[Closed] so... you're going bald....

Yep, less is more my friend, time to go short!!! 🙂

just do it and never have to think about what you look like again

Dude, the time isn't 'coming', it's gone.

Same happened to me over 20 years ago in late 20s. Realised that my sharkie was actually looking like a comb-over/ephemeral nest of fluff.  Half the male side of the family have MPB.

Clippers. Set to zero.  No need to totally shave it all off, which is ironically a high-maintenance option.  Just super-short.  If you get bored and want to have  folicular fun grow beards, taches, etc. Or leave the 'island' when clipping.  You'll have a small nohawk.  Or go Terry Nutkin if you're really brave.   Anything is better than attempting to disguise it.  The anti-bald stigma of yesteryore is just not nearly so strong these days, so enjoy.

Bald is brave.  You'll be free of hair-anxiety.  Feels great in the pool too.  No snagging.  No grease.  No dandruff.  No barber-bills.  No fashion worries.  Clip, oil and go.

Edit:  in-before anyone else  😉

You'v already held onto your remaining hair for too long. Get busy with the graders.

my wife is in denial that there’s even a problem..

she's lying to you. She knows full well that if you could restore your luxuriant bouffant locks hoards of amorous women will beat the door down and drag you away. She wants to keep you ugly and keep her to herself. After all, who else is going to open jars if you're gone.

Free yourself of this tyranny. Buy a wig.

Definitely time to get the clippers out or a hair transplant.

I was not wealthy or vain enough for an hair transplant so now sport a 'No. 2' cut all over.

No need to shave your head totally. Its a bit of an overreaction where men loose a bit of hair and immediately go for a no2 crop. As long as you dont look like your trying to cover any baldness with tactical hair placement or hairspray its fine. A short crop can look very agro on some people, so yes you can go a bit shorter but keep a little bit on top to avoid that "Britain First" look.

Happy Birthday!

my wife is in denial that there’s even a problem

She sure is. Anyway, you know the score. Think of all the money saved at the barbers.

"interested to canvass female opinion"

On STW? Ha ha ha!!

Yes, get rid of it. But maybe wait until the weather warms up . . .

Yeah, just get the clippers on it. It'll look and feel much better.

I dream of such a fine mop of hair.

lol great thread. I'm going bald from an ever increasing spot on the crown of my head. My philisophy is... why worry?! you have a wife, you're getting older, wiser and hopefully richer, worry about things you can control.

I started going bald in my early to mid twenties. Got to mid thirties and I was looking like a monk! Got my then girlfriend now wife to shave it all off and been bald/shaven headed ever since. At the time it wasn't a common look (this was before the likes of David Beckham followed my lead 😉 ) so I got a lot of stares.

Clippers. Set to zero.

the trouble with clippers is you either have the head/face for it of you haven't. Work your way to zero rather than jump straight in. Too short is too short for me.  Around about a No4 works fine.

No2 makes me look like I've escaped from a secure unit

No1 makes me look like the guy tasked with making sure No2 doesn't escape again

No0 looks like it would never even cross my mind to try and escape

The problem with shaving the head is that the look doesn't suit every head shape. I would go for a no. 4 and see how that looks before really committing.

Mine started to go like that when I was about 20, what I disliked was the semi-detached quiff. My son is 19 and his is going exactly the same way, poor lad. But at least he's ready for it and seems to have the right mindset.

In the first photo you can practically see what you’d look like with a shaven head. I’d say go for the nr0 but keep the beard. It’s what all my follically challenged friends do.

No2 makes me look like I’ve escaped from a secure unit

No1 makes me look like the guy tasked with making sure No2 doesn’t escape again

No0 looks like it would never even cross my mind to try and escape

Yup.... I look like a thug if i go too short.... I got the wife to do mine on Sunday, it's currently borderline No2.

I think you need good advice and obviously that has to be from a female so, assuming that female barbers don't exist, would you consider going to a well regarded unisex salon for an appointment with a female stylist?

the trouble with clippers is you either have the head/face for it

True.  Stereotypes + aesthetics are a thing.

Easy to try it out and gauge the response.  Just for the experience if anything!  It grows back The regrow will at a certain point let you know how long is 'too long'.

Or go Nutkin.  Nothing is less-threatening than Nutkin.

my wife is in denial that there’s even a problem..

I'm in the same position, very similar hairline, but my missus won't let me shave my head completely so I'm stuck with the in-denial/doesn't-care look - although, to be fair, I don't actually care that much, the main reason I'd prefer to clipper it all is that it would avoid the chore of having to go for a haircut every month to keep it tidy.

