A Young Sly in training

[slyguyJ]

Hey everyone,

After lurking for about a month, I decided to create an account and make an appearance.  My name's Jay and I'm a 20 year old college student.  I'm not really sure where to start.  Balding runs in the family.  My dad has always had a "rug" and he would make up funny stories when I was a kid (usually driving too fast on his motorcycle).  I used to laugh, but I never thought I'd be in the same boat as him.  I started to lose my hair at 15-16.  By the time I was 17-18, my hairline had a pretty bad recession and I hadn't even graduated from High school yet!

Over the years, my hair style has been getting shorter and shorter.  A year ago I looked in the mirror and saw the dreaded horseshoe effect.  That's right, the recession I had come to accept was now turning into full on MPB.  For the past 6 months, I've been using clippers without a guard and buzzing it down twice a week.  Lately though, this just isnt cutting it.  I'm not happy with the results I'm getting, particularly the visible difference in thickness between the hair on top of my head and the hair on the sides.  That's why I'm proud to say I'm going to take the plunge and use a razor to shave my head.  Hopefully once I do this, the thinning on the top of my head won't be so visible.  Unfortunately, I can't grow much in the way of facial hair and I think the best looking bald guys usually have some sweet beard/shadow/goatee.

I don't want to get too sappy, but I recognize this website not only as a forum to teach guys about the bald lifestyle, but also to help guys emotionally cope with balding.  It was never easy being the only kid I knew who was balding.  I'm always angry/upset at how I feel like my youth is being taken from me.  It's also a painful realization that even the one guy I look up to most in the world (dad) isn't confident enough to lose the rug and shave what's left.  I guess he's been doing it for so many years that the lie is too big at this point.  I've been to the top notch doctor in NYC and all he did was prescribe me finasteride (OTC propecia) and tell me to use rogain.  Bottom line is these products aren't working and I'm starting to accept that I will be bald for the rest of my life.  I'm tired of all the baseball caps.  I'll try to get a picture up in the next week or two so you guys can put a name with a face.  Thanks for hearing me out.  I'm already feeling better knowing I'm not alone.

-J

[Paul]

Welcome, it is great to have you here.  And you are right, this is a great place to come for support.  As for the feeling that your youth is being taken away,  just remember that life is a series of changes and each one opens on to a new adventure in life.  Think of being sly as part of the journey of life.  You have moved from your teen years to your twenties and are now open and ready for new and exciting things

[omegapd]

Hey Jay! Glad to have you on board!

[wpruitt]

Welcome J. Great post

[ozzie]

Welcome to the forum, J. Glad you could join us! 

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to the Forum Jay! This is an absolutely great first post. Candid and to the point.

Don't be swayed by your Dad's inability at this point to lose that rug. Maybe you can be the inspiration he needs to finally lose that thing. Once you shave I'm sure he will think that maybe he would feel great shaved too.

You've already taken a couple of very important first steps:

1) You know that your hair doesn't look good as it is
2) You've ditched those damn drugs. There is NOTHING good about them.
3) You've come here!!

I admire your maturity for such a young guy. You will not regret your decision and it will feel good that you can be an inspiration for your Dad.

As for the facial hair..... not a big deal Dude. You'll look great without it.........

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

Welcome to the Forum Jay! This is an absolutely great first post. Candid and to the point.

Don't be swayed by your Dad's inability at this point to lose that rug. Maybe you can be the inspiration he needs to finally lose that thing. Once you shave I'm sure he will think that maybe he would feel great shaved too.

You've already taken a couple of very important first steps:

1) You know that your hair doesn't look good as it is
2) You've ditched those damn drugs. There is NOTHING good about them.
3) You've come here!!

I admire your maturity for such a young guy. You will not regret your decision and it will feel good that you can be an inspiration for your Dad.

As for the facial hair..... not a big deal Dude. You'll look great without it.........

Welcome, and you're home.  Just follow the wise words of the Wizard of Koz and you'll get comfortable with yourself w/in a short time, about 30 days.

[pdxtodd]

Welcome to the group!   You are going to be so glad you took the plunge.   As someone who started losing their hair 30 years ago, and having gone through the process of strategic combing, drugs, and hair pieces -- I wish I had taken charge and shaved my head when I was your age.  I would be significantly richer and would have been much happier over those 30 years.  The great news for you is that sly is the "in look" -- take it all the way down to the wood with a blade and be proud that you made the right choice.   Be strong,  don't ask people how they like your new look (tell them how much you love the look and feel), and keep it shaved for 30 days.   Be glad that you took control now and not like your dad and I -- hiding under fake fur for all those years.

[mangosink12572]

I have said it before and I will say it again

"BEING BALD is better than GETTING BALD"

It has worked for all of us  - - -Now enjoy the SLICK MELON

[The Noggin]

Welcome Jay!

Well you're old enough to realize your dad isn't the most perfect man on earth  .
He has his weaknesses as anybody else.

When you shave for the first time, prepare yourself for the shadow. Depending on skin and hair colors it will be more or less visible. It's just a part of the deal.

I hope everything will go smoothly for you.

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

having gone through the process of strategic combing

LMAOROF, Great new term is born!

[Razor X]

Welcome, Jay.

Don't worry about being robbed of your youth.  A shaved head does not age you, but a horseshoe or severely receded hairline does.  Also, don't sweat not being able to grow a thick beard.  A lot of guys can't at age 20.  That may change in the next couple of years.

You'll feel liberated once you've rid yourself of the dying mane.  Let us know how you make out.

[OzPete]

Welcome to SBG!

[Arnie]

Welcome to SBGs, Jay!!!

[marcx]

If you're already buzzing it down if you shave it and are not happy you are only a few days away from being back where you were! Vut I know for me once I got going I jsut wnted closer and closer until---sly 

Go for it!