[JoeBoy101]

One negative would have to be shower gel/shampoo. Getting it all foamy is really hard without any hair on the head, in my experience...

If you lost enough hair that this is an issue, using a facial soap on your head will do more good than shampoo.

[bytesized]

2 and starting to go 3 vertex here, it sucks :(

[thetrin]

I"m in between a VI and a VII. I lost my hair at 17 (no joke). I actually think I'm blessed that I lost my hair so early, because psychologically, it's made it far easier to deal with. I usually shave it, but right now it's short but a little grown out.

I've been like this for so long, I can't even remember what I look like with hair. Neither can my friends. I kinda like it that way.

[FunkyPajamas]

Oh, and another thing I get a lot: I don't think I have one of those "generic faces" (hell, look at my nose), but people tend to confuse me with others, and I think it's because of the lack of hair. Why? A while back I thought I had a mild case of Prosopagnosia, and I decided to take a test and all of the pictures had the hair removed (to make it more difficult to make out distinctive facial traits, I think). So I guess it makes sense to use hair as a way of identifying people, but to suggest that bald people look all the same? That's just racist.

[Futureman]

I think I'll generally be ok with balding, but it really sucks when it first starts happening.

It truly makes you feel older and it kinda sucks when you haven't grown up yet. I guess that's a positive though... I guess I should grow up soon. Ha.

Sucks that I'll never be able to star as Bond in the next Bond flick.

Seriously though, I'm 25, dating a 20 year old right now and I feel very self-conscious about it. My hair is pretty thick and it's not too noticeable yet, but my crown is definitely thinning and you can see it if you look up close.

[Dr.Guru of Peru]

So how does that actually work and what is the normal price for something like that? Seems very expensive, I'm guessing that you pretty much have to have the same hair style since you can't cut it?

They simply redistribute the hair from the back of your head into the balding areas. The coverage will be thinner, but if the hair is thick and it is properly placed, the illusion of a full head of hair can be created. The hair is still growing, so you can change your hairstyle.

The price goes up depending on the number of hairs you need to have transplanted. It can be pretty pricey.

Also, if you wear hats all the time where your head doesn't get enough air flow does that effect your hair growing? My father is 50 and getting pretty thin on the top and is always wearing hats now and I'm wondering if that is quickening the balding process.

No.

Finally, do things like Rogaine really work?

Rogaine (a solution) and propecia (pill) have been shown to work for many people. But like all medications, different people have different responses.

[Davedough]

I've been seriously considering cueballing myself so I used my extremely poor photoshopping skills to see what would happen. Yeah, I'm thinking its a no. I've got an odd head.

[Alcander]

I'm probably about a 2, with a slight spot in the back...I started noticing it a few years ago when I was 20 or so. I'm 25 now, and it seems to have mostly stopped (or really slowed) lately, but it still looks really bad wet or long. I keep it short-ish, like 1/2 inch or so, and it looks fine for now...once it gets to the point of no return though I'll start going shorter and shorter for the eventual shaven finale!

I really hate it when guys have long hair and try to cover balding tho, looks so stupid. At least buzz it!

[catfish]

I always read these threads with interest to see the kind of information that goes around.

I'm 30 with crapish hair (very fine hair that I can't grow long, even as a child) but no pattern baldness showing, but a lot in the family (father and uncles on his side) so I've investigated the shit out of this thinking that I would be taking this bullet.

What I've found

Propecia apparently works preventatively. If you get on this early, it will halt the process. It will not grow the hair back (or you will get minor improvements). It has reported side effects in a low number of cases ~1-2 percent I think. Most of them appear to be reversible if medication is stopped.

Finasteride is also prescribed in a 5mg dose and some countries cover this with insurance. You can cut it into 5 (or 4, it doesn't really matter) and take it, it's cheaper that way by a long way.

Minoxidil or whatever seems to get very mixed responses. It will not block the genetic process your body wants to undertake.

there are no other options.

People (rich people probably) use a combination of the above for 'best results'

Things like 'it comes from your mothers side' are wives tales.

Clippers/short haircuts are the other solution.

