Gonna do it.. need some guidance (pic update)

[baller]

Ok so I have overcome the shape of my head, I think it will be fine. Here is my last tread about that http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=14256.0

Short recap: 29 years old guy, looking much younger (we europeans tend to do), mbp increasing. Half a year ago I decided not to start with any treatment against mbp when I found this amazing site. I'll do the deed as you put it. So I have already decided that I'll be sly sooner or later.

Back to the present..

My GF is going away for half a week so I thought I may do it this weekend and maybe have time to get a little bit of tan before she gets back. The concern now is how do I start?

I have quite long hair right now and it's covering my hairline which is really high now, the V-shape you know. So my hair is maybe 10 cm long (4 inches) so this is a major change. I don't think a lot of people have noticed my MBP since I had this haircut for like 4 years now. I'm not even sure my GF noticed. So cutting it short or shaving will reveal what I have hidden. Even if I shave the shade will reveal it. I read about cutting shorter and shorter in periods to give myself,  family and friends time to adjust and get used to the change. I understand that's a good way but since my hair has been so long and covering my MBP I'm not too happy to go half way either. What should I do? Should I go all in? I'm thinking maybe a 0 guard buzz is a good start? But how much will that reveal my MBP? Will it be too much of a shock?

I may also mention that I'm working at quite a large office with an open landscape setup (great..) and I'm pretty well known since I'm supporting and educating almost 200 employees in the IT system used. I wish I worked in a small car repair shop or something  

When I decide how to do it I'll also need some advice about great equipment!

[Laser Man]

My advice - talk to your GF before you do it, not to get her approval, but to let her know.  I talked to my wife and she was really supportive - a big help when you make a dramatic change.

I went sly in one step - full head of hair (with a small bald spot) to completely smooth over a weekend.  I work in a big company and in general the first reaction was "oh wow!" then "it looks good!"   Expect a few negative comments, but who cares about those?

Go for it - you'll like the change!

[baller]

My advice - talk to your GF before you do it, not to get her approval, but to let her know.  I talked to my wife and she was really supportive - a big help when you make a dramatic change.

I went sly in one step - full head of hair (with a small bald spot) to completely smooth over a weekend.  I work in a big company and in general the first reaction was "oh wow!" then "it looks good!"   Expect a few negative comments, but who cares about those?

Go for it - you'll like the change!

Ok, I have read other treads where the opposite is proposed. But actually I told her in februari that I wanted to do it. Not a very supportive response that time. I guess it would be the prefered way to do it IF you get the supportive response, but if you don't? 

[Laser Man]

If you don't get the response you want, still go ahead and do it.  You're doing it because you want to.  She may end up liking it or even if she doesn't, she may grow accustomed to you being sly.  If she gives you a real hard time about it, you have other issues to deal with.

[Snakehandler]

My wife disapproved every time I mentioned it over the past 10 years so I didn't. January 2010 I shaved my head. She didn't like it but tolerates it after she got used to it. Everyone else likes it (receive lots of compliments) as do I.  I wish I had done it 10 years ago. I think you'll like it and if you don't it's only hair and will grow back 

[baller]

Thanx. i'll figure that part out I hope.

Any thoughts about the practical part? Still don't know how to start out. Shave at once or start with the 0 guard buzz? What cind of clipper is good if?

[Laser Man]

I went straight to smooth - had it buzzed down with a zero guard then went home and shaved clean.  Try the zero guard to get a sense of what you'll look like.  If you like the look, then shave down smooth and see if you like that even better.  It's really a matter of personal choice.  I go smooth because I like the feel of it.

On the practical side, I started shaving with a HeadBlade using HeadSlick.  At first, went only with the grain until I got used to using the blade.  After a few days, I started going against the grain to get a smoother shave.  Now I use an electric to start out and the HeadBlade to finish (only against the grain with the HeadBlade) and I get a super smooth result.

[baller]

I went straight to smooth - had it buzzed down with a zero guard then went home and shaved clean.  Try the zero guard to get a sense of what you'll look like.  If you like the look, then shave down smooth and see if you like that even better.  It's really a matter of personal choice.  I go smooth because I like the feel of it.

On the practical side, I started shaving with a HeadBlade using HeadSlick.  At first, went only with the grain until I got used to using the blade.  After a few days, I started going against the grain to get a smoother shave.  Now I use an electric to start out and the HeadBlade to finish (only against the grain with the HeadBlade) and I get a super smooth result.

How was your hair situation before the first shave? And how often do you shave? Any issues with irritation?

[Laser Man]

I had a a fairly normal head of straight hair with a receding hairline and small bald spot.   The barber clipped it down in stages one Saturday morning, finally getting it to a zero guard.  The first week of shaving produced some irritation, mainly on the sides / temples where the skin is not as tight - no irritation on the top or back.  Switching to shaving first with an electric has really cut down the irritation.  After shaving, I rinse with cold water and use ClearHead to calm down the scalp.

I shave every morning because I end up with a fuzzy, velcro feeling by the end of the day.  If my wife and I are going out, I may do a touch-up to get back to smooth and shiny.

I don't know if others have experienced it, but after six weeks, my head is naturally shiny - nothing needed. 

[baller]

Ok sounds like I'm in a similar situation.

Bought a Philips QC5550 today so I think I will start with that one. It's a combined clipper and shaver, I'll get back with a review when I used it! Maybe I will stack up with razors also in case it doesn't work out.

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?slg=en&scy=nl&ctn=QC5550/15

Jeez I'm nervous!

[Laser Man]

I can understand being nervous.  For a couple of weeks before going sly, I kept thinking about it and I was constantly touching my hair.  For the first few days after going sly, I was self-conscious about seeing people.  But I can honestly tell you that the nervousness goes away and the you'll really enjoy being sly.  You'll get over the dramatic change and sly will look and feel normal.  It's strange to say, but after six weeks of being sly, I have a hard time picturing / remembering what I looked like with hair.   

[baller]

Ok Im done for today. I cut my hair from 10 to 0.5 cm and that was a huuuuuge step for me. I have never in my whole life had this short hair. I think I may stay like this for a few days just to get used to it. Im not yet sly but Im a very big step closer to it.

[Laser Man]

Good work!  It'll take a time to adjust to the look of very short hair, but then you'll probably start to wonder what you'd look like going full sly. 

I had a barber buzz me down and when I looked, I was startled because I haven't had hair that short since I was about 8 years old.  I went home and shaved smooth.  I haven't regretted it.

[Tyler]

Awesome!  You'll be amazed at how much MORE freedom the next step of going completely shaved will provide you.

[baller]

Thanks!

I'm already wondering how the next step will feel.

I noticed I had three small bald spots i the back and on the side. Two very small and thin plus one like 1 cm diameter. Also I discovered a mole and one read like bump. Maybe I'll get these things examined/removed soon, better safe than sorry.

However I am still glad I started the journey, it's the absolute right thing to do even if it's a little bit depressing right now to see my receding hairline so clearly.