Another noob here, need to make some decisions. HELP

[headstorm]

Hello everyone. I just found this forum about 30 minutes ago and already I can tell this is the place I need to be. It is hard to talk to anyone about these issues that hasn't gone through them themselves and I think this place can steer me in the right direction.

I am a 22 year old male. I have been going bald since about 18 or 19 years old. It just started out as some mild thinning and I just accepted the fact that I would probably be bald a lot sooner in life then I could have thought. I have been using mild comb over techniques over the past couple years, not really because I wanted to but because I didn't really want to deal with a hair style change. I just kept using my normal hair style with the thinner hair and it wasn't looking too terrible. But recently, this thinning has gotten bad enough where my hair just looks ridiculous. My hair is still "normal" i guess i would say on the sides and back, but the top of my head has very stringy/thin hair and my hair line has receded. Basically I have decided that I need to change, but I do not want a completely shaven down to the skin head. However, I do want to trim it down pretty close and I would perfer some type of style that I could maintain on my own without going to a barber.

I will probably be waiting until after the holidays are past to do any major changes to my hair. Right now I would just like some ideas on electric shavers or other hair cutting products I should get to prepare myself. I know pictures would help to see what I have to deal with, and I might post some later on after getting my comfort level up. Basically my hair is very thin all over the top and normal on the sides. I almost think it would look better completely bald on top and very very close on the sides then just some thin stands sitting on top, but i dunno.

Can anyone relate to this type of hair loss at an early age? What did you end up doing?

Thanks in advance

[wpruitt]

My advice, Headstorm, is to take it in steps, like I did.  Start buzzing shorter and shorter, working toward your goal.  A buzz will make the balding look less obvious.  Less is more.  You can get shorter and shorter with each cut.  It'll take you to a point where you can then say "What the heck", shave it off, and no one will notice,  Or .... you can shock the world and shave it all off in one fell swop.  Either looks good.  Just, ultimately, do it!

Merry Christmas!

[Paul]

That is some great advice from pruitt, headstorm.  Taking it in steps helps you to feel comfortable and allow you to stop, grow it back or move forward as you need to.   But the ultimate slick smooth shave is what you will want and feel the move confident with.  Welcome aboard and continue to ask up with any questions you have.

[BALDANDRE]

Hey bro..

Being bald by choice here, I can't much help on the "I went through what you did"...

But....

I'll tell you one thing.... being bald is a great, life empowering thing...trust me and the guys here..

one day you'll be saying I wish I had shaved it all off sooner..

Good luck bro, we're here if you have any questions..

Ps...having a COMPLETELY bald head really is cool..you'll see!

[nomad]

Wpruitt has it right just buzz it down until you get it were it should be, but you said something about leaving a few wisps of hair on top, that would be a huge mistake take it all down. Doing that would be like setting a beacon on your head saying "Hey Look I'm Bald"

[headstorm]

Thanks for the quick replies. Wasn't expecting that many responses so soon. I appreciate what has been said so far. About the leaving the whisps on top, I didn't mean that i wanted that, but i do want some hair on the sides of my head. I don't think I have the head shape to pull off the totally shaven look, but I don't know time will tell. I agree completely that I should do this in steps but im not sure how to begin. I also am looking for some suggestions on how to actually cut my hair. Use scissors, electric shaver, etc? I would prefer if i could do this on my own without going to my barber, in gradual steps. Im just worried about how it will look having a close cut all across my head, how do i deal with the very thin hair that will be left on top?

[charlesh1609]

FWIW: I'm bald by choice, but checking present day terrain against old photos, it seems that a receding hairline is definitely in my future.  That said...

SKIN THAT PEACH!  Worst case scenario is that you decide that's not the way you want to look.  Fine.  Stop shaving.  IT'LL GROW BACK!!!

Free advice.  Worth exactly what you paid for it.

[nomad]

As far as how to do it go to wally world or somewhere like it and get some clippers or beard trimmers with different guards and go to buzzing it. Its not real hard just got to keep going over it until you don't hear it cutting anymore. Start with a 3 or 2 guard and work down from there. the fine stuff on top will just be like the rest. Until you go all the way and shave it what ever is there will be there unitl it falls out or you shave it.

