Moment Of Truth, Have I Been Long Due For A Buzzcut?

[Massive]

Hey guys, it's time for a reality check. I'm 31 years old and started visibly thinning around 26.
The way things are going I'm only shedding, I'm not maintaining or regrowing. It's getting uglier every month.
I've been trying to delay this for as long as possible, but is it time for a buzzcut now?

Those were taken under light. I guess in normal condition it would seem a bit less visible.

~~~Update~~~
I was away for a while and I appreciate everyone's responses and opinions here!
For everyone asking about what meds I'm taking I'm currently on:

Past regimen
- 9 months on Propecia
- The last 3 months on propecia I added generic dutasteride (dr. reddy) EOD
- Nizoral 2% once in a while
- Progress of regimen: Got raped in the *** real hard. Went from a slightly-medium diffuse 30 y.o. that still had hope to save/maintain his hair and look reasonable to a 31 year old that wouldn't dare to leave his house without hair fibers.
*I know it might have been not the wisest choice but I then quit everything altogether for 6 months

Current regimen
- After being 'clean' for 6 months and every week having to use more and hair fibers each application I decided I have nothing to lose and went back to the meds, this time giving them a full 2 years trial at least.
- Genuine Propecia 1mg ED (3+ months in)
- Nizoral 2% once a week (nizoral feels very harsh on my scalp)
- Minoxidil: After one month on liquid minoxidil I got unbearable itching I had to stop (2 weeks without now). Now I ordered kirkland foam, hoppefully I'll be fine with the ppg in foam, soon arrive soon.
- I have other supplements such as Multi, Fish Oil, Zinc, Iron, D3, Biotin, MSM, Gingo Biloba, Vit C, but it's not like they really matter except for general health.
- Progress of regimen: Everyday saying goodbye to more hair. Hair falling at the slightest touch.
- Thoughts for future: Gradually switch to oral minoxidil and add RU. I still have 49 pills of dr. reddy's dutasteride with expiration date oct/2016. Should I started adding once a week and building up to 2-3 a week?

Regarding facial hair:
I noticed that actually a few people here suggested growing facial here if I'm going for a buzz cut. I always to grow a big beard but always broke once I reached a month without shaving. This is my last attempt starting at January:
This is just for fun and I'm if I were to go the buzzcut approach I would trim my beard much shorter but for now I'm just letting it grow.

Btw I'm without a concealer here, from the side under certain lighting it looks normal.


Pics from Oct' 2015 with buzzcut (my hair is much worse now):
The reason I never did a full close buzzcut is because I've been using hair fibers for over a year and if the hair is too short it doesn't work too well. I think the time is very near to say goodbye to concealers and face reality and do what's needed.

 

[abcdefg]

Yeah might not be a bad idea to just embrace it, but IMO you should at least try everything in your power like big 3 or even dutasteride if you can afford it or are comfortable with that. You might lose the war anyway, but go down with a fight

 

[pegasus2]

It's hard to say. It might be better, it might be worse. Give it a try and see how it looks.

 

[Roberto_72]

It is already quite short. From the pictures one cannot see:
- the ears
- the length of the skull

If neither is excessive, you may way to try to make it shorter. However, be prepared that, unless you shave it completely, the difference between sides and top will not necessarily be less evident.

 

[myhairbegone]

U on any treatments?

 

[z.ali93]

Definitely grow a beard or some facial hair and if you go for a Lex Luthor look, some guys look so much better with that style.

 

[Funkymonk1]

Sorry to sound vague but it really depends on how you feel. If you're at the stage where you feel it's genuinely affecting your looks and it's getting you down then what have you got to lose? Worst case scenario is you can just grow it out again if you really hate it shaved.

 

[shookwun]

With your diffuse the only style that would look remotely aesthetic would be a buzz. Its to diffuse and patchy to grow out without looking like a bum

 

[buckthorn]

Hey guys, it's time for a reality check. I'm 31 years old and started visibly thinning around 26.
The way things are going I'm only shedding, I'm not maintaining or regrowing. It's getting uglier every month.
I've been trying to delay this for as long as possible, but is it time for a buzzcut now?
View attachment 41314View attachment 41311View attachment 41310 View attachment 41313View attachment 41312
Those were taken under light. I guess in normal condition it would seem a bit less visible.

I am almost in your situation and approaching it quickly. Start with a number seven and see how you feel and work your way down. Trust me when I say, the shorter it is, the less noticeable in this scenario.

 

[Funkymonk1]

I am almost in your situation and approaching it quickly. Start with a number seven and see how you feel and work your way down. Trust me when I say, the shorter it is, the less noticeable in this scenario.

Honestly, you've got pretty good coverage, especially up front where it matters. If you buzz it, it's actually going to look a lot thinner, because it will expose scalp that is currently covered by the length of your hair. I once got a buzzcut when I wasn't even a visible NW1, though I was aware that I was starting to thin. I looked terrible, because it revealed how sparse my hair density actually was, while before the length of my hair had concealed my thinning. You're not showing NW3+ temple recession, though your midscalp is thinned-out; if you shave your head, it will only accentuate those thinner areas.

Are you on the Big Three? If not, get on them now.

Not trying to cause an argument or anything but you two seem to have opposite views on this. You can't both be right lol.

 

[buckthorn]

Not trying to cause an argument or anything but you two seem to have opposite views on this. You can't both be right lol.

true.. I think just a but short, like one or two guards would look neater and thicker overall. There is nothing to hide. It's at the point where it's a combover, or it's a buzz, nothing in between. I bet a six guard would look a lot neater.

 

[shookwun]

He rele has no other choice.

Its either buzz and look normal and formal.
Or

