Sly Bald Guys Forum

Discussions About Being Bald => To be or not be...Bald => Topic started by: Ryukil on February 21, 2014, 03:46:56 PM

Title: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Ryukil on February 21, 2014, 03:46:56 PM
On other hair loss forums, the guys have told me my hair loss is aggressive and extensive for my age (I am going to be 21 in a month). When I last posted here, I had no idea that I was thinning diffusely. I cut my hair short and then realized it. So not only do I have a receding hairline (which I think is improving due to treatment, honestly), I also have thinning hair all over my scalp. I honestly have no idea when this started as I have worn my hair long for a while and that covers it up. No one notices this diffuse thinning yet. Help me out guys? Do I look NW2 or NW3 (hairline)?
As I said in the other thread I have A LOT of anxiety so I'm not sure how much that has contributed. I have family who started to go in their early 20s so I know it's not totally abnormal.
But I am on finasteride and just started Rogaine and (probably unrealistically) hope to maintain for at least 10 years.

https://imageshack.com/i/12xsakj
https://imageshack.com/i/0y47hpj
https://imageshack.com/i/5kwoytj
https://imageshack.com/i/mzdi94j
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on February 21, 2014, 04:22:05 PM
It doesn't look aggressive or extensive to me.  The best thing that you can do is get off the drugs and stop worrying about it.  What is going to happen will happen.  Trust me, even as an ancient old man of 31, you won't be ready to start losing your hair.  But if you learn to deal with it now, you will have long since moved on by the time ten years gos by.  And by dealing with it, I don't mean that you have to shave your head now. It looks fine the way it is.
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Mike E. P. on February 21, 2014, 06:43:59 PM
Using the term "aggressive" next to hair loss makes it sound like a fatal disease (it's not). I, too, had a lot of anxiety over my hair loss and I can tell you, worrying about it did me no favors. I can also tell you I came through it fine. I started by buzzing my hair short with clippers. Once I did that, I was able to come to terms with losing my hair.

I agree with Razor. You like fine in those photos. I know it's easier said than done, but I think finding a way to stop worrying about the hair loss is important. Maybe you should consider getting off the drugs and think about trying to accept what's happening. A lot of guys here have found that once they took the leap to either buzz their head with clippers or razor shave sly, a huge weight was lifted. Whatever course of action you take, use this forum as a source of support.
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Ryukil on February 21, 2014, 07:02:48 PM
I understand lifting the weight of caring so much about your hair, but can I ask an honest question? If I could maintain my hair, perhaps indefinitely (say finasteride loses its effectiveness,  I can just switch to dutasteride), with drugs, diet, stress reduction, etc., why wouldn't I? I understand the risk of insane side effects, but those are unlikely to happen...It's my hope that I can maintain long enough for some new treatment to come out, or something like unlimited cloned hair, etc. Luckily, we live in an exciting time with all sorts of new discoveries being made every day. Think we'll have something better than fin in 2024?
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: DannyBoy on February 21, 2014, 07:19:11 PM
Well to be honest if there is a way you can get it back without hurting yourself like side effects etc then fair does go for it if you really want your hair back...specially if its like a health issue like eating for an example...with me i didnt care for my hair when i had it i looked like a beatles reject lol i didnt style it or anything i just let it grow cut it an let it grow and repeat...so it was easier to let go even though i did worry to begin with...i mean for me the thought of taking pills for the rest of my life for hair just seems silly even at my most worrying state with hairloss...but hey thats just me good luck what ever you choose and becareful.
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Mike E. P. on February 21, 2014, 07:34:48 PM
Quote from: Ryukil on Today at 09:02:48 PM
I understand lifting the weight of caring so much about your hair, but can I ask an honest question? If I could maintain my hair, perhaps indefinitely (say finasteride loses its effectiveness,  I can just switch to dutasteride), with drugs, diet, stress reduction, etc., why wouldn't I? I understand the risk of insane side effects, but those are unlikely to happen...It's my hope that I can maintain long enough for some new treatment to come out, or something like unlimited cloned hair, etc. Luckily, we live in an exciting time with all sorts of new discoveries being made every day. Think we'll have something better than fin in 2024?

