Really down about my hair

LegacyUser

Hey guys,

I've never posted anything like this and I never thought I would because I'm pretty happy normally, but I have a problem that I think can only get worse.
I'm 21, almost 22 and my hair on top is very thin already. It was always thin as a teenager but I think its gotten worse. My scalp is easily visible after I got it cut.
I have to be honest, I'm really upset I've lost my hair already,almost crying. I loved it and feel like "why me". I also have the problem that I'm going to live in the US for 3 months on Monday and I can't see me getting anything sorted health wise with a doctor before then.
It's only really hit me today, I don't want this to depress me while I get to go away for 3 months. Please help me in any way

Terodil

Yeah, I know the feeling.

1. You're not alone with it. A substantial %age of men suffer from genetically caused hair loss.

2. It's really in how you see yourself and how you deal with it. The loss of hair is by no means equivalent with the loss of virility I know it's hard for you now but really, you will realise before long that it's only a minor issue if you're in great health, have friends and/or a good daytime occupation.

3. If you cannot make yourself not care and accept it as part of yourself, there is good medication available against genetically caused hair loss, it's the same substance (but in a much lower dose) as what's used to reinforce your prostrate. Ask a GP for details when you have the time.

4. I have personally vowed to shave my hair off once the situation becomes too evident. Shaved heads can look great too.

LegacyUser

Thanks for the reply.
Are you as young as me? That's a big part of it for me, I'd accept it a lot more if I was 30 or 40, but it started at 15/16, maybe earlier I can't remember.

I heard that people shave it when it gets a bit ridiculous, I don't know if I should do that now or not though.

LegacyUser

hey im same age as you and losing my hair getting really depressed about it too can barley even look in the mirror sometimes and wont have my picture taken. i really dont want to shave it as it wont suit me. its getting to the stage that if anyone says it too me i get even more depreesed then normal about so there are people in same boat as you

kjl

you will eventually get used to it, I still have all my hair, but I have loads of friends who lost theirs and there are all fine about it. Its only hair in the end of the day

But all it not lost, there is a huge amount of research going into spem cell hair regrowth, so it might be gone in a few year, but in a few more you might get it back.

Fiend-Foe

kjl wrote: »

you will eventually get used to it, I still have all my hair, but I have loads of friends who lost theirs and there are all fine about it. Its only hair in the end of the day

But all it not lost, there is a huge amount of research going into spem cell hair regrowth, so it might be gone in a few year, but in a few more you might get it back.

Just because they act like/say they are fine about it doesn't mean they are. The OP's friends may think that he is fine with the situation. Guys are very good at hiding their feelings and what bothers them from their peers.

eily

hey there,
hope this isnt considered medical advice or a plug or such, I worked in a pharmacy and we stocked a product called viviscal.seemingly it halts hair thinning and slowly begins to reverse the process. I was told that after a couple of months you begin to see hair coming back. Both women and men used to buy it but there definately was a man version for it. Not cheap but it should just be on the vitamin/supplement shelf.

Vyse

There are three main treatments/ drugs for hair loss:

1) Minoxidil, also know as Roagine. This is available over the counter and I'm sure you've heard of it. Very cheap to buy off eBay. Works out at about a third of the price you'd pay in a pharmacy here.

2) Finasteride, also know as propecia (a lot of generic versions also available e.g. alpecia, finepecia etc). This is a hormone blocker which helps stop production of the hormone which causes male pattern baldness. You will need to go to your doctor about this one and he may not even perscribe it for you. You could order online but the IMB have been clampling down on this type of thing. Might be worth visiting a GP about it when you're in the States, readily available there. Maybe pick up a years supply.

3) Nizoral shampoo. Shown to decrease inflamation on the scalp and aids in hair regrowth.

Any vitamin/ mineral supplement that claims to regrow hair on its own is probably useless. They would most likely only tackle hairloss that is due to a dietary deificency as opposed to genetic hairloss. I personally wouldn't bother with them at all. You can google these things readily. A good website is hairlosstalk.com.

There is a product that can help cover up your thinning. It's called Toppik. If you have diffuse thinning may help fill in the spaces.

Good luck with it.

Terodil

Sadguy wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.
Are you as young as me? That's a big part of it for me, I'd accept it a lot more if I was 30 or 40, but it started at 15/16, maybe earlier I can't remember.

