Can it be saved?!

[harper]

I dont want to upset any of the great looking guys on here but i was wondering if there is anything that really works againced hair loss?

Im 20 and REALLY dont want to go bald so is there anything that works?!?!

[Timmay]

Nope....sorry.  you can read and listen to all those hairloss ads you want.  They dont work.  Oh the work alright....they work at taking your money.  So if you want to "hide" your hair loss...its cheaper to just go buy a "piece" and glue it on.

[servante]

I guess I don't really have any authority or right in replying to this, as I have yet to go sly (countdown: 3 weeks, lol) and currently wear a "piece", but I do have some personal experience.  If I could go back to my 20 year old self when I was thinking about signing up with the hair club mess I would have told myself to not do it; just to deal with what you've been given in life, as that kind of maturity is a lot more appealing to me now.  I wish I never would have signed up with it, as it's had control over my life for the past 8 years. 

On the other hand though, I did gain a small measure of confidence from it (as misguided as it may be) and I don't think I would be the same person I am today.   So it's a tough call. I would think it would be better though just do accept the hair loss, and move on with your life, instead of paying up the arse for something that most people can just see through anyway.  And trust me, as you get older, it's not that big of a deal anyway.  (Although I know from experience that it IS a pretty big deal when you're twenty, but that will change)

Back to the topic at hand, nothing is really going to work the way you want it to.  Rogaine and Propecia may help prolong it (from what I've read), but I believe in the end, you're going to lose it anyway.  Easier to get through the mourning of your locks and just move on, lol.  You really will see that in time that it isn't as big of a deal as you think, and it isn't to anyone else either; unless they're superficial, then which who gives a **** what they think anyway     

Make sure you read widely of other's experience's  on this board though.  You'll be surprised to find that alot of them started losing their hair young, and their strength and confidence is an inspiration.  You're reminded that strength and beauty isn't equated to how much hair you have, but who you are as a person.  I know that sounds all Dr. Phil-ish, but after seeing the awesome group of people on this site, I believe it 100 %.

[GaryT]

I'm sorry to say but there is no solution to your problem Harper. The best thing to do is just be glad that the sly look looks better and is more common than you may think. Stick around and see what you can learn. There are others that have been through it also!

Get yourself over to the "Introductions" board and say hi and post a pic when you get a chance.  We'd all love to get to know ya!

Servante, GREAT STORY, thanks so much for sharing it!! Don't ever feel that you're somehow not qualified or anything like that! If you got a head and you can sort of type, jump right in there. You sound like a natural for this site.

You should do the same thing get yourself over to the "Introductions" board and say hi and post a pic when you get a chance.

[aleutiancowboy]

The only thing that works is to wear a ball cap 23 hours a day then carefully remove it and spen the last hour of your day gluing back on the hair that you lost that day. 

[schro]

I guess I don't really have any authority or right in replying to this, as I have yet to go sly (countdown: 3 weeks, lol) and currently wear a "piece", but I do have some personal experience.  If I could go back to my 20 year old self when I was thinking about signing up with the hair club mess I would have told myself to not do it; just to deal with what you've been given in life, as that kind of maturity is a lot more appealing to me now.  I wish I never would have signed up with it, as it's had control over my life for the past 8 years. 

On the other hand though, I did gain a small measure of confidence from it (as misguided as it may be) and I don't think I would be the same person I am today.   So it's a tough call. I would think it would be better though just do accept the hair loss, and move on with your life, instead of paying up the arse for something that most people can just see through anyway.  And trust me, as you get older, it's not that big of a deal anyway.  (Although I know from experience that it IS a pretty big deal when you're twenty, but that will change)

Back to the topic at hand, nothing is really going to work the way you want it to.  Rogaine and Propecia may help prolong it (from what I've read), but I believe in the end, you're going to lose it anyway.  Easier to get through the mourning of your locks and just move on, lol.  You really will see that in time that it isn't as big of a deal as you think, and it isn't to anyone else either; unless they're superficial, then which who gives a **** what they think anyway     

Make sure you read widely of other's experience's  on this board though.  You'll be surprised to find that alot of them started losing their hair young, and their strength and confidence is an inspiration.  You're reminded that strength and beauty isn't equated to how much hair you have, but who you are as a person.  I know that sounds all Dr. Phil-ish, but after seeing the awesome group of people on this site, I believe it 100 %.

ROCK ON!
AWESOME POST!!!!
 

[Razor X]

And trust me, as you get older, it's not that big of a deal anyway.  (Although I know from experience that it IS a pretty big deal when you're twenty, but that will change)

Bingo.  I know you don't believe it, but trust me it is true.  The day will come when you really won't care anymore.  It's a combination of maturity and your hair becoming so thin and looking so bad, that it's a relief to finally be rid of it.

