Androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is the most common form of hair loss, affecting millions of men worldwide. While about 16% of men between 18-29 experience it, the likelihood of it happening increases as you age—by the time you hit 50, around half of all men will experience male pattern baldness. The exact reason why some men lose their hair while others don’t is still unclear, but it’s generally believed that genetic and hormonal factors play a huge role in determining who will go bald.

Now, let’s rewind a couple of decades. I was 16 years old, hair flowing past my shoulders, baggy jeans, rocking out to the Foo Fighters on my Sony Walkman. I was a walking teenage stereotype—grumpy, arrogant and sleepy on the outside, but inwardly desperate to be seen as cool, to be accepted by others and to fit in. The life of a teenager in the early 2000s, right?

But then, in a moment of spontaneity, I shaved my head for charity. It was only after the shave that I got a true glimpse of my hairline. Under that long fringe, I had no idea how much it had already receded. A quick glance at my dad or older brother confirmed what I didn’t want to admit: baldness was on its way. I just hadn’t expected it to come so soon.

And from that moment, it felt like my hairline was a constant reminder of what was to come. Friends, teachers, even strangers—everyone seemed to have something to say. The jokes, the comments, they didn’t stop. I knew I couldn’t avoid it, so I learned to embrace it. Humour became my shield, a way to lighten the mood and lead and steer conversations beyond the topic of my lack of hair. It was a way to remind myself (and everyone around me) that my identity is much more than just my receding hairline.

Over the next few years, I kept my remaining hair short. But by the time I hit my early 20s, I decided enough was enough. I picked up the razor, and with that, I embraced my new, bold look—no looking back. I was officially, unapologetically, and forever bald.

School, as we all know, can be tough. Some kids will find anything that makes you stand out, something to latch onto and turn into fuel for teasing. For me, it was my receding hairline. But the real test came after school, as I transitioned into the wider world. While the comments became more light-hearted, I realised that our society is obsessed with appearance. People love to comment on my baldness, “Do you miss having hair?”, “You must save so much on haircuts!”, “Don’t your ears get cold?”.  It’s like the weather- it’s one of those things people feel the need to bring up in small talk. And while it doesn’t bother me anymore, I’ve become increasingly aware of how often my baldness becomes a conversation starter.

What constantly surprises me, is the fact that some people seem to think it's perfectly fine to comment on a person’s baldness, while most would never dream of doing the same with other physical features. Can you imagine opening a conversation with a stranger with “Do you miss not having wrinkles?”

We are all so much more than what is (or isn’t) on top of our heads. There’s a depth and richness to everyone’s story that isn’t defined by our appearance. I hope that those who continue to comment on our bald heads keep the conversation going long enough so they can discover what really makes each of us who we are, unique and wonderful human beings with stories to tell and hopes we’re living for.

I have now worked for Alopecia UK for 18 months and my own experience with hair loss from a young age has given me an advantage when learning about different types of alopecia, the challenges faced by our community, and the ways Alopecia UK can support those struggling. Since starting my role at Alopecia UK, I’ve had the privilege of meeting and interacting with people in our community who have shared their own journey with alopecia. This has inspired me to reflect on my own experience with hair loss which I’ve never really spoken about in detail before now.

Let’s face it: baldness can affect a man’s self-esteem. It can mess with body image and leave some men feeling like they’re not enough. I get it. The constant ads and miracle treatments that pop up on my phone feed daily don’t make it easier either—new shampoos, medications, transplants, you name it. Sometimes, it even makes me question if I’m missing out on something by not having a full head of hair.

Honestly, as time has passed, I’ve grown to embrace it. I’m confident in who I am, and dare I say, I’ve come to love being bald.

So, to all the men out there struggling with the idea of losing their hair, whether you shave it off or let it thin out naturally, there’s power in owning it. Remember, there’s so much more to who you are than what’s on your head. Resist comparison and don’t let the unwanted comments stick. Instead, tune into those who want to get to know you for the person underneath your baldness.