I am going bald. What should I do?

[ananag112]

Hey CAGs,

I am 20 years old, and I am starting to get bald. Its not too bad yet, but I think it will get worse in a few years. What should I do about it? Is there any over the counter treatment for it that works (like Rogaine)? Should I go to a doctor about it? Should I shave my head and deal with it like CheapyD?

Thanks for the help :).

[tiredfornow]

Just shave your head and deal with it.... like CheapyD.


I'm sure Cheapy has hair though.. he could just kinda clench his fists together and spurt out an afro with his magical powers.

[Hex]

Watch me point and laugh as I relish in my full head of lucious hair. :)

[neocisco]

Are you balding on the scalp or on the front? If it's the scalp then shave it /buzz it when it's time. If it's the front then you might have options for a while. DO NOT pay for any type of treatments. Just accept it.

[bmsdaddy]

Seeing a doctor to make sure it isn't being caused by a disease or something probably isn't a bad idea. Most likely you are just SOL with your hair though. Rogaine may work but you will have to use it for the rest of your life if you want to keep any hair it grows. Just shave it if it bothers you that much.

[ananag112]

Watch me point and laugh as I relish in my full head of lucious hair. :)

I am sure there will be a cure for male pattern baldness within my life time, so you may not be laughing for long :).

Are you balding on the scalp or on the front? If it's the scalp then shave it /buzz it when it's time. If it's the front then you might have options for a while. DO NOT pay for any type of treatments. Just accept it.

Yeah, its the scalp.

[Hex]

I am sure there will be a cure for male pattern baldness within my life time, so you may not be laughing for long :).

You're probably right. Having my hair in ponytails 90% of the time can't help either.

[neocisco]

When it gets to a point where it's too much for you just go with a good buzz (the kind you get with clippers, not beer;)).

[ananag112]

Seeing a doctor to make sure it isn't being caused by a disease or something probably isn't a bad idea. Most likely you are just SOL with your hair though. Rogaine may work but you will have to use it for the rest of your life if you want to keep any hair it grows. Just shave it if it bothers you that much.

What type of doctor deals with this type of stuff BTW?

[Liquid 2]

Grow out what hair you have left and make yourself an epic comb over.

[Ikohn4ever]

shave it from your back and put it on your head

[neocisco]

You're probably right. Having my hair in ponytails 90% of the time can't help either.

That definitely doesn't help. All of that constant pulling and tension puts a heavy strain on your hair follicles.

[Rusty Ghia]

I asked my doctor the same question. His answer? You'll be on the medication for the rest of your life, and since it is an androgen inhibitor, could cause impotency and decreased libido. And if you ever stop, your hair will fall out very quickly.

I think that I'll just let myself go bald instead.

[lmz00]

Just shave it like Kurt Angle and Shaq.

[Chitown021]

This thread reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where Elaine dates that dude that had a full head of hair but shaved because he used to swim. She sees his DL picture and so he tries to grow his hair but learns he's going bald. She then sends him to talk to George...

I'm in the same boat OP, started losing my hair at about 20. 10 years later I've still got troops manning the sides but the top of my head has surrendered. I generally go the buzzcut route. I probably should just shave the whole thing but I just can't bring mysef to do it.

[Brak]

Fill in the bald spots with marker.

[Chitown021]

Fill in the bald spots with marker.


OR go for the spray on hair in a can...;)

[Apossum]

dunno...maybe hair transplants?

[Stoneage]

This thread reminds me of that Seinfeld episode where Elaine dates that dude that had a full head of hair but shaved because he used to swim. She sees his DL picture and so he tries to grow his hair but learns he's going bald. She then sends him to talk to George...
KURT: How long do I have?

GEORGE (solemnly): 14 months. Maybe 10.

KURT: Is there anything I can do?

GEORGE: Yes. Live, dammit. Live! Every precious moment as if this was the last year of your life. Because in many ways...it is.

[Pancake Rabbit]

KURT: How long do I have?

GEORGE (solemnly): 14 months. Maybe 10.

