How has your life changed now that you have lost your hair and how has it affected your mental health?

I am pretty sure I am losing my hair now, but of course I don't know how much I will lose. I'm already considering becoming a hermit.

I am mostly bald on top. I don't like it at all and many people consider it unattractive. I think it's one of the reasons that I am treated badly by many people. Having back and shoulder hair doesn't help either.

Sadly, I am not a candidate for a hair transplant as my remaining hair is thin and there will be visible scars from a transplant. Also, dyeing the gray is not possible since my hair is so thin that it's possible to see through to the scalp making it impossible to hide roots. I find it best to keep my hair VERY short all around. I could not emotionally deal with shaving it all off and being totally bald especially as my head has on odd shape.

In my readings it has been recommended that bald guys develop muscle and stay fit to gain attractiveness. I have been considering growing a beard or goutee.

I apply suntan lotion everyday to the top of my head, forehead and the back of my neck to prevent skin cancer. I have asked my MD to prescribe propecia but they refused probably because of its sexual side-effects. I have not had results from minidoxil and understand that it works best towards the back of the top of the head and not in the front above the forehead where it's needed most.

My doc recommended propecia. I don't know about minoxodil because i'm not sure how to apply it . . .

I don't have any bald patches so i assume i would just try and spread it evenly over my head?

if i recall correctly, you will spread minidoxil only on those areas where you are losing your hear, not all over your head. there is now a minidoxil gel to make it easier to apply. not everyone sees results. however, there are no sexual side effects like there are with propecia.

I suddenly lost some hair during intense drug use...

stopped the drugs the hair seemed to stay BUT...

I don't trust it..

so I grow hair on my face instead just incase but bald is cool too.

I always shaved my head during a crisis...thought it let my brain breathe

[Koko2]

I just grow it out longer on the sides and do a comb over. I'm sure most people don't notice.

[DocClyde]

My Dad always grew his front hair longer--and then he combed it back. Always has combed it back.

Now that he has a bald spot, the hair covers it pretty well, but you can still see it's there.

Me and my brother though, have a huge receding hairline and had no way of combing anything back. I was thrilled when I was young and had no bangs anymore.

Now, I think, "Stupid kid"

[unior]

I'm 27 and getting some grays already! At least thats what my woman says...I'm in denial still.

Apparently, propecia can cause depression and suicidal thoughts in some men. See http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/08...hts/42778.html

I got a prescription for propecia today. I guess when I get paid I will get some, but I am going to look out for side effects.

My biggest worry for side effects is impotence, which according to who you listen to, is in the range of a 1 - 24% chance of occuring. Even though I'm a 34 year old virgin and am so far from having a girlfriend, I don't want to be impotent. I guess it's a self esteem thing.

I began losing hair [receding at temples] in my twenties. At 37 my long ponytail look was beginning to look silly so my ex said she'd shave my head if i liked. haha! Took a week or so to get used to it. Note: Do NOT do this in summer...if you're tanned at all the skin where your hair was will be TOTALLY white and you'll look silly for a few weeks for sure. Yes that's experience speaking.

Anyway now I maintain a once a week buzz with an electric clipper and I'm basically bald but for a millimeter or so. i have a goatee for fun and on a bad day look like a reject from the UFC. However that beats the alternative look by a mile in my opinion. gals who like it like it and that's enough for me. Saves on hair care and the accoutrements that go with it all. Stubble ain't no trubble baybuh. Try it and see...you can always grow it back to what it was. Common look for fellers who are not into the horizontal mohawk kinda middle aged look. I'll be shed till I'm dead....or shorn until mourn....somethin' like that. Give 'er!!

Originally Posted by Illegal Toilet

I got a prescription for propecia today. I guess when I get paid I will get some, but I am going to look out for side effects.

My biggest worry for side effects is impotence, which according to who you listen to, is in the range of a 1 - 24% chance of occuring. Even though I'm a 34 year old virgin and am so far from having a girlfriend, I don't want to be impotent. I guess it's a self esteem thing.

Do you work out? Joining a gym and lifiting weight will give you a bod that will attract the ladies regardless of whether you have hair on your head. Exercise is also good for one's mood. Have you given it a try?