Even if you don't go for a full all over #1 I think you should probably keep it shorter than you have it there. Either that, or go for the full-on Bill Bailey/Terry Nutkins look.

you haven’t got a funny shape head so it will be fine.

grade 2 and no guard on the bit in the front/middle as single odd hairs stand out

you will be past caring about hair/looks/opinions once done, or at least you should be.

4 on the top, 2 at the sides.

assuming that female barbers don’t exist

incorrect assumption. I've never had my hair cut by either an amateur or a man.

Dude, I feel you pain, literally.. g/f says don't do it but I get my photo taken for ID's on entries to buildings. It's there on my badge reminding me, that I've more face to wash everyday

I've had long hair since I was 18 (mid 40's now), as it was easier than going to the barber regularly, so it's going to be a shock when it does happen

yeah... opinion seems to be the same no matter who i ask....

next week then.. ah, sweet sweet hair... we've had some great times together *looks longingly into middle distance*

Why not just go for a tonsure?

4 on the top, 2 at the sides.

I'm not sure, if he had a bit more at the front, I'd agree, but its very long at the mo and once its all shaved off, even with a 4, it will look decidedly different!

Trouble is Rob, you will need to get it cut every two-three weeks to stop it looking a bit crap, so perhaps no. 2 is the way and buy some decent clippers now and save yourself a fortune!

First shot looks like you've been riding so fast it's dragged your hairline back a bit. Cheer up, it's your birthday, or somebody's birthday...

Words of wisdom from my mum  ( a hairdresser and barber for 40 odd years......)

"Never get a haircut that looks as though you didn't pay for it"

Get a hair job. Sure it costs the same as a decent bike, but what would make you happier? Having a new bike or having a full head of hair ?

[i]cinnamon_girl wrote:[/i]

assuming that female barbers don’t exist

My last cut was with a female barber - best haircut I've had (whilst I have a receding hairline I'm fortunate enough to still be way off the OP's situation, so had it cut a bit longer than I usually do - though given it was over a year since the previous cut it was still a lot shorter than before!) I'm reminded that it's probably about time for another one.

Had similar issues been losing hair since teens (now late 50's so not quite as relevant for age). But went to barbers for haircut and got charge what I thought was an extortionate amount for a hair cut and beard trim. That was the last time I entered such a place. Went and bought some clippers and did it myself from that day forward. A number of years later a colleague was going through Chemo so shaved what remained off in support and never looked back. My wife had commented that it was an improvement as I was strating to look like a monk...

4 on the top, 2 at the sides.

... 38 at the back

Having been there myself, I would say get thee shorn! Mrs LJ was the major obstacle between me and a clippered bonce, but when she finally conceded, she said I should have done it years ago. I get her to cut it once a week now and it's nice not to ever worry about what it looks like. Budget for hats in winter and (lots) of sun cream in summer though.

Er ......... I don’t think I have read the correct and quite frankly obvious answer .... Bobby Charlton 60’s and 70’s. Job Done!

Get a wig..

Hair is power ..

I’m sorry to break it to you but you look like Bobby Charlton. 🙂

just rorm the lot off with clippers with no guard and have done with it! It’s, like TOTALLY. Liberating, dooooood!

Top notch.  Lucky.

I don't advise a haircut man. Hairdressers are in the employment of the government. Hair are your aerials; the pick up the signals of the cosmos and direct them into your head.

I can hear Bobby C crying in the distance

Get it cropped.  You already know that this is the right thing to do and I'll bet that previous advice was pretty much the same.  Also I doubt that your wife is in denial, I suspect she is just trying to spare your feelings.  You can't control the fact that you are losing your hair, you can however control the timing of it.  And yes I am speaking from experience, although at 5'7" pretty much everyone has a view of the top of my head.

Thanks to perchy and aracer for having the good grace not to accuse me of sexism!  I kinda assumed that barbers were strictly chaps only.

I'm currently grade 2 on the sides and 6 on whatevers left.

I would go see a barber and ask them what they think would look best in terms of cropping it. You don't have to go razor all other just yet.

IME it's good to have cropped hair as there is nothing worse than trying to style thinning hair.

God, but you look miserable!

there is nothing worse than trying to style thinning hair.

. . . and the bristly fuzz is very useful for getting hair and unwanted fibres off of clothes and soft furnishings.

God, but you look miserable!

Ha! I thought the same. Cheer up, pal!

Or do you think you've made a mistake?

Buy some Wahl clippers and use them.  try 2/4, see how it looks, try 2 all over, try 1 all over.  It'll grow back to 2ish in a week or two if that seems too short.

I'm like madhouse, 2 on the sides and 6 up top, although since I'm not really receding (just rapidly approaching the monk look of a bald circle!) I keep it slightly longer just at the front.  Like you my OH says keep the hair...then each year I go  bit shorter on the grades and she concedes, it looks better.

