First headshave - what I'll need and how I'm feeling

[regularJ101]

So I'm planning on shaving my head this weekend. It's a decision that I had just made a few days ago. There's a few things I plan on buying beforehand like a hat since it's winter here in Canada. Up top now, I've been wearing earmuffs. But from what I've read and seen online, my bald head is going to make me feel colder, is that right? I think I'll also be getting a cap because I may want to hide my dome if I'm not really happy with it. Are there any other things that could help?

Another thing is, I'm feeling pretty nervous about getting on with this. I will be going to the barber's for my first head-shaving. I have a feeling I'll be standing outside the shop, hesitating to go in and feeling nervous. Then maybe I'll be freaking or shaking when the barber's doing the deed? And then if I don't like it after it's done, who knows how I'm going to react... I have huge feeling it's going to look alot different from that virtual headshave I posted up a few days ago.

Is there any way I can get rid of these feelings or feel less nervous. Was making this decision just a few days ago the problem, and I should have decided a bit earlier so I can "prepare" and feel less scared. I want to do this so I can look better and be a new person. This is the the last week of the holidays and I'll be going back to school on Monday and I wanna turn over a new leaf. Be less shy, bit more talkative, make actual friends. Hopefully my new look will help by making people notice me more and help me out a little.

My parents have no idea I'll be doing this. I won't tell them because I have a feeling they'll find some excuse to get me out of it. But I'll just surprise them when I come back from work Sunday night and they'll just have to accept it. They'll most probably be in shock or even confused when they see me, but they'll live.

So what do you guys think? Advice, opinions? What other items may I need to pick up?

[kalbo]

Based on your post, the best thing you can do is not to over think it. The more you think about it the more confused you will become. You will need a cap to warm up your shaved head but what is most important is confidence, show off your bald head with pride.
Also, enjoy every second of your first head shave moment...best regards.

[mrzed]

I would say, read the posts here on SBG. The testimonies of all the guys who have gone before. Shaved their heads and REALLY REALLY liked it.

Go for it this weekend.  My date is Jan 21 and I'll be shaving bald.  Two weeks and one day! counting.

[Slynito]

Before cutting off my >20 year old ponytail I decided it was,"only hair" and it would grow back should I choose. As for the thoughts of family, there is nobody more critical of my looks than my mother and she didn't faint or disown me. Go spend a "Loonie" and buy a pullover cap or go first class and get the fleece model. Stuff it into your pocket before going to the barber and you'll be set. I don't think you'll regret it, in fact you'll feel pride of accomplishment. Best of luck!

 

[Sir Harry]

Good Luck! Just remember, as it has been said many times before....If YOU (and only you) don't like it, you can always grow it back. Also, as I've learned from the other guys since joining, even bald heads need to be washed (not with regular soap or shampoo) Keep us posted and let us know how it went!

[buddha]

Based on your post, the best thing you can do is not to over think it. The more you think about it the more confused you will become. You will need a cap to warm up your shaved head but what is most important is confidence, show off your bald head with pride.
Also, enjoy every second of your first head shave moment...best regards.

A really common thread that runs through posts with "new guys" is over-thinking this process. The act of going sly is nothing more than a haircut. It takes no major shift to undo, if you don't like it you simply need to do NOTHING. Just let it grow back, it really isn't that big of a deal.
My advice to anyone who goes to the trouble of setting "a date" can be summed up in the old Nike slogan: "JUST DO IT!".
Don't be too concerned with what you think other peoples' opinions will be. Most of the time the feedback is either non-existent or positive. I've said this before, when I decided to shave my head I had hair down to my shoulder blades. The next morning I had a scraped dome. A woman I had known for a couple of years that had only seen me with a ponytail saw me the next day and said that I looked different. She asked me if I had lost weight.
I haven't heard negative feedback. This is either because there hasn't been any or because I don't care and I have just tuned it out. Really. I don't care what other people think. It takes work to get to that point. A man has to remember that the only people that matter are limited to 2: People who are keeping a roof over my head, food in my stomach, and, clothes on my back OR those with whom I am "physically intimate". Other than that they are just a source of noise.

[regularJ101]

Good Luck! Just remember, as it has been said many times before....If YOU (and only you) don't like it, you can always grow it back. Also, as I've learned from the other guys since joining, even bald heads need to be washed (not with regular soap or shampoo) Keep us posted and let us know how it went!

Really? What kind of soap then? Body wash?

[Sir Harry]

Nivea, Cuticura, Noxzema.....I'm sure some of the other guys can help me here...I personally use Noxzema because it cleans out the pores of your regular skin......why I suggest for you to avoid soap and shampoo it can dry out your skin leading to bumps and other unsightly things on your scalp. The idea is to get something that will keep your scalp clean without clogging up the pores.

[Laser Man]

You want a mild soap like the ones mentioned.  Neutrogena and Pear's are good too.  Do not use deodorant soaps like Dial because they will dry your scalp.  Remember that the skin on your head has been protected for a long time, so it will be more sensitive at first.  By this I mean not just to soap, but it will feel a little different when you touch it.  After you shave for a while, your scalp will toughen up.

As my brethren here have advised: don't think so much about it - just go ahead.  If you don't like it, your hair will grow back (and relatively quickly).  Give yourself a little time to adjust to the new look and feel, though.  I can assure you, the more time you go, the more you'll enjoy being a bald guy.

[Paul the Headblader]

hey and feel free to do it!

[Acme]

Yup. You're feelings are normal. I set a date and then had to push it back a week but the whole time I was looking forward to it. I had wanted to try it for a while and definitely before my hair got so thin people would say something.

I thought the whole thing was exciting.  I loved the feeling of doing what I decided to do.  And, I loved the feel of the bald head.  Like they all said, don't over think it.  It's really not a big deal to anyone but you.  Enjoy it.

[regularJ101]

Yup. You're feelings are normal. I set a date and then had to push it back a week but the whole time I was looking forward to it. I had wanted to try it for a while and definitely before my hair got so thin people would say something.

I thought the whole thing was exciting.  I loved the feeling of doing what I decided to do.  And, I loved the feel of the bald head.  Like they all said, don't over think it.  It's really not a big deal to anyone but you.  Enjoy it.

You pushed it back a week because you were nervous or because of other commitments?

[Acme]

I pushed it back a week because of work.  I oversee 2 locations and the day before my planned date, A meeting popped up for the following week at the 2nd location.  I only go there once every 2 - 3 months but I didn't want to have my bald head on my mind when I went there so I waited until the following weekend.

Sure I was nervous but excited.  When I was done, I loved it and realized it's not horriffic to be bald.  The feeling of no hair is fantastic emotionally and physically.  Thinking about thinning/receding hair is so much more draining on a person than having no hair at all!

[Cesar]

Another thing is, I'm feeling pretty nervous about getting on with this. I will be going to the barber's for my first head-shaving. I have a feeling I'll be standing outside the shop, hesitating to go in and feeling nervous. Then maybe I'll be freaking or shaking when the barber's doing the deed? And then if I don't like it after it's done, who knows how I'm going to react... I have huge feeling it's going to look alot different from that virtual headshave I posted up a few days ago.

Dude, you shouldn't worry about shaving or buzzing your head, it's totally a normal thing for guys to do. If your going to go to the barber, just walk in, tell him what you want, then sit down and get it done, no big deal. I shave/buzz my hair then grow it back out all the time.

[Bilko1]

Have you had your head shaved, yet?
If not, why not? And, when are you going to do it / get it done?

The best advice I can give you is do not worry about it, walk into the barbers & tell him/her that you want your head shaved bald, then just enjoy the whole experience.

Bill