Sly Bald Guys Forum

Discussions About Being Bald => Advantages and Disadvantages to being Bald => Topic started by: Saitama on November 12, 2016, 06:41:31 PM

Title: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Saitama on November 12, 2016, 06:41:31 PM
Hello. I'm a 26y old balding guy and today I shaved my head for the first time. I was inspired by stories about how it makes you feel liberated, empowered and manly, but that isn't what I'm experiencing.

First, I find that being bald doesn't make anyone look manly. Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Bruce Willis and anonymous examples of sexy baldness usually are guys who ALREADY look manly due to their strong jawline or impressive body.

A bald head merely is the cherry on top that helps an already manly guy go from 90% to 100%.

Some people also say it is more practical and saves time and money, but that isn't true. You spend both of those on shaving every two days and buying a lot more razors, shaving cream and skin care products.

Lastly, I don't feel liberated. This is because I did it preemptively, before it became absolutely necessary. Sure, I did have a receding hairline and a bald spot behind, but I still had a lot of hair so it was easy to hide it.

So why did I shave my head? Because I was disappointed when I found out that rogaine is no cure. You have to use it for the rest of your life.

But right now, I'm feeling hideous, angry and frustrated. I'm wondering whether slavery to rogaine and finasteride is such a terrible thing.



Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Razor X on November 12, 2016, 08:32:38 PM
What is it that you want from us?
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Saitama on November 12, 2016, 09:04:24 PM
My apologies, I meant no offense. But everyone reacts to balding differently and I suppose I'm at the anger phase before acceptance comes.

What do I want? Some information refuting part of this post or all of it. That will make it easier for me to understand the situation.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: ThePangolin on November 12, 2016, 09:17:43 PM
I think it's normal for some guys to hate it at first... I hated it the first day I went skin smooth. With the right outlook on things and a positive mindset however, it's kind of hard to hate it for long.

Yul Brenner is someone I would recommend as a famous very good looking man because of the bald head. Also Patrick Stewart. Neither had a particularly impressive body or amazing looks, in fact they're both rather odd. They both chose baldness on their own, (Patrick Stewart had some balding naturally) and it is commonly agreed that the bald head is internationally seen across the board as a sign of confidence in ones own skin.

Some guys don't like being bald, maybe you are one of them. I am sorry for you if that's the case, but hopefully you will stick to the 30 day challenge and see how you feel and how others have reacted by the end of that period.

As for Rogaine and similar products, I find them to be a patch, not a cure. They have side effects, all the chemicals are not good for your health. They often don't work as well as advertised, and man are they expensive.

The cost of a $65 electric razor that lasts up to 18 months before needing blades is a settled argument. It's the cheapest way to shave period. A cheap bottle of lotion or after shave is also very inexpensive and lasts months. Even cartridge razors can be bought on sale or in bulk and cost very little, less than $.50 per shave even. The cost to keep a bald head maintained is substantially less than for hair styling products and especially for things to try and hold on to fading hair like rogaine.

As for feeling liberated, no one said you were a slave, that's a feeling you need to have on your own when you come to a point where you feel trapped and hate the issues you're facing with your hair. Taking it off is liberating in that case. It sounds to me like your hair wasn't really bothering you however, so I'm not sure why you did this half heartedly and expected a huge euphoric enlightenment of sudden manhood and macho self esteem.

Perspective makes a lot of difference. If you look at photos of your thinning or bald hair and at yourself in the mirror every day for the next 29 days till you hit 30 to complete the challenge, I'm sure not far in you will realize that it's preferable to just face baldness now and with excitement rather than put it off in fear.

Finally, shaving doesn't take that long. Using hair putty or gel plus washing hair easily takes 15 or more minutes. I can razor shave my head in 10 before a shower, and I can electric shave my head in 15-20 anywhere, even in the car on the go.

No bed head, no issues wearing hats, no worries of hair placement or looking dumb or messy. Always sharp, always clean, always stylin.

I hope you come around and see the positives in it, but if bald just isn't for you, hopefully you will find an alternative that you are happy with. Good luck!
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: reddog on November 13, 2016, 06:11:11 AM
It's true, not everyone will look good bald. It could mostly be you are experiencing the shock of the drastic change, and your body language will show that. A shaved head is just not for everyone. Yes, it is alot of maintenance if you shave daily or frequently. Many guys look great with a shaved head, weather bbc or bbn.