KURT: Is there anything I can do?

GEORGE: Yes. Live, dammit. Live! Every precious moment as if this was the last year of your life. Because in many ways...it is.

:rofl: classic Costanza.

OP just go for an epic comb over like previously suggested.

[Magehart]

Hats and epic combover FTW

[Chitown021]

:rofl: classic Costanza.

OP just go for an epic comb over like previously suggested.


LOL yeah just like Tony Cornholer tries to do on MNF. Someone needs to slap him and tell him "hey dumbass you're not fooling anyone combing over your 3 remaining hairs!"


Or go for the Snickers toupee...
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u209/Chitown021/snickers_hair.jpg

[DesertEagleXIX]

Just accept it's testosterone that's making you lose your hair. Shave your head and point at those 'full-faired wussies'.

[DT778]

beard combover

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3803/sierramisthair1qg0.jpg

[-Never4ever-]

I hate having big bushels of hair, I like to keep it super-short. Hell, I'd even shave myself bald if it wasn't for the nasty scar on the back of my head.

[KingDox]

Just shave your head and deal with it.... like CheapyD.


I'm sure Cheapy has hair though.. he could just kinda clench his fists together and spurt out an afro with his magical powers.

Yes, your better off cutting it super short or just all off. Put that money you would have spend on treatment/haircuts and put it twards a gym membership.

Its better to be a in shape bald guy then a fat guy with hair.

[oogravyoo]

I started losing my hair at 20.. I shave my head and honestly dont miss my hair at all.. shaved head = easy..

[Chika]

What type of doctor deals with this type of stuff BTW?
i'd start with your regular doctor. he might refer you to an endocrinologist for homone level tests. from university of iowa:

"Balding or hair loss in both men and women is sometimes due to disease. Hair loss can occur with excessive weight gain or loss in a short period of time or when recovering from a high fever. Hair loss may occur when taking anti-cancer medications. Anemia due to lack of iron, can cause some hair loss. Hair loss can result from an over-or under-productive thyroid gland.
In general, though, most cases of hair loss are not due to an illness or a medical condition. Male pattern baldness affects over 20 million men in the United States. One in four men begins to go bald by age thirty. By age sixty, 2 out of 3 men are bald.


Women can get male pattern baldness, too, but it is not as common. This runs in families and usually comes from the mother's side of the family. If you are a man and want to know if you are likely to go bald, look at your mother's father to get your best guess. Hair has a limited life span. The normal growing phase of a hair follicle can last up to 5 years before the hair is dislodged by new hair growth. In male pattern baldness, when a hair falls out, a new one does not start to grow. This usually happens above the forehead, giving the familiar receding hairline look. It also happens at the crown of the head. Over time, the bald spots increase in size until the entire top of the head is bald and there is only hair on the sides of the head.


There are 2 medications approved to treat balding. The first is minoxidil, which is applied directly to the scalp. It helps slow the balding in most men. In about 10 percent of men, it makes a dramatic difference and starts new hair growth. It may work best in men in their twenties and thirties who are just beginning to bald. It may take as long as a year to find out how well this medication works. The ongoing treatments can be expensive and if treatment is stopped, hair loss will begin again. The second medication is finasteride, which is taken orally. Finasteride blocks the action of a form of testosterone that appears to cause hair loss. It stops hair loss in over 80 percent of men, and starts new hair growth in about 50 percent. It may take up to a year to see results. Hair growth stops and balding resumes if the finasteride is discontinued.


Other medical options are the punch graft hair transfer, which takes little tufts of hair from the back of the head and moves them to the front or top of the scalp. Scalp reduction is a surgical approach where the surgeon actually moves the back of the scalp up to the crown of the head. The most popular non-medical option is a hairpiece.


With advancing age, hair naturally becomes finer and shorter. As hair thins, it becomes flatter and oilier. Excessive oil clogs pores and causes malnutrition of the hair root. This can perpetuate hair loss. Most healthcare providers agree that if you have an oily scalp with thinning hair, frequent shampooing is advised.