Quote from: Ryukil on Today at 09:02:48 PM
I understand lifting the weight of caring so much about your hair, but can I ask an honest question? If I could maintain my hair, perhaps indefinitely (say finasteride loses its effectiveness,  I can just switch to dutasteride), with drugs, diet, stress reduction, etc., why wouldn't I? I understand the risk of insane side effects, but those are unlikely to happen...It's my hope that I can maintain long enough for some new treatment to come out, or something like unlimited cloned hair, etc. Luckily, we live in an exciting time with all sorts of new discoveries being made every day. Think we'll have something better than fin in 2024?

I think ultimately you have to do what makes you happy and is right for you. If I could find a way to get my nice head of blond hair back, I'd be right there! But for me, I didn't want my life to be consumed with keeping my hair. I wanted the freedom of not having to worry about that - I didn't want to be thinking about that all the time. And for a long time, I was.

Also, drugs scare me and I would not want to take any chances with the possibility of side effects.

But you seem to be satisfied with the course of action you are taking.  If you have decided using the drugs and hoping to maintain what you have is better than the alternatives, then you are doing the right thing. And who knows what science will give us in the future? I wish you the best.
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on February 21, 2014, 07:37:52 PM
I understand lifting the weight of caring so much about your hair, but can I ask an honest question? If I could maintain my hair, perhaps indefinitely (say finasteride loses its effectiveness,  I can just switch to dutasteride), with drugs, diet, stress reduction, etc., why wouldn't I?

I can think of better things to spend my money on but that's a matter of different priorities.  None of things you've mentioned is a miracle cure anyway.  It's a lot of time, effort and money spent on a losing battle, IMO.  

I know it's difficult to understand at your age, but when you are a little older, you'll look at this a lot differently -- not because you no longer care about how you look, but because you come to the realization that it really isn't that big a deal.  
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on February 21, 2014, 07:44:38 PM

If I could find a way to get my nice head of blond hair back, I'd be right there!


Not me.  I have recurring nightmares about my hair coming back.  It's not a good feeling.  I'm much happier with a bald  head.  And if someone had told me when I was 21 that I would one day feel this way, I would not have believed them!  :)
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Mike E. P. on February 21, 2014, 08:38:43 PM

Not me.  I have recurring nightmares about my hair coming back.  

Too funny. I want to see a picture of you with hair!
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on February 21, 2014, 09:17:09 PM
Ask and you shall receive:


(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi318.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fmm407%2Frhorgan68%2FRX2.jpg&hash=c4c03310f984ff701ce4b8747cb07db436e3b2ec)
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Mike E. P. on February 22, 2014, 09:04:45 AM
Thanks for sharing, Razor!  That's a great picture and a great head of hair.  We must have gone to the same barber!

Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on February 22, 2014, 09:09:28 AM
You look like Justin Bieber!  :D
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: slymyke on February 22, 2014, 10:21:48 AM
You look like Justin Bieber!  :D


You did!  lol.   Now where is all the cash, right? 
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Mike E. P. on February 22, 2014, 10:59:29 AM
You look like Justin Bieber!  :D


You did!  lol.   Now where is all the cash, right? 

If Justin Bieber were around back in the day, I probably would have shaved it all off!
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: wpruitt on February 22, 2014, 12:52:53 PM
You look like Justin Bieber!  :D
Sadly, I see the resemblance too!!
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Cave Dweller on February 22, 2014, 09:35:03 PM
Back on the topic...

Ryukil, your pictures easily could have been those of my head when I was in my twenties. Hairloss happens. I also was a little shocked when I first saw my hairline had receded, but soon figured out it did not make a lick of difference in who I was or how anyone saw me. My little brother in my fraternity tried to get me to join Hair Club For Men, but I luckily did not fall into that trap.

If you really feel better using stuff to mess with your body chemistry in hopes of keeping your hair; then, as we so often say to guys who worry about what people will think if they shave their heads, it is your head and your hair and your body, so you make the decision as to what you want to do or risk with it. I sincerely hope it works for you. Personally, I would not even try it as the results usually are minimal at best, and all they really do is delay the inevitable. To me, the costs and risks far outweigh the potential benefit.

And Mike E. P., I think we had the same stylist.
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Mike E. P. on February 22, 2014, 10:26:08 PM

And Mike E. P., I think we had the same stylist.

