MIxed reactions.

[Mr Jules]

An (unamed) close relative said I looked awful, made me look older and looked like I had chemo. Said he wanted to wear his sunglasses to cut down on the glaring shine from my head.

I've seen this post and waited for someone to ask what I think is the obvious question, a relative, does he have issues with mpb? If so, I'd say it could be an indication of his internal conflicts and desires, whether or not he acknowledges it, to have the gonads to do it himself. 

Think you've hit the nail on the head - the relative in question has MPB.

[Cropduster84]

I shave to 0.5 with a clipper (still not got the balls to go sly yet    )
but I can honestly say how liberating it feels not to have to worry about bad hair days, weather messing my hair up and what I'll look like when I come out the barbers...

Having a shaved head is so liberating...there's no way I could grow my hair back out now.

My family still don't like it...but I do, and I feel 100% more confidant this way...

[Mr Jules]

I shave to 0.5 with a clipper (still not got the balls to go sly yet    )

Do you want to shave your head clean ?

[Razor X]

Yesterday, had my first bad reaction to my sly look.

An (unamed) close relative said I looked awful, made me look older and looked like I had chemo. Said he wanted to wear his sunglasses to cut down on the glaring shine from my head.

I nearly crumbled and thought about growing the hair back...

Never let anyone have that kind of power over you.

[Bluebriz]

You'll reach a point, pretty soon, where people barely remember that you once had more hair.  Then you'll become more comfortable with it and confident in the way you look.  Then, further down the line, you'll meet people who haven't seen the new you, but they'll be meeting the stronger, more confident you, and you will exude that confidence, and people will tell you you look great.  It's coming soon, I assure you!

[Mr Jules]

Razor X - wise words about the power thing.

Bluebriz - it's happening already. Had a job interview 2 weeks after going bald. Got the job and started a month ago. So all my new colleagues have ever seen me with the sky look !

[Cropduster84]

I shave to 0.5 with a clipper (still not got the balls to go sly yet    )

Do you want to shave your head clean ?

I do yeah. I already shave to a 0.5 on a weekly basis with my clippers, but to me, there's still a big jump from that to shaved clean.

I KNOW I will do it at some point, it's inevitable really.

It's just hard to get the confidence sometimes   
And I think, even though I may have receded a little, in a weird way I wish I suffered MPB just so I had the excuse more...

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

And I think, even though I may have receded a little, in a weird way I wish I suffered MPB just so I had the excuse more...

#1--mpb doesn't cause "suffering" unless you let it do so--it's not a disease or disability
#2--you do have mpb, that's what the receding hairline  that is evident in your picture really is, early stages of mpb.  Google up the Norwood-Hamilton baldness chart and look for your degree of receding.  If you did nothing as the years go on you will continue to recede. 
#3--control the situation, shave it, you can do it neatly, Mother Nature is relentless, but she sure is sloppy!  Take control.

[Mr Jules]

Saintc,

You took the words right out of my mouth, with your post.

"in a weird way I wish I suffered MPB just so I had the excuse more". Sounds like you want to shave bald right now ? You just want someone or something to encourage you. Why wait for the excuse when you can take complete control now ? Saintc is right. Mother nature is sloppy when it come to MPB.

What exactly is stopping you from shaving your head clean ? Reactions from other people ? Wondering if won't look good ?

If it's reactions from other people, you'll be pleasantly surprised. Most will be curious, envious, think you look better / younger or will just say "wow, you shaved your head". And that will be that.

If it's wondering that you won't look good, well you will ! And wait till your rub your head after shaving smooth. It will bring you the biggest smile and give you the greatest wow factor.

Shave now. You'll remembered for what you did. Not for what you thought about doing.
 

[mrzed]

I do yeah. I already shave to a 0.5 on a weekly basis with my clippers, but to me, there's still a big jump from that to shaved clean.

I was where you are, a few months ago. In hind-sight, it's a big deal going into the shave. It's not a big deal afterwards.  It's the new look.  It's satisfying and you wonder what you fretted about. Guess it's like the first ride on a roller coaster.  The anticipation is horrible.  The ride is fun. Then you want to do it again.  Shave it sly.

[Mr Jules]

Today, people must be seeing through my bald head and reading my mind.

Because, I was going to say that shaving your head is like a ride on a roller coaster. Anticipation, thrill and the urge to do it all over again.

At the last count, I did all over again 58 times in a row. 59th tomorrow.