When Bald Things Happen To Good People
I'm a decent-looking guy with unfortunate hair. It's thinning rapidly and receding to the back of my skull, and topical treatments barely made a difference. I'm now thinking of shaving my whole head, but I'm wondering what women think. Considering my circumstances, what's my best option?
--Follicular Rebellion
Going bald isn't all bad. If you're like a lot of men, every time you lose a hair off your head, you're a hair closer to growing a ponytail out your nose. Although women generally prefer men with hair on their head, there's a line that gets crossed, and that's when there's a desperate little patch on top (a la Prince William) that calls to mind a pointless attempt to grow a vegetable garden in arid countryside. Doing that doesn't make you look like you have hair; it makes you look like you have hair issues. Shaving your head, on the other hand, projects confidence, suggesting that you're comfortable enough with your face and yourself to put them out there unadorned. If you go the head-shaving route, consider adding facial hair to make it look like there's still a little lawn on the property, balancing out the clearing on top. You could try a few styles, take pix, and poll the ladies. Who knows? It might be just the way to meet a woman who longs to run her fingers through your back hair.
I find men with shaved heads very attractive. Most of the time, they are more masculine and fit than average. When I was younger, I never imagined that when I saw completely shaven man, my heart would race. And no, I don't think that you need facial hair, but try it out. Why not?
Jen at July 30, 2013 5:11 PM
Bald is better than trying too hard (having hair issues). Just shave it off. It took 11 years to convince Mr. Comb-Over to just shave it off. I kept telling him, think of the freedom on a windy day. He finally did it and wondered what took him so long.
just me at July 30, 2013 7:36 PM
Male pattern baldness is most often caused by an overabunance of testosterone, at least thats what we baldies tell each other
lujlp at July 30, 2013 7:55 PM
Bald is cute.
Just ask Picard.
wtf at July 30, 2013 8:41 PM
If anyone comments on your baldness, just remind them that grass doesn't grow on a playground.
Patrick at July 31, 2013 2:42 AM
My younger bro shaved his head, due to being follicularly challenged, as it were. He looks great, and it didn't detract from him at all.
Also, what just me said. I have a drummer friend who has a comb-over and uses a do-rag, as if that would disguise it. He would look SO much better without it, but I just can't convince him!
Flynne at July 31, 2013 7:08 AM
My old crush on Yul Brynner just came back. Go for it, guy. If you have eyes like his, you'll have it made.
Pricklypear at July 31, 2013 7:49 AM
LW, there are plenty of women who love the bald look. Those are the ones you'll attract, with or without the little bit of hair that's left. Shave. Own it.
Laurie at July 31, 2013 11:10 AM
Jason Statham has gone with a crew cut for his balding head, and I think it is also a good option. It's not as stark as a shaved head, but it doesn't look like he's trying to hide anything.
Insufficient Poison at August 1, 2013 4:41 AM
I used to think that white guys who shaved their heads looked like Giant Thumbs, but no more. A shaved head is INFINITELY preferably to a combover, which to me looks like an egg caught in a spider web and smells desperate. Laurie above is right: Shave. Own it. And watch out for the pussy willows in the ears.
Lori at August 2, 2013 2:16 PM
Depends on your build, what you look like, and what you usually wear. Totally bald can look sophisticated. Or it can make you look like a thug. Ask your friends if they think it would make you look thuggish. If it doesn't, go for it.
If it DOES make you look like a person who little old ladies would clutch their purses around, then your other option is to keep it closely cropped. That looks neat, tidy, and won't make you look like a skinhead if the rest of your look is kind of "tough guy".
Baldness is a sign of high testosterone. RAWR!
NicoleK at August 3, 2013 6:50 AM
It is a myth that men lose their hair; it simply loses its grip on the head and slides down to the ears, nose, and back.
Akatsukami at August 5, 2013 3:07 AM
My old crush on Yul Brynner just came back. Go for it, guy. If you have eyes like his, you'll have it made.
Yul in those tight black jeans in The Magnificent Seven--rawr!
Astra at August 5, 2013 7:31 AM
Re. "What Women Think"
Women are not a monolithic structure. There are lots and lots of them, with widely varying opinions. Some women will dig you shorn, and some might prefer a struggling comb-over. I say shave it. Give it a try. Regardless of what The Women think, it feels really good.
Frank at August 28, 2013 9:22 AM
Shave it and grow one of those designer stubble beards -- that is hot.
tcookson at September 24, 2013 12:29 PM
Bald is Very Masculine. Attitude, being present mentally in a conversation, even more sexy. Bald say's You are past the punk puppy stage. Mature. Someone that's grown up.
Martha Wilson at October 16, 2013 9:42 PM
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