Shave or not

[Red]

Hi, first post, been lurking for about 6 months, almost reading daily. Great forum.

I have been receding for the last 5 years or so (i'm 28) up to a point now where I'm styling my hair to cover up my hair loss. The hair is disappearing at my temples and leaving an island at the front basically.

I know it doesn't look great trying to hide it but i just can't bring myself to shave it, Im worried about other people's reactions and if I'd look stupid I wouldn't be able to go back.

My confidence is quite low due to my hair. I'll avoid wind, rain, swimming, trying on clothes etc...basically anything that would 'uncover' my hair/head. I sometimes get 'bald' comments or asked where has my hair gone etc...which really gets me down.

Every holiday I've had from work for the last year or so I've said I'll shave it off but then the holiday just comes and goes. Im currently on a 2 week holiday where I said again ill shave it, I have 1 week left of my holiday and still have hair (well, some of it).

It's taking over my life. Give me a push in the right direction. Thanks all.

[Beardman]

Firstly welcome to the family mate, if you've been reading this for the past 6 months you probably already know what we are all going to say lol.

If you've been thinking about shaving for the past year, you're never going to shake the urge until you take the plunge and take it off, you know it is the right thing to do, so just do it mate!

If you take it all off right now, your confidence will start to increase, some people get an instant relief others take a bit of time, but that is why we recommend everyone follows the 30 day rule. It gives 30 days for you and your friends/family/co-workers to get used to the new better looking you. It also gives you time to perfect your new technique and routine. If you don't like it after the 30 days, within a week you will already be back to a zero guard buzz, there is always the option to grow out your hair, after 30 days though I doubt you will want to anyway 

I'm 26 myself and been shaving my head for the past 5 months now, and I can tell you it is one of the best things I ever did, I feel so much more confident, and other then the first week where it was too cold to actually show my head off anyway, I've never hid my head under a cap again! I still wear them because I work outdoors, but it is only out of necessity rather then fear of people seeing my bald spots.

Do you have a beard trimmer or clippers on hand? if so, go grab them, some shaving cream/gel and your favourite razor and just go take it all off mate, it is really that simple because once you've made the first stroke there is no going back 

If not first thing in the morning go visit your local barber/hairdresser and get them to buzz it all off with no guard, then if they offer the service, get them to give you the head shave, that way you can just sit back and enjoy the experience, take pictures, ask questions all that kind of thing. If they don't do shaves there, just come home and finish the deed.

It is time to take hold of your hair problem now, the sooner you do it the better.

Oh and don't worry about how silly, stupid, ugly, unattractive you will look because sly suits everyone! Its certainly that one hairstyle fits all kind of look and at the end of the day, that is all the sly look is, a hairstyle, it's not a prison sentence or a vow of chastity or anything like that, and with more guys going either BBN (bald by nature) or BBC (bald by choice) it is actually becoming a very popular hairstyle.

This is a bit of a long post, but I hope if gives you that push you need!

[Frontier Guy]

Welcome, first of all.

So from your short intro I got this (all quotes from you):

* I'm styling my hair to cover up my hair loss.
* I know it doesn't look great trying to hide it
* I'm worried about other people's reactions
* My confidence is quite low due to my hair.
* I'll avoid wind, rain, swimming, trying on clothes etc
* I sometimes get 'bald' comments or asked where has my hair gone
* which really gets me down.
* Every holiday I've had from work for the last year or so I've said I'll shave it off
* I have 1 week left of my holiday and still have hair (well, some of it).
* It's taking over my life.

Seems clear to me you have conceded living a fulfilling and satisfying life to worrying and fretting about hair. Does that seem a valid trade?

I don't have a photo to assess, but if you and I were having a brotherly chat I'd pretty much tell you it's time to move on. And do it now. Shave it all off while you've got a week remaining to adjust to the look ... and when you get back home wear your new look with confidence. Confidence because you've taken control of the situation.

What are your other options?
* Drugs ... (don't go there)
* Rugs ... (don't go there either)
* Allowing life to pass you by because you are more concerned about a haircut.

Red ... you can do it. We've done it. And if you've been reading the forums almost daily you've seen (even just this week) multiple guys stating how they shaved it off and the experience was overwhelmingly positive.

I don't know that anyone can say anything differently or more empowering than what's been wait the last six months.

Just do it.

And then ... wonder why you waited so long.

[nuts]

You've convinced yourself that you want to shave your head and now is the time to scratch that it.  No doubt you will then say 'why didn't I do this sooner'.

[theman]

Ditto,   

Welcome Red , Getter done 

[Andrei]

Welcome Red.
I don't think there's a cure to balding, at least not to my knowledge.
So just shave it. Then you'll no longer avoid wind, rain, swimming and a lot of other things but you'll enjoy them plus your new look.

[Red]

Thanks a lot everyone for all your encouraging replies, I actually feel I'm ready and going to do it, which I have thought many times, but then as I get close to doing it I back away and walk off. I need to just do it, but it's just that first stroke. Aargh!!

[Beardman]

Can you get someone else to make it for you? I had my mum and sister shave my head the first time. My sister begged me to let her do it when I told her I wanted it shaved off. Otherwise go visit a barber as I suggested. That way you should have no fears because you are in safe hands, and you can even ask some questions and get some tips off them

[Frontier Guy]

Thanks a lot everyone for all your encouraging replies, I actually feel I'm ready and going to do it, which I have thought many times, but then as I get close to doing it I back away and walk off. I need to just do it, but it's just that first stroke. Aargh!!

Waiting for confirmation you've done it ... and are amazed how good you feel!

[kalbo]

Welcome to the bald brotherhood Red. Go ahead and shave smooth. 

[Sir Harry]

Welcome Red.....If you can't do it yourself, get someone else....like Beardman said....Good Luck!

[Red]

Hi, I never went ahead with it. Couldn't do it. Sad I know. Worried about looking like an idiot. My hair is approx a norwood 3/4, which I'm still trying to hide/cover up and it looks silly.

Who else has/did have a norwood 3/4/5, if I see pics of what the end result will look like hopefully that will push me!? I guessing ill have to go very short/bald to hide my balding.

I bumped into an old friend the other day, first thing he said "Still receding nicely I see...". That made me feel terrible.

I purchased a new electric razor a few weeks back to do it, I've looked at it everyday since sat in its sealed box.

I have a 5 day holiday from work, I've worked myself up to shave it but I bet I won't do it again 

I need to just do it, I suppose I'm just venting because its getting on top of me.

[Switchy]

It sounds as though you answered your own question there red !  You have been thinking about this since November, I can see why it is getting on top of you    that has been awhile.  Most of us know the answers we want to hear and you have stated yours.  Post a pic. !  Best of Luck to you !   

[nuts]

As the Nike ad says Just do it.

You'll be amazed at the surge in confidence you wqill feel running your hand over your newly smooth scalp. 

Post a pic after the deed.

[Lynchy]

As the Nike ad says Just do it.

You'll be amazed at the surge in confidence you wqill feel running your hand over your newly smooth scalp. 

Post a pic after the deed.

+1 on that!