Hair Loss and the Twenty-something
I started to lose my hair at 19.
Picture it: Spring 1997. I'm vigoursly studying for a PolySci final at my desk during freshmen year at Winona State. I'm going over the notes I took during lecture and chapter reading sessions - absolutely convinced that I was going to confuse all the "isms" I had learned that semester. Suddenly, somewhere between Marxism and McCarthy's Communism, there it was. Or should I say they? A few strands of hair semi-blocking my view of the type.
I was losing my hair.
It obviously bothered me enough to leave a lasting memory, but I didn't think much of it at the time --- nor, the other times throughout my frenzied nights of stressful studying during college, when stray hairs would appear upon the words of Walstonecraft, Dante, Faulkner, etc.
In fact, I even snickered when others would kid my boyfriend, who was 11 years older than I, about his own emerging bald spalt at the crown of his scalp.
Fast forward to 2001:
I arrive at my sister's house to greet her and my 2-year-old niece. I bend over to pick up the little toddler.
Sister: OMG, Reid -- you're losing your hair??
REID: Excuse me?? I'm 23.
Sister: Ummm...no...you're losing it.
Dropping said niece and darting to the bathroom mirror, I discovered that I had a crown of my own. An unwelcomed crown. Horrified.
Boyfriend: You've had that little crown as long as I've known you (2 years). It hasn't gotten any bigger, at least...??
Granted, it's not like I'm BALD on the crown -- but...thinning. At the tender age of 19 it started.
Life just isn't fair.
If I had been in my early 30s when discovered, it would be an accepted, yet unwelcomed, discover. But, still...not surprising. But, at 23?? And to realize it had begun at 19??
No.
Since then, I've accepted it. I see a good looking man and notice his good looking'ness. Then, a while later, I notice that his hair is receding and/or thinning. He's still good looking, right??...
Is it really that big of a deal??
Or am I just self-justifying??
Really -- is it a big deal to some people? Would they rather I have a big Afro?
I hate Mother Nature.
Or...maybe I don't. I still get plenty of interest...
Picture it: Spring 1997. I'm vigoursly studying for a PolySci final at my desk during freshmen year at Winona State. I'm going over the notes I took during lecture and chapter reading sessions - absolutely convinced that I was going to confuse all the "isms" I had learned that semester. Suddenly, somewhere between Marxism and McCarthy's Communism, there it was. Or should I say they? A few strands of hair semi-blocking my view of the type.
I was losing my hair.
It obviously bothered me enough to leave a lasting memory, but I didn't think much of it at the time --- nor, the other times throughout my frenzied nights of stressful studying during college, when stray hairs would appear upon the words of Walstonecraft, Dante, Faulkner, etc.
In fact, I even snickered when others would kid my boyfriend, who was 11 years older than I, about his own emerging bald spalt at the crown of his scalp.
Fast forward to 2001:
I arrive at my sister's house to greet her and my 2-year-old niece. I bend over to pick up the little toddler.
Sister: OMG, Reid -- you're losing your hair??
REID: Excuse me?? I'm 23.
Sister: Ummm...no...you're losing it.
Dropping said niece and darting to the bathroom mirror, I discovered that I had a crown of my own. An unwelcomed crown. Horrified.
Boyfriend: You've had that little crown as long as I've known you (2 years). It hasn't gotten any bigger, at least...??
Granted, it's not like I'm BALD on the crown -- but...thinning. At the tender age of 19 it started.
Life just isn't fair.
If I had been in my early 30s when discovered, it would be an accepted, yet unwelcomed, discover. But, still...not surprising. But, at 23?? And to realize it had begun at 19??
No.
Since then, I've accepted it. I see a good looking man and notice his good looking'ness. Then, a while later, I notice that his hair is receding and/or thinning. He's still good looking, right??...
Is it really that big of a deal??
Or am I just self-justifying??
Really -- is it a big deal to some people? Would they rather I have a big Afro?
