I have a similar background as well. I too began loosing hair at 17, and currently I am 32. Since I was fully bald the first hair transplant did not make a difference. However, the doctor for my second hair transplant lowered my hair line, so shaving the head is causing me issues. When I returned to work people asked me about it. I said I don't want to talk about it. Then people who have hair don't understand what it is to go through hair loss. Instead of understanding the issue, they were like 'everyone know you got it done' in public.
So again it depends on your hair loss. Right now my hair is still growing and I am still in the ugly duckling stage and it really sucks.
Again these comments came from people from Indian and Pakistani backgrounds. The Caucasians didn't really comment on it.