Originally Posted by unhappyguy

Do you work out? Joining a gym and lifiting weight will give you a bod that will attract the ladies regardless of whether you have hair on your head. Exercise is also good for one's mood. Have you given it a try?

I have definitely given excercise a try this week and it's worked well for my depression. I get temporary relief from my worries, but also I think a sustained lift in my mood throughout the day.

I am still going to go on the propecia and will rely on that to maintain my hair for me. Might try minoxidil if my hair doesn't start coming back too.

[Timgt5]

I started going bald back in my 20's mostly gone on the top now, so I just cut it close. I agree with Unhappyguy that working out can boost self esteem among many other benefits. Appeal is in the attitude, a person who takes care of themselves and is self confident can have a lot of charisma regardless of what is or is not on the roof so to speak. Just think of yourself as a sporty convertable with the top down all the time.

[David Flora]

Because of the grim view men take towards hair loss, the subject has inevitably become surrounded by certain myths. The first is that hair loss derives from the maternal genes. This is not true -- your mother's side alone doesn't account for it all; it's more complicated than that. Furthermore, wearing hats or caps won't strangle your roots and lead to hair loss.

[Chrome Dome]

Theres nothing wrong with being bald. I shave my head with a razor 2 - 3 times a week and think it looks and feels great! Give it a try if you want. Think about it - some of the most desireable celebrities are bald, but chicks still think theyre sexy Dont be depressed over this, its not as big a deal as you think. Some women actually prefer bald men.

Personally, I find being almost bald to be very difficult.

Firstly, because of my light skin, I have to apply suntan lotion everyday that I plan on going outside. By the end of the day, it's in my eyes, making them tear up. It's a real pain.

I have an oddly shaped head. Need I say more?

Forget dyeing the grey - my arms and chest are covered in grey hair so there would be no believing that the hair on my head is really black or blonde or whatever.

I am not big enough or stocky enough or muscular enough to pull off the bald tough guy image. Likewise, my baby face does not say tough guy.

I find it very, very difficult being bald.

I've lost some hair recently... it would have bothered me at one time but I just don't think much about it. In a way it's a good thing... I have a slightly higher forehead now... I've heard that's supposed to be a sign of intelligence

[vinnyboombatz]

Don't be afraid to shave it!! I started losing my hair in my early 20's. When my brother got engaged I shaved it a few months before the wedding so I would "look good" for the photos. Stupid I know, but I have bee shaving it ever since and I love it. That was in 2002. I also have a goatee ,Not to mention it's cheaper to shave than to get a haircut once or twice a month!!!

[sallyjoseph]

For a year ago my dad using finpecia for their hair loss and see a good result of that.

[Koko2]

Originally Posted by vinnyboombatz

Don't be afraid to shave it!! I started losing my hair in my early 20's. When my brother got engaged I shaved it a few months before the wedding so I would "look good" for the photos. Stupid I know, but I have bee shaving it ever since and I love it. That was in 2002. I also have a goatee ,Not to mention it's cheaper to shave than to get a haircut once or twice a month!!!

A lot of men such as Michael Jordan and I think Andre Agassi just shave it all off and it works for them.

Originally Posted by Illegal Toilet

How has your life changed now that you have lost your hair and how has it affected your mental health?

I am pretty sure I am losing my hair now, but of course I don't know how much I will lose. I'm already considering becoming a hermit.

I still have a lot of hair but the hairline has receded noticeably and it does feel like I have less hair. Maybe I should get a hand mirror and check the back
Honestly the thought of losing my hair doesn't bother me much now although there was a time. I think the slow process would cause some problems and concern. I think it would bother me more to do combovers than to lose my hair completely.

[Webgoji]

I'm pretty much bald. Don't care. It makes it easier to get ready in the morning. Just wash my noggin when I take a shower and I'm outta there. I've always preferred being as low maintenance as possible so this makes it just that much easier.

[Mrwings101]

I thought I would be bald by 40 since my hair was falling out since I was 19. But I managed to still have hair at 51 but it is thinner. I guess it was a good thing That had thick straight hair. But if I was to go bald I would just shave my head. I always thought it would look funny to just have hair around the side of my head.