Poll: Existential crisis: Balding and how to deal with it.

[Random Argument Man]

I've been balding since I was 17. Now, I'm 24. I went to a convenience store and the cameras were showing a live feed. The feed showed that the back of my head is almost missing entirely its hair and showed only a little left. That, has revived the entire debate in my head of "Should I shave my head?" I've asked friends and family and the responses were pretty diverse.

From my family, I got some major negative responses. From few of my friends, I got some "Yes" and some "cut your hair short and some bald spots won't be that much of a deal".

I've been debating the question for about 3 years. The big factor that made me hesitate is that I have mole that's kinda big to the side of my head. I've been trying to reach a dermatologist to try and remove said mole, however I've been on the waiting list since it's only a cosmetic problem. (They choose on the emergency of the situation).

So the questions are pretty much "Should I shave my head?" "If so, how do you pull off being bald?" and " Should I keep my hair and just have a clean haircut for the moment?"

Yes, I've included a poll, but I won't factor said poll unless there's some pretty good reasoning in the comment section.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Colour Scientist]

I think you should shave it.

I have quite a few friends who shaved their heads after their hair started thinning in their early twenties and they all looked better after cutting it short, no exceptions.

It's always pretty obvious when someone's hair has started to recede and they try to keep it long so I think it's best to embrace it and cut it short.

 

[Hazy992]

I agree with Colour Scientist, you should shave it. It looks a lot better, and if I start to go bald I'm not fighting it and just shaving it straight away.

It's always pretty obvious when someone's hair has started to recede and they try to keep it long so I think it's best to embrace it and cut it short.

Tell me about it

 

[Dirty Hipsters]

I have never met a single person who looked better balding than they did once they just shaved their head so I say shave it.

My father started shaving his head about 10 years ago, and after he did it immediately had the effect of making him look a few years younger, and he's been extremely happy with the fact that shaving his head requires so little upkeep (saving tons of money on haircuts, shampoo, etc).

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Probably shave it all off or shave it very short. You do not want it long at the sides and bald on top, it just looks awful.

As for how else to deal with it? Well, I've been told I'm going to go bald early all my life (most men in both sides of my family went bald, my dad's side especially early) and it's just about becoming noticeable at the front (I'm 19). I won't say I'm happy about it, but having always known, I've made peace with it. I'm not bothered about people knowing I'm bald, but I've always thought clean-shaven bald people looked a bit weird most of the time. I'm waiting until my beard's patches fill out before I think about shaving my head.

My solution for now is a pretty extensive hat collection. My logic is that if I've always been wearing hats, it won't be so obvious that I'm only doing it because I'm bald. In truth I'm not, I love my hats, but that's more of a side-effect. I'm talking about woolly hats, beanies etc. rather than trillbies and fedoras which make you look like asshole.

 

[Genocidicles]

You should definitely shave it.

It's what I did, and whilst I was apprehensive about getting it done at first, I'm glad I did, it looks so much better, and I honestly feel more confident. I used to hide my receding hairline under a hat for a while, but now I'm not fussed about people seeing my baldness.

There's even been a study about how shaving it off is an improvement:

http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/28/shave-it-off-how-bald-guys-can-look-more-manly-and-dominant/

Apparently bald men were considered more attractive than balding men.

And while they weren't considered as attractive or young as men with full heads of hair, they were considered to be stronger and more masculine, with greater dominance and leadership potential.

Not entirely sure how reliable that is as a source, but I know I definitely felt better after I had my head shaved, so really I cannot endorse it enough for a fellow man suffering from thinning hair.

 

[tippy2k2]

I don't suppose we can ask for a picture? Blur out your face or something if you don't want that online

I think it depends on how far gone is gone. Are you literally bald just on the top (or really thin)? Is it on the sides too so you have a Dr. Phil thing going?

If it's mostly gone but still there, shave it down but keep it (that way you can get used to really short hair). If you've got bald patches that are clearly noticeable, I think shaving is better than covering it up.

However, you do have other options like Hair Transplants or products that help (I don't know of any but I've heard that there are some that actually do work).

 

[Thomas Barnsley]

Can you grow a beard? I say shave and grow a beard. Go Walter White style.

If you can't grow a beard then shave anyway.

 

[Lucem712]

[HEADING=2][small][DISCLAIMER][br][THIS USER IS NEITHER A MAN, NOR BALD. PLEASE TAKE FOLLOWING INFORMATION/ADVICE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT][/small][/HEADING]​

[hr]

Personally, I prefer a short cut or zero to a full shave if you can avoid it. That way you still have some character with a light hairline (if you still have follicles there.) But, a full shave will look better than just letting the remaining hair grow out if you have progressive balding with large spots that are either very thin or gone.

