Hello

[Wingz]

New member from Alabama, USA.  I guess I'm not sly 

I found this site when doing a web search on bald men as I'm really looking for opinions and input on my own hair situation.  I'm 46, straight, and don't have a Significant Other for input so its all up to me.  I have short black straight hair which is now got a little grey mixed in (which I don't like) and also I guess they call it male pattern baldness.  It started after 40, kind of thinning up over the top very slowly but steadily.  I used to have nice hair, would have not thought of getting rid of it.  Now that its thin on top it never stays down and usually looks messy except the sides and back which grow nicely and stay in place.  My dad had this, by mid-50s he was grey and all bald in the center.  I'm headed down that path.

I never used hair-grow stuff, won't do a comb-over and I don't like the horseshoe-hair shape that I'll eventually have.  I think that adds years.  I dont want to look older!  I really don't think that guys like Jason Alexander, Larry David, and Ron Howard are really that attractive (hair-wise).  Bruce Willis wasn't either, in his earlier movies, but looks better now I think.  And who can remember the tv show "Moonlighting" where he had all his hair!    I've seen some guys at work who are younger than me shave it so I know its getting more common today.

I guess I'm just a little afraid to do something radical like this.  What will I look like, etc and also will it be less attractive to women.  It has been interesting reading some of these threads.

[Kevets]

I was the same way:  started looking around for info, found this site, read as much as possible and made an educated decision.  I'm 40 and straight and had medium brown thin hair which was starting to gray.  I wasn't overly bald but there was a significant meaty strip that went up the middle and halfway down the back.   I always had long hair until I accepted the growing pink areas.

Just get some clippers and have at it.  Take half of it off and see what happens.  Then take a little more.  As far as women, there are as many opinions as there are women.   Some like it, some don't and the rest don't really care.  I know my wife liked me with hair but she understands that I was already half-way to scalp anyway.    The truth is I now realize my head isn't as eggy as it was when I was young(er).

Yeah, it'll look weird.  At first.  Probably will still be weird the next morning.  But after a few days it becomes normal.  Just remember:  anytime you go out in public you are guaranteed to be able to pick out someone who looks goofier than you think you do.

[Hammy]

Welcome to SBG! I'm a new member as well and was dealing with MPB, just at a younger age. Best advice I got from here, just do it. I always kept my hair short so I kinda knew how I would look but was still nervous. Take the leap! Worst case it will grow back but I bet you won't. Take a look at my intro page here, it has before and after pics http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=16175 I'm 3 days in and already mad I didn't do this sooner. Feel free to ask me whatever I'm happy to lend an ear. Good luck!

[Wingz]

I'm wondering if it really will grow back to what it is.  Will the thin areas just not grow again?  So by that I mean if I didn't like the look and let it grow I'll end up more bald than I am now.

[Kevets]

It'll grow back as it is now.   Most people say head hair grows between 1/8" and 1/2" per month.

[Laser Man]

If you don't like the look, your hair will grow back to what it was before going sly.  If you shave for a long period, say many months or years, then let it grow back, the MPB will have continued and your hair will be different than it is now.

Shaving your head is a radical change, but it is not hard to adjust to the change.  It's normal to feel a little self-conscious about appearing in public with a shaved dome at first, but think about it this way: most people are busy with their own lives and will either not notice or will notice and adjust quickly to your new appearance.  And total strangers won't have to adjust because they will not have known you any other way!

As you can tell by reading the Forum, the initial trepidation gives way very quickly to a sense of freedom and a boost in how we feel about ourselves. 

Give it a shot, stick it out for 30 days so that you and your acquaintances have time to adjust.  After that, if you don't like it, grow your hair back.  My guess, though, is that you'll really like being sly!

[Wingz]

wow, Hammy, your hair loss prior was much worse than mine.  I've got a lot of hair by comparison!   

The worst thing about mine though is that, while there is still hair there, there isn't enough to do anything with. 

[kalbo]

Welcome to the bald brotherhood. The coming new year is the perfect time and reason to shave your head...new year..new hairstyle. If you regret it, which I doubt that you won't, it will grow back to what it was before. Best regards.

[Paul the Headblader]

hello, and welcome to SBGs.
I guess you worry too much.
Just do it, and you'll feel free

[Skimdude]

Welcome!

You are lucky you got to your forties with your hair since a lot of us didn´t.  If you are going bald nothing looks better than a shaved head.  Avoid the grow hair products, comb over’s and horse-shoe style...that is totally off for women.

Shave it off, if you don´t feel comfortable it will grow in a while.  Once you shave it off you will not go back...

Good luck!!

[Arnie]

Welcome to SBGs!!!

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

I'm wondering if it really will grow back to what it is.  Will the thin areas just not grow again?  So by that I mean if I didn't like the look and let it grow I'll end up more bald than I am now.

Newsflash--mpb is an irreversable condition, androgenic alopecia, if you need the medical term.  You appear to have it and have had it for several years.  It will not grow back as it is now--those hairs programmed to depart your scalp and leave dormant, lifeless follicles will do so whether you shave or not.  You will only get more bald and you will end up more bald than you are now whether you shave or not--just the science.  It's not what you wished for, but it is what it is.  Mother Nature is relentless and you will be more bald as time marches on.  Unfortunately Mother Nature isn't neat about it--she'll leave you looking older, less alert--frankly bad.  Shaved is the only safe and sane way available to you, really.  It's time.

[warhawk]

hey wingz:  welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  glad that ya joined us.  keep us posted 2 your road 2 slyness.

WARHAWK

[Tyler]

Hey Wingz, thanks for joining SBG!  Your questions are all valid, but they've been asked by thousands of men before you.  The answer is and always will be - SHAVE IT FOR 30 DAYS STRAIGHT!!!  Within a few days, hours, min of shaving you'll know you did the right thing!

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to the Forum, Wingz!!

You basically have (4) choices:

1) Leave it as it is and continue to let it bother you.
2) Get a rug and pay a LOT of money to maintain it every moth AND have people make fun of it behind your back.
3) Use those hair growth drugs that cost a LOT of money, might work, and might keep your manhood from standing at attention when needed.
4) Shave it, forget about it after a few days, and go about your life looking finer than frog hair.

Hmmmmm........ what would the best choice be???