you starting uni, it's the best time to shave your head since you will meet new people and they will only know you as having a shaved head.  It's your decision but I can tell you that you will feel so much better with it shaved off.  A person is not defined by hair but by their character.  Your energy level and confidence will absolutely go up. 

[Chap]

Thanks for the reply!

I think I'll do it this week. Will clippers be enough for the shaved look (no stubble at all)? Or do I really need a razor? And how often do I need to shave my head to make the bald spot not noticeable?

[AJ Q-Ball]

You're welcome and no problem! A zero guard buzz has the tendency to look unkempt and dirty.  You would be way better off by shaving it with your shaving cream and razor after buzzing it down with clippers.  With the shaving cream and razor, it will look clean and neat.  I shave mine every day but you can go every two days.  Good luck with the shave!  You'll be anxious until you take that first swipe with the clippers. After that, you will be relieved tremendously!