You can also just start cutting it close, that way you can get use to it being shorter than normal.

Also, if you can grow facial hair, that'd also be good.[footnote]This user prefers beards over clean-shaven. Extreme biased warning.[/footnote]

 

[stroopwafel]

I suffered hair loss as well and I thought it was horrible! I couldn't accept it. I went for hair transplants which worked really well. I chose this method where they extract a follicle from the back of your head and and then transplant it on your scalp(where balding occurs). Do that a couple of thousand times and you basically have your own hair back.

Mind one treatment probably isn't enough. So far I had 4 treaments over a similair amount of years, and I probably still need some treatments at some point. Goods news is though that transplanted hair can't fall out anymore! It is however quite expensive as so far I already spent over 10,000 on it. Fortunately I have a good job. Ofcourse I don't know how bad your hair loss is. A good prediction is the father of your mother, since that is the dominant gene.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I say shave it.

You won't be able to hide the fact you're losing your hair, so you might as well accept it.

I'm not really losing my hair by any means, but I've always had very fine hair, and I have a bit of a widows peak, which makes fringes a pain in the arse XD

So I shave mine, about a grade two, all over. Low maintenance, don't have to worry about styling, and you save a fortune on hair stuff XD

 

[Rylot]

I've been noticeably going bald since about eighteen or so. I tried wearing hats for a long time until in the last five or so years I've been shaving it all off. I usually try and keep at least a five 0'clock shadow that's somewhat clean.

 

[omega 616]

I am not a vain person, so if I was in you I would just not care. You can either have the old school monk look or skin head look.

If you do shave it, after awhile people will just get used to seeing you bald and it wont be a thing. It will be a talking point for a week or so though and the jokes will get old quick "I can see my reflection on your head" and "do you use polish?".

Whatever you do, never try to hide it ... you will just become a joke, anything from comb overs to wigs are just opportunities to be a punchline.

As for the mole, I'd get it seen to but wouldn't worry about it from a "do I look good angle" but more of a "will this shit kill me" angle.

 

[Aramis Night]

I also chose the hair transplant route. I have always been identified by my long black hair, so when i finally noticed that i had a bald spot in the back of my head, it really hit me hard. What was worse was that apparently i was the last person to notice it. I knew that my hairline was receding, but i was ok with that to a point. So i saved up for a few years and looked into the permanent options. I didn't want to wear wigs or rogaine. I wanted a permanent solution. It was expensive, but i would do the surgery again. The results have been great. I also got a really good deal from the Dr. that took care of me. I only have had 1 treatment, but it was 3660 grafts and it ran me around $7,000.00 Worth every penny. If i had another few thousand laying around, i may do it again at some point just to fill and thicken it in more. But i can certainly live with what i have now.

 

[keiji_Maeda]

personally i figure it depends on two different factors.

One, do you like/run a style that goes with a bald/buzz cut? If not, and if you have no desire to have that do implemented into your wardrobe. Then by all means abstain, it is FAR easier to wait and amend later.

Two, is it something you worry about frequently? or is it something you consider that others worry about frequently? 'cause, screw that noise. Be yourself, be grand, be magnificent.

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

Own your baldness, man. Shave it all off, sooner the better. It's the right call for 9 out of 10 guys, minimum. The push-back from family is very common because they want you to stay soft and fuzzy, but the truth is: you just look weak. Meanwhile, everyone else (including the fairer sex) responds better to a well-shaved dome.

Sidebar: unfortunately, bald guys can't really get away with being out of shape, too. If you're a little round, you might want to start hitting the weights. You can be square, like Michael Chiklis, but you shouldn't be flabby. And facial hair, assuming you can grow it, is usually a good idea, too.

Edit: assuming you've got semi-decent coverage at this early stage, I'd go with 1mm buzz cut to start plus a straight razor to clean up the edges and your hair line. From there you can razor more areas as you see fit or lose more hair. Just be sure to take care of the skin on your head, including moisturizer, acne medication, sunscreen, etc. It'll probably look a little irritated for a few weeks as your dome gets used to the shaving/exposure. Stick with it.

 

[Yopaz]

Get a wig with pink hair that's obviously fake. Wear that for a year or two then everyone will think you look better when you stop wearing it regardless if you shave your hair or not.

Or you could simply shave it and you won't look desperate. It is hard to give advice without knowing how much hair you got though.

 

[Harleykin]

I've been balding since I was 17. Now, I'm 24. I went to a convenience store and the cameras were showing a live feed. The feed showed that the back of my head is almost missing entirely its hair and showed only a little left.