[stormdogg]

headstorm welcome man...i began w/ a receding hairline a few years ago (i'm 25 now).  i originally began cutting it w/ hair clippers from wal-mart.  i started w/ a #2 guard and kept getting shorter and shorter until i was eventually shaving w/ a razor...took about a year to work my way down.  since you are not yet ready to razor shave, i would suggest a good pair of clippers.  i reccommend a set a WAHL'S brand clippers. you can get em at wal-mart for around $20-30...and they come w/ several different guard lenghts to choose from.  i would probably start long and slowly work down w/ the shorter guards until u find the appropriate length.  hope this helps...good luck bro

[Stu]

Welcome headstorm.  Good advice all around from the guys.  Clipping your head is the best way to go.  I went shorter and shorter at Sport Clips until I got to the point where I could do exactly what they did.  There are different types of clippers, but you should look for one that has very short attachments.  Some are meant for people who want to keep their hair not quite as short as what you'll be needing.  I picked up mine from Wal-Mart 3 years ago.  They were made by Andis and were called 'Headliner Shave and Trim Kit' with 4 attachments -- 3/8", 1/4", 1/8", and 1/16."  The shorter I took it, the better I could see what it would look like totally shaved.  One warning -- most guys who go this route can't resist the temptation to take it all off eventually because it's already in your head.  Don't worry about your head shape... there aren't too many perfect ones out there, and I'm definitely not in that category.  But either way you go, keeping your hair buzzed definitely draws less attention.  Just tonight in the grocery store I came across this guy who glared at me (I think in envy).  He had one of the worst combovers I've seen.  His hair was greased from one side to the other -- must have used glue or something to keep it down.  I was so tempted to say something, but he probably had 100 pounds on me, so I kept quiet.

[Timmay]

Headstorm, first of all welcome to the site.  Loads of useful info in here.  This site is all about making yourself feel good.  We are here to support you in what ever dicision you choose.  I may be wrong here but I doubt if you will find very many in here who have went from really long hair to completely shaving it off.  I would just do what the previous guys have told you to do and just trim it to a level you feel comfortable with.  There is no doubt you will shock people when you decide to go complete smooth....but to some of us...thats the cooliest thing about doing it.  Getting the attention.  After a while you will not feel as you are standing out too much...it will just become part of you.  I have been shaving now for almost 7 months and I couldnt tell you what it feels like to have hair.  THIS IS ME NOW.  We are here for you so dont ever be afraid to ask a question no matter how trivial it is or how small.  Good Luck!

[PORKY]

WELCOME HEADSTORM , myself i wont be of much help giving advice ,as i was one of th  bald by choices.   but there is an AWFUL LOT of good advice out here again , you have come to the right place for no nonsense plain talkin advice ,   PORKY

[dinosaur]

Can anyone relate to this type of hair loss at an early age? What did you end up doing?

Thanks in advance

Hey headstorm. Heck yeah, I can relate. I'm almost 22 and it wasn't until this spring/summer that I even noticed that my hair was thinning. It seemed like one day it was all there, and the next I found myself thinking: "what the..? why is there hair all over my desk, in my hat, on the bathroom floor, etc?"  then I pulled out a handheld mirror and saw the damage firsthand.

Anyways, it was pretty traumatic and I felt like I was alone.  I was adamant about not wanting to do the comb-over method so I just grabbed my buddy's clippers and hacked it all off.  Then I found this site, and realized that there's plenty of people that can relate and give wonderful advice.  Spend some time reading through the various testimonials people have written.  You'll see, as I did, that this unfortunate fact of life can be dealt with.

Here's what I will tell you: ditch the comb-over. Chances are people have noticed the thinning (usually they do before you do!) and if they haven't they will.  Think about guys (of any age) that you have seen, valiantly trying to cover their own thinning. Do you ever think "Hey, that looks nice, I want to be like that guy!" 

It's a sad thing to say goodbye to your hair, but the cold hard truth is that it isn't coming back anytime soon.  Buy (or borrow) some clippers and either take it off yourself or have someone help you.  I promise you that you will feel instant relief.  Sure, it may take some time getting used to (any change of style of this magnitude will seem overwhelming) but I assure you that you will be on the path to feeling better about yourself.

It may not be easy and it may not be the most desirable option, but trust me when I say that is the best possible thing you could do for yourself.

Best of luck, my friend.


-dino-

[headstorm]

Thanks for all the support and advise, it really helps knowing im not alone even though im sure having to deal with this at an early age isn't all too common in the general population. I have decided to go the electric clipper route and just see how it goes. Another concern i have is i feel my hair folicle "spacing" is further then most, if that makes any sense. This really isn't something new, i think it has always been like this. Even when I grow my facial hair out, my hair doesn't have that "thick" appearence until it gets longer. Anyway, I will make a new thread in the hair shaving or trimming section about clipper advise so we don't get too off topic here. Please feel free to give me any other suggestions here, I will definately be following the thread.

[Tyler]

Headstorm, first off, welcome to Sly Bald Guys!

These guys have given you some great advice so far.

I'd like to add that I have yet to run across a person that has a "bad shaped" head that didn't have some kind of physical deformity. Another thing to remember is that as much as we all love having the completely shaved look, the ultimate goal is to get you to a look that gives you the maximum amount of confidence.  Just ask us questions and we'll help you get there.