I gots the baldness!!!

LegacyUser · 2007-10-05 13:56:16

okay, so over the last two years I've slowly but surely been getting thinner and thinner on top. I'm 30, and don't particularly want to have to shave my head. So, the thing is, whats the best thing to do. I want to try put a stop to this as soon as possible. I'm thin, but you wouldn't quite call it baldness just yet. I've…

05-10-2007 01:56PM

#1

LegacyUser

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,005 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: -

Posts: 125672

okay, so over the last two years I've slowly but surely been getting thinner and thinner on top.
I'm 30, and don't particularly want to have to shave my head. So, the thing is, whats the best thing to do. I want to try put a stop to this as soon as possible. I'm thin, but you wouldn't quite call it baldness just yet.

I've read up a good bit and majority of stuff out there just seems to be complete bollix.... just scams to attract the naive and desperate.

So it's basically down to the only proven treatment, which is regaine. Has anyone here every used it, what sort of results did you get? Anyone with a bad story about it?

One of the other solutions I have come across that, although unproven, may have some merit is laser treatment. Anyone know anything about that?

Please refrain from any silly comments... and I have no interest in getting a lecture or a speal about let nature take it's course blah blah blah.....

0

Comments

#2 05-10-2007 02:17PM

ferdi

Closed Accounts Posts: 6,598 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2001

Posts: 6167

ah man just bite the bullet and get rid of it. its a battle with genetics that you just wont win. all these treatments, hair plugs and comb-overs are just naff and they reek of desperation.

0
#3 05-10-2007 02:19PM

[Deleted User]
Posts: 2,862 ✭✭✭

Join Date: -

Posts: 2655

Yeah I def agree

0
#4 05-10-2007 02:22PM

MarkR

Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 11,368 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: April 2002

Posts: 10605

Welcome brother. Clicky

You're not going bald, you're getting streamlined!

0
#5 05-10-2007 02:28PM

djkeogh

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,738 ✭✭✭

Join Date: September 2005

Posts: 1700

Went through all this myself a number of years ago when I was 22. Finally shaved the head when I was 23 and haven't looked back since. It was a huge decision at the time.

I went through trying to use Regaine and found it a real pain in the ass applying it and i didn't like it's texture, twas a bit sticky if i remember.

Final straw for me was one night sitting at the bar in a pub with my two best friends and one of the lads pointed out how bald I was when looking in the mirror behind the bar with a spotlight overhead. I was horrified. What a prat I looked.

You'll ultimately look better without it rather than looking like you can't face the reality of it. In terms of successful treatments, the only thing I've ever seen that impressed me was the surgery. Big undertaking but it looks like some real results. Best of luck with whatever you choose to do.

0
#6 05-10-2007 02:34PM

r3nu4l

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 17,392 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: January 2006

Posts: 15535

There's no harm in trying regaine if you want. According to scientific literature it has a statistically better chance of working the earlier you start using it.

If it's not wirking for you at all then the best you can do is keep your hair very tight and tidy at all times. I'm not completely bald yet but the hair on the sides of my head is definitely far, far thicker than that on the top of my head, so if I go longer than 2-3 weeks without giving it a tidy then I look ridiculous

0
Advertisement
#7 05-10-2007 02:34PM

AARRRGH

Closed Accounts Posts: 12,382 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: July 2004

Posts: 11798

Shave your head, get in shape, buy some nice clothes and start taking better care of your skin. You'll probably end up more attractive than you are now.

0
#8 05-10-2007 03:05PM

Canis Lupus

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,880 ✭✭✭

Join Date: September 2004

Posts: 9666

Superglue and one of those things for picking up dog hair (can be used for human hair as well).

Then a mirror, well lit room and alot of patience.

Failing that there is **** all else you can cheaply do bar shaving/close haircut and living with it. You can't will it back......god knows I've tried......

0
#9 05-10-2007 03:29PM

Pauli

Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭

Join Date: June 2007

Posts: 3

Shave it off.. happened me years ago and I anguished about it for a good while, but once I shaved it off I never looked back and ladies loved it

0
#10 05-10-2007 04:13PM

Overheal

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,683 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: September 2006

Posts: 79793

Shave it or cut it short - either way it doesnt matter. theres a lad in my course actually - he cant be older than 23 and he's getting bald already: just keeps it short, like a 2 or 3 blade cut.

0
#11 05-10-2007 04:17PM

ShawnRaven

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,602 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: November 2004

Posts: 10412

Happened me a few years ago. After going years with long hair, i actually felt the world was gonna end. It's only gonna get worse.

My advice: Go as short as you can go, #3 blade if you're fair haired,
#2 blade if you're dark haired. And gradually you get used to it. Then you'll get sick of looking at the bald spot or receeding hairline and before you know it, you'll have the shaving gel on yer head and the bic in the right hand.

It's not as bad as it sounds, believe me. Pauli is right btw the rumours are true. Girls find bald men attractive. Even if you give it a #2 blade, they love the feel of the fuzz!

Good luck.
VR!

