Thinking Of Going For It

[Iggy]

Hey Guys -

Been lurking here for the last couple days...must have read hundreds of posts!  What a great community here, seriously.  It really is quite something and inspiring for me and I'm sure a lot of others who have landed here.  Anyway, with summer fast approaching I've been thinking about giving my head a nice good shave, or at least a 0 guard trim, but naturally I am a bit freaked out by the idea.  I just keep thinking in the shower, this could be the last day I ever shampoo my hair...it's a bit surreal and I know I'm working myself up.  I know if I don't like it it'll grow back, but the thought of actually doing it is scarring the s*** out of me.  At the same time I think it's not getting any thicker so what the heck?  I don't know.  I'm just scared it won't look great and I'll be even more insecure about it...

I'm in my early thirties and have been thinning for the last couple of years, with a nice receding line in the front, and have started a nice baldish patch in the back of my head to boot! Of course I'm taking the propecia and rogaine route, but I'm getting tired of it all. I have been thinking for the last couple of years about just shaving it and ending it all but never went through with it.  Now I think I have turned a corner and the timing feels a bit right.

I do have a few hangups which is why I'm posting here I guess...would love to hear any feedback...

I got a scar on my upper forehead - right now covered by my hair - that is whiter than the rest of my head.  I'm worried that once I tan, the scar won't tan, so I'll have a crazy white mark on my forehead.  And on the back of my head I have another scar which is longer and actually goes into my head a little bite forming a crevasse - childhood mayhem.  I'm worried it might look gnarly once shaved.  Also, since my hair is thinning, if I shave to a 0 will the thinning look more pronounced short?...like little spread out dots on my head?

Did you guys ever worry about scarring and tanning, or scars looking more pronounced? How'd it turn out looking?  Not to mention I have thicker eyebrows and some ear hair that I have to maintain, which I feel like might be more magnified if I don't have hair on the top of my head!  Ah lovely!


Thanks Fellas for all the support!

[Mike]

Welcome. I would say just shave it all off and go smooth with a razor then see how bad the scars really look. I found out that I d have a scar on the back of my head thats kinda deep from when I was pushed down the stairs, no one cares. It seems that when some balding guys buzz it down it does make it look worse. As far as the eyebrows do what I do and just take a comb and beard trimmer to them every once in awhile. I have a thick unibrow and tweeze the middle out and just buzz the rest of the eyebrow down so it doesnt look so thick. If I dont it makes me look scary. It takes about a minute a month to keep them 'controlled'. Post up pic, dont be affraid to ask any questions.

[GaryT]

I'm with Lophura on this one. Just give it a try, jump on into the water and then make the decision from there. You made the decision to post here, you're on a roll, don't stop now!

But anyway, welcome to the forum and I hope you keep posting and keeping us informed from there.

[Razor X]

The scars will probably be less noticeable without the stubble to draw attention to them.  At any rate, it will only take a couple of days to grow out to a zero-guard length, so just go for it.  You won't know any peace until you do, so why postpone the inevitable?

[SlyintheOC]

They advertise Mederma cream to lessen the appearance of scars. I've also heard where vitamin E oil will lessen scars as well.

It may not look as obvious once you shave it and go SLY.

Like the others have said if you try it and don't like it... it's just a matter of a few days for it to grow back out.

[warhawk]

hey iggy:  1st of all welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  glad that ya joined us.  the title of your thread reads:  "thinking of going for it":  any time one thinks of shaving their dome smooooooth, one will never satisfy their thoughts until U "do the deed", "take the plunge", or shave that dome smoooooth.  so, satisfy your thoughts & shave that dome.  i promise U that U won't regret it.  keep us posted 2 your road 2 slyness.

WARHAWK

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to the Forum Iggy!

Someone on this Forum.... long ago.... came up with the term "Dome Decor" for scars. I have my share as do many others. No big deal.

Give shaving the 30 day try.... now is the perfect time of year to give it a go. Great Summer weather and easily tanned domes are everywhere!

[Paul]

Welcome Iggy.  Don't worry about the scars, they just add character.  I say go for it.

[SLYinKC]

Welcome, Iggy.  I bet you are gonna love it.  Just give it a try.  You'll see that we are right.

[baldy46]

Just like you, I have one scar on my forehead, one on the right side just above my ear and one in the back.  They come from minor surgery to remove some cysts.  Like you, I was worried about how they would look once I shaved.  Honestly, they look much worse when I let the stubble come in.  When I'm shaved, they are hardly noticeable.  When I tan, the scars are little lighter, but it's no big deal.  Besides, I just consider them "battle scars."  They give my head some character.  LOL.  I would say shave the noggin.  I think you'll like it much better than the "0" guard look.  By the way, since I started shaving, I've noticed that I've had no new cysts.  I think one reason may be that I'm keeping the head smooth. 

[Papa Don]

The guys are right! The shaved head does mask the appearance of scars.  All you can do is try it.  It will come back if you let it grow.  Of course, I doubt if you will let that happen.  I have a full head of hair that I shaved on a whim.  Guess what?  Never again,  I think Slyness is addictive. I had negative remarks at first, from a few so called friends, but now they are used to it and asked me to shave again recently when I grew it back.

[sq]

Welcome aboard

I took the sly plunge  a little over 2 weeks ago - I have the three scar combo as well - at first I really noticed one of them - I really don't think anyone else did - now, other than making sure that I don't nick the damn thing when I'm shaving I really don't pay it any attention, and honestly I don't think anyone else really cares about it -

As has been said by much wiser sly guys, give it a try

[D.A.L.U.I.]

Another guy w/ scars, two skin cancer removals.  NOBODY, not even my wife who doesn't like the look has mentioned them in any way whatsoever.  Maybe it's because the shine dazzles them .

[bem75]

Chicks Dig Scars!!    Go for it.

[adam_r_todd]

I had a scar I was worried about.  I can't even find it now.  Really.  Sly is so much fun.  You gotta try it.  And kick the drugs to the curb, man.  It was such a relief for me to quit taking that crap and just embrace the sly life.