to shave or no.

• to shave or no. by silvermune on 12 Sep, 2012 16:51
• Mmk I'm new here hope I'm not breaking any rules by posting, figured there are lots of topics about this n seems to be right section obviously,
  i'm 23 and have had my hair thinning very fast since i was about 21. It always bothered me to a point but really made a hit on my self esteem when a love interest of mine spoke before thinking of 'oh my god your balding' and regretted it immediately i just acknowledged it but it still gets to me n its been weeks debating if i wanna buzz it to a 2 or 1 or i dont know heres a picture i have a long face n prominent ears soooo i feel like it wont work
  
  http://s1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj507/FrozenDusk/?action=view&current=820ec08a.jpg
• #1 by Laser Man on 12 Sep, 2012 17:08
• You aren't breaking any rules by posting and asking for advice.  Several things indicate you should consider going sly: you and others notice your thinning hair, it's taking its toll on your confidence and self-esteem, you're spending a lot of time thinking about it.
  
  Here's a suggestion: buzz down progressively shorter and shorter all the way to a "no-guard" buzz.  It will start to give you a sense of what you'll look like sly. Then take the plunge and shave your head.  If you don't like it, your hair will grow back pretty quickly and you can let nature take its inevitable course over time.
  
  From your picture, you look fine, so don't worry about your face and ears.  Honestly, there's no way of truly knowing how you'll look sly until you see it in real life.  And once you see it, you'll like it.  Once you feel it, you'll love it!
• #2 by Frontier Guy on 12 Sep, 2012 17:29
• Welcome. You'll look great with either a short buzz cut or shaved to the scalp.  Npsbg gave you the correct direction above - cut it shorter if you don't want to shave it entirely to start with. Commit to living with it for 30 days to give yourself and others time to adjust to the look ... and, far more importantly, so you can experience the freedom from worrying about hair.
  
  And spend time here - ask questions, tell us what you're thinking or feeling. You've got a huge resource of experience here - ages from the late teens to the 80s. I don't think there is any possible situation you might encounter that hasn't already been experienced and the guys here are generous sharing their insights.
  
  You're a handsome guy. You can easily carry off the Sly look. And the sooner you do the less chance of having a repeat of that "Oh my god you're hair is thinning' experience which was unfortunate.
  
  Again, welcome.
• #3 by marty22 on 12 Sep, 2012 17:37
• short buzz cut-and welcome!
• #4 by Bilko1 on 12 Sep, 2012 17:45
• Welcome!
  
  Your photo looks fine to me. I think you should get a really short buzz (#1 or even #0). This would give you a good idea of how you would look bald & if you ask me, I think you could carry-off the bald look without a problem.
  
  All the best,
  
  Bill
• #5 by Cesar on 12 Sep, 2012 18:03
• I agree with what the other guys are saying. Just try it. Your hair is short enough it'll grow back quickly. Try a number 1 buzz or zero shave and go from there.
• #6 by Slynito on 12 Sep, 2012 18:11
• Yep, with those dark brows 'n' beard, you'll rock the look....welcome.
• #7 by silvermune on 12 Sep, 2012 18:19
• did not expect such a large response so quickly all, obviously still a big decision for me personally, buut thanks all for input its much appreciated
• #8 by mrzed on 12 Sep, 2012 18:42
• Welcome. Your current short hair looks good, but I bet you'll really enjoy the fresh feeling of a bald head.
  
  The guys above have taken the words out of my mouth. They've all said what I wanted to say.
  
  Although I'm Bald by choice, I the look and feel of a smooth dome.  It's just refreshing and bold.
  
  Looking forward to hearing your story the day you shave bald.
  
  
• #9 by Slynito on 12 Sep, 2012 19:21
• 
  
   
• #10 by Sir Harry on 12 Sep, 2012 20:41
• Welcome and good luck with whatever you decide.
• #11 by leighmundo40 on 13 Sep, 2012 01:43
• I agree with what a lot of the other guys have said. I think your hair looks fine, but try going shorter bit by bit and see what you prefer.
  
  Let us know!
• #12 by waine on 13 Sep, 2012 06:59
• Welcome Silvermune.  Some good advice had been dispensed here...
  
  You will never know what Sly will be like unless you try...
  
  I always say get the curiosity out of your system.  If you dislike it, you can grow it back, but you can also notch it up on your belt of life experiences, "Done that, been there..."  But there is a very good chance you will also enjoy the whole Sly thing.  I have never looked back!
  
  Good luck!
• #13 by Free at Last on 13 Sep, 2012 07:56
•  Welcome!
  
   Your in good hands here.
  
  Its fortunate that you found a site whose members are of the most AMAZING people in their sharing knowledge throughout this entire site.
  
   I can only say that my life has only gotten Better in every way since I became Sly
• #14 by sailor61 on 13 Sep, 2012 09:52
• It's only hair...just do it. If you don't like it, it'll grow back in no time.  However, most likely, you'll love the look and the freedom from being concerned about it thinning, etc.   And then your biggest concern is the speed at which the remnants do grow back.   I'm a bit past 18 months and loving every minute of it...the only question that still echos in my mind is "why did I wait so long?"
  
  As to maintaining the look...yes it takes time in the beginning to learn the best approach to your head.  Where the grain shifts, where there might be a small bump that can get knicked, etc...But you learn and the speed increases.   In the beginning it was at least a half hour of concentrated effort...now it's 5 minutes and no thought.
  
  If you're still unsure try a #1 buzzand live with that for a bit, most likely you'll be inthe shower lathered up after a day or so.....