Going Bald? Here's What You Need to Know (From Someone Who's Been There)

Medical Disclaimer: Freebird provides general information, not medical advice. For any health or medical advice, consult a licensed healthcare professional

Losing your hair can hit hard, like Mike Tyson punched you in the gut. I know, I've lived it. Remember, you're not alone. Some go bald in their teens and 20s, and when they hit age 50, almost 50% of males experience a receding hairline with hair follicles waving goodbye. Women are not exempt, as 33% will experience hair loss. It's a common journey that many share.

I've been bald for more than a decade now and turned it into my strength. I want to share what helped me get through it, not just physical solutions but the mental shift that changed everything.

First Things First: It's Just Hair!

Easy for me to say now, right? Back then looking in the mirror and seeing social media posts of my balding head made my stomach drop.

These feeling are completely valid. I haven't met anyone who celebrated his McDonalds logo getting bigger as time went by. 

In the UK, an employment tribunal ruled that calling a man "bald" is considered sexual harassment. Some guys get really affected when hair loss is called out. 

If you're balding, remember it's not the end of the world. Hair is only a part of you and doesn't define you. Many guys spiral into depression when they start losing their hair. If that's you right now, surround yourself with people who love and support you, and focus on things you can change rather than what you can't control. 

What helped me was the fact that people who truly cared didn't mind my receding hairline. My worth wasn't shrinking along with my hair. Yours isn't either.

Millions of people are in the same boat, so keep your chin up as we explore your options. Read our article on the psychology of hair loss to learn more and how to cope with your situation.

Know the Cause of Your Hair Loss

Before we talk about your options, let's figure out why this is happening. I wish someone had explained this to me earlier.

Understanding why you have thinning hair can help you make informed decisions moving forward. Here's the truth: If you have male-pattern baldness or pattern hair loss, there's no cure.

I wasted months hoping for a miracle cure, there's none. Save yourself that disappointment.

The good news? You can slow things down with treatment. More on this later.

On the flip side, some experience temporary hair loss due to telogen effluvium. If that's you, your hair usually grows back once you deal with the cause, whether it's stress, pregnancy, birth control pills, or certain medications.

Going Bald? Here are Your Options

Make Lifestyle Changes to Support Healthy Hair

When I first started thinning, I tried to hold onto every strand I had left. Some guys can rock the horseshoe pattern, not me.

Simple changes made a difference for me: eating better, moving my body, managing stress. I started taking hair vitamins.
 
Did they stop my balding? No. Did they make my remaining hair healthier? Yeah.

Your hair is mostly protein. Feed it right. You are what you eat, hair included.

Sleep matters. Stress matters. If you smoke, quitting helps. Smoking chokes off blood flow to your scalp.

I found that exercise helped me process the emotional side too. When I was stressed about my hair, working out cleared my head. Find what works for you.

Change Your Hairstyle 

When I was in the early stages of the Norwood Scale, a buzz cut saved me. It disguised my receding hairline and made me look neat. Believe me, a nice haircut can make a world of difference. Ask your stylist or barber which style fits you. 

You can choose from our recommended hairstyles for those with general thinning from the crown or hairline. Your stylist would know how to hide a pesky bald patch on your scalp. Just remember to avoid the comb-overs.

Instead, opt for cuts like buzz cuts, fades, or shorter styles to blend thinning areas.

Dress Well, Accessorize, and Wear a Beard

A shaved head opens up a world of style possibilities. Imagine having a blank canvas you can work on. 

Here are hacks you can apply to draw attention away from your balding head.

Bearded and Bald

Pairing a bald scalp and a well-groomed beard can help you create a style uniquely your own. Me? I prefer a clean-shaven look, facial hair makes me uncomfortable. If you dig this style, you can choose from various beard styles that look good on bald men.

Hats and Glasses

What I added to my wardrobe were stylish hats, glasses, and sunglasses. Suddenly, I had options I never considered when I still had hair.

For more tips and hacks, read our comprehensive guide on bald fashion, where we discuss everything from choosing the right headwear to grooming tips for a bald head.

Shave It All Off

Some take hair loss seriously. I get it. I felt unattractive, and my confidence tanked. It's understandable. Losing your hair can ruin your confidence, especially if you're in the late stages of male pattern baldness or are bald on top with hair on the sides, George Costanza style.

There were times when I wondered if I'd ever regain my swag again.

Then I thought about iconic bald figures like Vin Diesel, The Rock, and Jason Statham. They've turned baldness into a symbol of strength and charisma. Why not join their ranks and rock your bald head with confidence?

That moment changed everything. I grabbed my shaver, and the rest is history!

This is the other side of balding: baldies who accept their thinning hair and focus on things that will even make them better. You might be surprised that women find bald men attractive. One guy on X shaved mid-crisis and said it flipped his dating game.

If you're ready to try this, check out our beginner's guide to balding, how to shave your head, and invest in a reliable head shaver (our top pick is the Freebird FlexSeries Pro which has everything you need.)

