Should I get a number 4 buzz cut?

Yeah you should. If you've had long hair for a long time, it will be a big change, but you should at least get to try it. Thinning hair looks better with a buzz cut too. If I were you, I would get the buzz cut. Good luck!

A #4(4/8") butch is not a good idea for most guys regardless of whether they are thinning or have a full head of hair. A butch fully suits relatively few guys. A barber with a good aesthetic sense can usually design a short pomp(pompadour) style-crew cut, ivy league(long crew cut), flat top crew cut- to fully suit most young guy's head shape, face and neck shape, frontal hairline and facial features. For hair that is starting to thin, a fairly close taper on the back and sides and about three or four inches on top will make the top appear thicker. A crew cut and an ae great haircuts for most guys but a haircut that short is not required due to thinning on top unless a guy really wants to go that short. If so, either style can usually be designed to suit a somewhat receding hairline and a thinning top. It is better to go short in stages from shoulder length hair. The first haircut should probably go no shorter than this:

http://i51.tinypic.com/5vx2xe.jpg

The next step will be to fully uncover the ears. After that a close taper on the back and sides. Then, if a guy still wants to go short on top, he can go for an ivy league. Still shorter, progressively shorter crew cuts. The answer at the following link might be helpful:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylv=3?qid...

ivy league, slightly receded hairline:

http://i53.tinypic.com/2mo4e9y.jpg

crew cut, widow peak receded hairline:

http://i56.tinypic.com/t7xse8.jpg

crew cut receded hairline:

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/3775030af5817c75_...

flat top crew cut receded hairline:

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/6f42ff9b5b68cadc_...

fourth guy from the left, flat top crew cut receded hairline:

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/2b80955a44700fb6_...

short crew cut, receded hairline:

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/11e60b02a91205fa_...

ivy league, receded hairline:

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/a7ebf90adf7806c3_...

crew cut, overall receded hairline:

http://www.gstatic.com/hostedimg/1ddc3b678c2c482c_...

Be sure to discuss the hairline issue with your barber and take photos

to describe the style of haircut. Do not rely on words like crew cut and

ivy league. These styles can be widely interpreted. To some barbers at

the current time, crew cut means butch.

Good Luck!

buzz cute (: