The decision to be bald or not

[bartman]

Men often shave their head because they get older and start losing their hair. Not so for me, I had a pretty good head of hair and still do. So my reasoning was a little different but still caused by age and a mistake.

So, when I started my 40's I started getting gray on the sides of my head.  I could not get it out of my mind that I looked like Mr. Fantastic of the fantastic 4. I did not like being reminded I was getting old. So I started coloring my hair. It got kind of old and you could see gray in a few days.

So I got a flat top and shaved the sides of my head and I liked it and decided to keep that look. The problem with that was it was expensive and I was visiting the barber very often and since that was some distance I started doing myself. Got pretty good at it and did it myself for almost a year, then I put a big ol' unrecoverarable choach in my flat top. I could do nothing to fix it but tried and got shorter and shorter, out of fustration I just shaved it all off figuring it would let it just grow back. I did not like it at first but once my head tanned to the same color as my face I actually liked it and went with it. (If someone shaves their head and has big white areas it looks like to me a cancer patient or boot camp for someone joining the military, make sure your head is the same color as your face before you start showing people IMHO).

I shaved it for about a year. I went on vacation for a month and did not have the time or energy to shave everyday so it grew out. My sister sent me a gift for christmas called the head blade but I was already letting it grow back out. But I went on the internet and did a search to see how well it worked and found this site. After seeing all the bald guys I thought it looks pretty good so today I shaved it off again and will probably do it for another year. So now I am bald again by choice!

Old flat top


Today before shaving


Today after shaving


One more thing, after using the Head Blade, I was not impress that much, perhaps it is because I am not use to the way it handles.

My favorite is the Shick Quattro, using titanium blades even though a little more expensive (But not bad, I get 10 blades for the price of a hair cut so more economical from that perspective). For me the Ti blade lasts longs and give a closer shave. Too bad the HeadBlade does not fit the Quattro Ti blades.

[marty22]

welcome.

[bartman]

welcome.

Thanks.

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

Nice combo, sly & goat.  Flats were nice in their day, but especially when grey appears, the style & grey really can add unnecessary years to your look.  Good choice.  Hopefully you also can influence lurkers and slackers.

[Dome of Steele]

Looks good Bart.  You don't have to be MPB to be an SBG.  Welcome!

[joergHH]

Welcome, Bart!

Nice looking bald dome - a good look for you. 

J

[Papa Don]

Welcome Bartman, good look for you.  XXX comes to mind. Badarse!

[pdxtodd]

Bartman you look great sly.   Keep the look.   Sly is in.   

[Gimme]

IMHO, the look really fits you.

[mangosink12572]

You look great BALD - - now enjoy it   - - - and show it off  - - - -

[bartman]

Nice combo, sly & goat.  Flats were nice in their day, but especially when grey appears, the style & grey really can add unnecessary years to your look.  Good choice.  Hopefully you also can influence lurkers and slackers.

Thanks all for the complements.
Saintc I have read some of the posts here and am suprised at some of the people here that are afraid to shave it off. It is just another hair style (or non hair style). It makes me wonder what they are wearing now, curtains or a big bald spot at the top of the head? Those are hair styles too. What is the difference, I just don't get it. Some guys who have this problem may just always have a hat on, that's ok I guess but why be a slave to a hat. I wear hat occasionly, not to cover something up, but because I like the look of them or to keep the sun off my face. I suppose if I had a balding problem I might be a little more concerned but really, my confidence and selfworth are not based on my appearance, what I wear, what type of hair style I have. At one time I was manager and interacted with customers directly, my manager and I had a discussion about this subject. He said he would be me money I would not wear a mowhawk, some of my peers wanted in on the bet. Lets just say I won some money. I actually liked it for a little while for something different and kept it for 6 months before I began growing a pony tail. So to me it really does not matter. I don't care for suits but I wear them on occasion so for me again my selfworth is not based on my looks. If people, even friends or family don't like the look of my hair or no hair, I really don't care. It is my decision.

For those who are afraid to shave it off. I guess it must people they know that make them insecure. If you meet someone you have never met before, they will assume you have always been bald and accept it instantly. Those who know you will get use to it over a short period of time. But even if they don't, too bad.

[Razor X]

People are pre-programmed to think that having hair, no matter how much or how little and no matter what it looks like, is superior to not having hair.  Your photos effectively debunk this myth.  You look terrific and a lot younger without hair.

[bartman]

People are pre-programmed to think that having hair, no matter how much or how little and no matter what it looks like, is superior to not having hair.  Your photos effectively debunk this myth.  You look terrific and a lot younger without hair.

I guess you are right about programming but I would question, does anyone think much when they see a biker, UFC fighter, military, swimmer,  or body builder that shaves their head? I don't think they would think much about that. I never really thought about it the preprogramming myself. People who shave their head, who knows how much hair they have. You look great bald (as do all the other posters above) and young (not sure how old you are). I guess I just accept people the way they are. Now, if I knew you for a few years with hair, then all of a sudden you shaved it, it might take some getting use to because in my mind you have always had hair which in my mind is why family often have a hard time getting use to it when someone shaves their head. Think about me shaving my head, everyone I knew new me with hair so they would question why. I would either say cause I wanted to, or explain the sides were gray and I was shaving those anyway, why not go the whole way.

Change is difficult for many, but slowly losing your hair people notice less. Just say no to comb overs or rugs especially when they are obvious IMHO.

[chaucer]

You look outstanding bald...very handsome.  Yes, I'm one of the ones on the fence who can't get up the nerve to have it done...

[PowerOfCheese]

For me, the stress and anxiety was created from living with bad hair for a sustained amount of time. I inadvertently made it the focus of my appearance which obviously became harder and harder to manage. There was such an abnormal amount of time spent trying to maintain my bad hair that it was gradually and steadily changing my personality. By the time it came to shaving it or simply mowing it down to nothing it became this HUGE deal. Getting a hair cut never used to be a big deal. (Maybe when I was 2) Crazy. All that fuss trying to hold onto hair that had no intention of holding onto me. haha

Easy to see now but whoa, what a whack job... Like you said Bartman, it's "just another hair style" and I'd pick no hair over BAD hair any day.

Btw, you look better with a shaved dome or just a shadow. Tougher anyway.