Hello everyone again... Im almost there! (pics)

[goingbald20]

So, after I posted my first post a couple months ago on SBG, I have been seriously thinking about going SLY. However, I have decided first to follow some of the tips that I had from some members on my last post and decided to cut it shorter, really short. Link: http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=16797.0

 I went to my barber, who's one of my good friends and told him to do 1 on top and 1/2 on the sides. He immediately refused and said no, because he though we could still "camouflage" it. I told him it wasn't working anymore because people were already making comments about my Baldness.

I finally ended up getting a 1 on top, and 1/2 on the sides, I have done this before when I had a full head of hair. However, this time my hair is so thin that it basically looks like Almost sly.  

 So, today I went with some friends to the mall so I could see how I would go and "rock" my new look, at the beggining I was really excited, hanging out and buying some cool shirts, then we went to Spencer's and were messing around and I decided to grab a Spongebob shirt and my friend took a picture, I was just messing with the shirt and didnt buy it, and this is how my head looked at this point.




For some reason, it looks Almost Sly, maybe because of the lighting at the store? but it gives me an idea of how i would like when I become Sly, and honestly it doesnt look too bad. However, I think I have a weird bump on the top of my head??

Unfortunately, I feel that I dont have a perfect rounded head, like Floyd Mayweather Jr, Bruce Willis, Vin Diesel, Michael Jordan, etc. This is how my head looks from the sides:



So, back to the story at the mall, I was having fun, until passed by one of those kiosks that are in the middle of the aisle and one of the vendors, jumped up to me and was like, so "Come on over, I have something for you, how old are you?". I did not go to his kiosk, but I told him that I was 20 years old, he said. "20? Oh, son you are not 20! you look older" I did not answer and kept walking on. From this point on I wasn't feeling to excited anymore, I felt old just like  he said.  

I dont know, I used to have a full head of hair about a year ago, and now I am almost bald only at 20 years old. And what honestly worries me, is the fact that I think girls around my age do not like balding guys. In fact, I have not seen any guys at a club, or parties on their early twenty's bald.  I wouldn't have minded if I was going bald at my 30's or 40's, but at 20?  I came back to reality again, I am honestly trying to accept the bald look, but some people's comments are not helping me cope with it, it makes me look old, different, and I just dont feel the same confidence I once had around girls. It is definetly not easy. Again, I just think that it is going to be hard for me now to get girls, specially on their early twenty's, since I know they might not like the bald look. Moreover, some girls that I used to always go out with and do our thing, now some of them have been pulling back, maybe is it the new look?

I dont know guys, do you have any tips about this situation? I would really love to try someday the real sly look, but I feel that first I do not have the right type of head, and secondly, I feel as if it going to be really hard for me to try and pull some girls, which is basically one of my main worries, How am I going to be able to pull girls around my age now?

Do you guys have any cool tips about how to cope with this situation? Are you guys still getting girls just like you did when you had a full head of hair? Any special tips about how to interact with girls? How to dress or how to Act?

I feel like I am overthinking the whole situation, but again some people make me feel this way with their comments about how old I look now, my baldness. I really do miss my old hairstyle.

Im going to try my best to adapt to the new "look", so when I go completely Sly, it would not be a big surprise for me, if any of you have great tips about how to embrace the situation, specially around the early age of 20's. I would greatly appreciate it.

I really love this website, it is a great community we have going on!

Thank you, everyone.

[Frontier Guy]

Wow, that's an emotional post ... exhausting to read, and I'm sure it's far more exhausting to live everyday. I wasn't here for your initial post (which I just read) as well.

Here's my two cents.

First, regarding the salesman in the mall ... he's a salesman! He's going to use almost any tactic which will move you to purchasing, renting, subscribing, or whatever so he can make some money. Once you accept his motive, you need to eliminate any credibility for his comments.

Your confidence is rapidly declining - not from the prospect of going sly, but because you are WAY OVERTHINKING all of this and worrying about head shape, clothes to wear, how to act, people's comments, etc. It's only hair. Which I know means a lot to you at your age - me, in my 50s, not a bit. And I'm bald by choice.

