Why can I get close but then shy away?

[Dfruehauf]

I have always wanted to shave my head, it's a great look. The problem is, I'm nervous I am only 19, and work in banking. I'm concerned I won't look so great and I'm single so I'm trying to date too. I did just get cut to a #1 on top tapered to a barbers t blade. But I want to bic it. I really want to know should I do it and would I look ok?   

[shavedslick123]

The current cut looks great, by the way. Man, if you want to try it, try it. If appearance at work is an issue, that is different. You are younger and most of the time, a younger person can get away with a little experimentation. As it has been said many times on here, it is all about confidence.... projecting confidence about a "choice" of a haircut is important. It's just hair, man. Good luck.

[Gary~]

IMHO your head "biced" would look better than your current haircut -- both to you and others. As slick says above it is quite acceptable for a younger person in western society to experiment with different looks.

Given that you have always wanted to shave it and that your current hair is so short I think that you should do it ASAP. It won't seem like a big difference to other people from the hair style that you currently have. For you though I would predict a greater feeling of freedom as you experience for the first time the absence of the "tyranny of hair".

Again, as slick says above, it's only hair. And, it is reversible for you. Shave it off, enjoy it that way and when the urge strikes you grow it again if you wish to. That way at least you will know for sure what it is like to be slick and you will never have any worries about losing your hair later in life if that were to happen.

On the other hand you may really like being bald, you may get plenty of female interest, it might fit in with your job really well and you may never want to go back. However, if you don't do it you will never know. Do it now.

[mrzed]

Do you have your own clippers?  If not, get some.

When my hair was at a #1, I would run my own clippers over my head every day or every other day. At that short, one day's growth is almost noticeable. Keeping it very short all the time, then looks consistent.  If you get the Wahl clippers from WalMart that have the 1/2 guard and variable lengths between guards, you can gradually go shorter and shorter.  Today #1 long, next week #1 medium, then #1 short. Then 1/2 long, medium, short.  It's now six weeks later and you've gradually Moved from the longest #1 down to the shortest #1/2.  Now take the guard off and set the variable at long, medium, short.  Now you still are not bald, but you have extremely short hair. Most will think that you are already bald.  Now bic it. Most people probably won't notice the difference, but you will.  And you won't want to go back to hair again. There is the process.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome! Believe it or not, I have been to many banks for various reasons and I have run into several guys with shaven heads. With the shirt and tie, they still look very clean and professional....and I'm sure you will too. Go for it if you want to and good luck!

[Bilko1]

I agree with all the guy's thinking & advice, here.

Personally, I think you should just buzz all your hair down to zero. Leave it that way for a week and then just have it razor shaved the following week. I guarantee that you will love it & will not look back.

Best wishes.

[stasiu]

Welcome! Believe it or not, I have been to many banks for various reasons and I have run into several guys with shaven heads. With the shirt and tie, they still look very clean and professional....and I'm sure you will too. Go for it if you want to and good luck!

Welcome to SBG !  Young balding bank officers sport the shaven look, so why can't you ?  Nothing really wrong with that. This Friday after work, go #000 + bic it and see how you like it for weekend and take it from there ...

Good luck !  Keep us posted.

[Laser Man]

Hair grows pretty quickly, so if you follow the advice to bic your head on a Friday, you'll see what it's like and if you don't like it, by Monday, you'll have enough stubble back that it won't be noticeable.  But you really should give yourself and others time to adjust to being sly.

As to worrying about perception at your job, the sly look is no longer out of the ordinary in most jobs / professions.  In the finance and banking arena, it's pretty common.  More importantly, you should dress well and act professional - the sly look won't even be a factor.

[slybeard]

I think going from a #1 to shaved is really psychological.  Others will not really notice the difference between shaved and a short clipper cut.  If you want to go more gradual, the get yourself a set of clippers and do as Mrzed suggested.  I would not expect any problems with your work situation.

You can always do your first shave before a weekend off work.  If you don't like it, by the time you return to work no one will even know you shaved.

[Dfruehauf]

Thanks for the advice everyone I decided tomorrow to shave to the skin, I do want to know should I go to a barber or myself I'm nervous about nicks but if I like it, I decided tomorrow will be day one of my 30 day challenge. Also does anyone know a good barber for headshaves in the dc area? Ill keep everyone posted as well.

[smoothsailing]

My first shave was with a barber.  It was easy and painless, but not perfectly smooth. I discovered the very next day I could deliver a better and closer shave than she did.  Also, not that it's paramount, but I personally would try to use a better razor than a normal bic disposable.  Just my opinion- better blades = better shave.  Your first shave is gonna be the most tender afterwards and I personally wouldn't want a cheap razor for my first time.

[mrzed]

I've never used a barber. First shave in the shower took about 45 minutes. But I was being very careful. After a few weeks I was down to 10 minutes, and now it's usually about 5!

All say YOU can do is smoother than a barber.

[Dfruehauf]

I know not to use a bic I used it as the term, I have a fusion proglide but should I get a headblade? Also I think I'll do a barber first for safety and to get it all down to as smooth as possible. What else should I use for the first shave?

[smoothsailing]

I've never used anything but a double edge razor on my head so I can't really halp you in the headblade department.  I hear great things about the ATX though.

As for shaving, I found a good preshave oil makes it super easy.  I personally use Shave Secret but you have to order it online (at least where I'm from in TX).  Also some kind of aftershave/balm to cool your skin and close the pores that are exposed during shaving.  I personally use any kind of perfumed aftershave that is alcohol based (it stings a lot, but honestly I like it) and follow it up with a soothing balm.  I've been favoring Nivea for Men aftershave balm lately

[baldjoeg]

Welcome to SBG.

Well said mrzed and others

I have been told by a barber that it is all in the prep I either shower first or spend time in the steam room if I am at the Y. After a hot shower,I apply some baby oil and some shavers secret and then apply shaving lather with a shaving  brush. I have been using a Gillette Mach 3 or a Gillette Power Fusion razor most of the time. After my shave, I shower again with hot water and then soak my head and face with cold water to close the pores. I then apply some Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel. After that dries, I either apply some head blade glossy lube or some Iso Tone Castor Oil hair and head conditioner and rub it in.  Since I like a shine, I finish up by applying a bit of baby Oil Gel. I sometimes use hair dryer to dry it up a bit,

Since my skin tends to be dry, especially after a  good head shave,, I do the lube job listed above.

I have been using head blade lick shaving cream. you can find Castor Oil head and skin conditioner and shavers secret at Walmart. Both are really reasonably priced there. You can find  Head Blade  slick shaving cream at Walgreens or Rite Aid. You could probably find head Blade Glossy Lube at a Barber Supply shop or by ordering on line through Head blade.com

Good luck. I hope that you will take the plunge soon and join us. Be sure to give it 30 days. If you don't like the look, it will grow back in a short time.you will love the freedom that it gives you as well as the  self confidence that it will bring to You. It aure worked out well for me. I have been sly for going on 10 years now. I love it.

 I hope that this is helpful to you.