I honestly thought I didn't have the head shape for it, but with an ever clearing patch on my crown and then with no access to barbers it came time to try out the cropped look.
It's really not that bad, it's quick and easy to maintain, once a week or every other week, I no longer need to spend money on barbers or on hair wax, I'm embracing the lack of hair. I do need hats on sunny days though as my skin is pretty Irish (Irish mother, I'm 90% freckles).
Ok, here goes.
Stage 1, minoxidil. Unbranded works as well as branded. Twice a day and it does slow things down. It's the only reasonable way as the hormone adjusting pills are something to stay away from.
Minoxidil slows hair loss down, is clearly backed by evidence, but isn't magic and works differently for everyone. It helped me for 3 or 4 years from around 30, then age told!
The shampoo is nonsense. Just no evidence of anything. Don't even consider plugs. You'll keep thinning, it looks rubbish and fluffy and scars so you can't shave it.
Stage 2: Then, for heaven's sake, shave it. I'll let you into a secret: no one cares about your hair, only you! Just get some decent clippers and do it before it gets awkward. Full head of hair looks good, a shaved head looks good, in between not so good.
To look your best though make sure you do a few things:
- Have a bit of colour in your skin, especially if you you have dark hair. This avoids looking like you have the Big C, and just blends in with your stubble way better. We're not taking the full Dale Winton here, just get a bit of sun (but don't burn, ever, to avoid old man liver spots).
- It helps if you carry a bit of muscle/be good and lean. Weedy and bald ain't a good look. Mo Farah and Statham both look good and are both in shape. Peter Ebdon, Moby and Jeff Bezos, not so much.
- have a bit of face stubble if you can. It just works better and avoids the total cue ball look.
- dress well. A shaved head is sharp and so scruffy doesn't work so well.
- This also goes for your teeth. Yellow or brown teeth age your face hugely. Either get them sensibly bleached (no Jedward or Katie Price) or get some crest supreme Whitestrips and do it yourself gradually. This really helps.
And I repeat, no one else cares about your hair. People do care though about how you "look" overall.
Looking good is always, well, good! I like how I look better at 40 with no hair than 30 with.
As above, it's not an illness, it's just what happens to some people. And, even if you found something that works then everyone you know will see your hair return and they will all think you are vain.
Any suggestions how I get it done and continue to live a nice quiet life?
Just point out that any attempt by you to dictate how she has her hair styled/coloured is likely to be met with a hard, stony stare, at the very least, so you expect the same freedom to do the same.
It is, after all, what equality is supposed to be about, n’est est pas?
I did not consult my partner before attacking my messy hair with my beard trimmer, any more than she consults me, although she was a bit concerned before getting it cut short a while back, and asked me about it, but only because she has a large scar on the side of her head from an emergency operation and was worried about what people might say.
I just reassured her that most people won’t even notice or comment. I was right, she has it short now.
I recommend Baldcafe on YouTube if you need a bit of motivational help with just shaving it. I'd been putting it of for 10 years, and feel so much happier that it's now gone and is no longer a background anxiety.
I’d been putting it of for 10 years, and feel so much happier that it’s now gone and is no longer a background anxiety.
Pretty much this, tbh.
– It helps if you carry a bit of muscle/be good and lean. Weedy and bald ain’t a good look. Mo Farah and Statham both look good and are both in shape. Peter Ebdon, Moby and Jeff Bezos, not so much.
Have you seen Jeff recently? He has become 'hench'.
Got a hot new wife to keep up with. The old look, not so good.
Let it be a lesson....
Started thinning in my early 20s. By age 30 it was no 2 all over, by age 40 wet shave. In my younger years it did cause a great deal of stress and confidence issues however as others have pointed out, taking care of your physical well-being and dressing well will make a massive difference.
Age 54 now and pretty comfortable in my own skin apart from the "lockdown weight gain".
Eat more fish! No kid. It may not work but your mrs might be cheered up.
Embrace the one true haircut
As already said don't mess about with half measures, no blade or number 1, you'll be suprised that no one cares after the 1st week.
Get out in the sun to get some colour on your head, if your that desparate for hair you can be like the rest of us and grow a beard.
Wooly hats, beanies for the winter win.
Let the remaining hair grow.. put it in a "bobble" pony tail style.. her indoors will "cave" in a matter of days.
Then a number 1.
If you go to places like Serbia and Bosnia most men have thick vigorous hair.
GP has put me on Finasteride to shrink my prostate. One of the side effects is reappearance of lost hair, which can take 6 months. So I'll be checking in the mirror in March.
The thing is, a buzz cut might not be what you wanted, but it's not like it's anything to worry about. Sex symbols, movie stars, action heroes are all available with the same hairdo. Doesn't do them any harm in the coolness stakes.