Need advice -

[Mdstar25]

Guys, so I'm not yet prepared to go full bic but I know my hair (whats left of it) looks like sh*t after my last hair cut a week ago. I had a female friend cut my hair the other day and she suggested I grow it out longer which I don't think is the right way to go. 

I've seen guys pull off the short buzz but the problem is I have a thick patch at the front top of my head.

Any suggestions on clipper length (top/sides)?  I plan on going to a good barber over the next day or so but not sure what to even ask for.

Thanks guys (and girls if you happen to be on this site)

 

[Razor X]

Go no longer than a#1.   You'll be surprised at how quickly you get used to it.

[tobler1]

I concur with Razor X.

[Semi-Sly]

Yep, you need to go really short in order to minimize the space between that patch in front and your hairline. 

I think you will like the #1.  It is really easy to take care of and gives that "clean cut" athletic look.

[meanderthal]

I agree with Razor and Tobler. Try a #1. If you still have the patch, try a 1/2 guard.  Wahl makes one.

I think your head is well suited to be closely cropped or shaved when you are ready.

[Razorhead]

Longer is not the way to go. It will look too bulky. I agree that a #1 or a #.5 will look good on you. Just go to a good barber as he will do some tapering to make it a cleaner look. But I think you would be able to carry a buzzcut look nicely.

[mrzed]

I'm going to suggest something different.

Go with the short buzz over most of your head.  #1 is a good starting length, but then shave the small area in the front that you say is 'thick'.  i.e. just recede the hairline in the front so that it does not look like a patch.  I did this for awhile before shaving my full head.  just to see what it was like. Gave me a feel for head shaving, without taking everything off.

From there I just took the buzz shorter and shorter week by week, about 1/3 of a number (adjustable clippers). Pretty soon I was buzzing with no guard. The shorter I went, the better I liked it.  Stuck with it as you can see from my time line below.

[Munkynutz]

Agreed with the gentlemen here.  I would probably do the sides myself as close as is possible, so with just the blade itself.  It'll grow like nuts anyway but it will provide the least amount of colour and show a lot more skin.  Probably blend in better with the top at whatever length you choose for it although I wouldn't push it past about 3mm myself.

Longer... not the way to go.

[mangosink12572]

We are all in agreement for you to go with a No. 1    - - -and then shave    and you will enjoy it.   Nothing like it. 

[invaray]

Shave it, keep the beard.

[slymyke]

Shave it, keep the beard.

+1

[SlyMike]

Shave it, keep the beard.

+1

+2

[Cave Dweller]

As the gentlemen before have stated; go with the short buzz if you want to de-emphasize the balding areas.

As you probably already know, longer hair will only increase the contrast of the balding areas to those with hair. Your friend, therefore, is wrong - unless her goal is to style your hair in a comb over, in which case she is DEAD wrong.

[baldjoeg]

I agree with the other guys. Go with a number 1 and keep the beard. I am sure that You will like your new look.

[DoberDaddy]

I agree, #1, keep the beard!