Bald Head Looks Different In Mirrors And Lighting: Help Sought

[Nuntius]

Hi Guys. I think I am going slowly mad and wonder if anyone can help me (serious comments please). My hair on top is now extremely thin and the skull is showing through. What I see I don't like, as my skull goes up (from a high forehead) and is not even. When I look in a mirror with a back light I can see what looks like a large uneven egg. It makes me feel physically sick to look at myself. But when I look in other mirrors with the light full on or overhead, I don't look so bad. So here's the thing: I can't work out how other people see me most of the time (at least). I have tried taking photos, but they seem to vary as much as the mirrors and both depend on lighting, which of course varies all the time (including daylight). My friends say I look fine; I don't think they get the point. And anyway, I still have some hair left (though not for much longer). I live in London and wonder if there is someone out there who specializes in the cosmetics of being bald and can give me some tips on how to dampen down how light falls on the head: that sort of thing? And make me look less odd. Has anyone consulted a professional on this issue, or can give me any tips. It is driving me mad. I must look in mirrors 50 times a day. Thanks

 

[Saurabhaj]

Mentioning age is very important while opening up,as it helps the forum to understand.

 

[Nuntius]

Mentioning age is very important while opening up,as it helps the forum to understand.

I'm 57 and have been losing my hair since I was 24. I am coming to the end of the road with it. I am not too fussed by balding per se: though obviously I'd prefer to have hair (and I do get a bit miffed by some commentators who think just because you are middle aged you shouldn't find balding very distressing). My issue is with the shape of my skull. I'd love to shave it all off and get on with my life: but my skull shape is wrong for that. So I'd like some cosmetic advice on how to improve the fact it is uneven: the key is how the light falls. Sadly, I can't do much about the fact my skull goes up. And I know surgery can't help.

 

[Derminator]

You could always try toppik, usually when it's thin and only looks bad in certain lighting, a bit of concealer would do the trick.

Biggest downside of using it is that you need to apply it all the time you go out, which a lot of people get tired of. However it sounds like you're willing to spend some time fixing your head so this might be for you.

 

[Nuntius]

You could always try toppik, usually when it's thin and only looks bad in certain lighting, a bit of concealer would do the trick.

Biggest downside of using it is that you need to apply it all the time you go out, which a lot of people get tired of. However it sounds like you're willing to spend some time fixing your head so this might be for you.

Thanks for the suggestion. My concern with toppik is that I think it depends on having some hair for the fibers to attach to? My hair is going fast. I saw a guy a few weeks back who had obviously covered his head and it looked very odd. I suspect it works best for small bald patches: but may be wrong. Am increasingly attracted to wearing headgear until something comes to my rescue: JAK inhibitors or hair cloning. On the latter I should have enough in the horseshoe at the back (though this has receded a lot). If it were available now I would go for it like a shot. Sadly, still a few years away. I believe it just (might) be commercially available in Japan from next year: but will initially only be for people based there. But if it does launch in 2020 (a big if) at least I will have some cause for hope. Am fortunate to have quite a bit of money saved for this as it won't come cheap: at least not at first. (PS I urge everyone to consider putting in the minimum £100 to the UK's HairClone crowdfunding call: there is still just time. https://capitalcell.co.uk/campaign/hairclone/ a small sum that just might bring you a big return, and is in an excellent cause). Thanks again for your suggestion.

 

[Derminator]

If you don't have enough hair to use toppik a dermatologist won't be able to help you either. Also there's no way you would look alright in certain mirrors if that were the case.

I'm diffusing really badly myself but if I let it grow out quite long, comb it properly, use toppik and spray everything in place I look very decent. Friends that knew about my issues thought I had a transplant. It's all just 1 big lie but whatever, better than staying inside all day.

 

[Nuntius]

I probably do have enough at the moment: my concern is getting used to toppik when it is receding so quickly. My real issue is with my skull, which goes up in a lump; and the way light falls on in (I can see this when lit from the back so know what is in store for me). Not sure if there are people who can advise on dampening down shine: that sort of thing, so that it will look less awful. Sadly, surgery is unlikely to be of much help. Augmentation is possible, but I could do with some reduction. I have enquired about bone burring, but am not putting too much faith in that. I hate losing my hair, but if I had a more symmetrical skull I would feel a hell of a lot better about it.

