Going Sly

[whatsup]

I found this forum after shaving my head. I've worn a hairpiece for a long time and was comfortable with it for the most part. I'd get tired of it, take it off, clean it and my head - when I put it back on it would look good and I looked younger so I kept the cycle going. But as I've gotten older I knew the time would come to get rid of it. My wife would have preferred I kept it, but she's supportive either way.

To prepare I went around without the piece (not around people I knew), then had my wife buzz cut with the clippers while the kids watched, and finally shaved in the shower yesterday.

Holy cow! I look in the mirror and wonder who the heck is that guy?! It's smooth on top but not at all on the back. I didn't shave with the grain because I know it takes a while for the scalp to toughen. So I don't know the joy of running my hands over a perfectly smooth scalp yet. Razor bumps were bad, but they're settling down. I'm making sure I get a limited amount of sun on my scalp everyday so it can acclimate. I thought about using Jergins to fix the color difference, but was afraid it was hard to put on evenly.

I've exposed my head to some strangers. I've come to realize that strangers don't really care what you do or look like. I'm going to give a few days to even out in appearance before I get people I know a viewing.

I was having second thoughts (even though I know getting rid of the piece was a one way street), so finding the 30 day challenge was very helpful in getting my mind right for this change. My initial plan is to go bald for about 6 months to learn to not care about my hair (or lack thereof) and then go with a short cut.

[banmuir]

I've come to realize that strangers don't really care what you do or look like.

Everyone here keeps saying it ... but until you discover it yourself you will only then realise how unnecessarily you've agonised about it. (a bit of a catch 22).

Once I reached 5 weeks the people I interact with were so used to my new 'hairstyle' that I forget about it too. Just yesterday family of a colleague stopped by at College and it was only when I was driving home I realised that they'd not seen the change before (we had met previously) and there wasn't the slightest reaction out of them. If you're comfortable with it, then they are too.

[Blitzed]

What most people will rather quickly notice about anyone isn't whether you're bald but whether you're clean, well put together even if it's just jeans and a white t shirt. Why you're bald, how you got that way will be of interest to only a very few and they will ask. And you will answer. You might say that hair pieces, the better ones which is what I presume you were wearing, are expensive. You might say you were tired of fooling others as well as yourself. You might say this is a test flight. Bottom line is....you really do not owe anyone an explanation. If nothing else, you may be surprized to learn how many people saw the hair piece for what it was but out of civility said nothing. Certainly you do not have to be shaved bald but....letting your real hair grow back and then clippering it very short is a good idea. It's the real you and, I would hope, you will eventually find the pleasure of the shaved head.

[BaldHDbiker]

Congratulations on shaving it off.

You'll notice as mentioned that the majority of the people don't even notice especiall once the color matches in and the white is gone.

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

My initial plan is to go bald for about 6 months to learn to not care about my hair (or lack thereof) and then go with a short cut.

Welcome to the world of sly   good move--and my bet is that the only thing you'll ever change at six months is the "short cut."  Sly is addictive. 

[mangosink12572]

Nothing like SLY  BALD - -Enjoy the freedom without the "mat"

Welcome  - -

Post a picture when you get a chance  - -with and without the "mat"  if you can

[Arty Chris]

Welcome to Sly Bald Guys!

[marty22]

good going...post a pic when u can and welcome.

[WhiskeyHotel]

nice congrats man 

trust us...the bumps will go away. once you nail down a routine and consistently prep properly...you'll have no bumps to deal with. and you seem to know this, but ill say it again, definitely don't rush into going against the grain. give it a couple weeks, then try it.

[xnewyawka]

Big thumbs up on getting rid of the hair hat. You can finally experience true freedom.
Give yourself, and your scalp, time to get used to shaving. Take it slow and just go with it, stick to shaving with the grain and don't make too many passes over one area. You want to avoid irritation.
Good luck, and in time you'll feel much more comfortable with it.  

[Glen]

I've come to realize that strangers don't really care what you do or look like.

I found this to be case with almost everyone, even those that know you.

[ynmaker]

Glen,
Welcome.  It will take some adjustment to get used to the guy in the mirror.   But as the others have said, most people don't care too much about what you look like.  As you get your shaving method, things will only go smoother...

[whatsup]

It will take some adjustment to get used to the guy in the mirror.

No Kidding! I'm shocked every time I see my reflection. I'm working on getting sun every day to even out the color as quickly as possible. Razor bumps have diminished greatly - I'm following the advice of not shaving an area more than twice. I'm not going against the grain yet so I haven't felt smooth on the back of my head.

Face to face encounters with strangers hasn't been a problem at all. I've caught a few people looking at me when they think I don't see them. For example, one woman who was with a guy who shaved his head - I guess for comparison reasons. The few friends and family I've seen had such a shocked look on their face that they couldn't even say anything. I could tell they didn't know about the hairpiece and didn't understand the change. I expect them to have more courage to say something next time I see them. Fortunately, I'm in a frame of mind about it to not care about good-natured ribbing, or even comments that they don't like the change.

It makes me give a guy like Andre Aggasi a lot of credit. It must have taken some real courage for a guy who's persona was built on image to go sly in front of millions of people.

[whatsup]

Won't be long before I'm at 30 days. I've gotten more used to my new look, even if my friends wonder what the heck I'm doing and when I'm going to grow my hair back. I miss seeing hair on my head, but it's much more carefree this way. Especially nice to be able to hop in the shower or pool without thinking about it.

I haven't shaved with the grain so I get a very distinct sandpaper feel on my head. I actually much prefer the feeling I get after the hair has grown for a day or two before I shave again. What do most people do? Try to get it baby smooth and then shave again before the sandpaper effect?

Also, it's taking a long time for the back of my head to even out in color. I was worried about getting sunburned at first, but now I'm thinking it takes a lot more sun to tan where the hair was.

[skinhead002]

I'm a "shave every morning against the grain" man. For me, there is simply no other way!