I just bought a set of clippers...

• I just bought a set of clippers... by ScottGrim on 15 Sep, 2013 20:21
• Hi All,
  
  I posted in the introduction thread not long ago. I'm 26, been losing my hair (slowly) since 19, and I'm reaching the point where I can't hide it anymore. My hairline has a slightly uneven recession, and my hair is generally thinning.
  
  I've been experiencing extreme anxiety and depression the last few weeks because of this. I've been hiding under a hat every day, and I'm sick and tired of it. I need to accept and love myself the way I am so I can get over this dark time in my life.
  
  A few questions, and reasons why I'm hesitant:
  
  1) Since I've been under a hat this whole time, co-workers are going to be pretty shocked if I buzz my hair down and come into work sans-hat. I'm not sure of the best way to do this.
  
  2) I don't even know how short I should buzz my hair...
  
  3) How long do you think it will take to get over this, and for me to be happy again?
  
  4) If I don't like the way it looks buzzed, what are my options?
  
  Thanks in advance!
• #1 by ScottGrim on 15 Sep, 2013 20:22
• For some reason, the edit option wasn't working:
  
  Also, I look very young for my age. I've been told around 17-18 years old. I cannot grow dense facial hair yet either...
• #2 by luckyone824 on 15 Sep, 2013 21:38
• I saw your post in the introduction thread and the picture you posted. To be honest, your hair looks fine, so I don't think you should shave it all off. If you actually want to go shorter because you think it'll look better, then just go to a stylist and ask them to start at a certain length and to keep going shorter if you still want to. However, there's no reason for you to buzz/shave it completely.
• #3 by Mike E. P. on 03 Oct, 2013 19:50
• Scott - just read your initial post.  I was exactly in your shoes many years ago.  I started noticing my hair receding at 17 and stressed about it for many years without talking to anyone about my anxiety.  I was constantly worried and wondering if people were noticing.  The funny thing is that probably no one noticed the first years.  But it was a constant source of stress.  Some girl had once told me my hair was my best feature (uh oh!)  I finally bit the bullet when I was about 31 after seeing a picture of me from the back.  I knew I was losing it in the front but had no idea about the back!  I couldn't feel it and was afraid to look at myself from behind!
  
  I initially asked the barber for a "crew cut."  I was still not completely bald and the buzz cut gave me the appearance I had more hair.  No one really made any comments (although I had a 4 year old son and he wouldn't look at me at first!)  I have felt so much better about myself since the day I buzzed my head.  All the worry started to go away and before long, I didn't worry about my hair anymore. Over the years I lost all the hair on the top of my head, but I kept buzzing my hair shorter and shorter and so my transition to totally bald was not very noticeable since my hair was so short anyway.
  
  Occasionally I shave it completely and I like the feeling, but most of the time I buzz it once a week with no guard.
  
  You're not going to be unhappy about this forever.  If you are like me, the sooner you buzz, the sooner you'll start feeling better.  Good luck!
• #4 by clipped on 03 Oct, 2013 22:12
• To Mike E.P.: My journey has been like yours. I noticed my thinning crown at 38; switched to a #2 buzzcut at 52 from a short businessman cut when I could "see through" the front of the hair on top of my head.  I should have done it much sooner.  Now clipper shaved. 
  
  To ScottGrim: My advice:  do the buzzcut now.  It's really great, and will not be an issue at work after a day or two.  Look around: there are lots of guys your age who are buzzed or shave...same for my age now at 60.   
• #5 by Mike E. P. on 04 Oct, 2013 05:10
• Quote from: clipped on 03 Oct, 2013 22:12

  To Mike E.P.: My journey has been like yours. I noticed my thinning crown at 38; switched to a #2 buzzcut at 52 from a short businessman cut when I could "see through" the front of the hair on top of my head.  I should have done it much sooner.  Now clipper shaved. 
  
  To ScottGrim: My advice:  do the buzzcut now.  It's really great, and will not be an issue at work after a day or two.  Look around: there are lots of guys your age who are buzzed or shave...same for my age now at 60.   
  

  
  Clipped - what kind of clippers do you use?  My cheap ones just crapped out.  I'm looking for a decent clipper that will leave me almost bald with just a shadow of hair.
• #6 by Bilko1 on 05 Oct, 2013 17:51
• Hi!
  
  Don't stress anymore, bro. Take the clippers & do the buzzcut now whilst you are contemplating it. You will look fine. There are a lot of guys going for the buzzed & shaved look now, so it should not be an issue at work.
  
  If you get fed up of having a buzzcut you can always let your grow back out.... Not a problem.
  
  All the best,
  
  Bilko
• #7 by Baldstu on 07 Oct, 2013 08:13
• As I have said before  the employer should be more concerned about the prformance of there staff than whether or not they choose to be sly or not . The sly look is totally compatible with any uniform . Some guys dont have a choice , why nit pick against BBC guys ?
  
  This could come uner the remit of bullying and harrassment at work
• #8 by clipped on 11 Oct, 2013 06:28
• To: Mike EP:  I use the Andis BGRC with interchangeable blades.  For blades, I have #1, #000, #00000 & #000000, and alternate as the mood strikes me.