# Going bald--what to do? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 7, 2007, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199 "2007-12-07T19:13:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/21 "2007-12-07T20:31:52Z")
Any advice for on-again-off-again alopecia aerota? One month I’ve got the thick hair of a 1970s-era porn star, the next I look like someone who hung around a bit too long in the Chernobyl area, a few months later I’m back to normal. I’ll take a nice, well-centered bald spot over random thin patches anyday. Yes, I’m getting treatment: monthly hydrocortisone shots _into the scalp_. Minoxidil is largely ineffective for alopecia. Shaving my head isn’t an option because of the patches; my hair grows fast, and the stubble would make my head look like a globe - complete with continents. I’d like to know about low-key headgear that’s appropriate to wear inside, when it flares up. I’m finding myself at more formal dinners, board meetings, and other events where I"m wearing an expensive suit, so anything to go with that would be great. Thank Og I met my girlfriend during one of the off-again stages. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/22 "2007-12-07T20:33:04Z")
[QUOTE=ForumBot] The swirly? [/QUOTE] I had an instructor years ago that grew his hair long, combed it up, and kind-of swirled it round and round his very large bald patch. It was all secured with industrial strength stick-um. Very scary. ---
**Author:** ![Waverly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/57b2e6/32.png) [@Waverly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waverly)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/23 "2007-12-07T20:34:17Z")
[QUOTE=Belrix] My dermatologist [chiming in some time ago](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7406818&postcount=7). [/QUOTE] Just out of curiousity - do just those hair you would have lost anyway fall out, or does hair that would have otherwise remained healthy become dependant and tend to fall out as well? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/24 "2007-12-07T20:35:26Z")
Wow, you \*do \*have great hair. If I were you, I’d try to hold onto that. The thing about hair restoration products like Rogaine is that they work best on recent hair loss, so now is when you need to move on it. And really, what’s to lose. Well, besides your gloriously sexy hair and the respect of that blond chick? You can always shave it later. (And no, I don’t think you’re buff enough to pull of fully shaved yet. Actually, you’re just exactly the build I like, so don’t take that as an insult, but I agree than thin guys with shaved heads just look like cancer patients.) ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/25 "2007-12-07T20:36:00Z")
[QUOTE=Telperien] Cut it short short, but do not shave your head. [/QUOTE] That’s what my sweetie did, and while it was startling at first, I’ve come to like it quite a bit. No muss, no fuss, and it’s not as obvious that he’s balding as when he wore it longer. His brother shaved his dome completely, and I don’t find it appealing at all. I likes my little fuzzy head! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/26 "2007-12-07T20:39:48Z")
[QUOTE=Waverly] Just out of curiousity - do just those hair you would have lost anyway fall out, or does hair that would have otherwise remained healthy become dependant and tend to fall out as well? [/QUOTE] Just those hairs that should’ve fallen out but didn’t because the drug hijacked the process. You go to where you would’ve been had you never used the product. ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/27 "2007-12-07T20:41:01Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Any advice for on-again off-again alopecia? One month I’ve got the thick hair of a 1970s-era porn star, the next I look like someone who hung around a bit too long in the Chernobyl area, a few months later I’m back to normal. I’ll take a nice, well-centered bald spot over random thin patches anyday. Yes, I’m getting treatment (monthly hydrocortisone shots _into the scalp_). Shaving my head isn’t an option because of the patches; my hair grows fast, and the stubble would make my head look like a globe - complete with continents. I’d like to know about low-key headgear that’s appropriate to wear inside, when it flares up. I’m finding myself at more formal dinners, board meetings, and other events where I"m wearing an expensive suit, so anything to go with that would be great. [/QUOTE] My 10-yr old son has alopecia areata universalis - whole body baldness. I agree then when it was turning on at two-years old or so, the patchy parts looked kind-of strange at times. If you’re having frequent flare-ups of patchy stuff, maybe just fully shave and go shiny bald, I talked with a man who does this, he shaves every other day and he says that once you’re used to it, it doesn’t take very long. The patches would come and go and it’d never be noticed. You might try [the NAAF](http://www.naaf.org) for suggestions, too. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/28 "2007-12-07T20:41:10Z")
[QUOTE=ForumBot] I always thought hair treatments were essentially just snake oil. Am I off in this assessment? [/QUOTE] Way off. There are five chemical compounds known to arrest and/or partially reverse human alopecia androgenetica: finasteride, minoxidil, tretinoin, spironolactone, and mifeprestone. I think [Vera Price](http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=%22vera+price%22+alopecia&btnG=Search) is still the leading authority in this field. Take a look at some of her papers and talk to a dermatologist who has an interest in this subject. [This paper](https://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/extract/341/13/964) is several years old but should provide a good overview of the subject. I think it’s still retrievable from _NEJM_. Get back to me if have any further questions; I’ll try to help if time permits. ---