26 here balding since 18 or something.had long hair so i didn't realise it at first. then i saw myself in a camera feed like you said and i saw it being pretty much gone at that one spot.so i cut them off because i didn'T want to be that "only ponytail left" old guy with spotty hair here and there. short hair for about a year now. saw myself again in one of these cameras again and that's when i told myself that's it. i look like a fucking monk from behind.i'm just trying to man up to get it done.

also don't listen to other ppl's opinions on something like that. you gotta face that bowling ball in the mirror when you do it. and you have to "fear" video feed from your head if you don't.(i really hate seeing it...reflections or what ever. out of the shower,wet hair looking down in the sink, glimpse at the mirror ohmygawdthathairsgone,look straight up comb what's left of it.errrrday)

You can also just start cutting it close, that way you can get use to it being shorter than normal.

Also, if you can grow facial hair, that'd also be good.

and guess what? that's exactly what i'm going to do. and i already got my beard on (for 10 years or sth.)

also i'm going around telling ppl i WILL shave it bald soon so i kinda have to. i'm forcing myself here because fucking hell i loved my long hair...and now i'll be walter white-ing it

 

[Batou667]

Which of these two men is more attractive?

Spoiler

Spoiler

[/spoiler]

There's your answer.

 

[Random Argument Man]

Woa, going to need a few minutes to respond to all your questions.

Snip Snip*

My solution for now is a pretty extensive hat collection. My logic is that if I've always been wearing hats, it won't be so obvious that I'm only doing it because I'm bald. In truth I'm not, I love my hats, but that's more of a side-effect. I'm talking about woolly hats, beanies etc. rather than trillbies and fedoras which make you look like asshole.

I'm not really a hat person. I have a pretty big head and the hat sensation gets on my nerves after a few minutes. Although, I'll keep your beanies solution in account. (Sort of the only one that I can work with).

Can you grow a beard? I say shave and grow a beard. Go Walter White style.

If you can't grow a beard then shave anyway.

My facial hair lacks a certain unison to create a beard. Besides, I don't want people to ask me if I'm THAT much into Breaking Bad.

[HEADING=2][small][DISCLAIMER][br][THIS USER IS NEITHER A MAN, NOR BALD. PLEASE TAKE FOLLOWING INFORMATION/ADVICE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT][/small][/HEADING]​

[hr]

Personally, I prefer a short cut or zero to a full shave if you can avoid it. That way you still have some character with a light hairline (if you still have follicles there.) But, a full shave will look better than just letting the remaining hair grow out if you have progressive balding with large spots that are either very thin or gone.

I value the opinion of women as much as the men. Besides, your opinion is very similar to the ones of my social circle excluding the guys who just want another punchline. (Which I'm not bothered by).

Note* You write with a great presentation by the way.

Mind one treatment probably isn't enough. So far I had 4 treaments over a similair amount of years, and I probably still need some treatments at some point. Goods news is though that transplanted hair can't fall out anymore! It is however quite expensive as so far I already spent over 10,000 on it. Fortunately I have a good job. Ofcourse I don't know how bad your hair loss is. A good prediction is the father of your mother, since that is the dominant gene.

Yeah?I'm a university student and therefore almost broke. So hair transplant is out of the question.

I heard that the theory about the dominant gene is contested, but I don't really have a point of reference since about 90% of the men in both families are balding or a completely bald already. So..yeah? Pretty **ed on that end.

Own your baldness, man. Shave it all off, sooner the better. It's the right call for 9 out of 10 guys, minimum. The push-back from family is very common because they want you to stay soft and fuzzy, but the truth is: you just look weak. Meanwhile, everyone else (including the fairer sex) responds better to a well-shaved dome.

Sidebar: unfortunately, bald guys can't really get away with being out of shape, too. If you're a little round, you might want to start hitting the weights. You can be square, like Michael Chiklis, but you shouldn't be flabby. And facial hair, assuming you can grow it, is usually a good idea, too.

Edit: assuming you've got semi-decent coverage at this early stage, I'd go with 1mm buzz cut to start plus a straight razor to clean up the edges and your hair line. From there you can razor more areas as you see fit or lose more hair. Just be sure to take care of the skin on your head, including moisturizer, acne medication, sunscreen, etc. It'll probably look a little irritated for a few weeks as your dome gets used to the shaving/exposure. Stick with it.

I go to the gym about 4-5 times a week. I still look big a bit because I have some bad eating habits (Working on it!) (Those damn "love handles".) Although, the muscles tend to pop out when I'm done.

I'll keep note of your 1mm buzz cut strategy.

Get a wig with pink hair that's obviously fake. Wear that for a year or two then everyone will think you look better when you stop wearing it regardless if you shave your hair or not.

Or you could simply shave it and you won't look desperate. It is hard to give advice without knowing how much hair you got though.

If only I wasn't in education?. Man, that would be a solution?




Well, so far I got a lot of "Yes" votes. I'm just curious about my entourage. Anyway, I'll post if things change.