Jasper Wheels

It started when I was 25. My hair began falling out—first in the shower, then on my pillow. It was horrifying, but I was prepared. My brother was bald by 30, my father the same. It ran in the family.

Still, knowing didn’t make it easier. I tried everything—shampoos, vitamins, medication. Some helped, but the side effects weren’t worth it. Finasteride stopped the loss, but it also drained my energy and killed my confidence in other ways. That was the breaking point. I quit treatments and tried to accept reality. Easier said than done.

For a long time, I avoided mirrors, wore hats, and dreaded comments like, “Just shave it off, mate.” As if it were that simple. Losing hair isn’t just about looks—it’s about losing control, looking older than you feel. At 27, someone called me “grandpa.” I laughed, but it stung. People think it’s just hair, but it affects how you see yourself, how you carry yourself. The fear of judgment lingers.

Frustrated, I started talking about it online. A raw, unfiltered video about how much it sucks. I didn’t expect much, but it went viral. Turns out, a lot of guys felt the same way. So I kept going—sharing my journey, testing products, warning about scams, and finding humor in it. The comments poured in, some supportive, some cruel. But the more I talked, the less power it had over me.

Now, at 32, living in Brisbane, Australia, I make a living from social media. The irony isn’t lost on me. What once made me feel powerless gave me confidence and purpose. I get messages from guys panicking at the first signs of thinning. I tell them what I wish someone had told me: You’re more than your hair. The way you handle it is what defines you, not the strands on your head.

I’ve come to terms with it now. I keep my head shaved and my confidence intact. Some get transplants, some embrace the bald look, some fight it with every product out there. No right or wrong way. But for me, acceptance was key.

These days, when I look in the mirror, I don’t see a guy who lost his hair—I see a guy who found himself. And that’s worth more than anything I lost.