**Author:** ![ForumBot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ee59a6/32.png) [@ForumBot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ForumBot)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/29 "2007-12-07T20:41:57Z")
[QUOTE=Quartz] You dont look like you’re going bald in those pics. But one thought: when you’re in the car, does your head rub against the ceiling? This is bad. [/QUOTE] No, but I work in a kitchen, where I wear a bandana (“_man_dana”) about five nights per week. Is that a big deal? ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Dave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/46a35a/32.png) [@Great\_Dave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Dave)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/30 "2007-12-07T20:42:28Z")
Is that Barack behind you? ---
**Author:** ![FourPaws](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e0b2c6/32.png) [@FourPaws](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FourPaws)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/31 "2007-12-07T20:50:17Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Shaving my head isn’t an option because of the patches; my hair grows fast, and the stubble would make my head look like a globe - complete with continents. [/QUOTE] There’s very little stubble at 2-3 days of shaving your scalp. I have been doing it since I was 21 and noticed I was losing my hair – figured that there was no other point in keeping it at that time. It’s fast to shave it all, it looks fine, all the wommin like to rub it, I own no combs or shampoo, and it’s much faster getting ready in the morning. Think of it this way. People complain about “oily hair”. Those oils come from your scalp. When I shower, I wash my head with regular soap, and it stays oil-less till the next day. I prefer being bald to having hair. Never again will I have to deal with bedhead. ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/32 "2007-12-07T20:58:08Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Shaving my head isn’t an option because of the patches; my hair grows fast, and the stubble would make my head look like a globe - complete with continents. [/QUOTE] I get it every so often but it sounds like I’m lucky compared to you. I generally only get one patch at a time. I crop my hair short and who cares if the bald patch is obvious? If I had multiple patches like it sounds you have, I’d still go with short hair and let people think you’re going for a funky punk look or maybe you have a dread disease and they’ll either feel sorry for you or they’ll be afraid of you and run away. Bonus, either way. Do you have a pierced ear? An earring in combo with the patchy look might be interesting. People won’t know what you’re up to. I wouldn’t do the headgear at work on a daily basis. Makes you look like an ashamed victim or something. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/33 "2007-12-07T21:03:29Z")
I thought I was going bald when I was 21. I’m 30 now and my hairline hasn’t receded another inch (I think it’s about like yours, going by the boat pic). Not saying that’ll be your case, but apparently I’m living proof that balding can at least pause for a long while. Check back with me in another 9. ---
**Author:** ![Ceejaytee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ceejaytee/32/2956_2.png) [@Ceejaytee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ceejaytee)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/34 "2007-12-07T21:04:06Z")
[QUOTE=Telperien] Cut it short short, but do not shave your head. [/QUOTE] This is exactly the advice I was going to give. My husband’s getting a receding hairline, and though it’s not quite bad enough to do anything yet, I’ve suggested cutting it short. I think it will look quite sexy. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/35 "2007-12-07T21:04:39Z")
[QUOTE=The Shroud] Not saying that’ll be your case, but apparently I’m living proof that balding can at least pause for a long while. Check back with me in another 9. [/QUOTE] OK, it’s been 9 seconds. Any new developments? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/36 "2007-12-07T21:09:44Z")
[QUOTE=tdn] OK, it’s been 9 seconds. Any new developments? [/QUOTE] Spontaneous baldness. Totally jinxed myself. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/37 "2007-12-07T21:27:12Z")
[QUOTE=The Shroud] Spontaneous baldness. Totally jinxed myself. [/QUOTE] Wow. I wish I was there to see it. Did the hairs shoot out like projectiles and embed themselves in the walls? ---
**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/38 "2007-12-07T21:37:13Z")
The SDMB is full of guys who started balding early. I just turned 21 two weeks ago, and have almost a quarter-sized bald spot on my crown, and the hair at the front of my head has receded on the sides, leaving a sad little stump of hair. I’ll post pics sometime when I don’t have to be to work in a couple of hours and still need to take a nap. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/39 "2007-12-07T21:38:18Z")
You’re a ways off from needing to really address this. I’d keep it short as advised upthread. At some point you can shave it clean, but I think that’s some time away. When my husband finally pulled the plug and shaved, at first it looked freaky because his head was so pale. But once it got some exposure to light, and I got used to it, I loved it. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2007, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199/40 "2007-12-07T22:26:16Z")
[QUOTE=ForumBot] No, but I work in a kitchen, where I wear a bandana (“_man_dana”) about five nights per week. Is that a big deal? [/QUOTE] It’s the rubbing that’s bad, not the covering, but I wonder if your head might need a little room to breath? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/going-bald-what-to-do/429199.md?page=3)