On the fence!!

[Dzdncfsd]

Well figured I would introduce myself. I'm 34 and just recently diagnosed with alopecia areata.  I'm the type of guy who always likes to dress well be in at the office, a night on the town or at the golf course. I was extremely picky who I'd let cut my hair and it was a huge part of me. Well about 3-4 months ago I went in for a haircut and noticed several bald batches. Well in a very short time several has turned into many.  I never wore hats prior to finding the bald spots but since that day I haven't stepped outside without one since.  I did however find myself absolutely loving the Fashion statement these hats have given me however I feel like I'm covering up a lie.  So yesterday I decided to take a #3 to my head and see what I had.  Well I look like a freaking cheetah!!!! Until that moment the idea of going 'SLY' as you guys called it was absolutely out of the question.  Now?  Well I'm seriously considering it. I guess I'm in the middle of a huge brawl with my inner p***y!!

I just found this site.. Hopefully your stories and confidence speak to me and help me make my decision. 

I think the sudden and severe hair loss has just been a ton to take in.  Male pattern baldness I could deal with a little more as it's more gradual.  This was wake up one day and poof it's gone.  Hasn't been easy. 

[Baldman]

I am sorry to hear that, personally I never had to deal with hair loss. I started shaving when I was 17 because I just thought hair got annoying, but I feel like that was one of the best decisions of my life. Being bald is just better in my eyes. It does take some work but to be honest it is not as much as it is made out to be. You do not have to shave your head every day unless you want to, I shave mine pretty frequently and am about to shave one of my buddies heads this weekend. I think that if you do decide to shave it all off that you will find that you do like it and you will be able to feel comfortable with not wearing a hat all the time, though you do need to use sunscreen or wear a hat when you go outside for extended periods of time. All the best to you, if you decide to shave it or not, and I hope what I said helped.

[Arnie]

Welcome to SBGs!!!

You've come to the right place for great advice on that and more!!!

Try it...chances are you will like going SLY!!!

[Dzdncfsd]

Appreciate the welcome guys.  I think I've pretty much sold myself on at least giving it a try for a few weeks.  Right now I'm shaved to a 3 and wouldn't dare walk outside without a hat due to the patches of baldness.  Looks 100 times worse than even the worst shaved head would look. I think most of my nervousness is based on the unknown.  Am I going to notice having a majorly misshaped head?  Will I have a ton of scars from my childhood I didn't know existed etc?

Both things I'm not going to know until I just make the plunge.  I've already got the Gilette Fusion and a bunch of blades.

Any suggestions for lotions after shaves etc I should have on hand before doing it?

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

Welcome, glad you found us.  But remember, out of your story of your past this much remains true for the future:

I was extremely picky who I'd let cut my hair and it was a huge part of me.

We're all careful about who we let "cut our hair" and you'll find that it's a "huge part" of us too, and will remain so for you.  Different, yes, but the essence is the same, exactly the same. 

[Razor X]

So yesterday I decided to take a #3 to my head and see what I had.  Well I look like a freaking cheetah!!!! Until that moment the idea of going 'SLY' as you guys called it was absolutely out of the question.  Now?  Well I'm seriously considering it. I guess I'm in the middle of a huge brawl with my inner p***y!!

I just found this site.. Hopefully your stories and confidence speak to me and help me make my decision. 

I know this is a tough thing for you to go through, but the truth of the matter is, you really don't have a choice.  You can't wear a hat all the time and you can't go around with patchy hair loss.  The only thing you can do is shave it all off.  Don't agonize over it too much, just do it and  you'll immediately feel better.

The good news is that alopecia areata isn't always permanent so one day you may find that your  hair is growing back in. But until then, lather up and enjoy being bald.  It's a lot easier than you think, and we're all here to support you when you need it.

[Dzdncfsd]

So far I agree with everyone.  Can't keep hiding it and can't wear a hat for the rest of my life.  I guess I just need to pull off the bandaid.  Tomorrow is the day.  I leave in the morning on a week long golf trip.  I'll do it before I leave.  I'll keep everyone posted!!

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

 
And don't forget your sunscreen to keep that newly polished dome from getting sunburned on the links.  Enjoy the freedom!

[ozzie]

Welcome to the forum. Glad you could join us! 

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to the Forum! As Razor said... you really have no choice but to shave.

Look at the bright side..... in a few years when you look at old photos there won't be any of you with MPB in full swing.... and you wondering if you should have shaved it years before.

Move on my Friend..... Life is Good!!

[The Noggin]

Welcome!

[Tyler]

Welcome to SBG and I agree with RazorX

[OzPete]

Welcome!

[BaldWriterBob]

Welcome! Good to have you with us. This is the place to get support for your decision to go sly.

[mark]

Just shave it off now, then you dont have to go through any more "pain" of watching it fall out.  Make it YOUR decision to shave your head because it will just look better. No more worrying about having the windows open in the car so you dont mess up your hair, wear any hats you want(you dont have hair to mess up), chicks dig rubbing a bald guys head.  I could go on.