Your head shape is fine. In fact, just about everyone's is. And if there was a slight imperfection that you are worried about, I'd be willing to make a wager that no one else would even notice. We are so concerned with ourselves that we think others will be equally concerned. Trust me, they're spending much more time thinking about their own worlds.

Girls? (see previous comment about me being 50s) So I can't directly relate ... but I will tell you the weirdest thing which has been mentioned elsewhere. You will have girls coming up to you wanting to touch your head. I wouldn't have believed it - that never happened to me in the last 40 years. Yet, it has happened several times since I shaved two weeks ago. In fact, today two more (in different parts of town) wanted "another touch" - talk about a confidence booster!

Honestly, I think you are paying way too much attention to what you *think* other people will think or say. You need to do this for yourself. What do you want to do? If you are honest, you'll agree that you want to shave your head so that you can stop worrying about hairloss. And as soon as you've done that you will feel the freedom and confidence you should. Commit to the new look for 30 days. If after that you're not happy you can let it grow out again - and then what? Chemicals? Plugs? A rug?

Look inward. What is your inner self telling you?

[G]

You look perfectly fine...I don't see what you're seeing as far as a bump. To me you look your age of 20 also.

I think with girls it's all how you carry yourself. Have confidence and comfort with your looks and the right women will respond. I know for a fact there are tons of girls who dig the sly look.

[mrzed]

People will guess your age a lot on the way you act.  And somewhat on how you look.

Wife and I always have been guessed at least 10 years younger than we really are ... still and we are nearly 60.  Even BBC.

We married later in life and have three adult daughters. Guess we act like a couple with 20 something daughters, and many people assume that we are 45 to 55 range. 

For some 20's people, they WANT to look older, and more mature.  I'd take the salesman's comment as a compliment!.

Your head looks fine.  And when you have it bald, it will feel fine.  The smooth dome that you achieve after a few days or a week of shaving (yes it takes a little bit to learn how to get a smooth head shave), will become addicting. You'll want that smooth feeling every morning.

[kalbo]

First off, welcome to the bald brotherhood. Thank you for sharing your story. You look really good bald. i say so because the 1st picture shows you looked shaved. There is no such thing as a perfect head shape and your head looks fine. As for the age issue, shaving it smooth will give you an ageless look. People will find it hard to guess your age but one thing is sure, it will make you more distinguished and will highlight your facial features. You are a handsome young man. Do not let the lack of hair stop you from enjoying life.

[KDusk]

Hey goingbald20 and welcome to SBG!

First, you look great with a buzz cut and it's just a small step to going completely sly from here, so that'll look great on you, too. No doubt about that. Your headshape looks great, so don't worry about that. Everyone has a different head shape, don't fret about your head not looking exactly the same like this or that person.

Without reading how old you were, I would've guessed you were in your early twenties, so the comment of the kiosk vendor is kind of weird. Maybe you should've asked him what a 20 year old looks like. But I'm not going to lie, at a young age like ours, shaving our head can make us look older/more mature and I had the same concerns when I just shaved my head. But those uncertainties will pass. And keep in mind: once you shave your head, you stop ageing: no more balding, no grey hair, no receding hairline... That's why so many older people look younger once they shave their heads. So stay in shape and keep a healthy diet and you'll be 20 forever  

The only advice I can give you is: get back your confidence. Around your friends, your family, girls... They will all act different if you are acting different. Once you get to meet some new people, you'll see that there's nothing wrong with shaving your head and that it's just another style. Your current friends just have to adapt to the change, just like you.

PS: I think you should buy the Spongebob shirt, it looks awesome with your new look.

[goingbald20]

but I will tell you the weirdest thing which has been mentioned elsewhere. You will have girls coming up to you wanting to touch your head. I wouldn't have believed it - that never happened to me in the last 40 years. Yet, it has happened several times since I shaved two weeks ago. In fact, today two more (in different parts of town) wanted "another touch" - talk about a confidence booster!

2 weeks ago? Wow, that not to long ago, your head is looking great. The girls coming up to touch your must feel great, I wish girls would go ahead and do that after I go ahead and take the decision of shaving my head.

Look inward. What is your inner self telling you?

Great question, I will think about it, I hope I can find an answer. I need to get all the confidence I used to have back.

[marty22]

welcome and keep it shaved.