The good news is that hair grows back fast. As yours grows back, you can see what length you like. You might like a buzzcut or something fairly short.

Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Laser Man on November 13, 2016, 12:22:13 PM
One thing that should be obvious to you right now is that there are no magic "cures" to how you feel.  Rogaine wasn't doing it for you nor is the decision to pre-emptively shave.  Going sly doesn't automatically give you a Captain America physique. It doesn't turn you into a brilliant conversationalist. It doesn't give you movie star looks.  What most of us will tell you is that we feel better about ourselves and that comes across in how we interact with other people.

As to the cost in time and money, once you get the hang of it, shaving your head only takes about 10 minutes.  how long does it take to shampoo and style hair if you're trying to cover up your MPB. After shaving, you never worry about wind and rain because there's no hair to get messed up.  You'll use razors and shaving cream faster, but you don't need a barber / hairstylist every month and you don/t need shampoo, conditioners or gels. 

Lastly, even if it's a trade, it's a good one for most of us.  Look around any crowd of people and you'll see lots of bad hairstyles and unkempt mops.  Bald heads always look clean and sharp.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Saitama on November 14, 2016, 09:12:17 PM
It was a flood of emotions, so forgive me if I ended up saying anything offensive.

And well, these first three days have been a rollercoaster. There were moments when I looked in the mirror and thought "you know, this actually looks kinda good" and sometimes I felt like I'm a fool for trying to believe that people will accept me like this.

There were good experiences such as the likes my new profile picture got on FB and being told by the girl I'm seeing that it looks good. Then I went to my sister's birthday and my family's mean spirited jokes crushed me again.

I do agree with you guys that it is kinda silly to create all those expectations. It's a long psychological journey and I will only know anything for sure after the first month.



Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Sir Harry on November 14, 2016, 11:52:54 PM
Welcome to the group!

One of the things about this forum is we try to help newly sly guys deal with things such as nasty comments, anxiety, etc. It is indeed a journey that takes longer for some than others, but hang in there, in due time it won't be an issue for you nor outsiders.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: dshupe on November 15, 2016, 06:29:01 AM
Welcome to the group! 
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: socknoggle on November 15, 2016, 06:32:07 AM
Welcome!  One thing to remember is to do what makes you happy.  If you can keep to the 30 day rule you'll find that people will get used to seeing you bald and accept it.  After a while they won't really notice the bald head, they'll just see you

I don't know if  Dollar Shave Club operates in Brazil, but that's where I get my blades.  I get 4 cartridges for $9 US a month.  I get a great shave for a great price.  And they come in the mail right to my house.  I'm sure you can find something like that there.  Otherwise, yeah, cartridges are expensive.  IMHO the expense is worth it. 
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Laser Man on November 15, 2016, 06:42:43 AM
It was a flood of emotions, so forgive me if I ended up saying anything offensive.

And well, these first three days have been a rollercoaster. There were moments when I looked in the mirror and thought "you know, this actually looks kinda good" and sometimes I felt like I'm a fool for trying to believe that people will accept me like this.

There were good experiences such as the likes my new profile picture got on FB and being told by the girl I'm seeing that it looks good. Then I went to my sister's birthday and my family's mean spirited jokes crushed me again.

I do agree with you guys that it is kinda silly to create all those expectations. It's a long psychological journey and I will only know anything for sure after the first month.

It takes time for everyone to adjust to the change in appearance.  I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say I initially had some doubts about my "new look" and some comments did bother me.  I decided however that I liked being bald and that what other people said didn't really matter.  The important thing is for you to adjust and feel comfortable being sly - it's your head and your life.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: ThePangolin on November 15, 2016, 07:08:12 AM
DSC looks great to the outsider but upon further background check on them, i found that they use general blades that are average quality, rebranded from anther major manufacturer (which i wont name just to be polite), and on the $9 a month plan youre paying $2.25 a cartridge. On Dorco you can get 16 cartridges for under $20, and they fit directly onto the headblade ATX or you can grab a $5 handle from Dorco. Thats $1.18 per cartridge and its free shipping on orders over $10.

