Advice to give a 19 year old.

[Bilko1]

Hi, guys.

My son recently expressed a desire to shave his head to give it a "try". He has a full head of hair but recently he noticed some hair in the plug-hole whilst taking a shower. He also has a skin irritation that also affects his scalp & he is affraid that the irratation might get worse if he has his head shaved.

He is wanting to find a really good reason for shaving his head that his mother & grandparents would approve of. I have said to him that it is his choice & I am not going to try and stop him. He is also affraid that if he shaves his head & doesn't like it that it will take forever to grow back, to which I have replied that if he shaves his head that his hair will grow back quickly.

Any advice that you guys could give for him?

I have encouraged him to raise some money for cancer research via sponsorship for a head shave & to have it filmed for posterity.

Bill

[KDusk]

Why does there need to be a good reason for his mother and grandparents?

He's 19, it's important he starts developing his own identity as an adult. If he feels shaving his head will add to his identity, then they should just let him. His father also shaves his head, if his mother and grandparents are still stereotyping baldness, I'd advise you to talk to them, not to him. They should be glad he's 'only' shaving his head instead of going on a binge and getting girls pregnant in order to prove his 'maturity'.

About his fear of growing his hair back out if he doesn't like it: how long is his hair now? Hair will grow approximately 1/2 inch (about 1cm) per month. So if he already has short hair, it'll be back in no time. If I wanted to grow my hair back out to the same haircut I had before going bald, it'd be back in 2 months (that is, if my MBP hasn't progressed any further of course). I also had scalp irritation before shaving my head due to having mild and local psoriasis. Shaving my head actually cleared up the problem since hydrating is an easier job on bare skin. But I'd ask a dermatologist's opinion about this since it could be something else. I doubt shaving will worsen the condition, though.

I'm sorry if this is a disappointing answer, but there's just no 'standard good reason', there's only 'personal reasons'.

I'm 24 myself and I'm currently going through an identity crisis because I never 'rebelled' against my parents. I don't advise your son to always do the complete opposite of what his parents tell him, but he should be able to try stuff without asking anyone's opinion, ESPECIALLY if it's about something that doesn't harm other people.

[Razor X]

As far as the skin condition is concerned, getting rid of all the hair might make it easier to treat, since it will be easier to apply topical medications if necessary.  KDusk is correct; hair grows at the rate of about 1/2 inch per month, which means that a #2 buzzcut length can be achieved within two weeks.

[Laser Man]

If he's looking for a "cover" that will placate his mother and grandparents, then your suggestion of doing it to raise money for a charity is a good one.  St. Baldrick's Foundation sponsors research into childhood and adolescent cancers and you can be a "virtual shavee", meaning you can shave bald any time.  This approach has a number of benefits: 1) it raises money for a good cause, 2) it stops questions dead in their tracks, and 3) if he decides he doesn't like it, he can let it grow back and no one will be the wiser.

[Paul the Headblader]

I wonder why you posted this ( no heart feelings ), but he has you. A father who has been through the sly live, who is still sly. In that way, you can give him a head start About the decision itself, he's a grown man now, he has to do it on his own.
If he takes the right decison, bravo. And if not, he'll learn not to make it again

[Baldstu]

I am sure it goes without saying be there to support him , loss of hair at 19 is not always desired , I sympathise him just back him up if he does go sly

[DCdome]

The best reason for shaving the dome is to give the bald look a try.  If you want to do it, that's the reason.  There really is no other reason better than that one.

[mrzed]

Hi, guys.

My son recently expressed a desire to shave his head to give it a "try". He has a full head of hair

Hey, bald is stylish these days at any age.  Just stood at a funeral today with three other guys who shave their head bald. Had something in common.

A full head of hair is no reason not to shave bald. Go for it.  It will grow back quickly if he decides he does not like it. I'd still recommend he apply the 30 days rule anyway, if he shaves his head. Do it daily for at least 30 days.

He is wanting to find a really good reason for shaving his head that his mother & grandparents would approve of.

The 'shave for charity' is an excellent 'excuse' to shave your head.  I like that if you need an excuse.  Or shave for the swim team. That's a good excuse.

Mr. Z.

[Bilko1]

Thanks to all you guys for the great support & excellent advice.

Bill

[bennett11]

At that age many many years ago I had my hair cut to a very short buzz.  To me it was an act of growing up and becoming independent.

[warhawk]

Thanks to all you guys for the great support & excellent advice.

Bill

hey bill:  keep us posted on your son's road 2 slyness. 

WARHAWK