So one of the guys in my life [sub]shut up, you know what I mean[/sub] is balding. Rapidly. At the rate he’s going, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say that he’ll have the horseshoe thing going within two years or so.
I rather think he could handle it if it weren’t for the fact that he’s only 20.
The boy has tried pretty much everything and his follicles continue to merrily shut down. He’s becoming more and more depressed about it- he has a girlfriend who maintains that he is very attractive (which he is) but he feels like he’s dog-ugly, inadequate, and… well, you know the song.
Dopers, do any of you have thoughts or advice on this? I hate seeing him like this.
There’s some new revolutionary drug that came out last month, not sure if it’s just some crock the networks use to fill up their “medical newsdesk”.
Alternatively, he could go pre-emptive and shave it off. That way it won’t be noticeable when it recedes and most people I know find it quite stylish. Just ask Clyde Drexler and Bruce Willis
Geez. I think men worry about baldness the way women worry about 10lbs extra. It bothers them WAY more than it bothers us. I have never (even back when I was young) found hair or lack of it a significant criterion in assessing a guy’s attractiveness.
There are all the old jokes about many U-turns under the sheets & so on. And, I assume he knows that the combover or spray-on (I can’t believe it’s not hair!!!) tactics are just silly. My little brother started receding in his mid-twenties. He tried Nioxin shampoo, Rogain, folic acid supplements…to no avail, except it’s expensive. He turned thirty in April, has one of those monk type tonsures, and an absolutely gorgeous Scandinavian girlfriend.
Morrison’s suggestion is a good one. Is your friend really really torn up about this? If this is like a major depression inducing issue for him, you may suggest he go do some volunteer work or something to get some perspective on things.
We’ve been married 17+ years and my husband’s constant fret has been “I’m losing my hair, honey!!!” I try to be supportive and all that, but my gut reaction is: So what? I didn’t marry you for your hair… I honestly don’t understand his obsession with his hair. It’s not like he didn’t see this coming - considering he’s almost a clone of his father. One would think he’d be more worried about his dark hair turning white…
Carina42 - I like the idea of him finding something useful to do to change his perspective…
20 years ago, whe I was 18, I was going bald. Back then shaved heads was rare. Now its a freaken fashion statement, so what really is the problem. Tell him to shave his head and go to a shrink who can perscribe antidepressents. The final solution is the best solution. Plus it feels sooo good in the breeze.
My husband starting losing his hair at about age 19. Of course, he insisted he wasn’t, but he was.
At age 34 (his present age) he is completely bald on top, but had what he called “the Bozo look” if he didn’t keep the rest of his hair (which btw…was extremely thick and luxurious) very closely cropped.
About three weeks ago, he said to hell with it. Completely shaved his head. Got that goatee and mustache going for him. He looks really great, I must admit, although I wasn’t exactly keen on him going all Kojak on me.
Truthfully, it never bothered me one iota that he was going, or went, bald. I think Carina42 is correct in saying they worry about that the way we do about extra weight or cellulite. [sub]Oh wait, nobody mentioned that…never mind.[/sub]
He is going to fret about it no matter what. (I do have to admit my husband really didn’t get depressed about it, but is rather vain about his looks, so possibly he did, and I just didn’t know it.) Hopefully, he won’t be upset about it too long, and maybe he’ll realize he can always just get rid of all of it, and have women chasing him like they do my husband now!