Harry's has been a better deal for my dad, and they make thier own high quality blades that are sinfully sharp. He loves them, but i keep trying to get him to switch to Dorco blades with me. Also note that in case you haven't seen it before, the Headblade HB3/4/6 are all Dorco Pace 3/4/6 blades rebranded for headblade. If you like headblade cartridges, you can get them hella cheaper on Dorco.

Also note, DSC at $9 a month for four cartridges is one cartridge per week.

One cartridge per week of Dorco Pace 4's, is $1.18

You can get two and a quarter months worth of cartridges from Dorco rather than DSC. Just saying.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: buddha on November 16, 2016, 03:20:43 PM
There were good experiences such as the likes my new profile picture got on FB and being told by the girl I'm seeing that it looks good. Then I went to my sister's birthday and my family's mean spirited jokes crushed me again.

I do agree with you guys that it is kinda silly to create all those expectations. It's a long psychological journey and I will only know anything for sure after the first month.

One of the old sayings that I kept in mind, not just for after I shaved my head but for a lot of other things as well is "those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind". But I have always been one of those people who doesn't mind "unfriending" people who I find offensive and that doesn't just include Facebook. I have dropped many people from my circle and, on occasion, that has included family. Once I felt like I had paid my dues I began to realize that people who love negativity have no place in my life because life can be sufficiently painful with all its own ups and downs to allow emotional parasites to drain the blood out of what happiness there is. When you come to realize that none of these people with the mean spirits are volunteering to pay any of your monthly bills and that losing them is not really going to come with a high price you'll find it easier to let them know that their input is not required and neither is their companionship.
As far as the head shaving it may be that it's not a good fit for you. But I would echo the 30 day challenge that has already been mentioned just to see if you can get to the point where you find that you actually like the smooth dome. It was not a big adjustment for me but I have been told on a number of occasions that I'm "different" so maybe that's what that means. In any case do what's right for you.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Laser Man on November 17, 2016, 06:46:52 AM
Saitama,

Don't let your family's jokes crush your spirit.  People don't like change - it's disruptive and so they fight back, in this case with mean jokes.  And comments from the people closest to us hurt the most.  As hard as it is, you have to look past their comments and decide what you want.  If after 30 days, you don't want to stay sly, that's fine.  If you want to stay sly, you'll find that as time passes, you'll feel more and more comfortable with it so any stray negative comment will not have any sting to it.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: jbrit25 on November 18, 2016, 06:19:07 AM
In a way it is a trade I guess. I traded being worried about losing my hair for a new look and less stress. I also traded being worried if people noticed my bald spot. Life is full of trades my friend. This is a good one in my opinion.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Aquabat6 on December 03, 2016, 02:24:10 PM
Yeah man, it's a trade off.  It's hard to accept such a sudden change to your appearance.  To each his own as far as styling, but I will say for me, I think that the shaven look is much better than horseshoe baldness.  This is especially true for younger guys.  My face always seemed weird with hair all over the sides and nothing on top.  I was twenty-one when I had to shave it off.  I remember I hated it at first.  This is all normal, though.  Eventually, you will grow into it. 

As far as maintenance, yeah, it's super easy.  Some people say you need a Kardashian supply of skin products.  Here is what I do: Shaving cream and some disposable razors.  Don't worry about moisturizing unless it starts to burn or flake.  Let the natural oils do their work.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Tchelo on December 03, 2016, 03:16:20 PM
Hi im portuguese but had live in Brasil. So, sorry for people speak english, just a few words in portuguese for my fellow bald.

Amigo, comecei a perder cabelo no topo desde os 20 anos, sendo mais visível no inicio dos meus 30 anos.

Por ser algo que inevetalmente iria acontecer me venho a preparar a tanto tempo que acabou por ser algo que não  me abalou emocionalmente ao me ver com a cabeca raspar.

De forma a me preparar e as pessoas que convivo e eu próprio  fui cortando o cabelo cada vez mais curto até chegar ao ponto de raspar o meu cabelo todos os dias desde a semana passada.

Outra coisa, no fim as pessoas vêem sempre a tua personalidade, quem és e acabam por se acostumar com a sua aparência.

Quem vem com comentários maus, tipo algum familiar ou conhecido sem noção e que não se olha no espelho, ignore, eu mesmo digo, "se estou bem comigo assim você não tem nada a ver com isso".