I'm going to offer some advice that you're probably not going to like.  I know I would have dismissed it when I was 20 years old.  But if you're willing to take a leap of faith and listen to some older guys who have been through what you're currently experiencing, we can make the transition a lot easier for you.

First of all, stop obsessing about your hair loss.  You didn't say how advanced your hair loss is, but the best thing you can do is get a buzz cut as short as you feel comfortable with.  And as you lose more hair, get it cut shorter.  Don't be afraid if some scalp shows through the hair.  I remember how I used to dread the day that I'd have a bald spot that couldn't be camouflaged.  It's far better to let a little skin show than to try to cover it up.  It projects a more confident image and tells the world that you've got more important things to worry about than something as superficial as your hair.  Eventually when you get to the point where your hair is buzzed extremely short, shave it completely.  It will only take a day or two to grow out to the buzz cut length.

Secondly, always remember that you are not your hair.  Your hair does not define you.  We're all conditioned to thinking that our hair is the single most important part of our appearance, but it's really one part of the total package.  Start working on the other parts of the package.  Upgrade your wardrobe.  Get to the gym and work on getting in shape -- either lose weight or bulk up, whichever you need to do.   A good physique more than compensates for a lack of hair.  I'd much rather be bald and muscular than hairy and out of shape.

Acknowledge that your appearance is changing, and instead of being afraid of it, embrace it.   You're not turning into George Costanza; you're becoming like Vin Diesel, Bruce Willis, and Kelly Slater.  Can you imagine Yul Brynner with hair?   Look at this before and after photo of Neil Strauss. Which one looks better?



Be glad that you're living in a day and age when it isn't a big deal to shave your head.  This wasn't an option 20 or 30 years ago.  I wish I'd started shaving my head when I was in my 20s.  Being bald is only a big deal if you let it be one.    Strange as it may seem, one day you may even grow to like it. 

[The Scottish Ambassador]

And trust me, as you get older, it's not that big of a deal anyway.  (Although I know from experience that it IS a pretty big deal when you're twenty, but that will change)

Bingo.  I know you don't believe it, but trust me it is true.  The day will come when you really won't care anymore.  It's a combination of maturity and your hair becoming so thin and looking so bad, that it's a relief to finally be rid of it.

I'm going to offer some advice that you're probably not going to like.  I know I would have dismissed it when I was 20 years old.  But if you're willing to take a leap of faith and listen to some older guys who have been through what you're currently experiencing, we can make the transition a lot easier for you.

First of all, stop obsessing about your hair loss.  You didn't say how advanced your hair loss is, but the best thing you can do is get a buzz cut as short as you feel comfortable with.  And as you lose more hair, get it cut shorter.  Don't be afraid if some scalp shows through the hair.  I remember how I used to dread the day that I'd have a bald spot that couldn't be camouflaged.  It's far better to let a little skin show than to try to cover it up.  It projects a more confident image and tells the world that you've got more important things to worry about than something as superficial as your hair.  Eventually when you get to the point where your hair is buzzed extremely short, shave it completely.  It will only take a day or two to grow out to the buzz cut length.

Secondly, always remember that you are not your hair.  Your hair does not define you.  We're all conditioned to thinking that our hair is the single most important part of our appearance, but it's really one part of the total package.  Start working on the other parts of the package.  Upgrade your wardrobe.  Get to the gym and work on getting in shape -- either lose weight or bulk up, whichever you need to do.   A good physique more than compensates for a lack of hair.  I'd much rather be bald and muscular than hairy and out of shape.

Acknowledge that your appearance is changing, and instead of being afraid of it, embrace it.   You're not turning into George Costanza; you're becoming like Vin Diesel, Bruce Willis, and Kelly Slater.  Can you imagine Yul Brynner with hair?   Look at this before and after photo of Neil Strauss. Which one looks better?



Be glad that you're living in a day and age when it isn't a big deal to shave your head.  This wasn't an option 20 or 30 years ago.  I wish I'd started shaving my head when I was in my 20s.  Being bald is only a big deal if you let it be one.    Strange as it may seem, one day you may even grow to like it. 

Absolutely awesome post Razor. Just want to add something. Get a t-shirt. I have found that there is nothing that convinces people of your inner confidence with regard to your slyness than a SBG t shirt. Or a Headblade t shirt. I have both. One of my mates said to me the other day "you really dont care about not having hair do you?". I said "finally got it, have you? All your jokes just wash off".