0
Advertisement
#12 05-10-2007 04:56PM

Vyse

Closed Accounts Posts: 1,399 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2004

Posts: 1243

I will admit that I use the old regaine. I get it from the states off ebay and it works out at a fraction of the price. Did make a big difference for me but I wouldn't be exactly bald. I stopped using it for a couple of months about a year ago and the top went very thin;) Went back on it with a vengence.

Worth a try. The worst that can happen is you grow hair all over your body (especially if you are dark haired like me).

0
#13 05-10-2007 04:58PM

biko

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,060 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: July 2005

Posts: 75468

http://www.hairlosstalk.com

0
#14 05-10-2007 05:07PM

dlofnep

Closed Accounts Posts: 20,759 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: January 2004

Posts: 19674

I'm 24 and going thin. I'd say I have a year or two left before I'll just do a Phil Mitchell on it.

The laser hair thing is a scam. You can get hair implant surgery or try regaine and propecia. Other than that, there's not any options.

0
#15 05-10-2007 07:32PM

digitally-yours

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,425 ✭✭✭

Join Date: June 2005

Posts: 1344

dublindude wrote:

Shave your head, get in shape, buy some nice clothes and start taking better care of your skin. You'll probably end up more attractive than you are now.

You have summed it up all for those who have the ability to understand.

Match one negative with another positive if you get my drift

0
#16 06-10-2007 03:31PM

Supercell

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,833 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: May 2001

Posts: 14630

You don't want lectures but you do seem to want a miracle cure?

Sorry buddy, but every guy on earth looses hair as they grow old, thats just a fact of life, suck it up and move on, fight the battles you can win!

https://www.loughlinstown.ie/

0
#17 06-10-2007 03:51PM

Wibbs

Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,339 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: March 2005

Posts: 59266

Not every guy loses his hair as he gets older. Certainly many men hang onto their hair well into their 80's. Most of the men in my family do for a start. If the OP wants to hang onto it, he should try out the options. The regaine stuff seems to work well for some, especially in the early stages(as Vyse said. Worked for a mate too).

Going bald doesn't age a man as much as going grey IMHO(I had grey going on in my teens:D ). I also agree the shaved look is the way to go if you're in the mind to embrace natures little harvesters. No to combovers. I think why baldness upsets many men is not just down to the aging thing, it's also down to the fact that it gives you so few options from a style point of view. Buzzcut and that's basically that. As I say I reckon the OP should try the regaine stuff and see if it works. If not then at least you tried.

I would also suspect that 90% of the men who say embrace the chrome dome would not refuse a full head of hair if it was offered to them. When a full cure does show up I reckon the inventor will make more than bill gates.:D

Many worry about Artificial Intelligence. I worry far more about Organic Idiocy.

0
#18 06-10-2007 03:53PM

Wibbs

Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,339 Mod ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: March 2005

Posts: 59266

dublindude wrote:

Shave your head, get in shape, buy some nice clothes and start taking better care of your skin. You'll probably end up more attractive than you are now.

That's very true. Even if the hair restorer works that's good advice anyway.

Many worry about Artificial Intelligence. I worry far more about Organic Idiocy.

0
#19 06-10-2007 04:36PM

MooseJam

Closed Accounts Posts: 5,111 ✭✭✭

Join Date: November 2005

Posts: 4539

one more vote for shave it off

0
#20 06-10-2007 04:44PM

Bubs101

Closed Accounts Posts: 6,478 ✭✭✭

Join Date: December 2006

Posts: 6381

Get a wig

0
#21 06-10-2007 07:07PM

Dalfiatach

Closed Accounts Posts: 313 ✭✭

Join Date: September 2006

Posts: 311

There's nothing you can do, OP. Any "treatment" is just delaying the inevitable. Do you really want to go through a couple of years of forking out loads of wonga on chemical junk, only to have everyone laughing at you behind your back for your desperate efforts to pretend you aren't going bald? Trust me, people do notice. And laugh.

Waste of time. Bite the bullet and accept it. You'll look much, much better shaved than any other alternative. I wouldn't bother with the interim #2 either. Just go the whole hog right away and get it over with.

Believe me, other men will respect your no-nonsense will and resolve; and the wimmin do seem to love a shaved head.

I've still got most of mine, still thick on top but starting to recede slowly at the temples. And I've already decided that when the time comes, it's Mr Bic for me. Which will probably be within the next 2-3 years.

0
Advertisement
#22 06-10-2007 08:05PM

the_syco

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,308 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: June 2001

Posts: 35236

dlofnep wrote:

try regaine and propecia

The name of the game is testosterone. Too much, and your hair falls out (could be why some Asians love bald men).

Regain is something you gotta squirt on your head twice a day. Not too expensive.

Propecia is expensive. Worked out at about €90 for a bottle of 30 pills 5 years ago. One pill a day, so convenient, but you you may get it cheaper if you can import it directly from the States yourself. Note: last time I checked it up(5 years ago), Propecia hadn't gotten past some government medical trials. It works by lowering your testosterone, and thus your sex drive (or so it says in its information leaflet).