[FunkyPajamas]

snip

Nice informative post, thanks. Other than undergoing cosmetic surgery, I think there's no actual *solution* when you're in the later "stages" (like I am, @ 7), so I've kind of learned to deal with it. I guess the idea is to understand that things are not going to change and being bald is just a part of who I am, just like being tall/short/skinny/fat/etc, and try to "behave" accordingly (i.e. shave/trim instead of trying to do the magic combover :lol).

But yeah, most of the posts have been really informative so far, and it's always good to learn about other people's point of views, so thank you all for posting.

On a bit of a gaming-related note: What's with all the "bald space marines" hate? Not every hero can be a sam fisher/nathan drake/solid snake-mullet sporting adonis, you know? Embrace your inner baldie, people!

[Davedough]

I dont pretend to be all that attractive of a man. But I'm still on the fence. And at the mercy of Gaf, I present the before and pre-after.

On that scale, I'd put myself at that III Vertex area. I've receeded up front, I have a bald spot in the back and the top is thin enough to see scalp in certain areas. I normally keep my hair like this...

[IMG]hair.jpg[/IMG]

So, bad photoshop skills later... do I shave?

[IMG]nohair.jpg[/IMG]

What's the fellow bald guys opinion of my destiny? Shave it now and unleash my massive sized head to the populous, or let it go some more?

[Saerk]

I stopped taking propecia since I was experiencing the side effects. It gave me a lower sex drive, lacked motivation to do much of anything, and I gained weight even when working out. Since being off the drug I've regained the sex drive, and I am putting on muscle rather quickly. I'm just putting this up as a warning to those who decide to take propecia. The effects aren't worth it.

[Minamu]

If you lost enough hair that this is an issue, using a facial soap on your head will do more good than shampoo.

I had this "problem" when I shaved my head because I use the same shampoo for my body as well as my head. I guess I should be using shower gel or something instead but I'm lazy :P I'll spare you my showering techniques :lol Good tip though with the soap. Still, the longer your hair is, the easier it is to get the shampoo foamy, in my experience. It's not necessary to have zero hair before you start to notice a drop in effectiveness. Of course, if not having any hair is not an active decision, not much you can do.

[Whoompthereitis]

I dont pretend to be all that attractive of a man. But I'm still on the fence. And at the mercy of Gaf, I present the before and pre-after. On that scale, I'd put myself at that III Vertex area. I've receeded up front, I have a bald spot in the back and the top is thin enough to see scalp in certain areas. I normally keep my hair like this... [IMG]http://i39.************/jfj4ab.jpg[/IMG] So, bad photoshop skills later... do I shave? [IMG]http://i39.************/6eht84.jpg[/IMG] What's the fellow bald guys opinion of my destiny? Shave it now and unleash my massive sized head to the populous, or let it go some more?

Shaving your head will make you look 5 years younger, guaranteed.

[Hilbert]

I went bald at 11, due to an immune system problem (for you Arrested Dev. fans, same thing that the Sitwell guy had: Alopecia Areata becoming Alopecia universalis). Through some diet changes and other medical actions I eventually got most of my hair back, but I still get bald spot that seem to move around my head. I also never need to shave my face and women tell me they are jealous of my hairless arms and legs. I also don't really have eyebrows. Now that I have my hair back I don't like it so I shave it all off. One of my sisters has the same thing, but the hair on her head came back so completely she doesn't have any bald spots.

When I was 11 and went bald I wore hats pretty much any time I went out in public. Now wearing hats has just become part of my life and I feel really strange if I don't have one on.

Not exactly the same type of baldness, but it is my story about being bald.

[Zilch]

I am 23 and between a 1 and a 2 on this scale. My hairline is slightly less receded than the guy in my avatar actually. I REALLY hate it. It takes some creative styling to cover the recession. I want to grow my hair longer again, but it looks like crap. I need a haircut right now but I'm hanging on to the belief that once it gets longer it will look good. I've been on finasteride for a few months, and am looking into a small hair transplant into the hairline when I'm 27-28 or so.

Being between 1 and 2 is pretty normal/ok for someone in their early/mid 20s. I mean, having that sort of hairline gives you an "adult male" look. I don't understand why you're that upset about it, unless you've been under the impression that you would have a flowing surfer's mane your whole life.

