Hello everyone, I came across the site today when researching hair loss. I'm only 16 and first noticed I was balding when I was 14. I'm a pretty normal teenager, have a lot of friends, and play sports. I just need some support right now. At first I couldn't believe I was balding. I made the varsity baseball team when I was a freshman and it's a tradition to shave your head when you make the team. So I did. And before every game we stand on the field with our hats off facing the flag for the National Anthem. My mom took pictures of me one day and I looked at them later and noticed that the hair on the back of my head was significantly lighter than the rest of my head. At first I thought it was no big deal or just bad lighting with the camera. But then parents on the baseball team asked me if I was going bald and I just kept getting more and more worried about going bald. I was only 15!! I have a receding hairline and  my hair is thinning. I have been physically mature ever since grade school. I started shaving when I was in 7th grade. I'm just so sick of it and wish there was a cure. Today I was talking to a girl that I like and a teacher that i know comes up to me and points out that I'm going bald in front of the girl! I just got really down and felt really self conscious after that. I don't know what to do anymore. More and more people are starting to notice that I'm balding and it's just making me depressed. so please give me any advice or support possible. Thanks,
Logan

Dude, you have to deal with the cards in life that you are dealt. Sounds like you are doing pretty good being on the varsity baseball team and talking to girls, you probaly have a good build and height. I am 5' 5" tall, I would trade being bald for a few more inches anyday. At least you have the option of a shaved head, you'll be fine.

So right now I'm just going to grow my hair out as long as possible to just enjoy it while I still can.

ikent1.....welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  sounds like u have already made the decision 2 grow the hair out as long as possible.  however....if u decide 2 "do the deed" meaning shave your head, please visit this site & do your research.  go 2 the headshaving section & it is filled with gr8 tips/info on headshaving.  just please....use a quality razor like a fusion, mach3, or headblade.  never use a cheap razor.  cheap razor=poor shave.  like i said....when ya decide 2 do the deed....we will b more than happy 2 help ya out.

WARHAWK

lkent1, that does sound like you have not been dealt the greatest hand, but keeping it buzzed, I believe, draws less attention to the problem.  Since you're an athlete, keeping it buzzed is probably quite normal.  Try not to let this get you down.  You sound a lot more mature than some of the adults in your life.  I can't believe some of the outrageous and insensitive comments you have heard from them.  It sounds like you have plenty of friends, so surround yourself with the best ones.  Stay involved with school, and keep yourself 'out there.'  Don't take a back seat to anyone.  We have a good bunch of guys to keep you pumped up, so let us know how things are going for you.

Lkent1, Welcome to SBG.
I have a son 14 who is going to play jr varsity baseball this year, he likes center field and pitching and is pretty good at baseball. He has had his hair long most of his young life until I started shaving mine, then he cut it short. He has mentioned they may buzz his head for initiation, but asked if they do if I would show him how to shave it, he likes to stand out!
Teenagers can be mean, but usually its because your better at something than they are. Whatever you decide to do, your peers will get use to it after a while and not say alot about it. Being a parent of a son who plays sports, I am really involved in alot of his life. I am even training with him to get fit for the season.
I strongly urge you to discuss this with your parents, direct them here and even let them ask us questions or concerns they may have. A support system at your age is a great thing to have. This is a great site to learn how to properly shave and protect your head if you decide to shave, which you need to keep in mind while your outside playing sports in the sun.
There is alot of experience here that can usually answer specific questions on techniques, products, etc.
Glad you made the first step with your post! 

Shave it man.  You are going to develop some strong character going through these issues at such an early age.  Its both a blessing and a curse.  As you get older, you will see more and more people going bald around you, and it will feel easier.  But damn, so young it must not be easy.  Shave it and realize how little hair has to do with life.  Also, that teacher was an idiot man.

Rogaine works alright man, I used it for a while, it actually grew hair back on my hairline, and supposedly on the back of the head.  They got a new foam out now, and on the buzzed head it just sinks right in and you can't even tell you put it on.  Being that you are so young, try this out.  Its like 40 bucks for a three months supply.

Otherwise, just accept it, which you will have to do sooner or later.  The sooner you accept it, the stronger and happier you will feel.  Girls love shaved heads anyway, especially on a tall dude like you.  When I was in high school, there were these two tall brothers that must have been bald since 10th grade.  They always picked up a lot of good looking chicks

You will be fine man 

  Dear Logan: Nature is sometimes unfair. But there IS a silver lining. If you can turn your liability into an asset at so young an age, you will be far ahead of the curve when your generation starts balding in their late twenties or thirties. Affirm your baldness, talk about it, draw attention to your clean- shaven dome, and, you know what?, your mates AND girls will utterly respect you and stop noticing. They'll even get bored with what would otherwise provide them with ridicule. Your attitude is the pivot. So, as others have advised, get your razor [I prefer the Fusion] and pre-empt Mother Nature by shaving it all off! Embrace and glory in slyness. Many thick-haired man CHOOSE the slick dome for aesthetic reasons nowadays. Let us know your decision. All best, Professor Melon

Thanks everyone for the advice. I don't think I'm going to go completely shaven just yet. But, I have definitely benefitted a lot from my balding experience. It has mentally toughened me and taught me many valuable lessons. Although, I'm still not going to deny the mental pain I go through. I meet a lot of new people all the time and it's always on my mind. And in spanish class the other day we were learning how to describe physical traits on people and sure enough one of them was balding. For fun, the teacher played a "game" with the girls in the class and asked if they preferred long or short hair or whatever. Then she came to bald guys and the first thing out of their mouths was "ewww". I was just like, awesome thanks guys. Another time, one of my brother's friends commented on a picture on his blog and his comment was wow, your brother looks like he's 40! It's just things like that that make me hate my physical maturity. But I'm a strong person and know there's a lot more important things in life than what I look like and I'm not going to let it dampen my fun. Again, thank all of you.