[goingbald20]

I don't see what you're seeing as far as a bump.

I don't know, I guess it is a bone on the top of my head sticking out? when I touch the top of my head, I can even feel the bump, maybe when I shave it all, it will reveal itself, I hope not though.

People will guess your age a lot on the way you act.  And somewhat on how you look.

I never really thought about that, I will agree with you on that.  

You look really good bald. i say so because the 1st picture shows you looked shaved.

Thank you kalbo, yeah for some reason the lighting of the place gave my head the appearance of being "shaved". To be honest, it just looks different, I have never seen myself like that. I guess it takes some time to get adjusted to the new look?

Maybe you should've asked him what a 20 year old looks like. But I'm not going to lie, at a young age like ours, shaving our head can make us look older/more mature and I had the same concerns when I just shaved my head. But those uncertainties will pass. And keep in mind: once you shave your head, you stop ageing: no more balding, no grey hair, no receding hairline... That's why so many older people look younger once they shave their heads. So stay in shape and keep a healthy diet and you'll be 20 forever  

By looking at your picture, I would say you are in your 20's as well, I guess you understand how it feels, but you have a great head shape over there buddy. How did all the young girls reacted when you decided to shave it all off?

[wilky895]

 Welcome... Again, I really can't add much to what the other guys have already said. I agree I don't see any issues with your head shape.Just go for it!! My situation was different, I am in late 40's and had been going bald for 20 + years and what was left was graying. When I went sly everyone said I looked younger. FrontierGuy nailed it's about how YOU feel about it. A lot of support for you here.   

[Pike Mayne]

The first picture you posted gives you an idea of what you will look like shaved, and I think it looks awesome. You could without a doubt pull off the sly look

[AJB1015]

Hey goinbald20,

I have a few small bumps on my head, but I found that shaving with a razor actually made them less noticeable then when I was buzzed. I only 2 years older than you so I know how it feels being the young bald/balding guy. The truth is your friends and anybody who matters will not care the slightest bit that your are bald. people who do make negative comments are infrequent, and when they happen they're usually in jest and not a big deal. As far as the ladies go, one thing thats good about being bald is you get noticed quicker at our age. Use that to your advantage. Women will assume you are very confident with a shaved head. If you have the attitude to back that up, women will love your head be asking you to rub it before you know. Also, my dad who is bald let me in on something... lots of older women dig baldness in men. When he was 45 he had a 26 year old girlfriend for 2 years. I remember being ten and meeting her for the first time being shocked. And Looking older is not nessecarily a bad thing!

[Hawksley]

Hey goingbald20,

To be perfectly honest, I have no idea what you're talking about with a bump and your head. And even if there was a bump it wouldn't matter because no one in the world has an impeccable flawless head. As for going sly, the difference between your buzz right now and sly is extremely minimal. I doubt anyone would even notice if you decided to take the razor to it. Your sly  head is going to look EXACTLY the same as it does right now- there just won't be any fuzz on the melon.

[SalWalker]

You're right about two things:
1) The Spongebob pic gives you a good idea of how you'll look sly and
2) It may take some time for you to get used to the new look

As for your headshape and how you look in the Spongebob pic: you look great!  Sly is a fantastic look for you.  Your headshape isn't strange at all!

The shaved head makes some guys look younger, some look older, but it makes practically all of them look more masculine and athletic.  And I guarantee that a shaved head will make you look much younger than a head full of thinning hair.

It sounds like you had a couple of responses that didn't sit well with you, but brush 'em off.  Give yourself time to get used to it and to hear the positive responses.  Say, 30 days?  Good luck mate.

[KDusk]

By looking at your picture, I would say you are in your 20's as well, I guess you understand how it feels, but you have a great head shape over there buddy. How did all the young girls reacted when you decided to shave it all off?

I'm 24. Before I shaved my head people would think I was 18-20 years old, at least now I look my actual age. About the girls' reactions: that really depends on the girls. Everyone has complemented me on my good head shape, the more alternative and athletic girls prefer me with my shaved head (it looks more manly), the more traditional girls prefer me with hair (it looks more classic), and the new girls only know me with a shaved head. In the end it all comes down to whatever you feel most confident with: put yourself above other people's opinions and you'll be successful, no matter what's on your head.