Balding in Southern Illinois

[SILBaldguy]

Been lurking around the forums from time to time, and finally decided to register.

I'm relatively new to bald/balding experience and its pluses and minuses. I started to get a widows peak in my late high school into early college years (between 17 and 20 years old), and my hair loss stopped for several years, then starting about 2013 at 26 years of age, it started up again. First slowly with just a balding spot at the crown that was about less then 2 inches across, and it still had some hair, but it was much sparser in coverage and never grew long anymore beyond a couple inches. Fast forward to this year and my hair loss not only continued, it accelerated. Widows peak has spread a couple inches farther back, and the top of my head is now thinning and starting to merge with the crown bald spot, which has grown to about 4 inches in diameter and got even thinner with about an inch sized area where hair no longer grows.

Naturally I tried to hide it a bit and try to grow my hair long, but the balding area just became more noticeable and it was becoming like Pinocchio where the more I tried to hide it the more visible it became. I was surprised I was balding as my dad in his 50s has a full head of hair and my uncle on my mother's side does as well and he's in his 40s. Turns out however my great grandfather was bald with about 50% of his hair gone by the time he died. He died relatively young unfortunately so I don't remember him in person as I was only 3-4 years old at time. The bald gene is a jumper, where not every generation apparently gets it, so it skipped my uncle, but bounced to me. I was told that by his mid 30s my Great Grandfather had already lost a good deal of his hair, and I seem to be following in the same foot steps. On the plus side, I also inherited is excellent beard genes and can grow a thick Santa Claus like beard in a few months time. Not long, but thick and bushy.

Frustrated, I got mad and buzzed it off, but still kept it a a quarter inch long for another couple months. Finally in May, I decide to shave my scalp clean to see how I look, and I wasn't too disappointed or worried, as I had a few large scars from a dog attack I had when I was 2 years old. In fact it gives me that tough guy image, especially when combined with my beard and wraparound sunglasses I like to wear all the time. I kept the look for 4 months, then decided to take a break and let my hair grow back a bit (but still less then an inch in length). This lasted for 2 months, then in late October, I wasn't thrilled with it and went back to the shaved look, and was more comfortable with the look. Plus it seemed my baldness expanded considerably since those last couple months, surprising as I don't see tons of hair everywhere. Beard hair, but not too much scalp hair even when it was longer.

Moving into the new year I'm going in with 75% hair coverage from 10 years ago and plan to keep my head shaved, which works out as it's been a very warm winter here when compared to normal. Other people that where on another forum encouraged me, and my mom actually thought the look suited me. On November I declared it official. I've joined the ranks of the bald, and have been assimilated. Turns out resistance is futile, but that may not be a bad thing.

[Cave Dweller]

Great story, great attitude and great beard, sir.

Welcome to the forum!

[Semi-Sly]

Oh, you're no tough guy!  In that photo I see a very happy Teddy Bear! 

Great news and Great look - "Teddy"

[Sly Red]

Dude, you rock the bald and bearded look.  Well done!

Damn, I have beard envy again.

Red
Chicago

[warhawk]

Welcome to the sly fraternity.  Glad that you joined us.

WARHAWK

[MunkyMunk]

Congrats on the head shave - it's a great look for you!

[DoberDaddy]

Welcome.

You look great.

Awesome beard too!

Steve

[Sir Harry]

Welcome aboard!

[tobler1]

You look fantastic.  Couldn't you imagine you looking better!  Welcome!

[nuts]

Welcome.  Great intro.  The beard genes are certainly strong! 

[TheDome]

Hey, great story and great pic. The beard is fantastic. Mine is almost as bushy right now but not quite

Welcome!

[slybeard]

Welcome, I see you found the best combo, full beard and shaved head.  Of course, I have a bias.

[wpruitt]

Welcome.  Great look!

[SILBaldguy]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I do enjoy being a fellow baldie, as well as a beardo. I generally shave every other day to keep the look, though might go 3 at times if my scalp gets a little sore. Pics are from June, so slightly dated, but not too off from my current look.