When you buy the FlexSeries Pro you'll get:

• A Powerful but quiet adaptive motor (adjusts speed based on hair density)

• An Enhanced four-blade design with independent floating foils

• A travel lock

• A Larger hair capture chamber

• An Easy to clean two-part blade system

• A Three-level LED battery indicator

• IPX7 waterproofing

• A 90-minute battery life

You'll also get the traditional Freebird freebies worth $60, namely:

• Upgraded Precision Clipper

• 3,5,7 mm Safety Guards

• Advanced Nose and Ear Trimmer

• Micro Cleaning Brush

Get one now for only $59.95.

Hair Loss Treatments

When I started losing my hair, I tried applying hair growth products on my scalp, which I would later realize was a waste of my time and money. I wanted to believe so badly that something would reverse my hair loss. The hard truth? Male pattern baldness runs in the family, so any hair restoration would prove futile. 

But if slowing things down matters to you, you can choose from natural hair treatments or proven medications that block DHT (the villain that causes balding), like minoxidil and finasteride.

A study of 984 men shows that 47.8% found minoxidil effective while 20.6% said it was moderately effective. For finasteride users, a study shows that 66% of men showed noticeable hair regrowth after two years.

I decided against them because I didn't want lifetime medication and potential side effects. Your call might be different, and that's okay. Talk to your doctor about what makes sense for you.

Wear a Wig

My dad and grandfather wore wigs, and for some guys, wigs work.  They can give you a full head of hair without surgery or medication. The downside? They're hot and uncomfortable, and look fake if you wear the wrong piece.

If you decide to go for a wig, learn how to keep it in place. It can be embarrassing if your wig flies off when it's windy outside.

Wigs cost between $20 to $400 if they're synthetic and can go up to between $100 to $5,000 for human hair wigs.

Consider Scalp Micropigmentation

Did you know that you can sport a fresh buzz cut all the time? Scalp micropigmentation is something you must try out for hair-thinning problems.

It's like a hair tattoo done by adding tiny dots of pigments on your head that give an illusion of hair follicles. It's quick, non-invasive, and a lot cheaper (around $3,000 on average) and safer than a hair transplant.

Just remember, SMP looks like hair but it isn't hair. The catch? You need to shave your scalp regularly. Any hair growth will spoil the illusion of SMP.

Get a Hair Transplant

If you've got the dough and are ok with surgery, a hair transplant is a permanent fix you can consider. They move healthy hair follicles on your scalp to thinning or bald spots. Expect to spend around $8,000 on average for a hair transplant surgery.

Timing matters though, if you're in the advanced stages on the Norwood Scale. , there won't be enough hair left to work with.

The Bottom Line

Going bald doesn't have to be a daunting experience - it can be an empowering journey of discovery! Whether you accept your male pattern hair loss or explore various treatments, remember that being confident with what you have is key.

I've been shaving for over a decade, and I'm more confident now than when I had hair. The anxiety about losing hair, checking mirrors, and hiding? All Gone.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your electric shaver and strut your smooth dome!

FAQs

Can Stress Cause Hair Loss?

Yes, it can. Stress is one of the triggers of temporary hair loss. Don't worry. Manage your stress, and your hair will most likely grow back to what it was before. Finasteride or topical minoxidil can do the trick if you want to grow your hair faster.

What's the Most Effective Solution for Hair Loss?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer because individual circumstances are different. Some guys swear by hair transplants, while others prefer non-invasive solutions like minoxidil and finasteride. I didn't want the potential side effects and lifetime usage of medications, so I tried natural hair growth products instead.

Are Hair Transplants Worth It?

For many, hair transplants can be worth every penny. They offer a permanent solution versus other hair restoration solutions. The reality? They're pricey and carry surgical risks. If you're in the early stages of hair loss and have enough donor hair, you can give it a shot. If you're in the advanced stages of hair loss, think twice. You don't want to end up looking like you're trying to cover a bald spot with a few straggly hairs!

How Long Before I See Results from Hair Loss Treatments?

If you're using finasteride or minoxidil wait three to six months before you start seeing results. Patience is key here! Hair loss is quick, but recovery takes time. Remember, once you begin these medications you need to be consistent and use them for life.

Is Scalp Micropigmentation Permanent?

Scalp micropigmentation is a quick fix to your hair loss problem but they're not permanent. Just like normal tattoos, the pigments will fade after four to six years so you'll need touch-ups to keep your head looking fresh.

What Should I Do If My Hair Loss Treatment Stops Working?

You can switch to another treatment or combine therapies for better results. If you've been using a hair loss treatment and notice that it's no longer working, don't panic! When all else fails you can always accept your baldness and shave it all off!

How to Choose the Right Hairstyle for Balding Gents?

A good stylist can recommend the best haircut for you. Shorter hairstyles are a good option, they can add volume and hide those bald spots. Just remember, if you're in the late stages of hair loss, don't even think about combovers. You'll only get embarrassed if you try it.