Thinning hair (pics incld) -- Shave it all or different cut?

[sp2012]

I'm 27/male and I have thinning hair that is typically noticeable on the front section as well as some thinning on the back, not far from the cowlick. They say if you get a buzz cut, this would help out in terms of appearance, but honestly, I don't think it did. The buzz cut I got was with electric razor/trimmer #2 all-over (sides, back, and top). And some idiot asked me why I got my hair cut like that, because even though it was cut all the same length, there's thinning on top so it seems more like the sides and back are a little longer as everything grows back.

So I tried something else... #2 on sides and back, and cut the top a little bit with scissors in order to make it seem like more is on top. And.... not working out so well either, You can still see the damn thinning and I'm getting frustrated.

Lately, I've been considering shaving everything completely off, but I've never done it before and I'm not sure if I will look stupid or not. So that's a risk. I don't know what other hair styles to choose?

Here are my recent pics:
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/1435/photo3pm.jpg
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8669/photo4ac.jpg
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/623/photo5en.jpg
http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/3685/photo3da.jpg

 

[Man in Space]

Hey Sp2012,
Your hair loss does seem like it would be particulaly difficult to style because it appears so dense in places it kind of emphasises the thinning areas. Have you tried concealers yet? If not it may be worth giving them a go as You appear to have enough at the front to be able to give the illusion of fullness with them. I would also say that from what ive read, buzzing it yourself appears to be an art in itself so maybe just keep experimenting with it, it does seem that although it is thinning, you do have enough hair to give yourself a frame with a very short buzz. you can always shave it clean if these options dont work.

 

[antman]

hey sp2012

having thin wisps of hair under the age of 40 looks bad imo; better to shave/buzz or cut short with the use of concealers. i would experience with concealers first.

 

[hairhoper]

So your choices are really to shave much shorter all over... you're talking about #2 buzz but really I think it needs to be no-guard (which is like a 0.5). You should still get a bit of shadow from your thinning area so you won't look totally bald.

(I personally tried this for about 8 months and got a lot of compliments. I just got bored of the look after a while).

or...

Buzz short back and side (#2), scissor cut pretty short on top and use concealers as the guys above are suggesting.

I would try both to be honest and see which you prefer. Good luck dude.

 

[hairhoper]

(sry, double post)

 

[sp2012]

Hmm, interesting advice. Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question... but what exactly are concealers? I think I've heard of something in terms of make-up/cosmetics thats called that, but never for hair/hair loss?

 

[sp2012]

So your choices are really to shave much shorter all over... you're talking about #2 buzz but really I think it needs to be no-guard (which is like a 0.5). You should still get a bit of shadow from your thinning area so you won't look totally bald.

(I personally tried this for about 8 months and got a lot of compliments. I just got bored of the look after a while).

or...

Buzz short back and side (#2), scissor cut pretty short on top and use concealers as the guys above are suggesting.

I would try both to be honest and see which you prefer. Good luck dude.

Hairhoper,

How short does # 0.5 look? Is that like borderline shaved-off completely?

 

[Man in Space]

Concealers are a product used to specifically conceal hairloss. They are micro fibres which cling to your hair, you sprinkle them on. Familiar brand names are Toppik and Nanogen. There is a forum on this website dedicated to them so perhaps do some research there, or check out youtube, they work to conceal hairloss provided you have some coverage which you do. I agree with hairhoper, buzz it down shorter and get some concealers and I think you will be in a better position. Not ideal, but better.

 

[hairhoper]

So your choices are really to shave much shorter all over... you're talking about #2 buzz but really I think it needs to be no-guard (which is like a 0.5). You should still get a bit of shadow from your thinning area so you won't look totally bald.

(I personally tried this for about 8 months and got a lot of compliments. I just got bored of the look after a while).

or...

Buzz short back and side (#2), scissor cut pretty short on top and use concealers as the guys above are suggesting.

I would try both to be honest and see which you prefer. Good luck dude.

Hairhoper,

How short does # 0.5 look? Is that like borderline shaved-off completely?

Yes. It'd be pretty radical the first time you did it and it obviously doesn't suit everyone. You could try a #1 first or something. I just found it easier to shave it myself no-guard. I don't actually know if you can ask for a 0.5 in a hairdresser's

 

[2020]

uhm, is using big 3 out of the question?

 

[sp2012]

uhm, is using big 3 out of the question?

I used to get #3 and #2 all over for almost all my life, it was one of my favorite cuts because it was so low maintenance and looked cool on me.

Here's the issue with these short buzz cuts (1, 2, and 3) in terms of my hair loss.... Back in August, the last time I got a buzz cut, it was #2 all over. About a month later, it was still growing back and someone younger than myself commented "Why do you get your hair cut like that?"

The question boggled my mind because it's not like I picked an unusual haircut. Buzz and crew cuts are pretty much widespread, heck look at Jason Statham for starters. Even most rappers and R&B singers get it cut short at that length. So what's the big deal?

Then he said that I was acting as if I have a hairline (referring to my thinning in the front, I figured). So later on, I looked at my hair from different angles with a nicely sized portable mirror combined with the cabinet mirror in the bathroom. Then I saw what this person was talking about....

As my hair was growing back from the #2 buzz cut, it looked thicker on the sides, back, and crown but thinner on the top/front... I guess you can call that "uneven", I suppose? Mind you, my hair was cut the same length all over my head (#2) but due to the fact I had thinned on the top/front, it gave the appearance of #2 on top and #3 on sides/back (okay, maybe #2.5 actually)... if you catch my drift.

I know probably the best answer for this is to keep getting #2 or #1 haircut more frequent like every 2 weeks as opposed to waiting a month (as I was), that way this wouldn't be more noticeable.

Maybe I should get #2 on top but have the sides and back faded extra short but blending where it meets the top part?

Another thing I noticed when I get these buzz cuts.... When I used to ask for #1, the barber usually says to me "Are you sure? That's very close, you should go with something like #2 or #3". I don't know why he brings this up, is he implying that #1 would make thinning more obvious or something?

 

[Man in Space]

uhm, is using big 3 out of the question?

SP he means the big 3 drug treatments for hair loss, Finesteride, Minoxidil and Nizoral.