Long time lurker, just now joining

[whereisbaldo]

First off, I'm a part of many forums and I have to say this is one of the best forums out there, as far as information goes and helping out fellow brethren.  I'm 25 and have been balding for about 7 years.  It's been very tough on me and I've done a lot to combat it.  First was Rogaine and that screwed up my heart for a while, so luckily I dropped that.  During that time I used concealers to create the illusion of more density.  It looked incredible but it did give me the freedom I wanted (exercising, martial arts, etc).  I've shaved my head off and on but now it's time to embrace the true naturalness.

I like the shape of my head but I have imperfections that bother me a bit.  My head is really pale and I get moles really easily if I'm out in the sun too long, so I'm worried about getting more moles or worse, increase the chances of skin cancer.  I also have two raised 'flesh-colored' moles that look a little funky but I don't know if it's possible to remove them or if I should even worry about something like that.  I really don't mind my hair loss pattern, it's the typical horseshoe but really...I don't mind it. 

So my question to the experienced ones out there, have you approached mole removal to become more happy with your dome or is that something that should be looked past?  I know it's a 'to each their own' kind of thing, but just curious on some experiences.  Last question would be, how do you tan your noggin?  Specifically for guys like me, who are pale and very sensitive to the sun.  Are tanning spotlights, beds, or the sun any safe than the other?  I've tried Jergens natural glow and while I see the potential, it looked a little funny.  Maybe I'll have to work with it a bit more. 

Anyways...thanks for reading this guys and hopefully I can be of help to this forum!

[schro]

Welcome Baldo....
Glad to hear you're embracing the freedom going sly gives you. I would imagine part of the paleness is due to the fact you've had hair on it for all these years, and now you don't. As you go on as a bald man, the paleness should subside a bit.

Moles..........can't speak from experience there. However, a lot of guys here (me included) are pretty religious about putting on sunscreen. Headblade makes a HeadLube with SPF 30 in it that I really like. Also, for prolonged sun exposure, I will always wear a hat. I usually wear a straw hat b/c I make sure to cover my ears (father in law had skin cancer on both ears).

I'm sure others will chime in with advice.
Good luck & welcome.

Schro

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

No moles here but two skin cancers--basal cell, and seven pre-cancerous lesions.  As the Wise Schro says, "sunscreen".  And think, with any hair sunscreen is just a pain because it mats it down, sly it rubs in easily and protects.  Have your skin doctor look at any irregular moles or ones that are easily irritated.  Fair skinned people do seem to have a tendency to get skin lesions--but caught early they are almost always 100% cures.  And with a nice clean slick dome--catching them early is the easiest thing ever.  Enjoy the world of Sly, the freedom and even the potential health benefits.  The pale will even out pretty quickly--don't let that be a deal killer.

[intex]

So my question to the experienced ones out there, have you approached mole removal to become more happy with your dome or is that something that should be looked past?  I know it's a 'to each their own' kind of thing, but just curious on some experiences.  Last question would be, how do you tan your noggin?  Specifically for guys like me, who are pale and very sensitive to the sun.  Are tanning spotlights, beds, or the sun any safe than the other?  I've tried Jergens natural glow and while I see the potential, it looked a little funny.  Maybe I'll have to work with it a bit more. 

I lived in Phoenix AZ for some years being sly.  Learned to wear hat when outside for any period of time. Living in the desert the sun is always out.  Most go to skin doctor every six months or year as a routine whether sly or not - minor skin cancers routine.  In time  your head skin will slowly match the rest of you.  Don't rush it.

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

Scanning the news sites I came across this article on skin moles, etc., including a discussion of the forms of skin cancer and the related treatments--interesting reading if you suspect you have a problem.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43303058/ns/health-skin_and_beauty/

[Arnie]

Welcome to SBGs!!!

[intex]

The moles one should be particularly concerned about are those are dark or black in color and irregular in shape.  Could be melanoma, the fastest growing and spreading cancer.  I had on my chest some years ago.  Treatment is surgical removal including all tissue around it.  Other lesions are typically removed by liquid Nitrogen freezing. 

[Tyler]

Welcome to SBG!! Can you elaborate a little more on how Rogaine screwed up your heart?  I'm always looking for more fodder against Rogaine.

[Mozingo]

Welcome!

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

Welcome to SBG!! Can you elaborate a little more on how Rogaine screwed up your heart?  I'm always looking for more fodder against Rogaine.

It can cause irregular heart beat issues--it's in the package warning material.  This cr_p is really dangerous.  And why do people take it--to keep what?  Bald with a regular and sound heart trumps minimal hair retention hands down.  I believe the original use was as an ingested heart medication--the hair side effect was noted, and to keep it localized they made it into a topical application. 

[intex]

Welcome to SBG!! Can you elaborate a little more on how Rogaine screwed up your heart?  I'm always looking for more fodder against Rogaine.

It can cause irregular heart beat issues--it's in the package warning material.  This cr_p is really dangerous.  And why do people take it--to keep what?  Bald with a regular and sound heart trumps minimal hair retention hands down.  I believe the original use was as an ingested heart medication--the hair side effect was noted, and to keep it localized they made it into a topical application. 

It is a vaso dilator and was in clinical trial for high blood pressure and as you say they discovered some regrowth of lost scalp hairs (effective only on recently lost hairs).  Any new growth lost when stopping the drug.  As you say they (Upjohn) went with topical application.