Not Sly Yet, But Soon

[Garibaldi59]

Hi, all.  I'm new, hence this post in introductions.  I've looked this site over for a couple of weeks now and I've noticed the comraderie and support you have for each other.  It is really a wonderful thing that strangers can be so supportive to each other;  makes me wonder why we can't be more this way in our everyday interactions.  Anyway, I've got a question. But before I ask it a little about myself.  I'm nearing 60, have fought losing hair ever since I can remember.  In my mid-twenties had some hair transplants, the old plug kind, which served me well until the past few, that is if you consider limiting certain activities such as swimming and doing the comb over as serving me well.  In a sense, I have been enslaved to a dream for the last 40 years with nothing to show but the illusion of having hair.  Now, though, the illusion is starting to fade, which leads me to four options:  1) leave it the way it is, which will make me make me increasingly unhappy because the my hair will continue to thin; 2) get more work done, though I don't think I have the hair to do it and it will only continue to limit my freedoms; 3)  get a hair piece, just another form of enslavement; 4) or go SLY, which from what I've read from you guys is liberating.  Seems like my choice is a no brainer, and it's the choice I will go with.  However, at times the I am comfortable with my decision, other times it scares me.  It's an irrational fear, I know;  hair does not make the individual.  But suddenly changing course after 40 years of pursuing hair to shaving it off is , for me, not an easy thing to do.  So many of you have embraced the SLY look that I wonder if my fears will make sense.  However, if any of you have had had similar experiences I would appreciate your  thoughts and what you did.  Thanks in advance.

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

Welcome Garibaldi--is there a liberator of Italy pun in this name?

Well, Garibaldi couldn't have invented something to liberate you out of the combover better than sly.  Although I didn't do the plug stuff, I gradually slid into a combover situation that was awful.  Looking back, I should have done it when I was in my 40's but in those days it was still pretty avant garde.  It's not an irrational fear at all, you're moving from a miserable place, but it's a miserable place you know and you know the rules--no rain on the "do", no hats to crush the "do" and avoid standing with your back to a mirror to let everyone see the hole in back as well as the sliding hairline or maybe two hairlines in front.  Miserable.  I finally got the absolute kick in the ass tying my tie to go to work.  My mirror is situated such that I see myself against a large window in back.  I not only saw my tie, I saw that window in the mirror, and my scalp with all the scrawny hairs without moving--it wasn't even close.  I knew it had to go.  Yet it took me 7 months, and I guess an angel sitting on my shoulder, and many lurking visits to SBG--I somehow didn't feel I could sign up until I'd done it--to pull into the barber and utter the wonderful words, "buzz".  He took it to a four.  Well long story short, one month 4 days later, I took my trusty clipper, acquired from a sly cousin, and did a no guard before the gym in the morning.  Came back, showered, lathered, new Fusion blade and took that long fateful pull down the center to the back--no going back now.  Then finishing and almost giddy, dried off and out.  My wife went NUTS, but I held my ground.  Except for two instances during what will soon be three years, I have never had more than 7 days growth--and that was a shocker each time.  It's been a great experience.  Not much negative, lots of positives--and the compliments keep coming, really.  You'll never get a gal to say to someone of our maturity, "I really like that combover!"  Wont' happen even to guys in they're twenties, but you do get and continue to get ladies complimenting your sly self--and it's as much fun everytime.  Getting hit on, the last time it happened before sly, it was still called flirting.  I like "hit on" everytime. 
I promise although it does take a bit of adjustment, you're "Who's the dude in the mirror?" will quickly morph into, "Damn I look good!"  And that confidence shows in everything you do--it is just the best single thing I've done for my personal appearance except getting absolutely hooked on going to the health club when I was in college.  You will love it.  PROMISE.

[TheSlyBear]

Seems like my choice is a no brainer, and it's the choice I will go with.

It is, indeed, the only sane and logical choice.

But suddenly changing course after 40 years of pursuing hair to shaving it off is , for me, not an easy thing to do.

Look at it this way. We've reached the age where we should be able do whatever the f**k we want. Do you want the freedom from irrational hair worries? If so, the choice is obvious.

So many of you have embraced the SLY look that I wonder if my fears will make sense.

Trust me -- most of us had the same fears. That's natural. But afterwards, they seemed so silly and I can almost guarantee you'll join the chorus of "Why did I wait so long?"

[xnewyawka]

Welcome Garibaldi, you're heading in the right direction, and the best option, which is shaving it, will truly set you free.
No more worrying about it, no combover, and you will really like the feel of the water from the swimming pool on your bare dome.
Let us know how it goes.    

[ozzie]

Welcome to the forum. 

[Arnie]

Welcome to SBGs!!! GO SLY!!! GO SLY!!! GO SLY!!!

[Razor X]

HBut suddenly changing course after 40 years of pursuing hair to shaving it off is , for me, not an easy thing to do. 

You've just validated what I've been saying for a long time -- that except for the brave few, shaving your head for the first time is not easy at any age.  The younger guys -- and plenty of them have posted about it here -- find it difficult to lose their hair at a young age before any of their friends do -- and the older ones are often more set in their ways, making change a little more scary.

The only way to get over the fear is to just confront it.  It's not easy, but after you've done it you'll be glad.   Even if you don't like it, you'll gain a lot of confidence for having faced the fear head on. You'll also have found out for sure that it's not for you, and then you can grow your hair back out and stop wondering about it.  The alternative is that you'll like your new look a lot and be much happier.  Either way, you really can't lose.

So stop torturing yourself.  Give it a try and join the ranks of those who ask themselves, "Why didn't I do this sooner?"   

[OzPete]

Welcome to SBG!

[timetobeme]

Welcome!  Saint, that was a great post!

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome Garibaldi! Freedom from 40 years of enslavement is just a dab of shaving cream, a razor, and 15 minutes away.

[pdxtodd]

Welcome Garibaldi.  The amazing thing is that most of us have had the same feelings and once we took the step and shaved it all off - almost everyone says "I wish I would have done it sooner."   Sadly you've spent 40 years dealing with hairloss - when you could have been enjoying life and not worrying about how your hair looks.   The good news -- take it off now and you can enjoy the next 40 without even thinking about hair.  60 is the new 40 - you have a long road ahead - shave it off and enjoy the road.    You won't understand the feeling of freedom and relief until you make the leap - and the reality is that the leap isn't as bad as we make it out to be in our own mind. 

[reb123161]

Hello!  Wise words from pdxtodd!  I ALWAYS had the hair to think about whenever ANY plans came up...for anything I was going to do.  Will it be "too windy, too rainy" for this makeshift "DO" I have going on  at the top of my head.  I have never lacked confidence in my life, I just always felt there was a huge SPOTLIGHT on my head wherever I went---due to the horrible comb-over.

Going Sly has been invigorating, happy, healthy, and plainly one of the most satisfying things I have ever done for myself.  My wife and kids--by the way---just became a grandpa for the first time----have noticed a difference in me.  A nice difference.  The guys on here are awesome and truthful.  I wish I had gone SLY 15 years ago!  Welcome, brother.

[warhawk]

hey garibaldi:  welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  glad that ya joined us.  i promise U once U "do the deed", "take the plunge", or in simpler terms "shave your head".  U won't regret it.  matter of fact... U will B thanking us 4 encouraging U 2 "do the deed".  with that said... welcome & keep us posted 2 your road 2 slyness.

WARHAWK

[wpruitt]

Welcome Garibaldi59