I'm 22 and almost completely bald on top. What should I do? - page 1 -

• I'm 22 and almost completely bald on top. What should I do? by Kriostasis on 12 Aug, 2014 02:31
• Hey guys,
  
  I'm a new member here, and this post comes amidst a very dark period of both depression and serious anxiety for me.
  I have been balding since I was 18... perhaps even earlier... I sorta knew I was balding, but was so focused on my studies/didn't care all that much about my appearance that I also didn't realise how fast it was developing. I visited a hair transplant clinic over a week ago and they told me that I've progressed to a NW4/NW5 level. I don't have a good enough donor density for a full (read: decent looking) transplant and the doctors are extra reluctant because I'm so young. I guess I appreciate their honesty... doesn't seem like something I want to mess with. They recommended I give propecia a shot... but got hit pretty bad with sides almost immediately after starting.
  
  Anyways this is me:
  http://imgur.com/pScumfd
  I am not the most attractive guy in the world but I think I have a pretty young face. To be quite honest I am not really a fan of the bald look... I think it works for older guys with a darker skin complexion but definitely not someone like... me. Anyways as you can see, the extent of my baldness is pretty bad and it's incredibly thin on top now. Basically a wisp. It looks okayish if I've just showered+dryed/not standing under intense light but in almost all other occasions you can see straight through to the scalp.
  
  I have given my head a little feel-over and it's certainly not a very even dome... all kinds of bumps here and there... I am really scared I'll look like a weirdo bald. You can probably also see from the photo that I've got a very oily forehead (at least when it's hot). This actually continues around to my scalp and it looks kinda gross.
  
  I really don't know. It certainly looks ridiculous as it is now, but I'm so scared to shave it off. I've considered buzzing it but I think the extent of my baldness will be very obvious from that too and I don't suit the "tough guy" look. Please could you check the picture and, perhaps at least tell me if a bald head would be absolutely hideous?
  
  Worst part is I'm teaching in South Korea right now and for some reason signed up for a year's extension on my contract... so I'm here for a lot longer. The shaven head look really won't go down well here...
  
  Thanks guys.
  
  P.S. - Seriously screw my life. I can't believe I'm basically bald at 22. If I was in my late thirties then fine but now!? I'm panicking so much about this that I can barely function. Luckily it's school vacation so I've basically been shutting myself indoors.
• #1 by number08 on 12 Aug, 2014 02:48
• Hi
  
  I can relate to you with the depression side of things, been there got the t shirt. One thing I will say though, is that I think you would look great if you were to shave your head. I think that the problem guys have is that when the hair is longer it looks whispy and people can tell that you are trying to cover up. Perhaps its worth having a buzz cut and taking it from there. If you like it you could go shorter, if you don't like it then it will grow back to a decent length in about a month or two. Perhaps you could organise a head shave for charity among friends and then that way, you won't feel so different from your peers.
  
  I am not sly by the way, as maybe like you, I have some very hard issues to deal with. Mainly a huge long forehead and deep recessed eyes. I am even considering wearing glasses (even though I dont need them) to hide behind.
  
  Still, I think that you will look good and suggest that you go for it.
  
  Best of luck
• #2 by Mike E. P. on 12 Aug, 2014 06:42
• I was a young, balding guy, too, once. And I also was very depressed over my receding, thinning, and balding head. But I can tell you that for me, as life went on, things got better for me. Along with getting a little older, buzzing my hair with clippers helped me get through the depression. I got to the point that I was just pissed about my appearance and so I went to the barber and asked for a crew cut. Best thing I ever did. It didn't make me look less  bald necessarily; I wasn't trying to hide it. I just wanted to look better. And when you are balding, I think the shorter your hair the better you look.
  
  This made me feel so much better about my appearance and it was a turning point for me. Eventually I stopped obsessing about my baldness and life returned to normal. I guess my point is I got through the depression and fear and I think you can, too.
  
  You do have a young looking face and you are a nice looking guy, and you don't look ridiculous right now. But I do think a short buzz would look good on you. I would try it, give it a chance, and then decide whether you look better with the buzz or the way you look now. If you don't like it, just grow it back.  I wouldn't care too much about how the people in South Korea view you. You are different from them in many ways no matter what your hair looks like. A hair cut is not going to make a big difference in how you are perceived.
  