Sobre o raspar o cabelo acaba por não ser dispendioso e a forma de fazer depende da forma que você se sinta confortável.

Abraços.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Lew on December 04, 2016, 05:23:15 PM
Accepting hair loss is a hard pill to swallow.  I started balding 32 years ago and didn't start shaving my head until this past May.  I was very nervous about venturing out in public without hair at first (I went to Hair Club for 15 years) and wore a beanie for about a week before I exposed my sly head to the world.  I felt empowered but still apprehensive about my new look.  Each week got easier and after two months I didn't give my bald head a second thought.  Now seven months later I can't imagine having hair and have completely accepted my new look.

Your coming to terms with your baldness like many other aspects in life is a process.  If you maintain a positive outlook you will come to accept your baldness in time.  It will have to be on your own terms and at the end of the day only you can feel good about you.  I think it's terrible that people are saying negative things about your new look.  You just have to let them know you don't appreciate their negativity.  I'm still blown away how some people feel they have a license to say whatever comes to their minds.  I had a female colleague say something negative about my bald head and I said, "Thank you so much for your unsolicited comment.  Now I've got one for you.  You're overweight and need to lose about thirty pounds.  You might want to think about hitting the gym."  She looked at me as if I had slapped her in the face but as a result has gone out of her way to be nice to me since that incident.

Hold your head up high.  You've got this.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Magoo on December 05, 2016, 01:29:33 PM
Lew , you are right and some people have to be told off. How you do it  is an individual choice. But let them know they do not have the right to insult.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: TheCurseofDolkite on December 15, 2016, 02:25:30 PM
I don't see how it's a trade, and I think anyone who thinks that "Hey, think of all the money you'll save on shampoo!" is either funny or helpful deserves to get hit without prosecution. One punch - your choice of a jab to the face or an uppercut to the stomach, and they cannot prosecute or sue you.

I'm shocked that I still see clickbait articles on Why Being Bald Is Great. Typically, it's:

1) A few millionaire movie stars are bald! (and a) women aren't into them anyway, and b) they come off as badass thanks to the help of stuntmen and special FX artists)

2) You'll save lots of money on shampoo and conditioner! (great, that used to be a major item on my budget)

3) No more spending all day in the bathroom primping! (thank God...when I had hair I'd spend no less than an hour combing it every day)

4) You know the girl is with you because of YOU, not your hair (nine times out of ten, that means she can't get anyone better or just has some weird thing for bald men)

5) Bald men are seen as more manly (and less attractive)

Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Magoo on December 15, 2016, 06:04:58 PM
Keep hearing Troll ?  If I'm wrong I apologize , but you really have some negative thoughts.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: reddog on December 15, 2016, 06:57:19 PM
Yep, it might be kind of difficult to post negativity to a bunch of bald loving headshavers. People have different tastes and shaved heads aren't for everybody, but look around. More and more guys are choosing to shave their heads everyday, and it's for alot of reasons, but they keep shaving bald because they like it.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: ThePangolin on December 15, 2016, 07:02:25 PM
+1 to hearing troll

Choice is the beauty of life. Make yours.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Laser Man on December 16, 2016, 09:51:50 AM
Yep - troll!
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Semi-Sly on December 17, 2016, 10:58:27 AM
Welcome to the group!

One of the things about this forum is we try to help newly sly guys deal with things such as nasty comments, anxiety, etc. It is indeed a journey that takes longer for some than others, but hang in there, in due time it won't be an issue for you nor outsiders.

You are right about it being a "journey". 

I have shaved my head for a portion of each year for many years.  Most years I get nothing but negative feedback from friends, family, coworkers, barbers, etc.  And, I have always admitted that I look better with hair than without - it is just that I FEEL better clean shaven than with hair.

When I grew out my flattop out last Summer it had noticeably thinned and greyed so it did not look very youthful anymore!   Then in September I shaved my head again as I often do for the Winter.  It has been about 3 months now. 

This time I think that I really look good with the shaved head.  I don't know why.  Admittedly, I did lose about 48 Lbs this year.  That really makes me feel better about myself.  I have started wearing more tailored shirts and slacks.  I have started wearing more black clothing.
 
