Dear Bald Guy,

In reading all the articles here, it is reassuring to see that there are so many other people out there that are in the same boat as myself. Here's my story: I am now 21 years old and I started losing my hair probably at around 15 or so. Pretty devastating. I thought about it all the time!! I would skip school if my hair didn't look good (which was pretty often). I eventually came to realize that my life would be completely different if I did in fact have hair - so I decided to do something about it.

I looked into transplants but decided against it since I would not be able to ever have a full head of hair. So, I did the next best thing and looked into high-quality hair pieces. At 18, I started wearing a hairpiece and my friends and family were more than supportive. I actually felt great. It's now 3 years later and I am no longer as happy as I used to be. I am always worrying if people notice, if it looks good or bad and what people are thinking. So basically, I'm in the same boat as I was before I had hair. The thing is, when I feel that my hairpiece looks good, I feel great. I think to myself that if it always looked this good, I would be comfortable with the fact that I am wearing a hairpiece. But that is not the case at all.

In my experience with a hairpiece, it is possible for them to look good, but this only lasts for maybe 2 weeks or so. After that, the hair dries up and looks ..lifeless. My hairpiece is of high-quality and is "virtually" undetectable (as the advertisements say). To translate: it is difficult to feel the outer perimeter of the piece, but naturally you can feel a ridge if you go looking for it.

To anyone considering getting a hairpiece, it is very important to invest in a good one. If you're going to do it, do it right. Also, it is important to request to see another client's. Although this is perhaps awkward to ask, it is totally worth it. I do not believe that there is such thing as a totally undetectable (visually or through touch) hairpiece: I think that there are only really good hairpieces that look like really good hairpieces that most people probably wouldn't notice unless they were having the same problem or were involved in the business. To elaborate, I don't think that anyone wearing a hairpiece would be able to sneak by me unnoticed, but that's only because I am always looking at everyone's hair.

I have thought about shaving my head, but I don't think that it would suit me. I think it's good that society now encourages bald people to shave their heads and I do think that it does in fact look good. I am not ready at this point in my life to shave my head, but I am tired of always worrying about things. Do you have any advice?

Franky.

Dear Bald Guy,

About three months ago I started dating an INCREDIBLY sexy bald man. Because he's an attractive, confident, outgoing person, I assumed he was comfortable with his baldness, but I'm slowly discovering that he's not. Recently, I tried to take a picture of him while on a trip, and he turned away from the camera saying "Don't baby, I don't have any hair"...as we grow closer, I hear the discomfort in his voice as he tries to fend off the casual (and friendly) names and jokes that get tossed his way, as well as those he makes about himself. I've made a point of telling him how gorgeous I think he is, but I wish there was something more I could say to help him feel more at ease with his appearance.

Any advice?

In Love,

Circe

Dear Circe,

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I just bought a Harley Davidson and it has taken over my life.

You don't need any advice because you are doing exactly what needs to be done. I too thought that I was unattractive as my baldness took over. It was my wife who constantly told me that I was attractive and that I wouldn't be nearly as handsome if I had hair. I believe her, and so will your boyfriend believe you if you continue your praise of his bare pate. So take those pictures and hang them on your wall for him to see, it's just a matter of time.

God Bless,

Tony Snesko
Founder, Bald R Us

PS. If he gets a Harley, I guarantee you that he will no longer think of his lost follicles.

Dear Bald Guy,

I have been losing my hair since I was in high school.

Now, 10 years later, there isn't a minute that goes by where I do not think about it. I guess I am mad because my family on both sides have all of their hair and I feel like an outcast. It has been a gradual process and sometimes I think it gets better. I feel in my life in order to really push myself and feel confident I have to have hair. Well, I started using spray for the past six years and I want it to be natural, I am sick of getting ready with that stuff. I had a toupee about 4 years ago, and it lasted about 2 weeks and I cut it off. I really wasn't that bald either. Now in November I had my first transplants done. I don't know what to say, everything went smooth. I weighed the options quite well but I am just sick of worrying with this problem. I feel embarrassed to take my hat off ever. I seem to be always wearing it. This hair loss situation has reaped me of my benefits to try hard and achieve my goals in life. I have been thinking a lot lately, and thought I should have just have shaved my head. I have done it before and it wasn't that bad. But now I have a scar in the back of my head and is it really worth to spend the money. I am just trying to make my life a little easier and trying to make this an issue to where I don't have to worry about it anymore. I am stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you have any insight on this matter please let me know.

Sincerely,

T.D.

Dear T.D.:

Since going totally bald is no longer an option, as you now have transplant scars, you really only have two options, unless the scars are so slight that they wouldn't be noticed. Some plastic surgeons can do wonders in hiding scars and you might want to look into that. Otherwise, if the plugs are taking root and you can afford it, continue on. If the transplants look like a lost cause, then there are some toupee's that are undetectable but they will cost thousands of dollars.

Whatever you do, make sure that you have a best friend or two on hand to help you make the right decision. Keep me posted as to your decision and I'll keep you in prayer.

God Bless,

Tony Snesko
Founder, Bald R Us

I have been shaved for about two weeks now and it feels great. One problem I am having though is a rash on the back of my head. It is real low almost on my neck. Is this normal? Is there a way to get rid of them.

Thanks!

Kenny F.

Greetings Kenny!

Welcome to the club!

You will find that rashes usually occur when you shave with a razor against the natural direction of your hair growth. (Shaving with an upward stroke on the sides of your head.) Most men can solve the rash problem by just shaving in a downward motion at all times, while others find that switching to a top of the line electric razor is the solution. There are some men who just have tender skin and the only way to heal the rash is a good after shave or medicated lotion.

Let me know if any of these cures work for you.

Keep on shining!

Tony Snesko
Founder, Bald R Us

Dear Bald Guy:

I'm 26 years old . It had hit me when I was 16 . I heard it in high school and then it took a dormant period until about 6 months ago. It happened so rapidly that I am embarrassed to go in public without some kind of inconspicuous cover-up that I wear. I feel that the only way to really push myself in life is to not worry about this. But still it crosses me every day and I don't know how to cope. Please I would appreciate some insight on this matter.

Thank You,

Anthony

Dear Anthony:

I'm sorry I took so long to get back to you, but I bought a Harley Davidson two weeks ago and it has monopolized my time.  About your balding, you have several choices but only one that will ultimately make you feel better about yourself:

If you choose to go with a toupee, you will seldom find one that isn't detectable and your whole life will be spent wondering if people know that you are wearing one. (They will!)

If you go for a transplant, you may experience several drawbacks.  Sometimes the transplant doesn't take and you are stuck with scars the rest of your life, forcing you to wear a toupee forever. Some transplants are so obvious that they look like corn rows. The true horror stories come from men who hired doctors who didn't know what they were doing and were left with huge scars in the areas from which the hair was taken and still others were left with uneven hair on the sides of their head.

If you choose to try the various medications available, you will end up spending tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime and, more often than not, they either won't work or the results will be minimal. I would not recommend spending that kind of money for a few sprouts.

All three of these alternatives to baldness will make you a slave to the mirror. Whiplash will strike you daily as you pass store windows and anything else that bares your reflection.

The best thing you could do is ignore it. Let it go, because there is really nothing that you can do that will make you feel better, except either accepting the fact that you are attractive with or without hair, or shaving your head entirely as many young men do to make it appear that it is your choice rather than God's.

Let me know what you decide to do.

May God bless your decision!

Tony Snesko
Founder, Bald R Us