[KingJ2002]

2 and starting to go 3 vertex here, it sucks :(

im 25 and im like a 2 going on 3... ive been looking into hair implants but i hear its harder to do for black men... my girlfriend says go bald... but i like having hair.. i'd rather go bald when im in my 30's or early 40's if i can help it.

were getting close to finding the answers people

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/he...dentified.html

[BigDug13]

I started losing mine at 25. I'm 35 now and there's nothing to grow up there. But I've been shaving daily for years. I've still had girls tell me I looked mid to late 20's. There's no way they'd say that if I was working the "Picard" look.

[Arment]

I'm a 3 :-/

[highluxury]

Im pretty self concious about my hair too. Or just generally about my appearance. Im a narcassist.

My biggest fears are losing my teeth or hair. My hairline is receding and Im dealing with it (On that graph Im somewhere between 1 & 2). In fact some time next week Im going to a hairdresser to get my first ever mohawk! Im looking forward to it.

Hopefully I will see and feel an effect from it.

[Davedough]

I pulled the trigger. Didn't Bic it, but did a #1 over the entire head. I love it.

[IMG]baldino.jpg[/IMG]

[KnightM7]

^^^Looks alot better. Id still try out the michael jordan thing though.

So I saw this the other day.
http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-...playlist.jhtml
(you'll need something like hotspot shield if youre outside the country)

1 dude gets a hair transplant
Another dude tries to do some weird scientology holistic medicine stuff
The girls story is soooo sad.

[Atramental]

So I saw this the other day. http://www.mtv.com/videos/true-life-...playlist.jhtml (you'll need something like hotspot shield if youre outside the country) 1 dude gets a hair transplant Another dude tries to do some weird scientology holistic medicine stuff The girls story is soooo sad.

I couldn't even imagine what it would be like if I was a girl going bald. :/

[miguel_c_hammer]

I always read these threads with interest to see the kind of information that goes around. I'm 30 with crapish hair (very fine hair that I can't grow long, even as a child) but no pattern baldness showing, but a lot in the family (father and uncles on his side) so I've investigated the shit out of this thinking that I would be taking this bullet. What I've found Propecia apparently works preventatively. If you get on this early, it will halt the process. It will not grow the hair back (or you will get minor improvements). It has reported side effects in a low number of cases ~1-2 percent I think. Most of them appear to be reversible if medication is stopped. Finasteride is also prescribed in a 5mg dose and some countries cover this with insurance. You can cut it into 5 (or 4, it doesn't really matter) and take it, it's cheaper that way by a long way. Minoxidil or whatever seems to get very mixed responses. It will not block the genetic process your body wants to undertake. there are no other options. People (rich people probably) use a combination of the above for 'best results' Things like 'it comes from your mothers side' are wives tales. Clippers/short haircuts are the other solution.

Yeah, you've got to stop reading the "official" info put out by the drug manufacturers and FDA. They are most definitely not your friends.

1-2% side effects on Propecia is a joke. Just read your average hair loss forum. Even people that are happy with the drug usually report some kind of minor problem such as lowered libido. And then there are wonderful things like depression, brain fog, penile shriveling/shrinkage, erectile dysfunction, and gynecomastia(growth of female breast tissue-- much more common than you think), some of which can be permanent if you're the wrong fellow.

Yes there are some people who take it and get no apparent sides, but who knows what will happen a year or two down the road? You don't go fiddling around with your hormones on a daily basis for months and years without developing some unwanted effects. And who knows what the long-term implications of this drug are, particularly for your prostate.

Best solution? Shave it off and forget about it. There's a site called slybaldguys.com that has something called the 30 day rule. It's hard to get used to having a shaved head, but do it for 30 days and see if you don't get used to it and grow to like it. You can always grow it back.