I heard that people shave it when it gets a bit ridiculous, I don't know if I should do that now or not though.

Yep, I am almost as young as you, 29 now. Hair started thinning a few years back. I'm by no means bald but the hairline is receding.

Shaving is not irreversible. You can give it a try. I always feel more energetic with shorter hair.

I'd be careful with medication (see advice above). Before you do that, have yourself thoroughly checked by GP and only take what s/he advises you to, and get the medication from a proper pharmacy!! (I cannot stress that enough!)

tbh

you're heading to the states? Take my advice, shave your head before you go. You're only conscious of it because you can see the difference between you having hair, and not having hair. If you meet someone for the first time, and you have a shaved head, that's the mental image they'll have of you. If you show them a pic of you with hair, they'll tell you it doesn't suit you. It is what it is man. I hate saying "deal with it" but that's what you have to do in this case, I'm afraid.

Wurly

tbh wrote: »

you're heading to the states? Take my advice, shave your head before you go. You're only conscious of it because you can see the difference between you having hair, and not having hair. If you meet someone for the first time, and you have a shaved head, that's the mental image they'll have of you. If you show them a pic of you with hair, they'll tell you it doesn't suit you. It is what it is man. I hate saying "deal with it" but that's what you have to do in this case, I'm afraid.

+1. That is the best advice.

I have never envied men having to go through this. I am sure it's extremely distressing. But it depends what way you look at it..

As TBH said, what about shaving your head? Maybe that could be the start of a cool new image for you. Plenty of girls love shaved heads.

Kipperhell

What ever you do don't pretend you still have hair when you don't. It fools nobody ever. Try the products but try and keep a proper record using photos to check if there is actually a change your memory will fool you. Either way the chances are it will only be temporary. My brother used Regaine and it made a big difference setting the clock back about 2 years but it was only a slowing and eventually it became pointless.

People don't really laugh at people for being bald but they certainly do when somebody tries to hide it.

If the products don't work just shave your head. I can only imagine how upsetting it can be but you have to face reality.

LegacyUser

Just want to say that I think bald men are very attractive, especially the shaved look..lots of girls like me out there. As you go into 30s lots of men are bald/balding and they never have trouble with women.

LegacyUser

Hey,

I'm 36 now and i start losing mine when I was 17. It f*ck me up until I was 28. Didnt want my picture taken, would get really upset when I was slagged (not in front of people, later).

I never tried the products, but maybe you should first. If it doesnt work then I would say shave it. I got my confidence back as so many people shave now.

The worst thing you can do is go into denial, because it is happening. Shave and move on

Wish I could have got this advice when I was younger.

Take care

xcarriex

tbh wrote: »

you're heading to the states? Take my advice, shave your head before you go. You're only conscious of it because you can see the difference between you having hair, and not having hair. If you meet someone for the first time, and you have a shaved head, that's the mental image they'll have of you. If you show them a pic of you with hair, they'll tell you it doesn't suit you. It is what it is man. I hate saying "deal with it" but that's what you have to do in this case, I'm afraid.

Defo agree with this, Its not as bad as you think, i used to NEVER really notice it with guys unless its a desperate cover up job, then its way worse, im seen a guy exact same age as you and he's almost completely bald he just shaves his head, and to be honest i LOVE it,

He said it was prob the most daunting experience ever realising it, but he spent so long been down over it he just kinda one day decided enough was enough, hair is hair, its not you, it doesnt make you a better/worse person, though not letting it take over your life will make you a happier person

Honestly i know your thinking 'easier said than done' but the unless ur willing to get treatment, i suggest embracing it

Good Luck op!

Taltos

I was in college with a guy that by the end of first year was totally bald.

I was not much older than you when mine also started to thin.
Right now I keep it very short - blade 2 back and sides with top being less than finger thick.
When it recedes much more I will definitely shave.

While I am not looking forward to that day in a way it will be liberating. Used to love my hair when I was younger - even grew it long. But now keeping it this short is just so damn handy - not to mention that alot of women seem to like it short - I definitely get more attention than when it was long.

The advice about shaving before going to US is actually really good - maybe think about it - but make sure you remember to protect your scalp - moisturise / sun-cream....