  God luck. I wish you well.
• #3 by Snakehandler on 12 Aug, 2014 08:40
• My son's hair started receding in high school. At age 19 while in college he buzzed it very short. Looked great on him. Didn't bother him a bit as he's a very confidant young man,he's 33 now, and I raised all my children to have confidence in themselves. It also stopped his Frat Buddies from ribbing him about his thinning hair. They quit calling him old man. I'm sure a short buzz cut will look much better than you realize now ! 😄😄
• #4 by Bilko1 on 12 Aug, 2014 15:30
• Honestly mate, you look ok. Personally, I think that you should get your hair buzzed to a #1 or #2 and stick with it for a while. Don't worry what others will think of you. You will look just fine and I think you will like the change as will others. If you do not, you can let your hair grow back, but do not let others dictate to you whether or not your hair should be short or not. Most guys (& gals) here are very honest & will give you very good encouragement (whether or not you want to shave your head). Keep smiling, despite everything. 
• #5 by AJ Q-Ball on 12 Aug, 2014 17:08
• I know it must feel like the end of the world but you have nothing to be depressed about man.  You have a lot of life ahead of you and you look good.  To be honest, you will look even better with a buzz cut and will look the best shaved completely bald.  The feelings you're experiencing are the same ones every man with MPB has gone through.  The last thing you need to do is shut yourself off.
  
  If you shave it completely, the bold glass frames will complement your look.  You can try a buzz cut to start out with but I can assure you that bald will look great on you. With it being vacation, it would be the perfect time.  You have a good head shape to go bald, which is very important. 
  
  Keep us posted on what you decide.  You have absolutely nothing to worry about.
• #6 by mrzed on 13 Aug, 2014 04:00
• Around my community, I see a lot of very young men who buzz down to almost nothing or they shave their heads. Whether they are balding or not.  Either way, it looks good.  You don't have to be an old man to sport a shaved head/bald head.
  
  
• #7 by Sir Harry on 13 Aug, 2014 14:05
• Welcome. I would try a short buzz cut first. You have a nice head for sly. If you go sly, try growing some facial hair for balance.
• #8 by slybeard on 13 Aug, 2014 17:04
• Skin tone, uneven head shape, etc.  Every sly guy had had the same concerns before going sly.  You are out of the country for some time, why not try it for 30 days.  Its a populat look anyway, with or without MPB.
• #9 by nick2401 on 13 Aug, 2014 18:43
• Hey,
  
  I'm 25 and was going thin on top... I got constant mixed advice weather I should should go sly or not... Finally just over 2 weeks ago on a camping trip with my dad we went to the razor. After 4 days in the back woods I came into work totally bald with just a beard and stache.
  
  Since then the feedback has been OVERWHELMINGLY positive! Friends, family coworkers, exs all have had only good things to say about it.
  
  More importantly I feel better with it. Leaving my apartment to go to my second job for the first time in over a year I wasn't wearing a hat. I wasn't feeling self conscience... I DID feel confidant, sexy and ready to take on the world.
  
  Take the plunge, try it... I shaved my head at the start of my vacation so if it looked bad I could get some growth by the time I got back to work.  I didn't need it.
  
  Good luck.
  
  Nick 
• #10 by Razor X on 13 Aug, 2014 20:00
• Get rid of the thinning mop and you will look and feel a whole lot better.  Just knowing that you did something about it will make you feel better.
• #11 by Goatee on 13 Aug, 2014 21:44
• Agreed. Go for it!
• #12 by slymyke on 13 Aug, 2014 22:05
• Any man who was balding but decided to shave it off was most likely facing the same fears as you are right now.  The truth is, a shaved head is going to look ten times better than a balding head no matter what.  The act of taking control and shaving it off adds to your confidence level too.  Give it a try, and wear it boldly.  You can't shave your head and not appear bold... even if you are hesitant.... it is a bold move, and will be seen as such.  Let it speak for itself. 
• #13 by baldlyshine on 18 Aug, 2014 13:17
• What God gave you, is you! Don't try to run from it or be embarrassed. Guys can bald from a very young age. I have a much younger cousin that has sported the totally bald look since out of college and he looks great. Our looks are as good as the next guy. Been shaving mine for 6 solid months and love it !
• #14 by Hingatao on 18 Aug, 2014 15:43
• I doubt there's a single person anywhere in the world with a perfect head shape. Embrace the bald and shave off what's left.