Hey everyone. So here's my story. Hoping I can get some advice/positive reinforcement from you all. I've been reading the site on and off for about a year now, but just decided to make my own account so I could post this.

I have pretty much been gradually losing my hair since I was about 16. I am 21 now, and I am almost completely bald on the top of my head. Throughout highschool and early on in college I would wear hats basically every day, ashamed of my hair loss and trying to pretend that it was not there. About a year and a half ago I realized that I could not just continue to wear hats all the time and had to come to terms with losing my hair. Last summer things really came to a head (no pun intended) when my trying to come to terms with me being bald coincided with me going throuh a terrible/nasty breakup with my first serious girlfriend. For about 5 months I was severely depressed, and having trouble coming to terms with my baldness. After some therapy I began to put things into perspective, which really helped me forget about wearing hats all the time, and realizing that it is much better to go through life balding and happy, then balding and miserable, because I can't do anything about it.

All of my closest friends from home and school are well aware that I am balding, which has put me much more at ease of not having to hide it around them. I am even seeing a girl now who doesn't seem to mind much either (or at least she doesnt let me know!).

Anyway, I always assume that I would shave my head one day, but as that day seems to be rapidly approaching, I find all of those past insecurities and feelings of depression coming back. I still get uncomfortable when it is sunny outside and always bring a hat with me when I go swimming with friends. I keep worrying about what all my old friends who haven't seen my in a few years will say when they see me. I find myself especially worrying about seeing my ex girlfriend, who I think has gotten better looking while my baldness has caused me to get worse looking. I was pretty popular in high school, and I think considered pretty good looking, and I don't know what to expect with other peoples reactions.

Once I shave my head it will be a life time decision, as I do not want to have to regrow my hair when it is so short. But I am having trouble taking the plunge. I don't think I have a good head shape for being sly, but I definitely don't want to have that MPB look at the age of 21.

Do you guys have any advice about steps I should take before I shave to make it look as good as possible? Is there a special technique/product I should use? Should I go to a barber for the first time?

I am really at a loss here, but after reading about a million other posts here, I know that there are lots more of you out there, which is very reassuring for me. If any of you have any advice to share with me I would really appreciate it. I would especially like to hear any other stories about people balding in their teens/early twenties, as just knowing that I am not alone in that respect has done a lot to help me already. Thanks guys.

Picture coming soon.

Welcome ajs!!!  One thing I think we all have in common is a rise in self confidence with our shaved heads.  It is hard to explain...something you have to experience yourself.

A couple of tips:
1.  Get your hair buzzed a close as possible.  Go to the barber if necessary.
2.  Use some quality lube instead of shaving cream or whatever you currently use on your face.  I like HeadSlick or BaldGuyz shaving gel.
3.  Go slowly on the first shave and don't use too much pressure.
4.  Cold water rinse

Jump in and go for it.  It's only hair.

Max

Welcome dude.  My story is almost exactly as yours.  I think what takes away my anxiousness of seeing people from the past is that I know that I made the best decision for me, for my family, for my friends.  I could go the route of doing drugs, rugs, or plugs, but there goes the money that I've been saving for my marriage and my future.  Not to mention putting up a fake facade that would catch up to me sooner or later.  You have to weigh the options, and for me, the list goes on, proving that shaving my head is the best [physical looks] decision I've made.
I've been where you are, and it can be tough to lose your hair young, but it sounds like you're coming to grips with what needs to be done.  Just think about your future, and the possibility of being hair-worry-free.  Let the real you weigh on the people you know, and let them deal with it.  good luck.

Welcome

buzz it close; then decide if u wanna take it all the way.,

Hello Ajs..Good to have you as part. I agree with what marty22 said.  One thing I found was that we are usually more concerned about ourselves balding than the people around us except for health issues of course. MPB seems to be prevalent in alot of cultures and let me tell you at the ripe old age of 45 I have found to my delight...."chicks dig it!" when your SLY. Let me give you a piece of advise and this is from experience. There is no need  to get depressed over hair loss. It, like getting older, is part of life. It truly seems like I should be your age so let me tell you time goes by fast. If you live yoru life always trying to look like you did in high school or always be the "popular guy" you will be chasing a dream you will never find. Be at peace and love yourself first and foremost, with hair or bald. The REAL you is inside you. As for other peoples reactions..don't worry about it. You can stand in a room with 30 people and each one of them will have their own opinion of you. The only opinion that matters is the one..YOU have of YOU. Most peoples opinions and judgements are based from the standpoint of.."If you would be more like me......" and that just dosen't work. Be yourself...and learn this lesson early. Trust me..I wish I had.      

Welcome ajs248!

Go for it Bro!

welcome ajs;

take the plunge; go to a barbershop and ask for a very short haircut. You won't regret it.

good luck!

Welcome to the SBG site ajs, good to have you here.

Once again, all good info from the bro's. I will echo every one, and only add that it really only matters what you think. You do what feels right, or should I say Is right for you.
That's it. Simple.

We're men, and we get mpb, like SlyHigh said, (great post by the way). We get to choose how we want to look, and buzzed close, and eventually sly and smooth, is the only way to go.

I also have to second Nomad on his very good point, and many of us have said this, myself included; "why didn't I do this sooner"?

Get it smooth, you'll be glad you did.