Took the plunge today!

[andrew]

Chris,

You made the right decision and I'm sure you'll not have any regrets.   Now shave it clean and smooth ...

Andrew

[Nonick]

Chris, there are some threads on here about sun tan in a bottle.  Generally the most recommended one that I've seen here is Jergen's Natural Glow.  You can get it most anywhere; why even my local grocery store carries it.  It will help darken your skin over a period of days.  Jergen's also has a faster Natural Glow Express that is only suppose to take a few days to darken.   
You may want to try that.  However, don't try to go too dark and too fast.  I read an article the other day about spray tanning and the author only recommended going two (2) shades darker than your regular skin, otherwise it would look unnatural.   
If you decide to go out in the sun, wear some sunscreen.  You don't want too much exposure at once.  A scalp sunburn is VERY painful!! 

[xnewyawka]

Welcome to SBG's forum Chris. Way to take control and go for it. Now you just have to shave it down with a blade. I think you'll like the way it feels.
One thing to be sure of though: make sure to use sunscreen if you're going out for any extended period of time.
I found out the hard way last week on vacation in Cali, made a big mistake, and I haven't been able to shave now for almost two weeks (Nonicks' smiley above says it all).
I have kept it at a tight buzz though, until it's safe to put a blade to my peeling scalp again.

[Magoo]

Welcome to SBG's forum Chris. Way to take control and go for it. Now you just have to shave it down with a blade. I think you'll like the way it feels.
One thing to be sure of though: make sure to use sunscreen if you're going out for any extended period of time.
I found out the hard way last week on vacation in Cali, made a big mistake, and I haven't been able to shave now for almost two weeks (Nonicks' smiley above says it all).
I have kept it at a tight buzz though, until it's safe to put a blade to my peeling scalp again.
[/quote
xnewyawka...how many times does saintc have to preach on sun protection.?

[jrppsuobx]

welcome CHris

[Papa Don]

Welcome Chris.  Glad you decided to join our brotherhood.  I hope to hear from you on a regular basis in the future.

[Sgt. Pate]

Welcome aboard! 

[mangosink12572]

You look great - - -now enjoy it

[Chris730]

Well, things aren't quite as easy as I thought they'd be. I like the new look, but I've been getting some negative responses. Girlfriend says I look like a "chemo patient". Just great. I asked her if she thinks I have an odd head shape or any scars/irregularities I'm not aware of, she said no. She's just not used to it. I'll give it some time and see how things go.

[The Noggin]

That's what the 30 days are for - to give everyone a chance to adjust to your new look. It'll work!

Keep it Sly! 

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

Welcome.  You're going to learn that there are "bumps in the road" for everything we do.  You just have to remember that you have prevented yourself from going bald hair by hair by hair---death by a thousand cuts.  You're ahead of it, balding is behind you.  They do get used to it--they may not embrace it---but they are not the person who has the mpb 24/7.  Just relax, and when the compliments come, and they will, just enjoy it.  Hopefully she'll be around to hear them.  My wife, who's never bought in to the sly thing, gets her "nose twisted" a lot when people compliment me--rather than carry on anymore, she's learned to stuff it.  It happened twice yesterday--and this is nearly three years out--the compliments last longer than the hair--trust me. 

[sellitman]

Shave that thing & welcome!

[Chris730]

Welcome.  You're going to learn that there are "bumps in the road" for everything we do.  You just have to remember that you have prevented yourself from going bald hair by hair by hair---death by a thousand cuts.  You're ahead of it, balding is behind you.  They do get used to it--they may not embrace it---but they are not the person who has the mpb 24/7.  Just relax, and when the compliments come, and they will, just enjoy it.  Hopefully she'll be around to hear them.  My wife, who's never bought in to the sly thing, gets her "nose twisted" a lot when people compliment me--rather than carry on anymore, she's learned to stuff it.  It happened twice yesterday--and this is nearly three years out--the compliments last longer than the hair--trust me. 

Good stuff there man, thanks. I know there are bumps in the road, I was expecting that. When my girl gave me the chemo patient comment, that kinda hurt. It hurt because I know that eventually, I'm going to go bald no matter what,  thanks to my genes. I hear the MPB gene comes from the mother's side of the family, which makes sense since my grandpa is bald (except some hair on the sides) and my grandma's older brother was almost completely bald by the time he hit 30. So I know it's gonna happen anyway.
I've tried other methods before, and wasn't pleased with the result. Rogaine made my scalp itchy and gave me dandruff sometimes. I took Propecia for maybe 8 months or so a few years back, but I'm scared of anything that messes with hormones so I quit that. I tried combing my hair in different ways, and got limited results. And there's no way, absolutely no freakin' way I'm getting a hair transplant. NO WAY. So I went with the only other, not to mention safer option.
I'm planning on keeping my hair this way, not gonna give up that easily. I just hope the comments will pass.

[Nonick]

Chris, congrats on stopping the Propecia.  The possible side effects aren't worth using it. 
As for the comments, they will fade with time.  Also, if you are arround an older (hopefully more mature) crowd of people the comments will become far and few.  As people get older they tend to not say much about other people, if they do, they should look in a mirror.  No one is perfect. 

[chgobuzzbald]

Dont worry about the girlfriend...once she sees how you can "use your head" she will be shaving it for you