My father and paternal grandfather were seriously balding by the time they were my age.
Since my maternal grandfather had died around my age, I can't comment too much on him.
I gave up using hair products (other than the obligatory shampoo) in my early 20's, because of concern - some reduce the oxygen to the hair folicles. Like David, I "think" it wouldn't bother me, but there is something a little unsettling about the advance of age. One great advantage of being blonde is that grey is harder to see, though my reddish beard betrays me a little.
I think the greatest face-saver is that male-pattern baldness is caused by excessive testosterone!
I don't know how much truth is in that, but it sounds good, unless it also makes you aggressive.
I once said that if I started to bald I would just zip it all off. After seeing Pleasuredome's bald napper, I'm not so sure now, though
Vanity vanity, all is vanity...