The Dreaded Receding Hairline

theredletter

Hey guys,

I know that receding hairlines aren't exactly the most unfashionable characteristics. Guys can really pull them off, particularly with beards and short cuts. The days of the comb over are truly over, and we are all thankful for that!

I'm worried that I have a receding hairline and it's not due (mostly) to the appearance factor. As a child I had a lot of allergies and my scalp is covered in scars from hives and other sores. I never had shaved cuts because of that, and kept my hair at a longer length.

I've noticed recently that there may be a bit of receding, but family and friends tell me there isn't, that it's all in my head (lol!). If that's the case, I wonder what my chances are of having one.

My Dad was in his mid-20s when he lost all his hair, but on my mother's side all my uncles and grandfather's had/ have good strong hair.

I don't dye my hair, I shampoo and condition but I do use a hair straightener and blowdryer as well as gel and hairspray. I know I'm destroying my hair but I think conditioning should sort it out. I haven't noticed any hair loss in the sink or anything, maybe it's just the cut I have that makes my hairline look a little higher?

What you all think? Are my chances of having a full head of hair good or bad? I can live with it either way to be honest. I'll just grow a beard.. It's more the scars I'm worried about showing off..

(to clarify I'm nearly 22)

amacachi

Some people still tell me that there's no receding, despite the fact that if I were to get an 8 blade I'd be bald. Hard to know tbh.

There's no way to know how it's going to go; on my mother's side the uncles still have decent hair into their 50s, and on my dad's side there's a 64 year old uncle with a full head of hair. My dad started really losing the hair around 40 or so.
Alas I'm 21 and it's receding quickly, I'll most likely shave it by the summer.

theredletter

Hmmm.. If people say it's not it might not be? If you look at different hairlines, a lot can be quite high. All my lady friends have really high hairlines but won't be losing hair like us guys. Feck them! It's honestly not about losing my style, or getting old or whatever, it's more about my nasty scalp. I'll end up looking like I'm dreadfully sick or something. I suppose transplants are an option, but it's a bit... extreme.

G-Money

I heard that baldness skips a generation but I don't know if that's true. I guess that's not always the case anyway.

I can't remember when my hair started thinning on top. I'm 32 now and a few years ago I just decided to shave it all off. Its one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I know you say you have scars but you don't have to shave it all the way down to the skull. You could just go progressively shorter and shorter until you find it short enough that it still hides the scars, but also the receeding hairline. Also, do you even still have the scars? Perhaps they've healed up or faded over the years?

theredletter

Yeah they are definitely still there. If I got to a new barber they always comment on it and try to refer me to a doctor.

I think I'll do that. For now I think I can have the same style I've always had. If I notice it thinning then I'll get it cut shorter and see how it is. The scars are pretty red and prominent. You can see them if you brush my hair a certain way. They are pretty disgusting.. But mostly unnoticeable with my hair the way it is now. I might see the doctor about it if I get concerned. I know there are treatments for both hair loss and scars, and I'd be happy with either being covered up.

Cicero

No harm going to the doctor about the redness in the scalp- the doctor would be able to advise you and at least that would be one less worry for you-

a number 5 blade should keep your hair short (if that's how you have it) similar to a sicissors cut, so you could start with that and see how you get on....recedation happens...it's not the end of the world by any means...

theredletter

Cicero wrote: »

No harm going to the doctor about the redness in the scalp- the doctor would be able to advise you and at least that would be one less worry for you-

a number 5 blade should keep your hair short (if that's how you have it) similar to a sicissors cut, so you could start with that and see how you get on....recedation happens...it's not the end of the world by any means...

Will do. Oh I know it's not the end of the world. Many men go through the same. If anything it's an attractive feature on a lot of men imo. We'll see! Thanks!

Angus Og

I can tell you for a fact that it is attractive.

theredletter

Yeah I think so too, as I'm gay and do like it on some guys. Not sure if it will look so hot on me, however!

Angus Og

Well, I'm a straight guy, and I think it looks fine. Guess I don't know what I'm talking about.

