My hair my enemy (another hair loss story)

General
1

At 25, I went for a really short haircut. No big reason, just wanted a change. The second the hairdresser finished, I noticed how thin my hair actually was. I felt gutted almost instantly.

The depression came on hard. I didn’t try to deny the hair loss. I knew the thinning meant I was entering the hairless years. And I handled it badly. I shut myself away.

I stopped going out, avoided everyone, and spent far too much time in front of the mirror asking myself, “Why me?” That turned into comfort eating, and within three months, I’d put on 50 pounds.

I was always on the computer. No social life, no proper sleep, just obsessing. That’s when I found hair concealer. I won’t name it, but it’s basically black powder you shake onto your hair.

It worked better than I expected. Gave me a proper confidence boost. I started working out again and wore that stuff every day. Never let me down once.

But the hair didn’t stop falling. Back then I thought I had it bad. Now, I’d do anything to have that version of my hair again. These days the front is barely holding on, and I know the W shape is coming soon. No amount of powder or haircuts is going to hide that.

I don’t regret using the concealer. It gave me five years of feeling like myself. Even if it was fake, it helped me cope.

But now it feels like it’s time to face the truth. Maybe two more years left with hair if I’m lucky. Saying that out loud makes me feel sick. It’s not about being shallow. It’s about identity. When the hairline goes, your whole face changes.

Whenever I look at old mates on Facebook, I notice their hair straight away. And the comments too. So here’s how I see it. If you’ve still got hair, take care of it. If you don’t, shave it before it becomes a joke.

Right now, my hair feels like the enemy. But I’m scared to let it go. And I know it probably looks worse than I think.

If you’re hiding it like I did, maybe stop before it goes too far. The worst thing is that concealers actually work. They work too well. They keep you from facing it.

I still lie to myself sometimes and hope there’ll be a cure. Maybe by the time I’m 40 I’ll have thick black hair again. But deep down, I know. It’s not just about hair. It’s about the hairline. Without it, something just looks off.

2

Hit the gym hard, shave your head, and crack on.

3

Get a buzzcut and focus on what you can actually control.

4

Just own it. Trying to fight it always ends up looking a bit sad.

5

Rogaine and Propecia. Get on both, stack it proper.

6

I share the same sentiments mate.

7

Unless you fancy being completely useless in bed, crack on with that plan.

Otherwise, it’s probably best for anyone balding to come to terms with it early instead of getting desperate later on.

8

Reading your story, I could really feel how desperate you’ve been about it. Honestly, being objective, you might be better off just accepting it. Not sure how good the other treatments are, like transplants, but if that’s an option for you, maybe there’s still some hope there.

9

My mate started losing his hair at 16. He’s 23 now and still one of the most confident blokes I know. Either own it or chuck a hat on.

10

I’ll be well chuffed when I go fully bald. One less thing to stress over, and I’ll save a few quid on shampoo and haircuts. Going bald’s actually great.

11

My dad’s got thin hair, same with his dad, and the one before him. Even my dad’s mum’s dad had it rough. Only one in the whole family with a decent head of hair is my mum’s dad. So yeah, I’ve pretty much accepted I’ll end up bald.

I don’t want to, I actually like having hair. But if it starts to go, I’m going straight for the nuclear option and shaving it off.

Better to just be bald than try to cover it up. You’ll never quite pass for anything but thinning, no matter how clever you think your style is.

12

Honestly mate, just chill. I used to get loads of compliments on my long curly hair as a teen, right up until I was 20. I’m 21 now and had lost enough that everyone could tell I was balding, even with it cut short. So I just buzzed it off.

I suppose I’m lucky my face and head shape aren’t too bad, but shaving it all off really took the stress away. Just own it.

13

Bloody hell… you’ve really bought into the whole “hair is everything” idea, haven’t you?

I shaved mine ages ago, back when it was still a bit odd for white lads to do it, and I’ve never looked back. Confidence, decent manners, and a bit of wit will take you way further than any haircut ever will.

Sod concealers. Sod hats. Sod combovers. And definitely sod Rogaine.

14

Hair isn’t everything, but I reckon you’ve swung too far the other way and bought into the whole “hair doesn’t matter at all” idea. I’m a gay bloke and I’m balding, and I’m realistic about it. Sure, there are bald guys who look great, but most of the time losing hair does knock your looks quite a bit. And let’s be honest, a good head of hair makes almost any guy look better.

I’ve got plenty of time to be bald when I’m 50. But at 19, I’m going to do what I can to slow it down.

15

Mate, it’s just hair. No need to make such a fuss. Cut it short and crack on. Take the downvote if you want, no one really cares if a bloke’s bald.

16

While the advice is good, cut it short and move on, I think you’re missing something. For some people, hair is a big part of how they see themselves. I used to have long, bright blond hair. It was a big part of who I thought I was, and it’s what everyone knew me for.

Then at 18, my hair started thinning fast. I did go with the whole shave it off and move on approach, but getting used to it was rough.

Just saying, a bit of empathy wouldn’t hurt.

17

I keep hearing these excuses over and over. That’s like saying “who cares about a woman’s tits” or “long legs.” Sure, the world won’t stop if a girl doesn’t have nice boobs and perfect legs, but it doesn’t hurt if she does, does it?

18

You’re really comparing hair to breasts? That’s a bit much. I went bald for a few weeks last year and honestly, it was fine. Planning to do it again this summer. No one looks at you like you’re some kind of outcast.

My mum lost a breast. That’s something truly difficult. Try going to the beach like that and dealing with how people stare. That’s real. Balding isn’t the end of the world. Either handle it or don’t, but stop acting like it’s a tragedy.

19

Respect and embrace yourself first before you expect it from anyone else.

20

“I still lie to myself sometimes and hope there’ll be a cure.”

Yeah, there is. You can go for a hair transplant or try using medication.