[miguel_c_hammer]

I always read these threads with interest to see the kind of information that goes around. I'm 30 with crapish hair (very fine hair that I can't grow long, even as a child) but no pattern baldness showing, but a lot in the family (father and uncles on his side) so I've investigated the shit out of this thinking that I would be taking this bullet. What I've found Propecia apparently works preventatively. If you get on this early, it will halt the process. It will not grow the hair back (or you will get minor improvements). It has reported side effects in a low number of cases ~1-2 percent I think. Most of them appear to be reversible if medication is stopped. Finasteride is also prescribed in a 5mg dose and some countries cover this with insurance. You can cut it into 5 (or 4, it doesn't really matter) and take it, it's cheaper that way by a long way. Minoxidil or whatever seems to get very mixed responses. It will not block the genetic process your body wants to undertake. there are no other options. People (rich people probably) use a combination of the above for 'best results' Things like 'it comes from your mothers side' are wives tales. Clippers/short haircuts are the other solution.

Yeah, you've got to stop reading the "official" info put out by the drug manufacturers and FDA. They are most definitely not your friends.

1-2% side effects on Propecia is a joke. Just read your average hair loss forum. Even people that are happy with the drug usually report some kind of minor problem such as lowered libido. And then there are wonderful things like depression, brain fog, penile shriveling/shrinkage, erectile dysfunction, and gynecomastia(growth of female breast tissue-- much more common than you think), some or all of which can be permanent if you're one of the unlucky few.

Yes there are some people who take it and get no apparent sides, but who knows what will happen a year or two down the road? I've read dozens of stories of people who have taken it for a couple of years before they really got hit with sides. Another thing is that the sides can creep up on you over time, so that you don't notice them until they're quite bad. You just don't go fiddling around with your hormones on a daily basis for months and years without developing some unwanted effects. And who knows what the long-term implications of this drug are, particularly for your prostate.

Best solution? Shave it off and forget about it. There's a site called slybaldguys.com that has something called the 30 day rule. It's hard to get used to having a shaved head, but do it for 30 days and see if you don't adjust and grow to like it. You can always grow it back.

[I NEED SCISSORS]

Just wanted to step in and inform balding people of something i've had a good experience with - ketaconazole 2% shampoo (brand name is Nizoral in the USA). I use it for seborrheic dermatitis, which is excess oiliness and flakiness on my scalp, as well as around my eyebrows, ears and nose. This stuff has worked wonders for it - not a flake in sight now.

Interestingly, I noticed my hair is also in great condition. I had been losing a lot of hairs each day to the shower drain (no obvious thinning yet, some slight temple recession though). It seems to have halted since I started using this two months ago.

Some further research revealed some interesting things: firstly, there was a small scale study in Japan in which individuals suffering from MPB applied 2% ketaconazole cream to their scalps twice a day. The results speak for themselves:



I also stumbled across a site devoted to people who have had terrible side effects from Propecia, such as permenant erectile dysfunction. A doctor made a video about it on the front page, and said that the disruption of 'male' hormones is not a good idea at all, and that he would never ever prescribe the drug to people.

He instead recommended, you guessed it, Nizoral 2%, and said with absolute certainty that it stopped hair loss. I suppose at the very least, even if it doesn't regrow your hair like above, it will still clean your scalp like nothing else.

Other thing's i've been doing is drinking green tea, which is suppsoed to help hair loss in mice, and performing scalp exercises as seen on Hairloss-reversible.com. These may or may not work, but it's still good shit regardless due to other benefits.

[Tain]

Little bit of a bump here. 23 years old, maybe stage II? Definitely some vertex thinning.

About two years ago I tried Rogaine for a little bit. I couldn't notice much, since Rogaine is only really for the vertex, but my family members say it seemed to be working. I stopped and switched to Propecia, and continued to take it for a year and a half.

Honestly, it's been working in preserving my hair, but I do think there's some slight side effect action going on. Everything's fine and functional, but I kind of feel like the actual drive is a little less than it was before I started. Frustratingly, it could also be all in my head. Either way, since it bothers me, I think I'm going to stop Propecia and start up on the foam again.

I've been spacing out my doses a little bit this past week. Is there anything to keep in mind when going off Propecia? Could I just stop it entirely and be fine? Current plan is to keep spacing the pills out.

I figured that I'd talk to a doctor about this, but I've more or less moved and am currently between doctors. I guess I'll just be taking the dose every three days or so until I can see someone. :/

[dbztrk]

I'm thinking about trying the 2% ketaconazole cream. I used to use Rogaine foam. My issue with Rogaine foam is that it would leave behind some flaky residue. So it looked like I had dandruff.