Most guys react the same way as you - it is only natural with all the adverts out there.
Only thing that gets me is all my brothers have full heads of hair - I am the only one... But guess that means I just have more testosterone

LegacyUser

SmoothISsexy wrote: »

Just want to say that I think bald men are very attractive, especially the shaved look..lots of girls like me out there. As you go into 30s lots of men are bald/balding and they never have trouble with women.

I have to agree with this, think it's a great look, would never let bald/balding put me off, quite the opposite in fact! OP don't worry, embrace it and be safe in the knowledge that you'll still look great and there are plenty of other women out there who'd agree with me!

sobriety

sorry to hear about this my friend.

But there is an answer! I've been wearing really seemless, advanced hair systems for the past 3 years and my life is amazing now. IN maintenance they take me about 1.5 hour per week, and the cost is 170 euro per hair system (I need to replace it every 4 months or so...). It's all DIY, I never go to a salon and have all the equipment myself. it's really cheap if you don't go to salons. Just order the hair via mail order, and get some bonding agents, and away you go. There are loads of forums that show you how to do everything DIY, and lots of people online that will help if you're stuck I have the same sort of hair system that John Travolta and Ben Affleck wears.

They are breathable, 100% realistic, and the type I get are undetectable even in intimate situations, and I can go swimming, etc. if I do a good attachment.

Please PM me and I will show you photos of me. You will be impressed. I have more attention from girls now than when I even had my own hair, life is great

sobriety

baldisbeautiful wrote: »

I have to agree with this, think it's a great look, would never let bald/balding put me off, quite the opposite in fact! OP don't worry, embrace it and be safe in the knowledge that you'll still look great and there are plenty of other women out there who'd agree with me!

Depends 100% on:
a) the shape of the head
b) the size of the nose
c) The overall proportion of the face

Personally, I need hair to look good. Without it I look like a big nosed, mis-shapen headed bloke, I also look fatter for some reason overall...

Some look great shaven no doubt, but some white skinheads look sick, weak and unhealthy.

sobriety

Vyse wrote: »

There are three main treatments/ drugs for hair loss:

1) Minoxidil, also know as Roagine. This is available over the counter and I'm sure you've heard of it. Very cheap to buy off eBay. Works out at about a third of the price you'd pay in a pharmacy here.

2) Finasteride, also know as propecia (a lot of generic versions also available e.g. alpecia, finepecia etc). This is a hormone blocker which helps stop production of the hormone which causes male pattern baldness. You will need to go to your doctor about this one and he may not even perscribe it for you. You could order online but the IMB have been clampling down on this type of thing. Might be worth visiting a GP about it when you're in the States, readily available there. Maybe pick up a years supply.

3) Nizoral shampoo. Shown to decrease inflamation on the scalp and aids in hair regrowth.

Any vitamin/ mineral supplement that claims to regrow hair on its own is probably useless. They would most likely only tackle hairloss that is due to a dietary deificency as opposed to genetic hairloss. I personally wouldn't bother with them at all. You can google these things readily. A good website is hairlosstalk.com.

There is a product that can help cover up your thinning. It's called Toppik. If you have diffuse thinning may help fill in the spaces.

Good luck with it.

Please try not to listen to people who advise you to take drugs for your hairloss. They have side effects... google them. Not only that, but the effects of minox wears of after a few years and you start to lose the battle...

Don't get me wrong, the drugs can help, but they are NOT the ultimate solution and they can make you ill. I did minox for a few years and it slowed things down a bit, but that was all... fin / propecia can give you headaches, man boobs and interferes with hormones... I wouldn't risk it for hair. It's just hair at the end of the day, your health is more important.

A light, breathable, hair system, purchased from one of the many cheap online providers is the best solution and gives amazing instant results (see my previous post). I have photos to prove it..

sobriety

Feck it... they say a picture speaks a thousand words...

And right now, I'm remember myself being bald, depressed, looking in the mirror and almost feeling like my young life was already over... not getting much attention from girls, and worst of all, uglier and overweight guys with lots of hair looking younger and more radiant than me...

and knowing that a bit of hair can change everything virtually over night, so heres hoping you can see how good these things are with some pics! and maybe you'll make the same decision as me, and be done with feeling depressed...


