advice

[pharmer]

I have wanted to shave my head for several years.  Like some others, I've allowed hair loss to get me down.  I feel like i'm in a more unique situation than most guys.  Unlike the typical male pattern baldness phases, where a guy loses hair on the top first and then the hair line starts to receed, I have more of what is termed "diffuse" thinning.  A diffuse thinner typically doesn't get a bald spot or pronouned receeding hair line.  Rather, the hair gets progressively thinner all over the top.  So, I still have coverage over the top of my head, but its getting thinner each year.  Because my hair is light brown it provides good coverage.  I don't believe that buzzing it down is an option, as it will definately show how thin it is all over the top.  People always say, "its not permenant, it will grow back if you don't like it."  But, with my type of hair loss I feel like growing it back out would be almost impossible (or unbearable).  So, I feel like I'm in a situation where I have to go "all in" and never look back.  In addition, I know guys talk alot about the fear of head shape, I've read the posts.  However, I can seriously feel two prominant flat areas on my head- one area on top, and one area on the upper back.  The only celeb I know of that is sly and has flat head on top is Agassi.  There is no way to know how I'm going to look until I just do it, I realize that.  But I have this great fear that due to some head shape issues it's going to be bad.  In the mean time I"m driving myself crazy by lurking on these forums but doing nothing.   

[Mr. Wilson]

If you can't learn to accept the way you look now then I think the only option is to shave it all off.  I strongly doubt that your hair will grow back less after you do shave it off.

[J.J.]

I have wanted to shave my head for several years....
...There is no way to know how I'm going to look until I just do it, I realize that....
...I'm driving myself crazy by lurking on these forums but doing nothing.   

Fear not, pharmer!  Just do it! 
Being a Sly Bald Guy is tons more fun than being a "crazy lurker!"   
You've got the desire, that's pretty clear.
Relax, enjoy, and live the fantasy!

[Kojack]

I would go for it. Shaving it isn't going to make it stop growing less. All guys that shave know that. If you don't like it, you will have to wait a bit for it to grow back though, just like any other hair. The way i see it though, if you're miserable all the time about your hair (Like I was) you should probably give the sly look a try and you might feel great afterwards (Like I do now) 

[Timmay]

pharmer...dude.  I think you have a good face shape and head shape as well, to pull a nice looking noggin off.  I say if you are going to shave teh noggin, you need to keep your facial hair trimmed and nicely kept, as that is going to be noticeable as well.  Go ahead and do it bro, i dont foresee any reason you wouldnt like it.  So what if you have some imperfections...no one is perfect...right?  

What people are going to notice is your confidence...I say give it a shot.  What you got to loose?  YOur hair?  Its just superficial....have fun with it.

Hope you keep us informed on your progress

Timmay

[time2shine]

Welcome Pharmer!
As you've read in this forum, you share the same concerns that most guys go through before shaving their head.  But after the fact, you soon realize how little people actually care about the look of your dome.

Going to the razor, for me, was about overcoming the idea of hairloss.  Shaving my head rid myself of that worry.  My hairloss was escalating quickly, and i personally felt like I had no choice but to shave.  After a couple days of growth, I am reminded why I shave my head.

I think you look fine, and shaving your head is up to you.  But if your thinning really bothers you, you should give shaving a try - it might be the medicine you're looking for.

[jumissa.fi]

Welcome Pharmer! 

If you are (so it sounds) bothered by your hair thinning I´d suggest to try shaving.
Im BBC myself so I dont know how it feels when you have MPB or thinning but what I do know
is that shaving can only make it better   

Carry On. 

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to the Forum Pharmer!!

If you've been lurking, you know that many guys had the same exact concerns before they shaved taht you're having.

There's only one way to know if it's for you.... try it. And you WILL look different...... so you have it give it a chance once you do it. Go the 30 day route.

I've never, not even for a second, regretted shaving my head. EVERYONE says it's me. My daughter even told me last night that if I grew my hair back I wouldn't look "normal"!!!!

