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Hair Loss Video – MTV True Life: “I’m Losing My Hair”

4 May 2009 View Comments

MTV recently highlighted emotional struggles with hair loss in a documentary they regularly air, called “True Life”. This segment was about a 25 year old Floridian male coping with pattern loss that began in his teens. He had previously employed well-tread baldie tricks like sunglasses-on-the-hairline, which is a bit like bedazzling your goiter with diamonds, but no sleights of hair could save him from his atomic social bombing:

Girls at party: How old are you?

Hair Loser: 25.

Girls: plus..?

Hair Loser: 25 plus nada. Plus nada.

Girls: (laugh)

Hair Loser: [..] I’m officially out of material. So.. whatever.

Yowch. For any of you encountering this situation, here’s a more appropriate response:

Hair Loser: I’m 25.

Girls: plus..?

Hair Loser: 25 plus fuck you.

But don’t fret, dear sympathizers, inspirational piano music and graphic surgery footage follow shortly after his interpersonal humiliations. He opted for a strip hair transplant, which seems potentially regrettable considering how aggressive his MPB is. This episode feels very much like an advertisement for hair transplants, but I suppose that’s to be expected for a quick and dramatic TV fix.

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Thanks, baldtruthtalk.com

  • LIZ_RUSSHARD
    Hey there, Im 19 and have been bald since I was 6 years old :) I have alopecia totalis (posh way of saying my hair doesn't grow) and... thats it really, no wigs, no hats (unless its cold ofcourse) and no medical procedures, well actually I did try steroid injections in my scalp for a few years, but they hurt, did nothing and have some nasty side effects!
    Be bald, proud and beautiful :)
  • dave
    Robert, do you got any pics of how the hair looks now one year+ after the operation?
  • Robert Shiver
    Hey dave. Sorry for the late reply. I have pictures on my facebook. Look up Robert Shiver, or Facebook.com/shiversroom
  • Angelo
    I'm 22 and in college and I'm balding, and I'm not terribly insecure about it since it's been happening since I was 16. I mean no offense man but you're 25, it's fine if you go bald, we can't all have great genetics.

    There's so many things you could have done to not be all insecure about it, sunglasses aren't one of them. You realize you still have a huge bald spot in the back of your head right? The very least you could have done is get a haircut on the sides and back to not contrast the lack of hair on top of your head so much.

    If I was as vain as you I would have gotten a hairpiece or something instead of walking around like that especially at that embarrassing party. Maybe once or twice you'll get caught but whatever, it still looks better 99% of the time people can't tell.

    Maybe you should have dealt with your own personal issues before blaming it on the baldness. Your maturity for one, why are you 25 and living at home? Why do you care so much what a few immature girls think? There's a few other things you could have done to improve your appearance other than hair and confidence. You could have worked out for one, maybe tanned a bit and got a better fashion sense.

    The way it is right now, you're still missing more hair than people your age, and you lack the confidence and physical attractiveness that other people have in addition to their hair.
  • Rob
    Hi Rob
    I have had 3 procedures since 2002 and dont regret it for one bit. I have a very high forehead and was constantly teased at school and even afterwards small children on trains ect would make really horrible comments as I looked so strange. (A lot worse than you!). I would say though that you will probably need at least one more procedure, probably 2 to get a reasonable thickness.

    All those that make stupid comments are the kind of people that have a problem with something about themselves. If they were happy in themselves why would they say anything or feel the need too!

    One thing I have to say is to not do weight training or heavy lifting for at least 6 months because the scar will stretch.

    Good luck mate!
  • Robert Shiver
    This is Robert from true life. The decision was mine, and I have no regrets. I tried shaving my head, but I do not look good with a shaved head. I was getting the operation with or with out MTV, and that was one of their deciding factors to air my operation. If I need another operation in 5 years, then I will get one, as for now, my hair looks great and I've started on meds to stop the loss.

    There was nothing quick or dramatic about this fix. Its easy for you to say because...maybe you dont care about the way you look, (I am a bit vain, I will admit. ) or you look ok with a shaved head. I however do not, and chose to take corrective action to fix the problem. There again, it comes down to what you chose. MTV chose to show my story, but with or with out them, I was doing this because I wanted it. I talk to Rebecca often, and I too am disappointed that more of her story was not shown, but it was not her or my decision.

    I'm glad to read the feed back, both positive and negative. I feel good about my operation, and the decision that I made. If I need more grafts in the future, I will cross that bridge when I get there.
  • Morgan
    Heather: I was actually searching the net for a picture of Rebecca's hair cut, because it was absolutely adorable, and I am SERIOUSLY contemplating cutting my hair to that style!! I watched the video on Youtube, too, and can't believe they completely cut her part out of the video!? I really do want to know what is up with that!
  • Heather
    I feel for the guys, but a little disappointed that the youtube video of the episode completely left out the girl's (Rebecca's) story. I realize it has only been a little bit since the episode was released. The episode was to allow for awareness and there are a lot of women in the world that would love to hear the female voice of what it is like to be bald, and it was sad to see that the female voice on youtube at this time was completely cut out. I will wait patiently or try to find the video to post it myself. Interesting to compare experiences, to mine of being female with Alopecia Totalis for about 8 years. It was great courage for all of them to speak of their challenges.
  • Ken
    I saw this last night. Jeez...i think the only thing this was an advertisement for was his insecurity.

    I'm 27 and went through the same thing myself, except I buzzed it all off when I was 22 and got lot of compliments. This douche decided on the following was better:
    1. a much lighter wallet.
    2. an end result that looks thin and fake.

    Shows like this really irritate me because they highlight insecure people who buy into the notion that balding is bad and abnormal. I feel sorry for them, personally.
  • Rebecca Segnitz
    For so many people, this is tough...One day you do have your hair and the next you start losing it gradually...
    I work for a company where the creator created "Locks Of Love". For people that have lost their hair, folks donate their hair (8" - 10"} for natural hairpieces. You can view us on the web @ www.peggyknight.com This segment was highly appreciated in the fact that some people are not sensitive to folks taht lose their hair...At least, they can see what people have to go through with alopecia and can be sympathetic...Thank you for showing us so that we will treat people better...

    Thanks!

    Rebecca Segnitz
    678-755-2910
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