 

[soundnvision]

If you don't take finasteride or dutasteride you're gonna go bald simple.If you're losing hair as fast as you say you might aswell just shave it now there's no point delaying the pain.
You always have smp as an option.

 

[couldntthinkofaname]

noone is looking at your skullshape bro

hairloss under men is still pretty normal...even with weird head shapes...its not like balding men become freaks...

people wont point finger at you...


the problem is more that there are high chances you become sexually invisible...

 

[Nuntius]

If you don't take finasteride or dutasteride you're gonna go bald simple.If you're losing hair as fast as you say you might aswell just shave it now there's no point delaying the pain.
You always have smp as an option.

In fact I've been on finesteride for almost two years along with minoxidil: but after 34 years of gradual loss, nothing seems to be stopping it shed. Have considered dutasteride, but finasteride gives me periodic aches in the testicles. Usually goes away if I cut down to 0.5 for a couple of days. But am very nervous about dutasteride as it stays in the body for several days. I plan to use hats quite a bit until there is a cure. I think we will have cloning within next few years. Fortunately am quite well off and don;t have to work, so at least I can please myself. Thank God this didn't happen to me when younger. It's bad enough going bald, but if your head is the wrong shape for it as well you get a double whammy.

 

[Derminator]

You're a bit all over the place. You're scared of getting used to toppik but you mentioned a couple times that you expect there to be a cure soon.

It's fairly simple to be frank. You still have enough hair to use toppik, if you're receding very aggressively then yes, there's gonna be a point where toppik no longer helps you. But if you're at that point, no other cosmetic trick is gonna help anymore.

It seems like you're just worried about losing your hair in general like all of us, which is totally fine but all this obsession about the way light falls in certain situation is just a bit ridiculous and besides the point. But then again we've all been there, I still look for the darkest chair at the table whenever I go eat out with friends .

 

[Night]

Personally if I was in your shoes, if everything your saying is correct, I'd look into a high quality hair system. If you have been balding for over half your life and you only started treatment 2 years ago, safe bet that your only options left are a transplant or a hair system.

 

[xetrys]

Hi Guys. I think I am going slowly mad and wonder if anyone can help me (serious comments please). My hair on top is now extremely thin and the skull is showing through. What I see I don't like, as my skull goes up (from a high forehead) and is not even. When I look in a mirror with a back light I can see what looks like a large uneven egg. It makes me feel physically sick to look at myself. But when I look in other mirrors with the light full on or overhead, I don't look so bad. So here's the thing: I can't work out how other people see me most of the time (at least). I have tried taking photos, but they seem to vary as much as the mirrors and both depend on lighting, which of course varies all the time (including daylight). My friends say I look fine; I don't think they get the point. And anyway, I still have some hair left (though not for much longer). I live in London and wonder if there is someone out there who specializes in the cosmetics of being bald and can give me some tips on how to dampen down how light falls on the head: that sort of thing? And make me look less odd. Has anyone consulted a professional on this issue, or can give me any tips. It is driving me mad. I must look in mirrors 50 times a day. Thanks

Sounds like obsessive behavior to me, and by looking in the mirror time and time again you are keeping the cycle in check (compulsion). The vast majority doesn't gives a sh*t about what you look like. So what if your head is a little asymmetrical? Odds are that your eyes, eyebrows, nose etc are too, life isn't perfectly symmetrical. There's no such thing as 'controlling how light falls on your head'. Embrace your head.

Look I get it. I'm 24, forced to shave/buzz and my head shape isn't optimal either. I have an asymmetrical bump on the front top of my head. But honestly, sometimes I doubt people notice, because I don't notice it either if I'm not paying attention to it.

I would advise you to either consult a professional and learn to accept yourself, try hair replacement or a combination of the two. I wouldn't wait for hair cloning to 'come out', widely available and affordable. Obviously a wish for many of us but if this is getting to you so much I would act on it now and not wait for something that isn't set in stone.