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sobriety

Sorry for flooding the place with my posts, but the final thing I would like to add is that:
I have had no really negative experiences with my hair system (or wig!) in the past 3.5 years... nobody seems to have noticed it, and nobody realises I'm wearing it. Even on a bad day, where I've been neglecting it, people just don't seem to care about hair too much. I've only ever had positive compliments about it, like "jaysus you have a great head of hair on ya", and girls like to touch it, but I don't mind too much cos they never feel anything strange anyway I should add that I'm very blad, and even my temples/ temple points have disappeared - I've covered these up with hair from the hair system and sort of brushed it forward..

The only noticable thing so far is that one of my friends is convinced I'm secretly dying my hair! and I found out that he thought that after he made a comment to my ex-gf. Maybe others have noticed, but if they have then they've hidden their suspicions very well!! I told my parents and they are glad that I have a nice head of hair, and my Dad thinks it's cool cos when he was young he wanted one but they were too expensive back then.

For 99% of my time I've totally forgotten about this thing on my head... it's just threads like this (and my weekly remove/clean/attach) that makes me remember I'm secretly a baldie hahah... but I remember the dark times, and the negative self-image and low confidence, and I will gladly help out any of you who want their hair to look like mine, I'll show you what I know and I won't ask you for a penny! But please... please avoid the crooks in those salons, like advanced hair studio, and versaachi, hairloss.ie etc....they will rob you blind.

SarahMc

baldisbeautiful wrote: »

I have to agree with this, think it's a great look, would never let bald/balding put me off, quite the opposite in fact! OP don't worry, embrace it and be safe in the knowledge that you'll still look great and there are plenty of other women out there who'd agree with me!

Hear hear, it is indicitive of high testosterone, and v. sexy

TirNaNog.

Cheer up OP you're a natural humpty dumpty
watch out for the eagles in usa they have sharp claws and like to swoop down on egg type things.........

Wibbs

TirNaNog cop on. Only helpful posts please.

Wibbs

As for sobriety's posts; I know a few women who use hair system(wigs) with no problems and they look and feel natural, so if it affects your self esteem to that degree I really don't see why not.

You can try the medical route and see how that pans out for you, but there may be side effects like with any drug. Give it a whirl if it suits. Throw in a good diet, as it seems that may have somthing to do with it. I recall reading about how Japanese men outside of Japan who ate a western diet went bald quicker and that tribal types didn't go bald nearly as quickly. Something about saturated fats etc. May be something to that. Better for your overall health anyway so win win situation regardless of your hair.

Or you can go for the shaved head look. A lot of women do like that. I remember an ex of mine many moons ago, whose previous bloke was of the bald, shaven headed persuasion and was at me to shave my head(at the time I had very long hair) to a disturbing degree, hence she's an ex. The wagon went back to him too:D If you're worried about the ladies reaction, I really wouldn't for in the majority of cases. Women are looking for men. Good men, strong men, supportive men. Hair of any kind optional. That ex I mentioned above and the guy she went back to? He was a better man than me at the time. Simple choice and she made the right one and damned right too.

Hank Scorpio

I got a bald spot, and today i shaved it off with a 2 blade

Your getting older - As am i , i dont have any problem with it, i always get 2 blade, keep it short and be happy

Im 22 also

sobriety

nuxxx wrote: »

I got a bald spot, and today i shaved it off with a 2 blade

Your getting older - As am i , i dont have any problem with it, i always get 2 blade, keep it short and be happy

Im 22 also

good on ya, if it looks good and you feel confident.

if you don't, then check my previous posts

pepsi1234

Does anyone have any experience with hair transplants?

sobriety

Hair transplants can be good, but there are a lot of dodgy results out there if you look at all the people who got botched ones on hairlosshelp.com forums. Do you research and you'll see that transplants can also be an ongoing thing - you may need to go back and get stuff redone when your hair continues to thin around the transplanted area... we can't predict our hairloss, and there is also the shock loss.

Handsome Bob

Hey OP, my hair started to thin badly when I was 16, by the end of 5th year I threw caution to the wind and just shaved it all off. I'm a bit lucky because the shaved head suits me so it wasn't really a big deal for me. There are times when I see some bloke sporting a cool hairstyle that makes me feel a pang of regret but for the most part it doesn't bother me. It's not the end of the world, just because you are going bald at a young age doesn't make you any less of a man.

I have to say I feel slightly offended when I read stories like yours, it's as if you feel ashamed that you are going bald at a young age. So you must automatically think that the likes of myself should feel ashamed. I'm not and I would never be down on myself over something that I can't control. I suggest you adapt the same attitude.