Will I Look Good Shaved?

[Kfondrie]

Hey Everyone,

I just turned 20 in April, and to my detriment, convinced myself I am balding. I have not yet seen a dermatologist, but I am almost certain that genetics has decided to take its toll. I have a few questions and I would really appreciate it if you took the time to respond.

1) The first question is in the title, will I look good if I shave my head?
2) Does it look to you as if I am experiencing male pattern baldness?
3) Has anyone heard of the hair supplement HH-550 by WholeBodyResearch? If so, does it work?

Thank you for taking the time to read/reply to my thread. I have always been a victim of severely low self confidence and am now struggling more than ever with my newfound problem. Also, PLEASE do not be afraid you will hurt my feelings, I want to know the TRUTH.

P.S.- I am currently trying to figure out how to add more attachments from my tablet.

[Kfondrie]

Additional Picture

Front facing picture

[Haircure]

Well luckily it really isn't noticeable at all, and the only reason anyone would notice it would be if they know what to look for. I suggest you visit a dermatologist that actually knows about hairloss, since a lot of doctors unfortunately know very little. Since you caught it early on you might be able to keep what hair you have by going on Finasteride, which is very effective in maintenance and even some regrowth. Adding minoxidil is also another option to go along with Finasteride, and the combination of the drugs work in a synergistic manner. Not sure about the shaved look, but if you want to do something about bout your hair I suggest you look into those drugs as they can really help.

[minots143]

I agree kfondrie that you should visit a reputable HT specialist (NOT TO GET A HT) to get information about what is out there and might help keeping what you have. The sooner you do something, perhaps the more hair you can save. I think you are a very attractive young man, and time and getting on with your life (job, mate, friends etc) will go a long way in helping you put a lot into perspective --as will age. As for shaving? Not a huge fan of guys with (mostly) full heads shaving it all off. The crazy full shadow I don't find appealing, but that is strictly my taste, and that is just one of millions. Try to have some fun, these years are so precious and go by so fast.

[Kfondrie]

Well luckily it really isn't noticeable at all, and the only reason anyone would notice it would be if they know what to look for. I suggest you visit a dermatologist that actually knows about hairloss, since a lot of doctors unfortunately know very little. Since you caught it early on you might be able to keep what hair you have by going on Finasteride, which is very effective in maintenance and even some regrowth. Adding minoxidil is also another option to go along with Finasteride, and the combination of the drugs work in a synergistic manner. Not sure about the shaved look, but if you want to do something about bout your hair I suggest you look into those drugs as they can really help.

I would like to start by telling you thanks. Now, to tell the truth, I didn't even think I was losing my hair, but I went to my barber who I haven't been to in approximately 2 years and she said I was balding. The picture I put up is of my left temporal region after I parted everything away from the area (I'm not really sure if I parted to much or not). My mom keeps telling me it doesn't look like I am balding, but I feel she has a case of the "loving mother" disease.

That being said, how expensive is Finasteride and Minoxidil? Since I am a college student I have limited funds. Also, are they proven to work well? There seem to be so many miracle hair loss products that are just scams.
Do you, or does anyone else know, of any expected advancements in this particular field? My brother, now 31, started losing his hair at 18 and got a HT at age 25 or 26. He tried to assure me that by the time I would actually need to get anything done there would be a much better way to handle things, is this true?

The whole situation just seriously sucks. No 20 year old wants to have a receding hair line, not only is it demeaning, but it is so damn expensive.

[minots143]

That being said, how expensive is Finasteride and Minoxidil? Since I am a college student I have limited funds. Also, are they proven to work well? There seem to be so many miracle hair loss products that are just scams.
Do you, or does anyone else know, of any expected advancements in this particular field? My brother, now 31, started losing his hair at 18 and got a HT at age 25 or 26. He tried to assure me that by the time I would actually need to get anything done there would be a much better way to handle things, is this true?

1. you can get generic finasteride 5mg with prescription and insurance may even cover part. cut this up. less expensive way. I personally would not play russian roulette with on line pharmacies, but I know plenty here do.
2. minoxidal again can be gotten generic on the cheap.

I would not bet the farm and count on their being anything so miraculous that if you don't halt the loss now you'll be able to get your hair back in 10 years but who knows.

[David7]

Hello , the treatments are at affordable prices . First let me explain something about Minoxidil and Finasteride. Minoxidil is the most used treatment but you have to use it aprox 1 year to see the full results and if you stop using every hair gained will disappear . Finasteride is a dht blocker, same as Minoxidil full results will happen in aprox 1 year of treatment, in some cases Finestaride has side effects check this site http://www.drugs.com/sfx/finasteride-side-effects.html . When I started to lose my hair at 17 am now 20 I cut my hair shorter gradually and it wasn't even noticeable anymore. Now i just get a buzz cut feels great and looks great( works best with beard)

[mikeg]

are you kidding? Im not gay but you are very good looking. Your hair looks great and are not losing your hair.
You say your not self confident, thats the problem, its not your hair.
Don't bother seeing a hair specialist until you deal with your issues that make you not have confidence. You look like that guy that plays the wolf from the movie Twilight.

You sound like you suffer from Body Dysmorphia. Im not kidding, google it and the symptoms.

Anyway, when the day comes i advise you to shave it for 6 months so that your scull isnt so pale just to see how youll look. Trust me, I found out I actually liked my head shaved when It was too late after I already had a FUT scar. Once you have a FUT scar theres no way Id shave it now.

and one last thing. Shave your head and grow a goatie. something to keep in mind. Girls love bald heads and facial hair more than pretty boys.

