hello everyone

[Sailorboy]

Hello everyone,

Just entered this forum. Well presently i am 26 yrs old, i work as Navigating officer on merchant ships. i started loosing hair when i was 20. then i spent good money on various treatments but all in vain. so i started keeping head shaved. it was nice. then somebody suggested me the hair patch system, it suited my MPB good. so presently i am using this since past 1.5 years. i got carried away by the looks it offered me without thinking its drawbacks. i always feel insecure about it, i drive bikes etc it never comes off, it has got clips and tape, but the fear is always in my mind. i never had girl friend, and now i feel odd to approach any girls as i am  with  the patch on my head, thinking will she accept me with artificial hair. also i don't gym coz it gets loose if i sweat. i dont swim.  and the most imp thing, it difficult to maintain it when i am working on ships, i have to put my helmet several times a day...sweat alot...no time to maintain it. so i am confused as to should i go bald again, or should i live with the patch.... also if i decide to shave - head bald how do i switch from my present look to shaved  look again. pls advice soon.

i am very thankfull to this forum for providing such a magnificent platform.
thank you.

[Hingatao]

Personally, I'd get rid of the hair. Do that and your worries about the patch will disappear as well. As far as explaining it goes, you have two options: You could either admit the truth or just say it was time for a change. There's actually a third: Say you'd done it before and decided to do it again. Good luck and welcome to the club.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome! I think the transition will be easier since you already have experienced a shaved head. All that's left for you to do is ditch the rug. Good luck!

[xnewyawka]

Welcome to the forum Sailorboy, you've come to the right place for encouragement.
I strongly suggest you ditch the hair patch/hat and shave it down. Free yourself, you'll be glad you did!   

[Lynchy]

Welcome mate,

If your feeling trapped by it then why not just ditch it.

Re: the transition?
Just show up to work the next day bald, I doubt anyone will really notice that much.

Good Luck

[geeman]

definitely ditch it, it's stopping you being you! Having to worry about everything, shave and start living, I promise you that you won't regret it.

[bella]

It's sounds like the nerves and agony of the patch system are far worse than any minor reactions you may get from just shaving it off, personally.

Sounds like you've got nothing to lose and much to gain.

[OzSly]

G'Day Sailorboy mate 

Welcome to the Bastion Of Baldness.

Thanks for sharing your story with us.

In your intro, you basically answered the question yourself, your hairpatch/hat is giving you grief, you can't enjoy the simple things
in life, like going to the gym, swimming, riding bikes etc etc. Sounds simple to me.

Like all have said, just ditch the hair patch/hat and go and enjoy life.

[Billy]

Let it go man!  If daily maintenance is a worry you might try clippering it down to stubble instead of razoring it for a while.  Might also make the helmet more comfortable if it's supports are sketchy.

[Frontier Guy]

Add one more to the chorus.

Your hair situation is requiring way too much time and thought ... what is the benefit?

I agree that you should be done with it. If anyone asks, you have the perfect response: "I've shaved before and like it best."

Then just move on and enjoy a life with much less anxiety.

[Papa Don]

Welcome Sailor--my suggestion--Ditch & Live

[Sailorboy]

hey thanks everyone....i never expected the responses so soon. I really feel confident to take step towards the new transition.
i have planned that a day before joining my ship just before going to airport i will shave it off. i saw my old pics it gave me good confidence.
       thanks once again guys u really supported me. god bless.
best regards, sailorboy

[geeman]

that's great news! I guarantee you will feel great

[leighmundo40]

As a former system wearer myself, if the upkeep is getting too much and it isnt enhancing your life, then you have made the right decision! Good luck!