I hate Mother Nature.
Or...maybe I don't. I still get plenty of interest...
posted by Kiddo78 at
8:50 PM
18 Comments:
I think bald/balding men are among the HOTTEST. Just ask Ang. She'll tell you that I've had this "thing" for a long, long time. I know lots of other women who feel this way, so it's probably true of men, as well.
By
Twinkie, at 9:28 PM
I didn't have the hots for Michael Stipe until he shaved his head altogether. But you're a Kennedy. So You're hot not matter what. A trust fund does that for you.
By
hot babe, at 1:31 AM
First, let me disabuse you of the notion that it doesn't bother you to notice it in your early thirties. =0)
I've been asking myself since 25 if my forehead was getting bigger or if it was always that high, but only when I hit the age of 31 or so did I really admit to myself that a deforestation was well underway atop my skull.
My best advice is to wear it short (shorter than you ever intended to), and accessorize brilliantly.
By
PJS, at 7:26 AM
I don't think bald is bad at all, it is all about how you rock it. You just have to have the confidence, and no one will even think twice about it.
By
Matt S., at 10:16 AM
I agree with Matt. As long as you're not looking like you're in denial about it, or worse, trying to cover it up, you're fine. Don't give it a second thought.
By
ab, at 10:21 AM
I'd much rather have a balding man then a hairy-bear of a man. Once, I dated (for about a minute) a guy who was balding *and* had a really hairy chest/back/everything. He was so embarrassed about it that he wouldn't take off his shirt. That was enough for me. It was also another example of how God has a sense of humor...poor guy. Hehehe!
By
AmyB, at 12:12 PM
i feel yer pain man. my blog entry today was about the same topic!
By
:), at 2:50 PM
Your comments are reassuring! I've suspected this all along...!
By
Kiddo78, at 9:32 PM
I feel your pain :) I don't think it's easy to deal with at any age. (I mean have you SEEN those geysers on TV getting hair implants in the 60's?) As long as you have the face to carry it off, no worries (And you really do!!)
By
The Persian, at 2:14 PM
Bald men do it for me too...I finally convinced a hottie friend of mine to shave his head and avoid his worries of going bald...now if he'll only grow a goatie...
By
RosieBoo, at 3:48 PM
I honestly think it matters MUCH more to the person losing their hair than to anyone around them.
After all, well over half of the general male population are balding in one way or another by 40, if not earlier.
It seems to me that what's much more important is how you deal with it. I see so many hot guys who are balding and don't shave their heads. I'm like, "You'd be totally lickable if you'd get rid of those stringy remnants!!!"
By
denverco, at 5:55 PM
I also think it depends on where your balding...a big spot on the top of your head,or if it is just thinning alond the crown...either way for you it is not a problem though...your adorable!
By
Unknown, at 7:39 AM
I am in the "I think men with thinning hair are hot" group.
By
jd, at 2:58 PM
My forhead - which has always been large, is getting bigger, too. It upsets me, but than I think I don't think twice about a guy if he's bald or not. In times, I think a receding hairline can be hot in a way. Is that odd?
By
Bob, at 12:10 PM
Yes Twinkie has this thing for bald men.
I am not sure what kind of issues I have, but Mr. Ang is bald and as furry as a bear everywhere else.
I am sure that there was alcohol involved at the time but Twinkie convinced him that he is some kind of stud.
By
Angela, at 11:22 PM
Hair loss and balding seems to be a common problem today and it seems to affect both women and men! Whether it is because of our diet, stress or lifestyles, it is something that can’t be ignored and it can really affect the self esteem of the sufferer. But it is certainly possible to control the extent of hair loss and thinning. There are many good clinics and specialists who can find the problem, it's reason and help it.
By
Anonymous, at 5:17 AM
How to Prevent Hair Loss - 9 Easy Steps to Save Your Hair
As men start to mature unfortunately there are some physical changes. We start to get wrinkles and our bellies start to get bigger. One of the worst changes though and one that can keeps many a man awake at night is the loss of you hair.