[redy]

Your hairline is thinning a bit, but you have a great hairline other than that.

If it really bothers you, just buzz it shorter or get a scissor cut with a buzzed side and finger length hair on the top and front. You'll be great.

I'd advice you start thinking about finasteride, though. Take it and forget about it. Otherwise you can also add minox to it if you are willing to use it every day too. But first I'd say finasteride if you were going to do anything now.

[Notcoolanymore]

Your hair appears to be thinning in the temple area. It isn't bad, but it is there. I am not telling you that you need to take prescription drugs or anything. That decision needs to be yours.

With that being said, based on my experience with finasteride, if I was in your shoes I would give it a shot. If you decide to take it and get sides, or if in a few years you decide you don't want to take a prescription drug for the rest of your life, then you can always just stop taking it. Current hair loss treatment can regrow a good amount of hair, but for the most part they are more effective as being used as a preventative against hair loss.

[Kfondrie]

I want to thank all of you for your replies. All the info I have received has greatly lessened my worries. If what all of you say is true, it seems that if I am proactive I may be able to keep my hair for a little while. I know that my thinning hair isn't really noticeable to others, but it still is very bothersome, especially recently. This coming Thursday I am going to be receiving upper and lower jaw surgery to correct my bite. So, with both of these things coming into play around the same time my nerves have just been shot. Again, thank you everyone for being kind enough to offer your advice as well as reassuring me that my receding hair line is not that noticeable.

I am going to look into finasteride, but if someone else could look into this HH-550 supplement I would greatly appreciate it! My mom actually bought it for me a week or two back after doing some research. After doing my own research though, it seems as though it is a very new supplement and there isn't much on it yet.

@mikeg, I think you actually might be on to something with the whole Body Dysmorphia diagnosis. I have a really hard time looking in the mirror, because I notice EVERY single imperfection on my body. I am also extremely OCD, (if I make an A- in a class I freak out) I have the constant need for perfection, which as you can imagine, makes my life a living hell.

P.S.- Any more comments will always be appreciated.

[thinkingaboutit]

You seem to still have a good head of hair left. And based on the picture, there seems to be plenty of time to do something about. You also are very young. I would go and see a hair specialist. I am not an expert, but I would probably start with Regaine, and maybe even Fin. I always tell people to think twice before using Fin because I have seen the negative consequences. I may seem biased, but I can only tell you my experience.

I haven't read what others have advised. But I would try and get some independent advice. Someone who is not just after your money. I started losing my hair around 17. The process started at 17, and by 28 ish I was completely bald (NW6) and it had a huge consequence on my teen years and early twenties. So I kind of understand how you feel.

One last thing. I used to shave my head daily with a razor blade. I did for about 7 or so years. I was lucky, I had the head for it, and I looked young. Without getting into a long story, after many years of shaving my head, I decided to get FUE done at a very late age of about 37ish. It was one of the best decisions I made. I now have a choice. Although, I look a lot older now with hair, I at least have a choice. I now feel like shaving my head again

Good luck.

[David7]

Dude we humans we are not perfect stop worrying .

[akai]

I would get on finasteride until something better becomes available. I'd also use Nizoral shampoo 2 to 3 times per week (1% is available over the counter). Leave it in for 5 minutes or the duration of your shower.

Everyone that has had success on finasteride wishes they would have taken it sooner. Slowing down or stopping hair loss is much easier than regrowth.

You can also try minoxodil, although I've never used it and it seems like way too much of a commitment for the potential results.

There isn't really anything else outside of a hair transplant that works.

The HH-550 supplement you mentioned:



It's just some B-vitamins, Biotin, Saw Palmetto (supposed to lower DHT), and few other things. Unless you have a deficiency these supplements really won't do a whole lot. Spend that $30 on something else.

You can put more effort into your scalp/hair care as well"

-Shampoo without sodium lauryl sulfate
-Quality conditioner
-Deep conditioning treatment every once and a while (coconut oil, etc.)
-Hair vitamin complex (If you wish. I would just take a multi, fish oil, and follow a healthy diet)

Also, from my ancedotal experience I've never had sides from finasteride, nor have I met anyone in real life who takes it that has had sides.

Duke University 7-year longitudinal study on finasteride:

http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/99/13/1025.full

We assessed sexual dysfunction in 17313 PCPT participants during a 7-year period. A battery of questionnaires assessed sexual dysfunction (Sexual Activity Scale score); age; race; SF-36 Mental Health Inventory-5, Physical Function, and Vitality scores; body mass index; smoking status; and the presence of diabetes and hypertension.

Conclusions: The effect of finasteride on sexual functioning is minimal for most men and should not impact the decision to prescribe or take finasteride.

[Notcoolanymore]

Duke University 7-year longitudinal study on finasteride:

http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/99/13/1025.full

We assessed sexual dysfunction in 17313 PCPT participants during a 7-year period. A battery of questionnaires assessed sexual dysfunction (Sexual Activity Scale score); age; race; SF-36 Mental Health Inventory-5, Physical Function, and Vitality scores; body mass index; smoking status; and the presence of diabetes and hypertension.

Conclusions: The effect of finasteride on sexual functioning is minimal for most men and should not impact the decision to prescribe or take finasteride.

Most guys don't want to believe studies from any university. They would rather listen/believe the stories told by random dudes on the internet that never even tried the drug.