21 and going bald

[KeepTheHair]

I think the point fixed tried to make is that it is harder, not impossible. So I still think it is entirely valid because it is harder for a bald guy to get the girld, or get the job I think.


Personally for me, hair means a lot...I would look terrible without my hair. My hair is really starting to thin out and I am quickly heading to a norwood 3 vertex. I am not quite there yet. I still have a good crown but it is definitely thinning out. I will choose to treat this aggressively, because to me...losing my hair would be more irresponsible than have some side effects that won't nearly effect my life as much as losing my hair would. That's the way I choose to handle my problem. Although all I do at the moment is 2% minoxidil and 1mg finasteride and 2% ketoconazole shampoo. Nothing extreme yet. I do plan on adding 15% minoxidil soon and Spironolactone lotion. This to me is not irresponsible. I have read numberous times that Dr. Lee's 15% minoxidil actually doesn't have that much side effects at all, perhaps less than standard rogaine.

I think if someone uses avodart as a first measure that would be a bad idea. But what else really is that bad to do? I think an aggressive regimen is the way to go to treat hair loss, especially if it is that important in your life.


I am going to try my best to recover some ground and hold the fort until a cure comes out. If I am unable to do this my quality of life will suffer, no doubt. But I will still live a good life and enjoy it very much. But while I still have a good amount of hair I will do my best to keep it and hopefully improve it too.

Good luck guys

[Samson]

Lol real popcorn thread! =)))))

Although, there are some issues in play that aren't laughing matters. I do sympathize with Fixed and Keep. Hair loss sucks.

As far as I've read, Fixed only expressed his own views and feelings on his predicament. He is certainly entitled to his opinions, no matter how extreme they are. What he feels is reality for him, and no less valid than what anyone else feels. Although his chosen treatments might be a bit extreme for most, he is certainly entitled to treat his affliction in the manner he chooses to. As far as his advice being extreme, I would like to believe that we all are intelligent enough to choose for ourselves, what is right.

Moreover, I really don't think there's a need to call neither Keep nor Fixed, sad or a losers just because their opinions don't coincide with yours. Before labeling someone a loser, perhaps a paragraph with correct grammar and syntax, without run on sentences, lack of punctuation and capitalization, and knowing the difference between your and you're, there, their and they're is in order.

Having said that, Fixed's sweeping statements on the downside of being a bald man, are not entirely true, although in many cases they are. Plenty of bald men, even outside sports, have reached positions of prominence and power. Yul Brynner, Telly Savalas, Ben Kingsley were/is bald, and yet achieved great success as actors. Bruce Willis, old and bald as he is, is considered a sex symbol, and has proven to have more staying power as an A lister, than most actors with hair. Last time I checked, Steve Jobs is pretty bald, and despite that, one of the most influential CEOs of our time. MJ is bald and CEO of the Bobcats. Phill Jackson (I bleed purple and gold) has more rings (11, God willing 12 by the end of the playoffs) than any other lion maned coach or player in the NBA. Jesse Ventura is bald and also a former pro wrestler and governor of Minnesota. James Carville, a perennial political commentator and advisor to presidents, is extermely bald yet prominent. Ike, although our last one, is one of five bald U.S presidents. Who is more powerful than the commander in chief?

As for me, I'm just starting to thin out, (if curious check out my pics on the thread "40 and developing a bald spot") but I'm willing to go to great lengths in order to keep my hair. For anyone that's willing to sack up and shave it, more power to you. It's just not what I choose.

Cheers,............

[peaches22724]

Fixed brings up a lot and I mean a lot of very good points and it is actually really nice to see that some people actually feel the same way I feel. However, he takes things way too far. People don't realize how psychologically debilitating it is. I will agree, losing your hair young, is so beyond awful. Being insecure and hiding everything constantly. Being so terrified of ridicule that you just remove yourself from situations and actually miss out on a lot of life.

It can easily impact your work life, social life and make the simplest tasks burdensome, like taking a shower at someone else' house or fixing your hair after having a hat on and so on and so on.

However, having to deal with it does make you a more compassionate person toward other people's sensibilities. Never, do I mock someone in a way that they might take personally and this is something that I've learned, through being humbled. It also makes you realize you're going to have to become more "personality-based" instead of just basing your self worth on your looks.