If you have sudden hair loss, especially if you notice lots of hair on your pillow when you get up in the morning, contact your primary healthcare provider for a checkup. Health insurance does not usually cover most treatments for baldness.


Last Reviewed 2005
Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIL File MENS4761.rf2 VRS# 7807 Data Version 7.0 Copyright 1998, 2003 McKesson Health Solutions LLC. All rights reserved."

[thegarageband]

Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Am I So Bald?

[rscaramelo]

I was dealing with this a couple of years ago when I turned 30. I'm slowly having this monk look back there. My solution is to just cut it very short with some clippers once a month. I'd shave it but the wife won't let me :) .

Shit happens, it's just hair.

RC

[Maklershed]

Hey CAGs,

I am 20 years old, and I am starting to get bald. Its not too bad yet, but I think it will get worse in a few years. What should I do about it? Is there any over the counter treatment for it that works (like Rogaine)? Should I go to a doctor about it? Should I shave my head and deal with it like CheapyD?

Thanks for the help :).

As a person that went bald at 17, I recommend you cry and when you've dried your eyes, shave your damn head and never look back. It sucks being bald so young but it saves a shit load of time in the morning with not having to comb it or buy hair products or having to pay for and deal with haircuts. Plus, as long as your head isnt mishaped or you have weird scars, I find that most people dig the shaved head (or they've been lying to me :lol:).

As an aside, I feel my hair loss coincided with taking acutane. So I blame it on that. Are you taking any medication that might be causing this? And what is the status of the hair of your grandfather on your moms side?

[masked lemon]

I'm in the same boat, 28, and receding hairline like a motherfucker.

I use a #1 clip on the clippers, and buzz it all off. My girl loves it like that, so I win.

[shieryda]

"If you're bald in front, you're a thinker.

If you're bald in back, you're a lover.

If you're bald all over, you just think you're a lover."

Seriously, though. Rogaine works (get generic, if you can), but you gotta keep up with that shit once you start. It typically takes a few weeks to see any improvement, and at around $12 per bottle, it can add up. It doesn't qualify as a flexible spending item, so you can't get reimbursed for it.

Worst case is that you just grow out a skullet.

[GuilewasNK]

Shave your head and deal with it. Like me.

Besides, it beats washing, drying, and buying product.

[AshesofWake]

my hair is starting to thin....i've decided to just shave it all off when i start to go really bald. Not going to be a very good look for me since i have extremely bushy eyebrows

[lmz00]

I'm in the same boat, 28, and receding hairline like a motherfucker.

I use a #1 clip on the clippers, and buzz it all off. My girl loves it like that, so I win.
It's all about #0, which I've been using since I was like 13-14 (just turned 20 yesterday). I just got tired of having (long) hair. And by "long," I mean anything longer than #2 on the clippers would result in. The only downside is having to pay $9.95 at Just-a-Cut every two weeks. I'm not saying I want to go bald, but it's nice not having to comb my hair and put gel in it every morning. And being able to put my head down or try on hats and whatnot without having to worry about getting my hair messed up. Be prepared for everyone wanting to touch your head, though.

[Cry Havoc]

It's all about #0, which I've been using since I was like 13-14 (just turned 20 yesterday). I just got tired of having (long) hair. And by "long," I mean anything longer than #2 on the clippers would result in. The only downside is having to pay $9.95 at Just-a-Cut every two weeks. I'm not saying I want to go bald, but it's nice not having to comb my hair and put gel in it every morning. And being able to put my head down or try on hats and whatnot without having to worry about getting my hair messed up. Be prepared for everyone wanting to touch your head, though.

You pay someone to buzz your head every 2 weeks? Buy a set of clippers and save yourself some cash.

[Magehart]

Shave your head and deal with it. Like me.

Besides, it beats washing, drying, and buying product.

What about the wax to make it nice and shiny? :D

[GuilewasNK]

What about the wax to make it nice and shiny? :D

I do use a little oil, but other that that all I do is take some hair removal cream, rub that stuff in and wipe it off. Instant chrome dome.