It started in Hollywood...

[MyWave]

Hey Guys...I'm 24 and from the U.K.

This post is part storytelling and part asking for advice.

Baldness runs in my family.  I knew it was going to happen to me...but I never expected that it would happen so soon.

I had long hair from the ages of 14-19.   Thin, but the head was full of hair.  I liked it very much, girls often commented on it.  From 18, I noticed I was thinning at the front, the fringe had became 'gappy'.  My temples were becoming more noticeable.  I got it cut shorter and it helped...for about 3 months.  It then went downhill from there.  Between the ages of 18 and 21, my hair was a mess, it had no style. No matter how short it was...it was too thin to style.  I would have a small ridiculous comb over at the front.  The front area was so incredibly thin that walking down the street would make it fly up.  It was embarrassing and depressing.  I would spend hours every day, styling my hair, buying expensive hair thickening products, looking at the mirror every 5 minutes, asking myself  "why me? why not my friends?".  It just was impossible to style as it was so thin and greasy.  From about 20 years old...I started experiencing thinning in the crown.  I would wear a beanie every day because styling my hair was impossible.  I spent the whole of  2009 wearing a hat, even in the summer.  It was horrible.   I suffered terrible depression as a consequence.  

Summer 2009 aged 21, my family decide to go on a 3 week holiday to tour the west coast of USA.  We arrive in Los Angeles and stay there for 5 nights.  We went for a night out in Santa Monica.  Great place.  I had a few beers at some bar on 3rd Street promenade and it was so hot and humid that my hair just went damp and I noticed in the restroom that my bald patch was very noticeable.   Frustrated,  I went back to the hotel and grabbed my beard trimmer and shaved my head with it.  

I felt like a weight has been lifted.  I went back to the bar afterwards to the shock of my family.  My parents were shocked...but pleased nonetheless.  Between 2009 and 2011.  I buzzed my head weekly with a no 1 guard.    

Now my baldness is very apparent and I have to shave it every two days with a razor as the bald area gets noticeable after two days.
I like it, Its low maintenance, I can go out and not have to worry about wind, hat hair, bed hair or having to look at the mirror every 5 minutes.  

However the only issues I'm having is...I still get jibes from people in regards to my baldness.  I'm a student at university and as far as I can see...there's only about 5 bald men my age out of 10,000 students at my University (I'm there every day and at the university gym).
I'm the only one who's bald in my group of friends (they sometimes take the mickey out of it) and the bars I go to.  It kind of sticks out like a sore thumb.
Are young women put off by young bald men?   I'm struggling big time on the dating field because women in their early 20's tend to be very superficial.  I'm by no means ugly and I train in the gym every day.

I bought a headblade and the headslick a few weeks ago, and I cut my head really badly with it.  It actually cleaved the skin and made a deep cut.  It's put me off using it since.  I've gone back to razors as they offer a really close shave but it takes too long.    

Has anyone had any issues with the headblade?

Cheers.

[TheSlyBear]

Great story!

I'm not a fan of the HeadBlade. Others here are huge fans. You should decide whether it's right for you or not as everyone's experiences vary.

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome!

I'm a fan of the HeadBlade BUT... it takes a little time to master it. When you cut yourself with the HB it will likely be, as you found out, bad. The most important thing with the HB is DO NOT apply ANY downward pressure on the HB!!! Glide it over your scalp with a very light touch. In time, you will be able to apply the CORRECT amount of pressure to get the best shave.

Your problem with the women has nothing to do with a shaved head... it has to do with a low level of confidence. If you want to step up your game... be confident in YOURSELF.

[Frontier Guy]

Welcome MyWave,

Another HeadBlade fan here ... it takes some initial learning to find the right maneuvers and pressure. And, for some, it's just not for them. Find and use what works for you.

As you explore the other topics you'll come across many which discuss dating fears and successes. As an observer I've distilled it all down to this:
1. Bald is only an issue for you IF you lack the personal confidence to be Bald.
2. I've not yet seen a man who did not look great Bald.
3. Girls have a wide range of preferences - some pro-Bald, some anti-Bald and some don't care.
4. If being Bald is a deal-breaker at first meeting there's not a lot of substance there.
5. You're either going to be Balding or Bald ... said differently, you're either going to be "subject to Balding" or "in control of being Bald" - isn't it better to be in control?
6. Reflect on the freedom you found - no more hair worries. Wasn't that emotionally exhausting?
7. Ignore the "haters" - they're poking you because you're allowing yourself to be vulnerable.

Appreciate the simpler life you've achieved. Girls who recognize a quality guy will be drawn to you.

Be proud of yourself and what you've done. You deserve it.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome! I think Mike and Frontier Guy summed it all up for you. Good Luck!

[tomgallagher]

Welcome to SBG.

[-Doug-]

You've already been given good advice so I'll just say "Welcome"!

[kalbo]

Welcome to the bald brotherhood MyWave. All the info you need are in the forum. Feel free to look around.

[Hingatao]

Welcome to the club, MyWave. I had trouble the first time I used a HeadBlade. Still do occasionally. It just takes a little time to get used to it. Don't get discouraged about the negative feedback. Those people just aren't used to seeing you sly. Once they are, and they see that you're comfortable with the look, the comments will stop. Ultimately, you're the only one who has to like it.

[KG]

Welcome.  Thank you for sharing the great story.  Sounds very familiar.

[marshd1000]

I am a huge fan of the HeadBlade.  BUT, I will not buy the HeadBlade Triples .  I used the HeadBlade before you could use triples on them.  I always get gouged when I use triples.  You might try using Gillette Atra blades on it.  You may have better luck.  I know I do!

[Slynito]

Welcome to SBG! I'm not a fan of the Head Blade, although I have tried it. Everybody here has found the tools they are comfortable with...you will too.

[warhawk]

Hi Mywave:  Welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  Glad that ya joined this incredible forum.

WARHAWK

[Laser Man]

MyWave -

Welcome to the Forum.  Most of us have tried different razor in search of the "perfect shave."  For some, the HeadBlade works great.  Others like cartridge razors (Mach 3, Fusion).  Double Edge (safety razors) are also favored.  Still others like electric shavers.  Over the past 15 months, I've tried all of the above at one time or another.  The point is to have fun, experiment and find what suits you best.

[xnewyawka]

Welcome to the forum MyWave. The guys have given you some great advice and I will echo it.
 
I also suggest you let your scalp heal, then shave again using either a Mach III or Fusion. These two razor's are great choices when you first start out, and will let your scalp get used to having a blade passed over it. Enjoy the shave and take it slow.
I think you should give the HB another shot a few weeks down the road, and this time follow the instructions closely. No pressure on blade end, long, smooth strokes. Go with the grain until you get the hang of it.
If you approach it this way you'll have it down in no time.
Hang in there, and keep it smooth!