I'll get the cream give it some time and if I see results I will also try Rogaine in conjunction.

What's the worse that could happen? Famous last words I know.

[MidgarBlowedUp]

As a dare I shaved my head at age 17 and haven't looked back. I could easily grow it back if I wanted, I have a buzz cut or whatever you call it, people always think I'm a cop or was in the army when they first meet me. Ive always had really oily hair and it was very unruly, now I don't worry about it.

[Socreges]

I started shaving my head (I leave about an inch of hair) about a year ago. Haven't looked back yet. I shave my head, on average, every 2-3 weeks.

About 6 months after starting, though, I noticed that I had a number of pimple-like spots on the back of my head and a few on the top and sides (temple). My neck, forehead, and areas without hair are pretty much fine. It's just where I shave. My doctor told me I have eczema and prescribed Elocom lotion (a steroid). Four months later, no noticeable improvement. In fact, it may have gotten worse. I went back last week and he's sending me to a dermatologist.

Any experience with this? I really don't think it's eczema since there's little-to-no itchiness or irritation.

[BobLoblaw]

I can tell my hairline's starting to recede into a II / IIA sort of fashion. Good thing I've been shaving my head for the last 12 years. I'm already mentally prepared. :D

[KingJ2002]

Little bit of a bump here. 23 years old, maybe stage II? Definitely some vertex thinning. About two years ago I tried Rogaine for a little bit. I couldn't notice much, since Rogaine is only really for the vertex, but my family members say it seemed to be working. I stopped and switched to Propecia, and continued to take it for a year and a half. Honestly, it's been working in preserving my hair, but I do think there's some slight side effect action going on. Everything's fine and functional, but I kind of feel like the actual drive is a little less than it was before I started. Frustratingly, it could also be all in my head. Either way, since it bothers me, I think I'm going to stop Propecia and start up on the foam again. I've been spacing out my doses a little bit this past week. Is there anything to keep in mind when going off Propecia? Could I just stop it entirely and be fine? Current plan is to keep spacing the pills out. I figured that I'd talk to a doctor about this, but I've more or less moved and am currently between doctors. I guess I'll just be taking the dose every three days or so until I can see someone. :/

I took propecia last year and in a week I noticed that it was hard to keep an erection. So i figured... it's either the hair goes or the ability to have sex... and then the hair. :/

....so after i flushed those pills down the toilet... I decided to look into implants or shaving it all off. I'm still like a 2 going on 3 so.. i have a litte bit more time until im forced to make a decision... until then it's just buzz cuts... luckily they never go out of style and no one can tell im balding.

[UltimaPooh]

I have a 5 going on... age 25 here.

[shintoki]

When you first started to go bald, or noticed. What did it look like? Was your scalp super itchy where it felt like you were losing hair? With some real bad parts of dandruff?

[lightless_shado]

I think I may be losing mine. I look a little like number 1 on the chart. My father was bald and I'm told I have his family hair. In which case though if it does start to recede to a sort of nicolas cage thing I'll probably just relax it, comb it and gel it.

[Ushojax]

I think I may be losing mine. I look a little like number 1 on the chart.

Number one means you haven't lost any. You still have a juvenile hairline. Most adults have their hairline recede to something between 1 and 2 during adolescence and if you're lucky it stays there and if you're not it will keep receding/thinning. I wouldn't start worrying yet.

[Tain]

I took propecia last year and in a week I noticed that it was hard to keep an erection. So i figured... it's either the hair goes or the ability to have sex... and then the hair. :/ ....so after i flushed those pills down the toilet... I decided to look into implants or shaving it all off. I'm still like a 2 going on 3 so.. i have a litte bit more time until im forced to make a decision... until then it's just buzz cuts... luckily they never go out of style and no one can tell im balding.

Just to be sure... Back to full functionality, right?

[Combichristoffersen]

I'm 26, and I'd say I'm somewhere inbetween III Vertex and IV. Debating whether I should shave my head or just get a really short buzzcut or something. What does GAF think?

