New here, 26 + Fairly Bald, Looking for some advice.

[warhawk]

hey chris:  welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  glad that ya joined us.  if I were U... i would just "take the plunge" and get a good quality razor & "just do it".  I promise that U will b thanking us 4 the encouragement.  anyways... welcome 2 the club & keep us posted 2 your road 2 slyness.

WARHAWK

[mrzed]

When I was buzzing my head, I had a wahl clipper from Walmart. It was about $35 or so. Included a beard trimmer which really is a piece of junk. It's cute, battery powered, dull, and not powerful enough to trim much of anything.

The standard electric clipperes worked well, and I still use them on my beard.  It's bright yellow.  Here's the link. Guess it's more like $30 right now.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/WAHL-Groom-Pro-22-Pc-Haircutting-Kit-Model-79520-3101/14324470?findingMethod=rr

The larger clipper in this set is the one I like. It does not get HOT as you use it.  When you are ready, you can buzz down to just a few mm and look almost bald.  Then it's an easy transition to shaving bald. Looks better that way. And feels better that way.

[BaldingChris]

if I were U... i would just "take the plunge" and get a good quality razor & "just do it".

I've been tempted to take the plunge and just shave it, but am holding
back mostly because I have a little problem with acne. I seem to constantly
have a few decent size pimples on my scalp. Figured I'd buzz it short, ditch
the shampoo (possibly contributing to the problem), and see If I can do more
by talking with a Dermatologist. I've been prescribed and tried many different
creams and washes in my life. Pretty sure I can't control it anymore then
I already am. Any of you have experience with this?

[Cris]

Thank you guys for the welcoming. Sorry for the delay in responding.

Really appreciate the suggestions. I've been browsing clippers and was on the verge
of ordering the Philips QC5550 Headgroom. Reconsidering it now that I have a better
idea of what I'd like to do. I'm not quite ready to go completely bald and think that
once I do, I'll end up using a razor. So I'm not sure I need the balding attachment.
Maybe I should get the QC5530 instead? For the next year or two at the least, I'll
probably be buzzing to #1 and possibly down to no guard.

I'd really like an Oster 76 from what I'm seeing, but thats a little out of my budget
right now. Is there a specific Wahl or Andis clipper you might recommend? Trying
to find something for $70 or less including the guards I need.

The headgroom have various guards in order to preserve some hair.
If you want go to for the sly look the headgroom enables you to do so.
Otherwise, if you're not convinced to go for a complete smoothness, the headgroom itself allows you to also achieve less extreme solutions.

[Slyfive]

Just like Lynchy, I'm 23 and it hasn't affected the response from the ladies, they all seem to find it attractive... But then there's only one girl's opinion that matters to me.

[BaldHDbiker]

Welcome aboard.

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

Do see the doctor, at your age it might not be "acne" but another easily handled issue--and the oils and stuff from your scalp combined with anything you use to control what little is left may be making it worse. 

[Slyfive]

Along with Saintc and what I have garnered from Schro and my personal experience, less hair means less scalp irritation, means less acne/dermatitis, my skin on both my face and scalp has improved remarkably since shaving.

P.S in general you should just listen to Saint, I'm pretty sure he's always right... ALWAYS

[Natedawg]

Along with Saintc and what I have garnered from Schro and my personal experience, less hair means less scalp irritation, means less acne/dermatitis, my skin on both my face and scalp has improved remarkably since shaving.

I had a similar experience. I used to have a scalp condition in the lower back of my head. I'd get nasty bumps on/in the hair follicles that were like pimples, but were harder and took forever to go away.
Once I took off all of my hair about 8 years ago, it cleared up within a week and never came back. Not once. I took it as a sign that I'm allergic to my hair, and should never grow it back. 

[Slyfive]

I took it as a sign that I'm allergic to my hair, and should never grow it back. 

I think all of us are now! except on chins.

[BaldingChris]

Took my first step this morning. Buzzed it all to #1.
Was really nervous to hear family member's opinions.
So far, its all been positive.

I feared my mothers response most of all, because she is
very judgmental and has acted disgusted by the idea of me
buzzing or shaving it. Surprisingly she had nothing negative
to say and actually seemed to like it.

Don't know if or when I'll be ready to go completely bald.
Found that my head has some weird dents and bumps that cast
shadows and are pretty obvious. Not sure yet whats best for
me at my current stage of balding.

Going to get some color on my scalp and keep it this way for
at least a week, then take it from there.

[Slyfive]

looks great! Those bumps and shadows will only be noticeable to you, we are all too critical of ourselves! you'll wear sly well, you have a good head shape

[mrzed]

Looks good, man.

With this short of a buzz you'll get some color quickly. Then you can take it down with a razor to eliminate the shadows.  We'll look forward to your next photo in a week or two when you start your 30 day journey.

[Lynchy]

Looks great, no guard is second best after completely shaved IMO!

Glad to hear you like it!

[kalbo]

Looks great, no guard is second best after completely shaved IMO!

Glad to hear you like it!

Totally agree with Lynchy