Bald is fine, bald and trying to ignore or hide it is silly.

The clippers beckon surely.

** No1 / No2 member here for the last decade or so.

God, but you look miserable!

i have a cold, i'm a tired and beaten man...

I'm not familiar with the terms number 2 or 4. Guessing a 2 is a close shave.

Imo it needs a good trim and neatening up.  Which is probably number 4.

bunnyhop (female).

my missus won’t let me shave my head completely

I'd suggest you ask if you can borrow her trousers and get yourself down to the barbers 😂

God, but you look miserable!

Says STWs very own mr happy } raised eyebrows{

Don't worry OP, posting up a photo for some hair critique is braver than most.

just razor it and embrace the shine. I'm lucky in that my face is fluffy and lovely and approachable, so I dont look like a serial killer.

Using your very own chin stubble, here's what a grade 2 [i]might[/i] look like.

(Blame shite software for roughness of imagery)

Bradley,is that you  🙂

He looks like somebody's just found out what was really in the jiffy bag

Do the spuds first for practice?

#strangest

Like they said, clippers FTW.  Wigs for party!  Tried and tested 😉

*Edit doublepost.  And, thumbs up for OP for being a good if (slightly) unwitting sport.  Don't forget to share the final result here 👍🏼

i'm liking what i see here tbf... monday... it's coming off monday... argh!

I normally get a number 1 all over but haven't touched it for a couple of months and now I've got a prime Friar Tuck cut.

Download yourself an app like Baldify...minutes of fun experimenting!

Don't forget to get a hat.

My dad is undergoing a never ending cycle of getting nasty looking growths cut out of his head.

Look on the bright side you didn't get fat as well.

Best day ever when i bit the bullet and shaved my head! i use clippers without any clip so guess thats 0.5 grade? anyway, happy days, do it!

1.2mm beard trimmer on my head - number 2 is for hippys

Full Britain first with my Docs on - odd never get bothered by charvers or other low life's.......

Started going bald at 17 or 18. Shaved it all for charity (it was quite long) and have been shaving my scalp with a razor ever since. If it’s thinning and receding I’d just razor the lot to be honest. Only my opinion, but fully bald just looks cleaner to me.

Grade 2 now, after the initial shock, you'll never look back, I was at your stage and dealt with it, here are the list of benefits.

1)No hair car worries (drying it after a none permitted sail or surf at lunchtime say)

2)You will age less from this point on, your appearance ceases to change dramatically

3) Grey hair not as apparent when it appears

4)There is something sensual about running your hand over the fresh stubble, self love is further enhanced, you may even find potential revenue by charging females to do it. 😉

Good Luck

PS I do rather like you in pigtails dwarling.

Top notch. Lucky

On second thoughts... 🤔

I'm not going bald (any more)

Yeah, not much to add really. Had "The Discussion" with my Mrs last week, I say discussion, it was more her telling me that the time has come to go no.2 all over (on my head). I've been kidding myself that it wasn't "that bad", truth is, it is.... *sigh*

On the plus side, I realised that the money I saved on regular haircuts I can put towards regular bike parts purchases.Win Win!!

Had “The Discussion” with my Mrs last week, I say discussion, it was more her telling me that the time has come to go no.2 all over (on my head).

Donald Trump has had a similar discussion - but it involved a call girls and a russian hotel room

Just in case you were dithering ... shave it off right now. You look like you have the right shape face/ head to carry it off no bother. Go a no 2/3 to start off with if you are worried about looking too scary!  If you were my chap I'd have clippered that off long ago!!! Well you did ask 😉

About 2 years, going on 10, of denial for me led to an appointment with the clippers last year and the Barber doing his best "'ya sure?" double check.

My advice: Be brave, go to the barbers and ask for no.1 on the sides and no. 2 on top as its gives you the hope that there is some length up top to play with.

Advantages: 5mins in-out at the barbers,...simples (not resorted to my own set of clippers yet but thats coming) Washing your hair becomes a very speedy process, you use miniscule amounts of shampoo thereby saving money, the planet and the baby robins, you no longer need to bother with "product", you can kiss helmet hair goodbye ( and if you start to notice helmet hair post-ride then you know its time for the clippers/barbers again), you look younger. My wife likes the stubble thing (or perhaps she's rubbing my head for luck?)

Disadvantages: well, the only two I've noticed are firstly a lack of insulation up top leading to sartorial debates ( I now know I look good in a bowler hat),  and secondly the fact I now seem to get engaged in weird street conversations with hitherto unknown scallies: eg: '"ere mate, can you tell me where the law courts are? I'm late for an appointment..." and "can I borrow your phone, I need to call the open prison and tell them I'll be late..."

Definately WIGgo..