Bald Gracefully or Take Meds?

[Nilsson]

For the past year or so, I have watched my hair for signs of male pattern baldness. My mother's father was bald, so it was always a possibility. I am 25 years old.


A few months ago, I joined the military and shaved my head bare for basic training. Now I am letting it grow in again, but I am worried about the density of hair I'm seeing! I have considered Rogaine, Finasteride and Nizoral ("the big 3"), but I am weary of the shedding and potential side effects. So far, I have only been taking Saw Palmetto for the past year as a preventative and currently take 585mg twice daily. I have also thought about a hair transplant, but I don't really know much about the procedure.


My question is this:


Are the pains of hair regrowth trial and error, potential shedding, and physical side effects worth the struggle - or should I simply accept my situation and bald gracefully like a Bruce Willis, Jude Law, Jason Statham badass? I have to keep my hair short for the military anyway. Check the pictures attached and give me your thoughts!


TLDR: Give me advice on whether to start treatment or figure out how to look good balding. :lost:

 

[dreamermerlin]

I would advise you to start finasteride.
Your hair isn't as bad, just small thinning, and you still have most of your hairline.
When you will loose the hairline, it may bother you, it changes your overall appearance.
There is some big difference in looks between buzzed and bald.

Oh, and if you aren't scared of geting bald permanently, why would you be scared about shedding, which will be only temporary, and you wouldn't even notice it that much, if you keep your hair short??

So i advise you trying finasteride, it would keep your hair in this actual state, and even slightly improve it over the years.
If you keep it short, it looks good, and you don't need rogaine for more density, but you can add that.

 

[Spanishlad]

If you can just accept it and live with it, then that is the simplest option but its easier said than done. If you cant do that then meds are your best bet and the earlier you start the better. keep in mind that most transplant docs will want you to be on finasteride anyway.

 

[Nilsson]

What would you all recommend to maintain the hair that I've got - just Finasteride or Nizoral as well?

I am happy with the way I look now, but it would be nice to prevent things from getting worse. I really want to avoid anything with heavy side effects. Shedding seems unpleasant too as I don't want to draw attention to the fact that I am balding and/or trying to prevent it.

 

[talmoode]

hi ! shedding or not, if you are destined to go bald (family history?), your hair will fall out anyway! and without any meds, it will come quick. I am not saying that you would be going completely bald if you didn't do anything about it! You may maintain what you've got on your head for the next 30 years or so. Who knows?
If The Big Three helps even tiny bit without any unpleasant sides, that's still worth a short!

Also if you want to see if you would look good with a bald head, shave your head (with a hair clipper 0 guard) ?

 

[Nilsson]

I'm not sure that I will go completely bald if untreated. My maternal grandfather was already almost totally bald by my age, and I am just beginning to show signs. Maybe it will never get worse - who knows.

I am worried about permanent side effects of the big 3. I almost convinced myself to order some Finasteride - by the way, can anyone recommend a safe place to get some online? I am away for training and cannot really see a dermatologist - but I came across too many horror stories about permanent impotence and awful side effects.

What about natural alternatives? Do Saw Palmetto, Pygeum, Pumpkin Seed Oil or Nettle Root work for any of you? Thanks for the input everyone!

 

[Mr White]

It's your decision and your decision alone.

If you feel fine with it, great. If not, at least you know what do and you won't be wasting your money. I strongly recommend, however, that you consult a dermatologist before starting any treatment.

 

[dreamermerlin]

The age at your father/grandpa began balding or was full bald is not so important.
If he was bald at 25 and you only show signs at this age, you can get very well complete bald in a couple of years.
There is no direct connection between the ages.

 

[vic20]

The age at your father/grandpa began balding or was full bald is not so important.
If he was bald at 25 and you only show signs at this age, you can get very well complete bald in a couple of years.
There is no direct connection between the ages.

That's interesting.

Are you saying that the age any family members with male pattern baldness started balding is irrelevant?

So if my father is the only one with crown thinning in my entire extended family both sides, and it started for him at 40, it could start for me at 20?

 

[Spanishlad]

The internet is full of horror stories but you have to keep in mind that the people who take meds without any problems just get on with their lives and dont bother posting on forums. Side effects are real but they are also rare in clinical studies the incidence of sides was around 2%.

I prefer to believe controlled studies over random people on the web. Ive been on the big three for 5 years now with no problems.

 

[what]

According to Jack Donaghy, balding with dignity is a myth, much like the Yeti or his north american counterpart the Sasquatch.