Hair Loss actually begins for most men in their late 20’s early 30’s. The loss is most evident around the crown and temples. It is put down to a chemical called DHT. This hair loss can be stopped and even in some cases reversed with the use of certain hair technology systems (which we will come to later). There are though a series of measure listed here that may seem obvious but if followed are easy steps that can naturally slow hair loss.
1. Don’t pull you hair
By pulling ones hair you are placing strain on the hair follicle and may cause permanent damage which results in that particular follicle not being able to grow hair again.
2. Be careful not to rub you scalp against a towel to dry it.
The same reason as for not pulling your hair rubbing your scalp can damage a hair follicle. If possible pat away excess moisture and then leave the hair to dry naturally.
3. Don’t use wigs (unless advised to by a doctor)
The scalp needs to breathe for the hair follicles to work to their maximum effect. Using a wig suffocates the follicles and leads to damage which results in further thinning of the hair.
4. Use the correct shampoo according to your hair.
Follow the directions and use the right shampoo for your hair (i.e. for thin hair use a thin hair shampoo). Shampoos are formulated for a reason and giving your hair the most help possible is a good idea. Also never over wash your hair otherwise you deprive it of all its natural oils and it will lead to irreversible damage.
5. Don’t use permanent or colorants.
Using any chemicals on the hair can lead to damage of the scalp and hair follicles and thus leading to these follicles no longer being able to support hair growth.
6. Always wash you hair thoroughly after using shampoo
Shampoo contains soap and chemicals and needs to be washed of thoroughly after use otherwise they will also ruin your scalp.
7. Don’t eat greasy food.
Your hair is a good way to measure you health. In fact scientist now use one single strand of hair to test if a person has been taking drugs or test if a person maybe allergic to any foods. The old nugget “You are what you eat” is never more accurate than with your hair. Treat your body well and you hair will show the benefit.
8. Don’t led your head get sunburn (Be careful of exposure) If you are going out in the sun be sure to use cream on your exposed scalp or use a hat so that you don’t damage your scalp and follicles.
9. Wash your hair after bathing in the sea or in a chlorine swimming pool.
This is for similar reasons to making sure you wash you hair after shampoo. Washing your hair gets rid of the salt/chlorine making sure your that your hair and scalp are protected.
These simple steps will help any man to slow down the effects of hair loss. There are other systems out there that can help revive hair follicles so that it can support hair growth again. Most of these systems use laser technology such as the Androhair laser comb for example.
By
Anonymous, at 5:39 AM
My hair transplant surgery was ruined by Dr Nicholas Agnesi of Hairline Clinic in Akron and Independence Ohio. He disregarded my specific wishes, wiped the pattern that I drew off my head, and got the hairline all wrong. He also harvested the wrong hairs from the base of my skull.
The hairs he took don't grow well at all. They never have. He should have taken the hairs at least on inch higher. Everyone agreed that I had plenty of donor hair but Dr Agnesi didn't bother to take the best hairs. He just rushed through the job and took the wrong hairs at the base of my skull.
When I let Dr Agnesi know what he did wrong, he said that he might be willing to replace the bad hairs after I talk to the president of Hairline Clinic Rob Hoffman. It had to be his call. But when I talked to Rob Hoffman at the Akron location, he refused to even look at the bad work. He just pretended everything was fine and refused to do anything about it. No fix. No refund.
I knew those hairs would never grow well so I was left with no choice but to rip all those bad grafts out myself before they healed. It was a nightmare but I got it done. Now I'm out thousands of dollars and I have nothing to show for it but a bad memory and a nasty scar at the base of my skull.
Dr Agnesi also works for Advanced Hair Restoration of Ohio.
Now I'm talking to an attorney and trying to find a new HT doctor who will do what I wish and pay attention to detail.
By
Anonymous, at 10:01 PM
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