Thinning and scared!

[Hammy]

The title says it all! Thinning on top and I need to learn the way of the sly but it's scary to pull the trigger. Recently had family Christmas pictures taken and the bright lights made my hair look more horseshoe than ever before! My wife is on board and very supportive, so it's just a matter of taking the leap of faith and doing it! Help me harness the courage to become sly!

[TheSlyBear]

I know it's easy to say "Just do it" for those of us that have already done it, but really, it is that simple.

You really have nothing to lose. You don't like what you have now -- that's clear. So the worst that could happen is that you end up with something else you don't like.

But experience has shown that that's unlikely. Almost everyone who's taken the plunge thinks that it's a vast improvement and wonder why they just didn't do it sooner.

And in the very unlikely event that you don't like it, it just grows back.

There's no down side. Just do it.

In fact, you're a leg up already as you have your wife's support. That's huge.

[Hammy]

The more I read on here, the more I think I am just going to do it and see what happens. Can anybody set me up with a "first time" routine, I can't seem to find on. I currently buzz my head now so I have clippers to take it down before my shave. From what I've read I should get in the shower, hot water as I can stand and wash my head to soften the hair. Get out while hair is still wet lather with cream or gel and let stand for a few minutes to soften hair even more. Being my first time should I go with the grain and then against or just one way or the other? After done with the shave cold cold water to close pores and then a product such as witch hazel to help close them even more?

Any tips or modifications are welcome! thanks guys.....

[Kevets]

I'm with you, Hammy.  I'm ready to do it and just bought a new razor and lube today, now to just do it.

I've been reading a bunch on this forum and there's definitely an answer to almost every question, along with quite a bit of encouragement.

The beginners' forum at http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?board=56.0 has the basic recommendations for rookies like us.

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

The more I read on here, the more I think I am just going to do it and see what happens.

THE RIGHT ANSWER!  WELCOME.

[Itall]

I agree. Just do it. You won't regret it.

[mrzed]

there will be a bunch of guys that shave their heads bald in January. You won't be alone.

[Daven]

Simple, read EVERY post in the beginners section and the head shaving threads.  Watch YouTube video's on head shaving and take your time, take a HOT shower, I emerge from the shower with a hot washcloth on my head to open the follicles. Then fill the sink, put the HeadBlade Head Lube on and shave with the grain, then against the grain.

As I said before, post before and after pic's. (maybe before pic's in this thread)

Also again, Welcome.

[-Doug-]

Welcome! Spousal support is huge. Give it 30 days!  Post up often and become an active member.

[Razor X]

I know it's easy to say "Just do it" for those of us that have already done it, but really, it is that simple.

You really have nothing to lose. You don't like what you have now -- that's clear. So the worst that could happen is that you end up with something else you don't like.

But experience has shown that that's unlikely. Almost everyone who's taken the plunge thinks that it's a vast improvement and wonder why they just didn't do it sooner.

And in the very unlikely event that you don't like it, it just grows back.

There's no down side. Just do it.

In fact, you're a leg up already as you have your wife's support. That's huge.

What he said.  Thinning hair doesn't flatter anybody.  As you said, pulling the trigger is difficult, but once you find the courage to do it, things immediately get better.  Don't prolong your agony by procrastinating.  Shave your dome and step into the light.   

[Hammy]

Before

After

[marshd1000]

Before

After

Hammy!!!!  Congratulations!!!!!  It looks great!!!!  You do have the head shape for the Sly Dome!  Now you have to keep it up for 30 days!  If you really don't like it, it will grow back to it's previous state in about a couple of weeks.  You are fortunate to have the support of your wife.  When I first shaved my head, I was just just losing hair up front.  So I had people question why I shaved it.  But I was having a lot of hair in the shower.  But now that I lost more hair, the questions have stopped.  But you are further along in your hair loss.  So I think you will have good reactions!  Just remember to keep it smooth for 30 days!

[Hammy]

Does the "grayness" of the shave go away (if that makes any sense) I though when I shaved it would look more skin colored than it does.....

[Razor X]

Does the "grayness" of the shave go away (if that makes any sense) I though when I shaved it would look more skin colored than it does.....

It will look better when your scalp gets a little more color with exposure to sunlight but the shadow won't go away completely. Don't worry about it. It looks great!

[Hammy]

a few spots were tough to make as smooth as the rest and front to back or back to front didn't seem to do the job and these were the spots where I had some minor cuts. Any tips?