So my hairline has been receding since I was 16. I'm now 24 and have reached the stage of hair loss in what I would consider a late Norwood Class II, beginning Norwood class III. Although not visible to the naked eye, my vertex and top are just beginning to thin and is clear under intense bright light. My temples are fully receded and my middle frontal have begun thinning.
I've been depressed and riddled with anxiety attacks over the years because of my condition. When I was 20, it was so bad that I failed an entire semester of college courses. It was then that I decided to become proactive and have been on a daily regimen of minoxidil and propecia since. It saved a good deal of my hair, my self esteem went up and I was even able to save the damage of my classes. I'm proud to say I'll be graduating with a degree in engineering next month.
In the past few months however, the drugs have indeed begun losing effect and since then, I've taken a serious reevaluation of my life, my thoughts and ideas. Although I'm still hurt that I'm balding, fearful of how I'll look and how others will treat me in the future, I'm not as devastated about it as I once was.
I'm posting this today to ask you guys for advice and feedback. I trust you all more than others on the internet who would pray on my vulnerability in the fact that we are all brothers, united in the struggle dealing with hair loss. I've attached some pics of myself at different views (Top, frontal underneath light, side, hair held back, etc). I apologize if the photos do not provide enough justification in the severity of my claimed hair loss description. The camera is low quality and the lighting is not as bright.
1) I'd like to know if based on the photos of myself, whether it appears that I may have a decent shaped head for shaving. I feel like my features are soft and my face is oval so I'm worried I may not pull it off. You never really realize how well your hair frames your face until it starts going. Do I have what it takes to pull off a bald badass look? Or a sexy bald look? Or do I at least have what it takes to look decent with a shaved head? I'd like to think I have a handsome face with or without hair but I might just be in denial. Otherwise, would I be better off with a wig or hell, even a cap? If needed, I can try taking more photos of my head later.
2) Based on my photos, would now be a good time to begin shaving my head or am I able to continue having hair at that length with my current level of hairline recession. I'm very horrible at observations and I honestly can't tell from looking at my own reflection. Or perhaps I should keep it short to a #1 or #2 on the buzzer?
3) Not a very serious question, but should someone like me consider a hair transplant in the long run? I personally considered it during my early years of college with the "I'm gonna get it all back once I have a job with money" mentality. Today, not so much because I don't know if I may end up a NWVII especially if I'm 24 and at a NWIII now. I heard early this year that scientists have successfully cloned the dermal papillae though not the epithelial cells required for a potential cure in baldness. I'd like to believe that hair follicle neogenesis will be available within 5-10 years, but I'd rather not waste my life on 'hope' and try to accept myself with a shaved head.
I'd really appreciate honest genuine feedback and thank you for reading my post. If you guys need support, especially you guys going through this around my age, you can always PM me. Thank you.
I've been depressed and riddled with anxiety attacks over the years because of my condition. When I was 20, it was so bad that I failed an entire semester of college courses. It was then that I decided to become proactive and have been on a daily regimen of minoxidil and propecia since. It saved a good deal of my hair, my self esteem went up and I was even able to save the damage of my classes. I'm proud to say I'll be graduating with a degree in engineering next month.
In the past few months however, the drugs have indeed begun losing effect and since then, I've taken a serious reevaluation of my life, my thoughts and ideas. Although I'm still hurt that I'm balding, fearful of how I'll look and how others will treat me in the future, I'm not as devastated about it as I once was.
I'm posting this today to ask you guys for advice and feedback. I trust you all more than others on the internet who would pray on my vulnerability in the fact that we are all brothers, united in the struggle dealing with hair loss. I've attached some pics of myself at different views (Top, frontal underneath light, side, hair held back, etc). I apologize if the photos do not provide enough justification in the severity of my claimed hair loss description. The camera is low quality and the lighting is not as bright.
1) I'd like to know if based on the photos of myself, whether it appears that I may have a decent shaped head for shaving. I feel like my features are soft and my face is oval so I'm worried I may not pull it off. You never really realize how well your hair frames your face until it starts going. Do I have what it takes to pull off a bald badass look? Or a sexy bald look? Or do I at least have what it takes to look decent with a shaved head? I'd like to think I have a handsome face with or without hair but I might just be in denial. Otherwise, would I be better off with a wig or hell, even a cap? If needed, I can try taking more photos of my head later.
2) Based on my photos, would now be a good time to begin shaving my head or am I able to continue having hair at that length with my current level of hairline recession. I'm very horrible at observations and I honestly can't tell from looking at my own reflection. Or perhaps I should keep it short to a #1 or #2 on the buzzer?
3) Not a very serious question, but should someone like me consider a hair transplant in the long run? I personally considered it during my early years of college with the "I'm gonna get it all back once I have a job with money" mentality. Today, not so much because I don't know if I may end up a NWVII especially if I'm 24 and at a NWIII now. I heard early this year that scientists have successfully cloned the dermal papillae though not the epithelial cells required for a potential cure in baldness. I'd like to believe that hair follicle neogenesis will be available within 5-10 years, but I'd rather not waste my life on 'hope' and try to accept myself with a shaved head.
I'd really appreciate honest genuine feedback and thank you for reading my post. If you guys need support, especially you guys going through this around my age, you can always PM me. Thank you.
