Hi Guys

[Smooth Jack 😁]

Hi Im Jack, new here today. Im surprised just how thin and patchy patterned my hair is. Knowing it was getting thin and receding, I clippered it down to a #4. Looks okay from the front, yet if I can see my scalp like this under a 60w bathroom bulb, then people will see it the summer sun! Maybe I'm not there yet, maybe I'm in denial! I'm just surprised how quicky it has happened, it felt thick last yeah. Obviously honesty is appreciated.

See image

[O2BSly]

Hi Jack and welcome 

Yip, definitely looks like the start of MPB.
Great head shape and face shape though - seeing as you've come this far, may as well get the razor and take the rest off  you won't regret it

[reddog]

Hi Jack, welcome!

Yes, you're getting pretty thin on top. Not the end of the world. If you go shorter on the sides and back, it might look like you have more on top.

As far as going with a shaved head, that's simply a personal choice. I can tell you that many of us absolutely love wearing a completely bald head. Even guys like me, with a full head of hair, enjoy it! I shave every day, so theere is some work to maintain a smooth bald head, but so worth it.

[Razorhead]

Hi Jack,

Welcome! Your hair is definitely thinning but you have enough to work with to keep a short haircut. As reddog noted, tighter sides will help the top look fuller and it's an easy haircut to style.

My hair loss if very similar to yours, maybe a little thinner. When I grow my hair out from a shaved head, I just get a skin fade and keep the top short -- less than an inch. I also cut my hair every 2 weeks. I've just been adjusting my haircuts as my hair gets thinner. And it works fine for me. Just because your hair is thinning doesn't mean you need to shave your head; it just means you need to at least get a much shorter haircut to keep it manageable even if it's a .5 blade.

I started shaving my head when I had a full head of hair. Shaving my head was like freedom but I love my bald head as much as I like a nice short haircut so I go back and forth. But I know someday I'll just end up just keeping my head shaved.

[slybeard]

Welcome to the board Jack.  While you hair is thinning, you do still have enough left to keep it for a while if you wish.  Guys here have been all over the board with head shaving.  For myself, I had decided early on that I would rather shave than have thinning hair or bald spots, and would shave at the first signs of thinning.  And that is what I did.  Having made the decision at an earlier age made it easier for me when the time came.

Some guys here choose to shave with a full head of hair just because they like the shaved head look.  Some kept their hair as long as they could until little was left.  And some here that still have some or all of their hair choose to go between shaved and short hairstyles on occasion.  We even had a few who choose to wear a high end hair piece.

So there is one answer as to how to deal with thinning hair.

If you decide to shave, I suggest you grow some facial hair.  Many guys like the look with some visible hair and having facial hair will compensate for the lack on top.  From your photo, it appears you could grow a very good mustache or circle beard (mustache with connecting goatee).  I cannot really see you cheeks, but a full beard may also be an option for you.

Keep us posted as you work things out, ask questions as needed.  Most of us have been through the same thing.

[Semi-Sly]

Hello Jack
I?ve looked at your photos and you still have a bit of hair, although it is clearly noticeable to have profuse thinning.
It might look better if it was a shorter buzz cut it would look less thin and patchy ??-but do whatever makes you feel comfortable.

I think you owe it to yourself to give a shaved had to try because it would look in my opinion better than what you?ve got going now.
And remember that if you do, you must commit to the 30 day rule that you have to keep it shaved for 30 days before you make a decision as to whether or not you want to grow hair back that way you can make a recent response rather than a reactive Knee-jerk response.

[Smooth Jack 😁]

Welcome to the board Jack.  While you hair is thinning, you do still have enough left to keep it for a while if you wish. 

Thanks for the welcome everyone! ...and sage advice.

Which thinking about I realise I still have adequate coverage (when the is hair longer) to appreciated the keratin a while longer. Certainly a shock seeing the lightness and pattern though at a conservative #4 clipper. So more length on top might help the situation which is the opposite of what I initially thought


Unfortunately I cant grow a full beard - which is a bummer for the future and the way our necks tend to go! - I'm not really partial to a goatee, although my stubble does form the beginnings one. O2BSly, if I could grow a beard I would probably just shave the head now! But alas. 

Again thanks for everybody's time and input!

[reddog]

Yes Jack, don't jump into it! Try some different things, but when you decide to try  shaving, definitely do the 30 day trial. It takes time for you and others to adjust.

One thing I tell guys, if you see guys with shaved heads and think it looks good, then you will probably like it. I know when I grow my hair back, the hardest thing is when I see baldies, I envy them and want to shave my head smooth! An added bonus beside the trendy look, is how a freshly shaved head feels amazing.

[Smooth Jack 😁]

Just because your hair is thinning doesn't mean you need to shave your head; it just means you need to at least get a much shorter haircut to keep it manageable even if it's a .5 blade.

Good advice. Though #0.5 blade on top would be near good as bald for me, as my hair is fine and fair.  I'm thinking either grow a bit of length back on top and tighten the sides as one path you suggest. Or tighten the sides while bringing the sunroof down to 1.5# or even #1 to perhaps get some uniformity and get used to the concept of "real" super short. Last week I thought #4 was short!

[O2BSly]

Sounds like a good plan Jack 

Yes I also thought #4 was short when I first started buzzing, eventually settled on a 1.5 or 2 as my go-to buzz

[Semi-Sly]

Just because your hair is thinning doesn't mean you need to shave your head; it just means you need to at least get a much shorter haircut to keep it manageable even if it's a .5 blade.

Good advice. Though #0.5 blade on top would be near good as bald for me, as my hair is fine and fair.  I'm thinking either grow a bit of length back on top and tighten the sides as one path you suggest. Or tighten the sides while bringing the sunroof down to 1.5# or even #1 to perhaps get some uniformity and get used to the concept of "real" super short. Last week I thought #4 was short!

Yes, but believe it or not there?s even a world of difference between a .5 and a blade shave people who don?t like the stubble look of A .5 are shocked when they see how nice a clean smooth scalp looks I warned you though once you start shaving your head, it?s addictive. There?s nothing like the feeling of a clean, smooth head.!

[Smooth Jack 😁]

Well... I got the fade on the sides and #2 on top today.

[Smooth Jack 😁]

got back home ... and well, it didn't last long!










#00 and razored the lower sides too!

Done and dusted! 😂

[O2BSly]

Looking very sharp Jack, looking very sharp

It suits you 100%

[Smooth Jack 😁]

Cheers pal! I may have made a good decision  It grows back - but having "nothing" there.. feels amazing love the slickness - like bare ***ing skin! - on the sides and micro stubble up above. Outrageous change for me!

Great for summer. I can see my self growing back some for winter, the tan/colour makes a difference I can tell already.