hey all! my intro

[aznmonk]

Hey everybody, Ive been lurking your forums for a good half a year now and everyone seems really supportive. So i thought i might as well introduce myself.

I've battled diffusal hair loss since 16 and now im almost 21. The bald spot on the top of my head has grown to a size a little larger than a quarter.

The reason I havent buzzed my hair is mainly because I'm asian, hence little people have bald or buzzed haircuts. All of my friends sport the typical long crazy asian hairstyles, while i've been hiding under my cap.

Im really thinking of taking the plunge and buzzing my head. Im wondering if buzzing to a #4 will make my widows peak more obvious.

[SBGTest]

Hey bro, I'm not sure which Asian nationality you are, but here in the SF Bay Area there are a TON of Asian and Pacific Islanders that shave their head.  You may be the only one in your group to do it, but by doing it you'll stand out in the crowd.

[Tyler]

Hey man, just to let you know that the last post was me accidentally logged in as my test account.

[Learning2Live]

Hey there!

To be completely honest I think you should just go and shave it all off, if you really don't like it then you can grow it back. But try and keep it shaved for a while, I think the time recommend by most is 30 days. I clipped mine progressively shorter, not really for myself but for my mother since she REALLY didn't want me to shave it. Then I finally shaved it and I must say I wish I shaved it as soon as I left school when I was 18 rather then waiting until I was 20.

I know quite a few asians, a lot of my uni friends are from asia. Some of the typical long asian hairstyles you speak of, a few have much shorter more western styles. And then there are a few who clip it very short and I think it work very well for them.

I can definitely sympathise with you, I hid under a cap for many a year. Also none of my friends have had to deal with hair loss and none shave their head. But they are my friends and as you might expect they were still my friends after I shave my head. You will definitely stand out and isn't that what most others spend time styling their hair for?

Really you have a few choices. First you can keep trying to hid under a hat. Second you can buzz it short, better then keeping it long but you will still be balding. Or thirdly you can make life a lot less stressful and skip to fully bald 

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to the Forum Monk!!! I think you should clip it down slowly.... go to that #4 for a week, then a #2, then give it a shave.
It will always grow back if you don't like it BUT.... please realize that once you shave it you will look very different and it may take some time to adjust.

Give it a 30 day trial before you make a final decision on whether or not to keep it shaved.

[Paul]

Welcome Monk.  Listen to the other bros.   They know what they are talking about.

[Papa Don]

My thought is to do what your heart tells you.  Either way your friends and family will still care for you.

[sluggo]

Welcome aboard Monk! Good advice. The 30-day rule is definitely a must.

[D.A.L.U.I.]

In the early stages of MPB, and a quarter sized bald spot certainly qualifies for early, shorter hairstyles will minimize the impact.  You may not be ready for the full monty, but you have to learn one thing, mpb is an irreversable progressive situation.  It's not a disease or malformation in any way shape or form.  As a normal part of the maturing process it must be accepted.  There are innumerable posts on this site by guys who have noticed that it's happening to them, and although you're one of the younger ones, you have loads of company.  As long as you can accept that your hair or lack of it has nothing at all to do with your value and worth as a human being, and keep that in the front of your mind you'll do fine without regard to your decision to shave your head.  For almost everyone here that is or is going bald by the grace of God, we've  gotten out front of the process and though it may still be going on we and our friends and associates don't have to watch.  We think that's the best alternative.  As has been said, if you try it and it isn't right for you now, your hair, minus a few that were leaving anyway, will grow back.  

[DCdome]

Hey monk!

I think you should experiment with hairstyles and find what you are comfortable with.  Hair grows so you know that you are not making any final and irreversible decisions.

Having said that, however, there are a couple of points to consider.

1.  Obviously, if you have really long hair now and cut it off it is going to take some time for it to grow back to its current length.

2.  IMO, shorter buzz cuts look better than longer buzz cuts on balding guys.  I think that this is especially true for guys like you and like me with bald spots.  A longer buzz emphasizes the spot.  You can't see it yourself (except by using a couple of mirrors  ), but it is obviously apparent to everyone else.

Hope this is helpful and do what you feel you need to do!

[aznmonk]

thanks all for the welcomes and advice. Will let you guys know if i decide to buzz my head. I decided to post mainly because i had to get it out of my head and just tell somebody. Thanks for listening.

[OzPete]

Welcome to SBG!

[warhawk]

hey monk:  welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  glad that ya joined us.  whenever U decide 2 make that decision... U will not regret it.  matter of fact, you'll B thanking us.  keep us posted 2 your road 2 slyness.

WARHAWK

[MLNHD]

Hey, Monk - welcome aboard. 

A 4-3-2-1 gradual buzz is a good way to ease into it.  Post a pic when you do the deed! 

[wpruitt]

Welcome aznmonk