A frequent lurker, first time poster.

[Wesk]

First of all, a big hello to everyone who comes on here! I've been reading this forum on and off for approx 6 months, and I thought it was time to introduce myself.

I am 22 years old and from the UK, and I've known for several years, my hair is coming out a lot faster than I am growing it, and it began when I was about 17-18 but has become some-what noticable in the last 18 months. I have just graduated from university and is a new chapter in my life. To try something new, I am seriously considering shaving my hair, down to a number 2 or 3 to see how I like it and if it suits me (not going fully sly yet!).
Initially, I found it very hard to accept my hair loss, and I am still finding it tough. I genuinely believe that if it was happening or started 10 years later, I wouldn't be half as pissed off.. But I always knew it was in the cards as I'm the image of my father (is that good?  ) who lost his hair even more extensively than me by my age. But the truth is, it's happening. I've accepted it, but it doesn't mean I'm enjoying it. I'll be sure to upload a picture as soon as my hair has been cropped down to size and share it as well as my general feelings about it all.

Here's my debut post, and I hope there are many more to come.

[GaryT]

Welcome to the forum Wesk! I hope you have a blast and that you can get all the info that you can use!!

I'm thrilled that you're willing to go to a 2 or 3.....But, why not just shave it off and see where you stand? If you really don't like it you can be back to a 2 in a matter of days.

[wpruitt]

Welcome Wesk

[warhawk]

hey wesk:  welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  glad that ya joined us.  i agree with gary in that why don't U go all the way & razor shave your dome.  if U don't like it (which is unlikely), it will grow back to a #2 in a few days.  whatever... U decide... U will not B completely satisfied until U "do the deed", "take the plunge", or in simpler terms shave your dome.  keep us posted 2 your road 2 slyness.

WARHAWK

[aarrggh]

WHAT HE SAID   ^

[slyatlast]

welcome to the club...expect we'll be seeing a sly dome on you any day now

[OzPete]

Welcome Wesk!

[Ruarc]

Greetings, Wesk!    I enjoyed reading your introduction, as it very closely mirrors my own situation and feelings.  I'm 23, also just graduated from college and am a little apprehensive about starting a new chapter in my life.  As for seeing hairloss "in the cards", mine came as a total surprise back when I was 21 and my friend looked at the top of my head when I was bending down and said, "Dude.  You're going BALD!"  It's never an easy thing to accept initially, but the guys in this forum are the best, bar none. Reading your post prompted me to officially join.  

Best of luck with the buzz cut!  

[GASlick]

Welcome to the gang!

[c16188]

welcome Wesk,

we're all here to support you in your decision to shave all your remaining hair off.
It'll look great. Good luck.

[Paul]

Welcome Wesk.  Great to have you here.  Post up often, especially with your concerns as this is a great place for support.

[Learning2Live]

Hey Wesk I found myself in a pretty similar situation to yourself both in losing hair and lurking here for some time! Although I started losing my hair even earlier then you.

Anyway I went the route of cropping it gradually closer, the idea being that my parents would get used to the idea as my mum really hates it. So I shaved it number 4 then 3 then 2 then 1. To be honest with you I really wish I had of just shaved it to nothing straight away!!! Really not much point cropping it closer as you won't know what you will look like sly until you are sly, even shaving no 1 or 2 doesn't give you a very accurate measure of how you will look with nothing at all 

As the other guys said it will grow back quite quickly to what it would be if you cropped it, far too quickly I might add!! Wish I could shave and be completely smooth for a week, having to shave all the time is the only bad part of being sly for me.

[Wesk]

Hello and thanks to the warm welcome everyone!

As for people reccomending to go sly straight away, I think I'll shave my head first and then decide whether to go completely sly or not. Not that I don't trust you guys! I just would like to shave my head first and get the feeling of having little to no hair. You never know, I might suit the very short hair and go shave the dome the same day! I'll be sure to let you know.

Any how, I've promised my mother to keep my [albeit thinning] hair for my graduation photos as it represents me through my time at uni. And I've agreed. My head shaving date has been postponed until at least the 17th. But I'm sure I'll be here in the meantime and I may have plucked up the courage to shave the dome. Reading a lot of stories and past experiences is really giving me the courage to go down to the skin. 

Thanks a lot again for the warm and accepting welcome. I'm sure I'll be lurking on these boards for a while to come.

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

Keeping the parents happy--very good thing.  Living your life as you want to also a very good thing.  If you can have everything on the 17th, that works. 
You've done the hard part, accepting the fact that you will one day be bald.  It's now how you feel best as a guy w/ mpb--and just keep up front in your mind, it's not a disease or a defect, it's just another look.  Our only real rule really can be stated, "No drugs, no plugs, no rugs!"  Everything else is an option.
Congrats on achieving your degree--enjoy.

[Papa Don]

Wesk, welcome to our family of proud men. Like it has been said, baldness is a fact of life.  How you handle it is your business.  Personally, I prefer the bald Sly life.  This has to be your decision.  Best of luck.  Keep up posted and if you decide on Sly, post a picture.