I completely disagree about "standing out in the workplace." There are plenty of balding men that are company heads, CEO's and the like, they are people that have just accepted it, are secure and move forward. The key is getting past of the point of your insecurities. For me, I haven't been able to actually shape my hair in years. It stinks, why get all dressed up to look your best if your hair looks stupid? I just want a dense hair behind my hair line so I can actually shape and style, if it looks a little thin in the back and crown I think I can handle that because, I'll still look good.

Anyhow, while I completely agree with a lot of the things you say, I think you can bypass alot of worries by utilizing an HT and a maintenance drug like Propecia to get you to a point where you can become secure again and this should actually make most people happy.

[KeepTheHair]

Dude, some people come here to vent, Fixed is one of them.

Give the guy a break. Hair loss means a lot to him. It does to me as well. He never personally attacked you guys like you are attacking him.

Let him vent. Whats the problem?

I am sure he is a successful guy with a good relationship and a good life. He comes here to vent like some of us do. Hair loss is frustrating.


Do not take his venting and ranting so personal man.

Let's all just relax.





oh btw, hair loss sucks

[JOE-91]

I've yet to meet a happy bald man under 50. I'll let you know when I do.

WOW.

You sad, sad little man, your views are moronic. In all honesty though what kind of people do you meet? your clearly a loser, and always have been so I imagine that the people you do communicate with, maybe there even friends are complete and utter losers as well. I think it's safe to say that you are one of those that was ugly and had no character before male pattern baldness, so now your trying to blame everything on it, and put every bald man in the same band.

Do you leave the house very often?

[Fixed by 35]

I've yet to meet a happy bald man under 50. I'll let you know when I do.

[smileyface19]

keepthehair, you're not a loser, you're just gullible. fixedby35 is a loser though.

[KeepTheHair]

Well atleast we dont go around calling people

"****ing losers"

[JOE-91]

Hahaha, keepthehair and fixedby35 you pair are ****ing losers man. Upload some pictures so that people can see the cretins there hearing this shit from. How does it make you feel when you go out in the real world and see balding guys living happy, fulfilling lives while your both a complete mess over something that you can't stop.

[KeepTheHair]

Exactly.

When someone sees a bald guy he gets a smirk on his face and thinks "lol...that must suck haha" they can scoff at you. They see your hair loss and it's a big joke.


Would this happen to a guy who lost a limb? no.


In my opinion anyway that says hair loss doesn't dramatically change your life is extremely deluded and needs help.

It's just the plain truth. Thats why these forums exist and that is why we are so damn desperate for a cure.

I won't lie to myself.

[Fixed by 35]

The negative reaction to losing hair and losing a limb are surprisingly similar in most people questioned. Losing hair is just more common and less inconvenient. I think the real difference that might make losing a limb more appealling is that it engenders sympathy rather than ridicule.

It's the fact that baldness is allowed to be ridiculed that really makes me angry.

[KeepTheHair]

In my opinion, thats rational. Hair loss sucks ass. It's worse than people make it out to be. To me it might even be worse than losing a leg or so...I am not kidding. Both sucks...but I would choose hair.


Hopefully though histogen comes through for us folks. I doubt they will have trouble with funding, there are some rich bald guys out there.

[Fixed by 35]

I get some pleasure out of life, in food and travel for example. I just get no satisfaction in my career and don't expect to because of hair loss. I also have no prospect of ever having the political career I wanted, again because of hair loss.

So it's like life is only running on half power at the moment and I'm starting to get bored of it. I don't think psychiatry could change that.

[KeepTheHair]

What he says is 100% the truth. Why does he need psychiatric help lol...


I agree with him about hair loss can greatly mess up your chances in life.


I still love life etc though. Life is good. Id rather live it bald than not live it. Very much so.


But I will also try to regain my hair. At almost all costs.

[Fixed by 35]

Times are changing. What you need to realise is that once upon a time you could be bald and great. Those days are over.

To have the opportunity of greatness, with the exception of sport, you have to pass the image test first. You can't be a world leader until you are elected; you have to pass the image test. You can't be a CEO until you climb the junior ranks; you have to pass the image test. You can't be a mature actor until you've played some minor roles; you need to pass the image test.

We live in an image obsessed culture. In the past things like intelligence and wisdom reigned supreme. Now, you need image as well.

There's no point trying to lead a full life when one third of what you need has been snatched away before you even cross the starting line.