To feel protective of DS, 19, who has recently gone bald

[DaisyLuke]

DS has gone from normal hairline at 17 to literally a six o'clock horseshoe shadow and b*er all else at 19. We are talking a Prince William scenario on 2 years. Obviously he's rather sensitive about this. I wonder if I need to warn relatives he hasn't seem to a while in advance so he doesn't get the shocked reaction we just recently had at a family wedding. Some people who should know better (S'IL, take a bow) overreacted and I know it upset him. We've a few events coming up soon. Ideas?

My brother had something similar. Luckily this was early 2000s and the shaved head look was in. It did really upset him at the time, but the shaved head has become part of him, and as he's got older more and more of his friends have ended up in the same boat - this will only be an issue in his 20s, though that probably seems like a long time to him now.

He should grow some facial hair. Bald always looks better with some stubble to balance it out.

Google Patrick Stewart's interview regarding his early onset baldness, will try to link later once the monsters are in bed

Well tbf I didn't think baldness was my thing either in till I met dh he's still handsome though imo out of interest is your ds hairy in general ie chest etc my dh is very hairy apart from his head I don't know wether it's related?

My handsome face needs the space

Definitely recommend shaving his head. That way it looks like a style choice more than the fact he is bald. My friend's son did this around the same age and a shaved or buzz cut look is something that is just part of his style iykwim. It's a hard thing to have to deal with so young but make sure you tell him he looks great and if poss that other relatives do likewise.

My eldest DB went bald more or less overnight after a strange infection with very high temp. He was distraught and for years tried wigs, hairpieces and all sorts. It took until he met his now DW to accept his bald head as she told him he looked far handsomer without wigs etc.

Oh bless him. I think that warning people is the thing - I had a cousin have the same thing happen and we all knew before we saw him as it had clearly been Mentioned. He's a handsome chap and has always been popular with the ladies (and I believe gents, although as far as I know he never took those offers up).

I think there's a worry for some lads that this happens to that they end up looking a bit thuggish - maybe help him look out some bald style icons to give him some ideas? You know, more Jason Statham or Samuel L Jackson than Vin Diesel.

I believe many cases of male pattern baldness is inherited down the female line. If a women's male parent is bald then her son is more likely to suffer MPB.

And I know prince William probably can't shave his head but if he was just will from down the road I think it a shaved head would probably suit him far more I know my dh struggled with it when he was young but it really suits him now.

If you know certain people you need to make aware because they might make a big deal out of it then I would defo tell them in advance. And I would bring it up something along these lines: "the poor boy, he's a little sensitive about it, of course he is, which teenager wouldn't be! I'm just worried some idiot might say something insensitive that would upset him..."
They'll agree with you and won't say anything for sure :)

Poor kid - that must be really tough to deal with. And yes, warn as many people as you possibly can, I reckon.

I'd mention it to family members and tell them not to comment. It would be really rude if they did. I'm sure he will get used to it and it will become less of a thing but I'm not suprised he is sensitive to it at 19.

I think hair transplants are becoming more common. Could this be a consideration for the future?

As an aside, there are options for hair loss but you need to act fast - i.e. Now before the hair loss becomes permanent.

Things like DHT blocking shampoos and creams, medication. And obviously hair transplantation.

Has he seen a dermatologist or an endocrinologist or had bloods done?? (since the hair loss was so rapid and early onset). It could be something like chronic telogen effluvium for which there are treatments.

www.belgraviacentre.com/telogeneffluvium/

It does seem to be becoming more common in younger and younger guys that's for sure. Maybe society just needs to catch up.

My DH started thinning through his 20s and has shaved his head for the past 5 years or so (since late 20s). It's never been an issue for me as I'm a big Jason Statham fan (and it's never done him any harm with the ladies either!) and it really suits DH, but I absolutely understand that it is a very personal thing and to deal with it at 19 is very young.

Definitely give everyone a heads up and urge them not to draw attention to it. I would also recommend that he shave it or keep it closely cropped.

I think he should go to the best hairdresser he can afford - they will make him look great.

@DaisyLuke

Poor lad !!! 19! Fookin' 'ell!

Any chance of plugs/hair transplant OP? Quite a few (famous) men have had it done, and it's actually very good. I was shocked to find out Shaun Williamson has had it done, and it looks so natural!

same with Jason Gardiner. Pictured here alongside Shaun.

Also Jason Donavan and Wayne Rooney and quite a few more have had it done.

Doesn't cost too much either. Maybe 3 grand. The price of a family holiday abroad. Well worth it!

I've just asked my OH about this - his hairline started going at 18. He said to warn people and if they are stupid enough to comment, slap back at them with a zinger about their own personal appearance before asking "How do you like it?" Tends to shut people up pretty quickly.

Although he is attempting to disguise his hairline by growing the rest of his hair. It's not good.

I really really definitely certainly hate the way people generally react to a balding man. It's so unfair to play on insecurities, but it seems acceptable to joke about it .

I now realise that it's just not funny. One of my best friends went bald not long after uni. He was (still is imo) a 'hottie' and I saw how losing his hair broke his confidence and he just stopped caring about his appearance, gained weight and almost went into a dark place. It took some years but he's confident, hopeful and dating again. People are different and some men don't seem to care an awful lot about balding. You can't control what people will say but you can work on building his confidence as best a loving mother can!

I'm 25 and think bald blokes are really sexy!

I know people mean well when they say 'bald men are attractive' (and to some women they are.) But that doesn't help the young (19 year old) man who is devastated at losing his hair in his TEENS.

Sorry this has happened. Would Regaine/Rogaine be an option? I would definitely pursue it for a young man your sons age.

My BIL went bald very young and was so self conscious about it that he had a transplant. It all went wrong unfortunately- his hairline hadn't 'settled' so he ended up with a line of hair, then a gap, then his own hairline IYKWIM. The surgeon who he found to do the repair said he advises very young men to shave their heads & wait it out for a while.

My son lost all his hair due to chemo (actually shaved it off when the patches started to fall out). It amazed me how he fitted in - so many young guys with shaved heads. Think he was amazed too.

Think the way to go is to shave it all off trendy - rather than 'go bald'.

It's hard - but seriously - there does seem to be a lot of bad (shaven) youths out there.

There are SO many young men who shave their hair now, I think it looks great.

DH started going bald in his early twenties and shaved it all off then, 20 years later he still shaves it and looks great.

@TheRollingCrone
My handsome face needs the space
I love this!!!