For reasons that I cannot explain, I am getting a LOT of positive feedback on the shaved head this year!?!  My Mother is not complaining as loudly.  People at church have given me unsolicited compliments.  My psychologist has remarked on it and told me that it is a "keeper".  Even some of my barber colleagues have told me that I should keep it!!!!!!!  - and that is almost unbelievable coming from professional barbers!!!

  I wonder if it is possible that my own more positive feeling about my looks in general are vibing out to others and becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy?

So let us know if you have this kind of experience in your own journey.

This time
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: TheCurseofDolkite on January 06, 2017, 06:36:46 PM
Not everyone is happy with how they look being bald, nor how others see them. I never told anyone else to stop feeling the way they want to...why are people asking me not to talk about how I feel as a bald guy?

Usually, people try to convince me it's not so bad because other men are shaving their heads, even if they have hair. I don't care what other men think about going bald. I only care what women think.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: ThePangolin on January 06, 2017, 07:47:24 PM
Not everyone is happy with how they look being bald, nor how others see them. I never told anyone else to stop feeling the way they want to...why are people asking me not to talk about how I feel as a bald guy?

No one told you to stop feeling. No one that posted has said that they wanted to feel like a miserable sulking bald freak either. Thats why we are here to try and help change the perspective of guys who are in a difficult time and need affirmation and reassurance that its a great choice theyve made and to be happy with it. Is it our fault if youre not listening or willing to come out of your self induced pity pit?


Usually, people try to convince me it's not so bad because other men are shaving their heads, even if they have hair. I don't care what other men think about going bald. I only care what women think.

And that seems to be your biggest problem right now. IT DOESNT MATTER what women think. Youre psychopathic-ally obsessed with how women see you with your bald head. What the heck man, youre not listening to the good advice everyone is giving you. We arent just brainwashed bald headed monks that nobody understands who are trying to change every man into yet another shaved freak.

For those who dont choose bald, do you see us judging them or trying to force them to shave? Heck no you dont. We are here to support eachother with wherever we are at. And that support means not leaving someone to think in error and wallow in a self pity party.

We are trying to help, why wont you let us?
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Feenix on April 05, 2017, 11:27:18 AM
Ohhh, boy.

I struggled with this one for a long time and I sometimes still do.  I used to have shoulder length red hair and I absolutely loved it.  Something that I find makes sense is in a book called The Hagakure, which is a book of samurai philosophy.

Without getting metaphysical, one of the many things it talks about is the "Spirit of an age".  We do what we can to take the best from the good and bad moments we pass through in our life.  Sometimes we want to go back to the spirit of an earlier age, but we cant - we already took the best we can from it.  While I miss my hair, it does not diminish the time when I had it.  I shave my head because at this moment in time, it is the best thing.