[-viper-]

this thread depresses me.

my dad is bald. my grandad is bald.

i fear that i too will have to face my fears sometime. :{

i think i may as well try and save money for a hair transplant NOW.

[Puddles]

If you start to notice some thinning, I'd recommend getting on propecia as quickly as possible.

It's not 100% effective. BUT, I started taking it a year ago, and my hair loss has either stopped almost completely or just slowed WAY down. Propecia combined with a smarter hair-cut has added some extra years to my career as a hairy-headed man.


I haven't had any wood-issues unless I was extremely drunk, which would have happened anyway.

[-viper-]

i'm not too keen on taking on drugs like propecia as i'm slightly apprehensive to the side effects.

has anyone tried nizoral shampoo? anyone have any success with that or any problems with it?

[TheRagnCajun]

Wow, didn't realize there's a bald-GAF.

Question: I'm at risk for male pattern baldness since just about every male on my mom's side is balding. However, my hair is much like my Dad's, very thick, and now at age 27, still as thick as ever. Sometimes I even have the barber thin it out with shears so its more manageable. Have I doged the heriditary bullet GAF or could male pattern balding kick in at a later age?

[Carlisle]

I'm pretty paranoid about hairloss. My hairline on the flanks goes back pretty far and the hair on top is thin enough that you can sometimes see scalp... but I can't remember a time when it wasn't like that. It's like I started to lose hair in college and stopped, but it didn't grow back either. Whenever I get my hair cut they recommend some kind of tonic to stop the thinning. But it's looked this way with no change for at least 4-5 years. I figured I'd have a pretty solid bald spot by now, but it seems to be just hanging in limbo.

Or maybe I'm not losing my hair and I'm just overly paranoid. I've always had very fine hair. Still, I vigorously scrub my scalp in the shower to keep the blood flow strong just in case. You definitely can't notice any loss unless you get a glimpse at the top of my scalp, where it looks thinner, but at 6' 3" no one does. So I'm certainly interested in preventative steps, but I don't want to fix anything if it ain't broke and inadvertently jump start the hairloss somehow (I know... like I said, overly paranoid).

[Rorschach]

This. :lol

American version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5M2ap5JznqE#t=0m37s

Astonishing!

[tralfazz]

I started shaving my head (I leave about an inch of hair) about a year ago. Haven't looked back yet. I shave my head, on average, every 2-3 weeks. About 6 months after starting, though, I noticed that I had a number of pimple-like spots on the back of my head and a few on the top and sides (temple). My neck, forehead, and areas without hair are pretty much fine. It's just where I shave. My doctor told me I have eczema and prescribed Elocom lotion (a steroid). Four months later, no noticeable improvement. In fact, it may have gotten worse. I went back last week and he's sending me to a dermatologist. Any experience with this? I really don't think it's eczema since there's little-to-no itchiness or irritation.

Are you shaving your head down to the scalp? I have very sensitive skin especially around my shaved head. I use alchohol free Nivea shave gel and Nivea alchohol free shave balm or Loreal for men on the scalp. I have to make sure that I don't touch my head with hands unless they clean also or I'll break out. Resting my sunglasses on the dome makes it break out. Just make an effort to keep it clean for a few weeks and see if that helps. Also try a different shampoo. I use bath & Body Works stuff as that was the only thing that kept my head from drying out too much.

[Giard]

I was born between a #2 and #3...so I guess I don't have a receding hairline yet, I just lack hair

[Mango Positive]

I'm 33 and have thick hair with no sign of balding.

It really, REALLY pisses off my bald friends that I shave my head. No hair is just WAY more comfortable.

[Baron Doggystyle von Woof]

Why the fuck don't we still have a cure for this. We can make clones, but not grow hair back.

Get on it scientists, I know you guys are bald also.

[Davidion]

I'm 33 and have thick hair with no sign of balding. It really, REALLY pisses off my bald friends that I shave my head. No hair is just WAY more comfortable.

Wise beyond your years, imo.

[Xelinis]

Well GAF, after 22 years, my genetics are finally catching up to me. Currently at II and I'm probably destined for V A in a couple of decades.

I'm not going to complain though. If I'm going to have less hair over the next few years, then I'm damn well going to make it look sexy.