Giselle

Theres an over-the-counter product called Rogaine which contains minidixil. It helps slow or prevent male pattern baldness. If you're very concerned, try that.

http://www.regaine.co.uk/

Straightners are death to health hair and repeated use will make all but the strongest hair break.

And the ladies (and some gents!) don't mind a few scars, just say they're shrapnel wounds and that you're prevented by the official secrets act from explaining further.:)

theredletter

Dam me and my need for straight hair!

Thanks again guys!

BumbleB

I started losing my hair at 22 and was very light on top at 27 .

The main thing is too not get too concerned about it. I did and I wasted alot of money and time worrying ,until I met a swedish girl in town who convinced me to shave it all off ,which i did .I haven't looked back since ,things like that only become a problem when you make it so. Enjoy life and have fun.:)

Shakeandbake!

I'm 38 and moving into advanced stages of baldness, however i'd be delighted if i could hang on to what i have but i actually look balder than i am cause of my naturally high forehead thus emphasising the receding hairline. Anyway are there any of you guys using the products Rogaine or Bioxsine? The latter is getting a lot of advert time on t.v. and in the windows of pharmacies, and i'd like to hear from someone who's maybe a few months into treatment and whether they think it's worth it. Thanks.

Panthro

if i ever get the feeling my hair is heading on id shave it off, get a tatt saying "hair is soo 2009", head to the gym, get pumped up and look well'ard mate!

its nature, cant really do much about it, so embrace it!

Khannie

I wouldn't worry about the scars in the slightest tbh. If it's causing you worry, maybe try a slightly longer shave, like a 4 blade or something? I started shaving mine (with a 4 blade) about 12 years ago. Never ever ever ever going back. It's total win having little or no hair.

seamus

I'm pretty sure I've always had quite a high hairline, but it's only something I've been concerned about recently. My Dad's not even remotely close to going bald and there's none on my Mum's side, but my Dad's brother and most of his kids are bald or showing signs of it. And the hair on my head is a similar shape, so...

I've always told myself that if I start going noticeably thinner, it's time to shave it off. I generally keep my hair quite tight anyway, so it wouldn't be a huge jump.

I don't think that receding hair looks bad at all, though I do think it can make people look way older than they actually are.

Cunsiderthis

I was told that the gene for hair comes through the mothers side, and if your maternal grandfather had a full head of hair, chances would be you too will have a full head of hair.

Certainly in my cast its true, and I always get a quiver of pleasure when I see the barber taking out the thinning scissors while I am sitting in the chair!


I met Alan Bennett a while ago, and he pointed out, as another man with a full head of hair, that generally people think a man is younger than he is if he has a full head of hair too. Certainly he doesn't look his age ( he is mid 70's) and I am hoping I'll be the same at that age, should I ever get to it!

Pyr0

Started getting thin on top myself at the age of 18 ! Going from thick long curly hair to thinning hair was terrible but sure, that's life !

I'm 20 now, isn't too bad. Gonna get my head shaved later on tonight I think, it's easier not having to worry about it all the time !

G-Money

It used to bother me when my hair started thinning on top but now not so much. I started shaving my head a few years ago and I quite like it now. It's neat and tidy although it can be a bit of a shock when you go outside if you've let it grow for a month or 6 weeks then shave it off again

I don't shave it down to the skull, but I leave it a few millimetres long just after it's cut. I guess maybe a number 2 blade, but I'm really not sure. It's usually very very short, army style after I cut it. I usually let it grow for a couple of weeks then do the same thing again.

The first time I went to the barbers to get it done as I was a bit afraid of messing it up. But after that I bought a set of clippers and have been doing it myself ever since.

foxyboxer

I started to get very thin on top at 19. I was in denial about shaving it for another 3 years. Classic horseshoe male pattern baldness. For a long time I used to shave it off completely using a Mach 3 blade, but now I'm older I just get someone at home to give me a shave all over using a hair clipper. Takes 5-10 minutes. Too lazy to keep it maintained with the Mach 3, plus I think it makes me look more distinguished and wiser accompanied with my new greying hair.

force majeure

Well I started loosing it at 26, at 30 I went for a no 3 cut at the barbys these days its a no1 every 4 weeks.
All is well with my world too no ones says a thing and it saves on a hair dryer and shampoo.