Now.  This is life, this isnt a philosophy class.  But you have to decide what you want to take from life at the moment.  You can struggle, using products and whatever else you think you need, to recapture something that you are losing.  Or, you can embrace it.  There are control issues etc etc, but at the end of the day what do YOU want to do?  If you dont want to shave your head, dont - use rogaine etc, keep it going until you feel you can shave it comfortably, should that day come.  Or, you can say "Ok, it looks like Im going to go bald.  Lets cut to the chase here and just do it on my own terms".  You cant choose whether you are going to go bald, no one can.  What you can do, is decide whether you want to recapture the spirit of a past age, or whether you want to take the best you can from this one.  If the best of this one is using rogaine, use it - but in the long run you will go bald.  If the best of this age is shaving your head, do that.  Either way, it is a choice only you can make at the end of the day, and there isnt a right one or a wrong one - it is simply what you decide to do.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: JBbergman on June 08, 2017, 01:20:21 AM
You got to get back on finasteride, nizoral 2% and minox man. With a hair transplant even if you're full on getting close to nothing on top you can get back the vast majority. Save what you have, you obviously don't want to live your life as a bald guy.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: TheodorusRex on June 08, 2017, 06:02:13 AM
You're a whiner, not a man.  When you own your look with confidence, the women will respond.   I've had zero trouble.   Zero.   I purposely don't wear hats at a bar - because I want them to see my confidence.  I'm not hiding it - I wear it proudly.  Yes, Baldness chooses us - but it's a matter of surrendering to what you can't control and then radical self acceptance.   I've found, when you accept yourself fully, other people do to, naturally. 
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Sir Harry on June 08, 2017, 06:20:12 AM
Save your energy and your anger, fellas. The troll from post #28 has been banned.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: njbill on September 21, 2017, 10:35:09 AM
Meh it is what it is....Dr Evil look is .marginally better than Dr Phil.   I still hate it but thats all I have to work with I hit the gym and lost weight but the whole hair thing still annoys me
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Michael1986 on September 17, 2018, 08:34:46 PM
I started losing my hair five years ago at the age of 26. While I respect the choice that many men make of accepting their hair loss and going sly, that was not the path that I chose to follow. I made the decision that I would do all I could to fight my hair loss. And so, after a lot of research, I got on a regimen consisting of Dutasteride, Minoxidil, and topical Ketoconazole. For those who don't know, Dutasteride does the same thing as Finasteride/Propecia, but it is stronger. At the point when I began treatment, I was a Norwood 2.5 with aggressive thinning over the top and crown of my head. The treatment regimen stopped my hair loss dead in its tracks, and after about three months of starting treatment I noticed the beginnings of regrowth. Now aged 31, I have stuck religiously to this regimen ever since, and my hair is looking great. While I don't have quite the same hairline I did at age 12, I am very satisfied with the results of the treatment. I am a Norwood 2 with a thick head of hair. Had I never treated my hair loss, I would almost certainly be a Norwood 4 or greater by now, as was the case for my dad, his father, his brothers, my mother's dad, and her brothers. I always knew that I was genetically destined to lose my hair young due to my family history. Thanks to these treatments, and the helpfulness of the users of the hairlosstalk forums who made me aware of how to treat my hair loss in the first place, I basically have a full head of hair. Also to mention, I have no side-effects from the treatments I use.
As I said, I have respect for you if you choose to accept your hair loss and go sly. It is important to make the decision that you feel is right for you. However, I don't feel it is right for a guy who's chosen to go sly to actually try to dissuade hair loss sufferers from trying to treat their hair loss with Propecia (or dutasteride). I think that hair loss sufferers should be made aware of all the options. Going sly is one option, and choosing to treat your hair loss with proven treatments is another. For me, treating my hair loss is what I chose, and it has been a success for me and has improved my quality of life. I am happy with the decision I made.
So, that's my bit of advice. Carefully consider all the options, and do what you genuinely feel is right for you.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: reddog on September 18, 2018, 07:41:57 AM
I don't think very many guys that want to hold on to every scrap of hair come to a website with thousands of guys that like to sport a shaved , for advice. By the time that come here, they have already considered shaving or buzzing their head. What they get here is honest answers and support.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Laser Man on September 18, 2018, 10:08:00 AM
Well said, reddog! 

The general response from guys on this site to people wondering about alternate treatments is to advise them to understand the possible side effects of medication.  Michael1986, you may not have had any side effects, but other people have. 

Also, if you read enough posts on this site, you will see what reddog means.  The vast majority of inquiries are from guys who have reached point where they are considering shaving because, 1) they have lost a lot of hair, 2) they are tired of wearing hairpieces, 3) they have tried medications already.  At that point, our advice is consistent: try shaving and if you don't like it, your hair will grow back fairly quickly.  Our advice is always to go with what you are comfortable with.  The only proviso is that a radical change like shaving your head takes some time for you and others to adjust, so it may take time before you are fully comfortable.

Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Michael1986 on September 18, 2018, 11:53:42 AM
This subforum is called "advantages and disadvantages to being bald", and so I think that on here people should take a balanced view and make hair loss sufferers aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the various options that are available. I'd have to say that I personally find it hard to understand the mentality on this website. Sure, shaving your head bald due to hair loss is better than sporting a grown out horseshoe, but better still is if you'd never lost your hair to begin with. In my opinion, virtually everyone looks better with a head of hair than without. I think that if a guy has half a chance of holding on to his head of hair by using a proven treatment that's available, it would be a pity for him not to if I'm going to be honest.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Magoo on September 18, 2018, 01:30:35 PM
This subforum is called "advantages and disadvantages to being bald", and so I think that on here people should take a balanced view and make hair loss sufferers aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the various options that are available. I'd have to say that I personally find it hard to understand the mentality on this website. Sure, shaving your head bald due to hair loss is better than sporting a grown out horseshoe, but better still is if you'd never lost your hair to begin with. In my opinion, virtually everyone looks better with a head of hair than without. I think that if a guy has half a chance of holding on to his head of hair by using a proven treatment that's available, it would be a pity for him not to if I'm going to be honest.
Apparently shaving your head is not for you that’s understandable. But as was mentioned by one of the members many have tried other methods and meds and were not happy with the results. So all where saying is maybe shaving may work for them. Is that so hard to understand ? Fortunately most members find it a good option , certainly not everyone. If a person wants to try other methods first they should , where not saying our way is the only way.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Laser Man on September 18, 2018, 05:51:44 PM
This subforum is called "advantages and disadvantages to being bald", and so I think that on here people should take a balanced view and make hair loss sufferers aware of the advantages and disadvantages of the various options that are available. I'd have to say that I personally find it hard to understand the mentality on this website. Sure, shaving your head bald due to hair loss is better than sporting a grown out horseshoe, but better still is if you'd never lost your hair to begin with. In my opinion, virtually everyone looks better with a head of hair than without. I think that if a guy has half a chance of holding on to his head of hair by using a proven treatment that's available, it would be a pity for him not to if I'm going to be honest.

You are entitled to your opinion.  I'm not sure what is so hard to understand about "the mentality" of this site.  There are people out there who like being bald. We like the look and feel of being bald. Perhaps we don't want to take medications for the rest of our lives or perhaps the medications have either been ineffective or have caused side effects.  Some of us have decided that there are more important aspects to our lives than worrying about our hairlines.  I'm sure there are other reasons, but it is our opinion and our choice.  None of that should be hard to understand.

If you don't feel this is the right forum for you, you are not being forced to participate. 
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Feenix on November 29, 2018, 07:26:56 AM
In my experience, all solutions are a trade of some kind.  All of them.
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Ty1963 on February 02, 2019, 03:46:59 PM
Hi, I'm no longer 26 but at 26 years old my crown was totally bald I had a 4 inch circle in the back of my head I refer to it as my Bullseye when I would go and have a haircut I have them blend my hair up at the 0 guard into the crown and the sides and keep one length on top my basic theory was out of sight out of mind well then some Ten Years Later I started thinning on top I thought I dodged the bullet but I had not I never tried Rogaine or Propecia I was waiting for an actual cure; since hair loss is a 3 billion dollar a year industry currently I don't suspect that there will ever actually be a cure because it's not financially sound so about three and a half months ago I shaved my head not because I wanted to I did in response to reading things on the internet it was hard not shaving it I've been in the military shave my head many times but I always knew my hair would grow back the way it was when I shaved it well if it did that now I would not be happy because obviously that's why I shaved it off but for me the benefits are my grandson gets a ride on my shoulders and I don't have to worry about him knocking off my hair system somehow I don't have to put any protective layer on my hair system when I go to bed so I don't damage it because it's cost so much money and today my grandson got sidewalk chalk and Drew on my head you're a  young man you will probably have children if you don't at least maybe don't miss out on photographs and swimming and your children drawing on your head with sidewalk chalk because being bald is hard to deal with you're not really bald you're like me you have more hair than you don't have this is a hairstyle choice I wear it because I think it looks good and actually everyone that I know tells me without being solicited that I look younger and at peace which is something I hadn't looked in years and years, so I understand embracing is hard to do no matter your age really my father was 87 when he died with a full head of hair and I do mean full with a hairline of a 20 year old so life isn't fair but I wouldn't trade this experience for really in a sum of money because I've learned so much about myself so all I can tell you is love yourself be positive and everyone else will love you and for those that don't they really don't matter because there's many more that will it took me awhile to get this point actually it took me about 3 months you will start forget that you ever had hair and wonder why you ever cared so good luck and I really do wish you the best
Title: Re: It doesn't seem like a solution. It seems like a trade.
Post by: Quiet_Dan on February 03, 2019, 01:27:09 AM
It's a solution if you view it as a solution, it's merely a trade-off if that's how you view it.

Sure if I wasn't balding I very much doubt I would have shaved my head, but I am significantly balding and to me shaving my head is the perfect solution.