Grown out and look like a diffuse rats nest.

 

[Massive]

Hey everyone! Sorry for disappearing after opening a thread, I've been rather busy.
THANK YOU ALL FOR REPLIES AND SUPPORT! I've also updated my main post regard what I'm taking and what I took in the past. Any advise is welcome.

Yeah might not be a bad idea to just embrace it, but IMO you should at least try everything in your power like big 3 or even dutasteride if you can afford it or are comfortable with that. You might lose the war anyway, but go down with a fight

"Embrace it". It's the only thing I've been hearing from my NW1 friends. I'm embracing it in baby steps. One day I'm ready to lose it all, the next morning I tell myself there's no way I'm giving up on my hair. I actually really want to add oral minoxidil, not sure if it's worth it tho.

It is already quite short. From the pictures one cannot see:
- the ears
- the length of the skull

If neither is excessive, you may way to try to make it shorter. However, be prepared that, unless you shave it completely, the difference between sides and top will not necessarily be less evident.

I see we have a facial aesthetics analyzer in the house, I like you already I will upload some face pics.
Btw I'm taking about a very short buzzcut, perhaps 0 guard on sides and 1 on top.

Definitely grow a beard or some facial hair and if you go for a Lex Luthor look, some guys look so much better with that style.

Already have a beard lol. Although it was only helping me get positive attention from the females when it was a short beard. Once it got bigger than the average full beard length it seems like I get disgusted looks from females and the only people 'mirin are dudes.

Sorry to sound vague but it really depends on how you feel. If you're at the stage where you feel it's genuinely affecting your looks and it's getting you down then what have you got to lose? Worst case scenario is you can just grow it out again if you really hate it shaved.

I've been using a hair fibers everyday for the last year and a half. That's the hardest part. Going from "full" hair to 'did somebody drop a nuclear bomb on your scalp?'

Honestly, you've got pretty good coverage, especially up front where it matters. If you buzz it, it's actually going to look a lot thinner, because it will expose scalp that is currently covered by the length of your hair. I once got a buzzcut when I wasn't even a visible NW1, though I was aware that I was starting to thin. I looked terrible, because it revealed how sparse my hair density actually was, while before the length of my hair had concealed my thinning. You're not showing NW3+ temple recession, though your midscalp is thinned-out; if you shave your head, it will only accentuate those thinner areas.

Are you on the Big Three? If not, get on them now.

Thanks for your advice, details on regimen updated in main post.

You might want to try an agressive approach. Maybe medication combined with high strength Minoxidil.

Buzzing it, I don't know. Because unfortunately, at your stage, not only will the bald spots show, but it might take a long time
to grow back if it's short.

Might want to grow facial hair or something. Kind of looks boring without it, and a buzzed look. Even with diffuse hair.

Should I keep growing or trim back to a short beard? Added pics in main post. When I just started growing it out and my beard became a noticable one but still nothing out of the ordinary I started getting lots of people attention from females, being 6'2" (avg is 5'9" here) and bearded made me kinda stand out. But once my beard grew bigger and bigger all I got is laughs/disgusted looks/trash talking right next to me when I can clearly them like I don't even exist. On the other hand, every other dude is "dayum nice beard".

With your diffuse the only style that would look remotely aesthetic would be a buzz. Its to diffuse and patchy to grow out without looking like a bum

Lol'd hard @ looking like a bum. It's funny cuz it's true.

I am almost in your situation and approaching it quickly. Start with a number seven and see how you feel and work your way down. Trust me when I say, the shorter it is, the less noticeable in this scenario.

Hey there bro Ever after I saw you mentioned in a few posts that finasteride made it only worse you which I'm 99% certain it's the same for me, I've been stalking your posts like a high school crush... ok just kidding.... slightly .
It seems like you opinion goes against what everyone here says. I think I have an a picture of me with a buzzcut about half a year ago. I'll try find it.

He rele has no other choice.

Its either buzz and look normal and formal.
Or

Grown out and look like a diffuse rats nest.

Rat's nest... I'm laughing and crying at the same time.

 

[shookwun]

I like to be optimistic and realistic of expectations and how others including myself will perceive your situation.


Its at a point where growing it out will only result in diminishing returns, and further accentuate the effects of your balding head.

Fade the sides and back and leave a 1 grade on top that blends in.

 

[Funkymonk1]

Honestly, you've got pretty good coverage, especially up front where it matters. If you buzz it, it's actually going to look a lot thinner, because it will expose scalp that is currently covered by the length of your hair. I once got a buzzcut when I wasn't even a visible NW1, though I was aware that I was starting to thin. I looked terrible, because it revealed how sparse my hair density actually was, while before the length of my hair had concealed my thinning. You're not showing NW3+ temple recession, though your midscalp is thinned-out; if you shave your head, it will only accentuate those thinner areas.

I had a similar experience. I'd say I'm about a Norwood 2.5 perhaps Norwood 3 with temple recession and some thinning but the funny thing is I still get comments about my "thick hair". This is because with a bit of length and styled correctly I can make it look like a NW1 or at least give the impression of having a good head of hair. However one time I got it cut really short (1 on the sides and a 3 on top) and my god what a difference! My receding temples and thinning front middle was there in all its glory and I looked like I'd aged 20 years! My girlfriend even gave a audible gasp of shock when I got home. Frankly I wouldn't get it cut this short again until I'd lost so much hair that I could do nothing else with it.