Myself, I want the shaved head route. Every 2 or 3 days, I cover my head in shaving gel, and use a Mach 3 to shave it off.

Wibbs wrote:

I would also suspect that 90% of the men who say embrace the chrome dome would not refuse a full head of hair if it was offered to them. When a full cure does show up I reckon the inventor will make more than bill gates.:D

+1. Saying that, I'll wait a while after it comes out. My reason: check out Body Bags, which involves a balding man looking into a brand new hair growth formula, and you'll see why.

0
#23 06-10-2007 09:32PM

Magic Eight Ball

Closed Accounts Posts: 2,420 ✭✭✭

Join Date: November 2006

Posts: 2364

I second the wig idea.. worked for this guy
http://mondoweiss.observer.com/files/imagecache/article/files/donald_web.jpg

0
#24 06-10-2007 09:37PM

JohnnyStones

Closed Accounts Posts: 306 ✭✭

Join Date: October 2007

Posts: 305

Trevor Coulahan wrote:

I second the wig idea.. worked for this guy
http://mondoweiss.observer.com/files/imagecache/article/files/donald_web.jpg

Surely that's not a wig:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

0
#25 06-10-2007 09:42PM

gcgirl

Closed Accounts Posts: 4,044 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2007

Posts: 3995

i prefer a guy with a shaved head!!;)

0
#26 07-10-2007 05:26AM

DublinWriter

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,592 ✭✭✭

Join Date: June 2004

Posts: 9099

gettingthin wrote:

I've read up a good bit and majority of stuff out there just seems to be complete bollix.... just scams to attract the naive and desperate.

Hair transplants : A friend of a friend spend a six-figure sum getting HT treatment. Four years down the road the hair around the transplanted area started falling out naturally, giving him the appearance of a Benedictine monk. As he couldn't afford any more HT treatment, he shaved the lot off.

Regaine: Works with most guys, but it's very high-maintenance and stinks like hell. Really only recommended if you're a total-cue ball and want forearm-like whispy hair.

Saw Palmetto: The jury's out on this. You can get it at Holland and Barrett. It works by absorbing the hair-follical killing chemical secreted by your 'nads (DHT I think). It won't give you back lost hair, but it is supposed to help you keep what you've got left. Rumours about it causing man-boobs abound.

Comb-over: Is your name Bobby Charlton? Exactly.

Dude, I'd just bite the bullet on this one. As the late-great comedienne Linda Smith once said, just women just want guys to have a clean shirt and a nice smile.

0
#27 07-10-2007 07:59PM

SarahSassy

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,145 ✭✭✭

Join Date: April 2007

Posts: 2991

dublindude wrote:

Shave your head, get in shape, buy some nice clothes and start taking better care of your skin. You'll probably end up more attractive than you are now.

This is so true.....

A lot of ladies (myself included) have a 'thing' for bald men.... Add in a good body, nice clothes and a good smile are you are sure to score....

0
#28 08-10-2007 10:53AM

Latchy

Closed Accounts Posts: 21,190 ✭✭✭✭

Join Date: March 2007

Posts: 21067

This is so true.....

A lot of ladies (myself included) have a 'thing' for bald men.... Add in a good body, nice clothes and a good smile are you are sure to score....

Tis very tru , look at the amount of bald men on tv surounded by lovley wimin .Ross kemp is one and the guy of come dancing is another .

0
#29 08-10-2007 12:09PM

Linoge

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,794 ✭✭✭

Join Date: October 2003

Posts: 1638

dublindude wrote:

Shave your head, get in shape, buy some nice clothes and start taking better care of your skin. You'll probably end up more attractive than you are now.

Also agree with Dublindude. Women won't be so interested in your hair when they see you BuLgInG BiCePs. You can be fat or you can be bald, you can't be both!

0
#30 08-10-2007 02:53PM

Burga Galti

Closed Accounts Posts: 37 ✭

Join Date: January 2007

Posts: 35

I started thinning at about 16/17 and each year I buzzed my head a grade shorter. At 20 I was down to a 2 but iin an under 21s rowing race I got accused of cheating since I had to be at least 30. At that point I shaved my head, totally bicced it. For a while I was happy with it, but then came to realise that I am who I am, hair or no hair doesn't really matter.

I now sport a #3, thinning and all, with a decent but well trimmed beard and I feel great in myself.

I figure balding is like grieving since you go through the five stages. Combovers are denial, taking out the bic is anger, treatments are bargaining, depression occurs somewhere in amongst it all, and finally acceptance where you realise that it's not the end of the world.

0
Advertisement
#31 08-10-2007 10:29PM

johnnyrotten

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭

Join Date: November 2005

Posts: 3282

I finally started to shave my head a few years back after seeing a pic of the back of my head. I have never looked back since. Its a natural thing for a man. Just happens sooner with some men than others
SUN ROOF FOR A SEX MACHINE!!

0

This discussion has been closed.