Young, fit guy seeking lost confidence

[aussieguy]

Hi,

I am 29, fit and an outgoing guy. My fiends would consider me a very confident person... but I have a hidden secret.

About 2 years ago I was extremely sick for about 6months and I lost alot of hair. I have NO history of pattern baldness (MPB) in my entire family tree. My doctor adviced me that it is possible that the MPB gene be present but never activate unless you encounter the right trigger. Unfortunately for me, severe stress and illness was my trigger.

Since I got well again, I regained about half of what I lost. I am also taking finasteride.

Unfortunately, I am still not happy with how much has grown back. When my hair is dry it looks ok, and I doubt many people would notice. But when it is wet, it is quite obvious. This leads me to blow drying my hair every morning after I shower before I go to work (pain in the ass).

My biggest problem is that I play lots of sport, love going to the beach and go to the gym all the time. As a result, my hair is constantly wet.

I started avoiding these activities I love because I felt so self conscious about my hair. It has also really affected my social life and my confidence with women.

I really don't want to waist another beautiful aussie summer stuck inside. I want to hit the beach, go swimming, play sport and have fun.

Perhaps if I cut my hair down to a guage 1, I would be forced to accept my situation alot more. It would look very similar whether it was dry or wet, and therefore, I would have less of a hangup as to how it looked at any given time.

Should I go a guage 1 all over? My only issue with cutting my hair this short is how it may affect my career. I am a very successful consultant within the IT industry and I am aware that appearance is important (whether people like to admit it or not). Would cutting my hair this short and making the hairloss more evident affect how people perceive me in the workplace? Would I be labeled a skinhead?

I know that many, many guys have had to deal with these same issues. I would really like to hear what people have to say and their advice. I am still very young and in the best years of my life. I don't want this issue to consume me.

I would really like to get peoples opinion as to how my head shape etc would look with a very short cut. I would also like to know whether people think I should go really short at all. I would rather not post my photo to this post, so if you leave your email address, I am happy to send through a photo for advice.

Thanks heaps.

[wpruitt]

Aussie - Welcome.  You're more than welcome to post up a pic here as either an avatar or in the galleries (http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?action=gallery). 

[slyinglide]

Welcome.....You came to the right spot......If you don't see anywhere here that has already been talked about, then feel free to ask, or just make a comment or thought.......we are here and will help you out.........

[Kojack]

Post a pic aussieguy. I'll tell you how it is.

[The Anvil]

Don't let anything hold you back from doing what you love! We have a short time here and can't let little things baloon int big problems and fears. (wish I would have known that a long time ago) As far as your professional look goes, I bet you will look more in-charge, and professional! (look at all the very corporate guys here, scroll through some of the members and see! NOT ME!)

Get out in the sun man, hit the beach dont let hair stop you, and I get hit on by girls just as much now as ever! (no comments  fellas!)

[Timmay]

Dude like Anvil said....time is too short.  If you limit your activities to what your hair will allow you to do...you are making a big mistake on cheating yourself out of life's joys.  Not going to make it a grey area here...but the first month or so....It is a little weird.  you will get people asking you questions, people who will ask WHY?  I liked you better with hair.  Well I am sorry, hair does not make a person....

If you do plan on getting sun...remember SUNSCREEN ON THE NOGGIN!  ALWAYS!


Timmay

[Robmeister]

Welcome Aussie !

Check out my post (4th from the top) here:

http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=7221.0

Read others there too.

The bottom line is that not enjoying what you love to do...is a 100% self-imposed limitation (if not PRISON).

I assume you're afraid of what others will think of your hair.....so you AVOID OTHERS...

Those others, frankly could care less about you or your hair.....and they're out there having a grand ol' time NOT CARING ABOUT YOU OR YOUR HAIR.

Hang around and get some input and I think we can help you reject fear, man

......you know what fear is?

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

[tomgallagher]

Welcome Aussie. It's only hair.

[BALDANDRE]

Having a buzzed bald head or razored smooth will NOT affect your career  negatively..

LOTS of business dudes are bald and look very professional..

my neighbor is a young buzzed bald by choice dude for his whole career..

he just got a job in 1/2 month in your field...

it's a haircut bro!

Go for it...you'll love the bald head with all the sports you do and as active as you are!

[time2shine]

Hey dude.  You say you are in the best years of your life.  Some would argue at 20 years older, they are in the best years of their life; it is all perception.  I am 23 and bald, I'm using the cards that I was dealt, and couldn't be happier.
Also, I understand in the world of a consultant it's about first impressions, and unfortunately their are people that have preconceived notions about shaving.  Well if you shave, that isn't you.  Change their perception.
I work in IT doing a lot of face-to-face service, and people greet me with a smile and relief - because they know the service, not the SKIN.
Good luck.

[abdominator3]

Hwz it going in ozzy m8.
well I think wat u mean, I think no one in ozzy goes for the bald look, it very very  rare some1 goes for it.way I felt was all of them had Mohawks or some cheap ass Chinese haircuts LOL,  lived in melb for a couple of years did an accounting course from monash clayton campus.,loved melb especially the beer wow! comming to you I would just saw go for it coz I think ozzy gals love sly guys whenever we use to have UNi parties or hall parties I always use to wonder why that bald guy there is a chicka magnet all the gals would jus sorround him same goes for clubs,and as u see ur fit the look youd suit u alot, its a different feeling man, u gotta feel it u kno am sayin I would jus say go for it get urself a spanking new mach3 and do it ul love it trust me.

Well as far as age is concerned am just 21 even younger than u,studying abd trying to be a CPA,consultant myself, I regret that why was I not sly while I was ozzy had a Mohawk then LOL.

Go for it man, its just like another haircut very Ultramodern though!!!!.

[TheSlyBear]

With regards to professional appearance... sly is interesting because it can go both ways.

Sly with a Harley t-shirt, and jeans tucked into a boss pair of motorcycle boots will give an entirely different impression than sly with professional attire.

And go a bit easy on the "best years of my life" schtick. I'm about to turn 51 and think that so far these are my best years...

[Mikekoz13]

Hi AUSSIEGUY! Welcome to the Forum!

This is pretty simple to me. You have things you love to do but you no longer enjoy these things because something is getting in the way. Well there are times in our lives where things that we can't control get in the way. Nothing you can do about that. But YOU CAN do something about the "road block" currently in your way. Get rid of it!!!! And for goodness sake man go back to enjotiny the things you love!!!!

Here's something to think about..... a quick towel drying of the noggin'!!!

[OzPete]

Welcome to SBG! Just buzz it down or shave it mate - it's only hair. 

[OzPete]

I think no one in ozzy goes for the bald look, it very very  rare some1 goes for it.

I see lots of guys with shaved heads here in Australia, I think we're taking over!