[PE#1]

Welcome brother.  Yeah man, I'd go for it if it's eating you up.  I mean you look like you have a full head of hair.  I can understand where you're coming from though by saying it's thinning too.  I use to have a full head of hair that really didn't show a hair line or bald spot.  But my hair was still "thin."  As years went on you could sort of see right down to my scalp.  Especially right on top at the crown of my head.  Then as time went on I started to develop the "island" on the front.  I'd just go for it man because there's nothing worse than something eating you up.  You're just going to keep obsessing about it since it's weighing on your mind.  Once it's over I'm sure you'll be totally happy.  Good luck and keep us posted. 

[Tor]

Welcome to the forum. As others have said, just get it done, get used to it, and you'll never look back. 

[pharmer]

Thanks for the replies men.  I really relate to all the guys on here.  You seem like very normal men who just got fed up with dealing with hair.  I was lurking around another site for a while but the guys seemed a bit extreme (eye browe shaving, piercings, etc). 
I've listed what I feel are some negatives to shaving.  I also feel there are some positives. 
1) I really like my eyes and when I slick my hair back wish shampoo in the shower it seems to bring out my eyes really well.
2) I tan very easily and noticed they have a stand up tanning machine at my gym.  I bet I could get a pretty quick tan.
3) My hair is light brown, which would hopefully reduce shadow compared to the dark brown/black haired men I see around. 

Thanks again for all of your support.  If its ok, I plan to linger around this site for a while.  Here is a pic that was made for me at baldygo.  I love it.  However, as has been said before, a balderized photo can't take into account skin texture or head shape.

http://headshave.baldlygo.com/images/pharmer1.jpg

[pharmer]

I also forgot to mention that I turn 32 in December.  I started taking Propecia at the age of 22.  Lets see- $60 per month x 12 months x 10 years.  That's alot of $$!!  Do I really want to keep spending that kind of money fighting a losing battle? 

Secondly, I'm an evangelical Christian.  To some of you this will sound silly, but I feel like I sense God directing me to shave my head.  My pastor always says "Obey God and leave the consequences to Him."  This past week at church was a message about Jonah (guy swallowed by a whale).  Johah was running from God's will.  The entire message I was sitting there thinking "i'm running from God's will."  Like I said, to the non-spiritual this will probably seem like foolish talk but it's where I'm at right now. 

[Mr. Wilson]

The more and more you see these sly bald guys, the more likely you're gonna shave.  You only got 1 life so take some risks :p.  I think you'll look really good bald and when you don't have hair people tend to notice your facial features more.

[tomgallagher]

I think you are over obsessing about it partner. Fvck it. Just do it.

[PowerOfCheese]

I agree with what you said about it being near impossible to grow back to the length you have now if you shaved it. Oh it'll grow back but considering it's a thin head of hair, the process of watching it grow back to an inch or so won't be easy for you and could grow back looking thinner.

I've seen guys that are losing their hair like you are and when they shave it or clip it down to stubble you wouldn't even know they were thinning. The other good news is once you shave your head and embrace it, you won't give a rats a$$ about "thinning" or "balding" talk. MPB is a part of life to about half the male population. Are you going to obsess about it or set yourself free and make the most out of whatever time you have left on this planet?

Either way I think it would be a good look for you. Much better than trying to hold onto hair that only looks good in certain lighting. Sunny days at high noon... do you usually wear a hat? Rain probably causes you some anxiety too. Swim much? How about restaurants where they sit you down under the light and all you can think about is changing seats because the light is showing off your....  okay... maybe that one is just me.   hmmm doubt it.

Let it all go man. Shave the noggin. If you don't like it shaved, it'll grow out to stubble in a few days, in a week you'll want to clip it down again. It'll look awesome dude. You have the head for it. Shaved or stubble will set you free.

Oh and Pharmer, I don't know if you're single or what but I gotta tell you...  You're gonna have to beat the ladies off with a stick.