Shave or not

[MarkusToe]

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.

That would be me! As you can read elsewhere on this forum I have been really depressed about a month ago, broke up with my girlfriend and finally had to accept that very soon I wont be able to hide my hairloss anymore, my confidence was at an alltime low and I waited quite a while until I decided to finally shave my head - because I thought I dont have any other options not because I wanted to

And I wasnt happy - the first two days - and now I really like it, for a lomg time now I can finally take a look in the mirror and like what I see, because I stopped worrying if anyone would notice my hairloss - it really is such a relief and it has done wonders for my confidence. and I havent even finished the 30 days rule yet.

Your situation sounds very similar to mine so I give you the advice to shave it and give yourself a chance to feel more confident again - lifes too short to worry about hairloss!

[Switchy]

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.

That would be me! As you can read elsewhere on this forum I have been really depressed about a month ago, broke up with my girlfriend and finally had to accept that very soon I wont be able to hide my hairloss anymore, my confidence was at an alltime low and I waited quite a while until I decided to finally shave my head - because I thought I dont have any other options not because I wanted to

And I wasnt happy - the first two days - and now I really like it, for a lomg time now I can finally take a look in the mirror and like what I see, because I stopped worrying if anyone would notice my hairloss - it really is such a relief and it has done wonders for my confidence. and I havent even finished the 30 days rule yet.

Your situation sounds very similar to mine so I give you the advice to shave it and give yourself a chance to feel more confident again - lifes too short to worry about hairloss!

Markus, Sure is nice to that smile and confidance on your face and your posts are also showing it !     Just goes to show what the answer is ! 

[slymyke]

Red, Just think how great it will feel as a Sly guy the next time someone points out your baldness.  You will be able to say you are bald because you took control of the situation.  The difference between balding and being bald is HUGE.... not only to you as the one who is wearing it,  but  to those who are looking at it. 

Look at other guys who are balding... 
Now look at a Sly guy.....

-enough said.

Run to the mirror, don't walk!  Get started on you happiness now, even before the 5 day break. 

[MarkusToe]

The difference between balding and being bald is HUGE.... not only to you as the one who is wearing it,  but  to those who are looking at it. 

Don't underestimate what it does for yourself - even when people are telling me they dont like it I already feel confident enough that it doesnt bother me mostof the time

[mrzed]

Yikes. The other guys beat me to the punch.

All that's left to say is, "Welcome", and "shave your head".  It feels great and looks great.

[lsflipper]

I wasn't sure about it either. I took the clippers and started cutting it closer, then a little closer each time and before long I had the razor out and was totally bald. I will never go back to having hair again.

[Kevin G]

First off welcome to the forum Red  .  You sound just like how I felt.  I have been balding for the past few years and at first I could just style my hair to hide it.  Eventually it got worse and I even resorted to using a concealer.  Finally while I could cover it up with the concealer even that became more difficult. 

Over the course of all that time, I used to constantly stress over my hair loss.  I hated the wind and rain and would always wear a hat when those weather conditions were around.  This past summer I even stayed out of the pool while my wife and kids were in it enjoying themselves.  I often had an excuse like I am tired or have a headache which was true but that was not the main reason why I stayed out.  Now when I look back it seems really sad and stupid that I did that.  But that was the state of mind I was in.

I eventually came to realize that I had to do something and found this forum.  I lurked for quite a while and then when I gave it more serious thought, I signed up to the forum like you did. 

Honestly if you have cold feet about shaving bald right away(I did too), just go with a real short buzz cut like I did.  I started with a #2 but immediately shaved it to a #1 because I thought it looked better and made the rest of my hair blend in better with my thinning spot.  Once you go down to at least a #1 you will have a real good idea of what you will look like bald and it will allow you to get used to the look.  Then when you are more comfortable you will either keep buzzing shorter(I went to a #.5 before I shaved it all off) or just take the plunge and shave it all off.

Like everyone else here told me once I shaved my head completely bald, I really do wish I had done it much sooner.  Being sly is great and I feel so much more confident and love the look.  I know that you will too once you get to that point.  If you can not go sly right away, at least buzz your hair to get the ball rolling.  That in itself will give you a nice boost of confidence because it will help minimize the appearance of your  thinning hair.  Take care Red and keep us posted.  I know you can do it.

[MarkusToe]

made the rest of my hair blend in better with my thinning spot

I just realized that this it what also makes a big difference to me, only after not shaving for three days I feel more insecure about my looks - it seems like a fully shaved head lets my confidence rise immediately

[isleepinthebuff]

Post a pic of what your hair is like and we'll go from there. I might just be it needs a new style or a shorter buzz at this stage.