Nothing wrong with that hair style!  I had those glasses, too, right before I got the groovy, gray tinted ones in my photo.  The late 70's - great year for style.  8)
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Blitzed on February 23, 2014, 07:00:27 AM
If you were going to pick one of our number to illustrate how great a balded head and short, well trimmed beard look, then Mike E.P is the go to guy. Plus a great smile, someone you'd like to know. As to your look, you look great. I've seen young men, as young as 13 at the onset of puberty who also were clearly on the mid point of Male Pattern Baldness. If there is a good thing there, it's that they'll get the torture of losing their hair over early. On the down side, they're in for a lot of conversation which may edge on bullying. That's when a series at the Tae Kwan Do studio will help. And I'd be willing to bet he'd be in the company of lots of men who have lost their hair or removed it.
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Sir Harry on February 23, 2014, 10:16:35 AM
Mike, Razor and Cave, thanks for sharing the throwbacks.....@Ryukil.....Yeah, I see a few signs of MPB, but nothing to panic about yet....the short buzz looks better on you, I would stick with that for now....
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on February 23, 2014, 02:57:37 PM
Mike, Razor and Cave, thanks for sharing the throwbacks...

So when do we get to see your 70s 'fro, Harry?   >:D
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: TheSlyBear on February 23, 2014, 06:15:15 PM
Circa 1973:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2524225/photos/bear/mike.long-hair.jpg)
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Mike E. P. on February 23, 2014, 06:45:26 PM
Circa 1973:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2524225/photos/bear/mike.long-hair.jpg)

Love it! Those locks look especially good against that brown paneling O:O
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: mrzed on February 23, 2014, 07:36:21 PM
Well, I think that you ALL look better bald.  We do go through the long hair stage, when young, but just something really nice about a shiny bald head.

Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on February 23, 2014, 07:47:30 PM
Circa 1973:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2524225/photos/bear/mike.long-hair.jpg)


Wow!   :)
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Cave Dweller on February 24, 2014, 03:30:19 PM

Man, am I jealous, SlyBear.

I never was allowed to grow mine to that length. Over the ears was as long as it could go.
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: slymyke on February 24, 2014, 03:39:49 PM
Slybear, you were looking "grooovy, man"!   O0
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Sir Harry on March 01, 2014, 08:47:36 PM
Mike, Razor and Cave, thanks for sharing the throwbacks...

So when do we get to see your 70s 'fro, Harry?   >:D

Sorry, Rob (and friends) couldn't find one from the 70's...but here's one from about 1988 or 89 during my junior year in high school....
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: marshd1000 on March 01, 2014, 09:48:32 PM
Here's my graduation picture!
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on March 01, 2014, 09:49:22 PM
Mike, Razor and Cave, thanks for sharing the throwbacks...
:(

So when do we get to see your 70s 'fro, Harry?   >:D

Sorry, Rob (and friends) couldn't find one from the 70's...but here's one from about 1988 or 89 during my junior year in high school....

Darn. Not much to make fun of in that photo.  
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on March 01, 2014, 09:50:12 PM
Here's my graduation picture!

Now here's one we can have some fun with!   >:D
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: marshd1000 on March 01, 2014, 09:55:17 PM
Razor, about 10 years later I had a Mullet!  That was also the same time I started seeing MPB.  So after that, I started doing crew cuts. By 1997 I went sly!
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Mike E. P. on March 01, 2014, 10:03:41 PM
Sir Harry and Marsh - thanks for sharing. Those photos are great!  Marsh, I graduated from a Catholic highschool in 1981 and I was in the same white jacket and huge bow tie for my photo, too!
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Razor X on March 01, 2014, 10:15:11 PM
Razor, about 10 years later I had a Mullet!  That was also the same time I started seeing MPB.  So after that, I started doing crew cuts. By 1997 I went sly!

1997 ... You were an early adopter!   O0
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: marshd1000 on March 02, 2014, 12:12:09 AM
Sir Harry and Marsh - thanks for sharing. Those photos are great!  Marsh, I graduated from a Catholic highschool in 1981 and I was in the same white jacket and huge bow tie for my photo, too!

That pic was from the class of 1979.  So very close in era!
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: marshd1000 on March 02, 2014, 12:19:30 AM
Circa 1973:

(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/2524225/photos/bear/mike.long-hair.jpg)

Bear...did you make an appearance on the Brady Bunch or Partridge Family?  You look like you could have fit in,
Title: Re: Is my hair loss "extensive" for my age?
Post by: Emann on March 05, 2014, 01:27:12 PM
Hey Ryukil, what kind of results have you been seeing from taking? Im also 20 and my hairline is receding pretty baldly.  Its even more visible when i get a lower cut.  Im considering of taking Propecia but those side effects scare me :-\