New and need support

• New and need support by nyc3712 on 11 Jul, 2013 07:01
•  I walk about with a flat top----00000 on sides up to one on top with horseshoe---landing strip 00.  West Point grad and now 52 yo.  Starting to lose it on top---really want to shave it---am I a whip-can't get the balls to do it----been in war 6 times, it's a horseshoe already.  Clincher was my barber does not do head shaves.  He said to me yesterday "maybe someday you will get the __ to do it"
  Help!
• #1 by skram on 11 Jul, 2013 07:16
• I would encourage you to go for it.
  
  I went for a long time using clippers and whenever I noticed more thinning, I would reduce the guard size. Eventually I ended up with no guard at all. After doing that for a bit, I researched how to head shave (part of which was finding this site and HeadBlade) and then finally went for it. That was a year and a half ago and I've been shaving every day since (with the occasional Sat or Sun off). I love it and wish I had started sooner.
  
  One thing to think of to help go for it, is that a clipper cut is pretty short so you have a good idea of what it may look like and if you don't like it in the end, it won't take long to grow back.
• #2 by mrzed on 11 Jul, 2013 07:40
• Skram pretty much said it all.
  
  That's what I did, except I'm not balding. I just went shorter and shorter with the clippers and really liked it.  Found this site, read and posted for about 6 months or so, then got the razor out and shaved my head.  It's a delightful daily pampering.  Only skip occasionally.
  
  While you do have a the balding motive to go for a shaved head, perhaps think of it as a choice. I don't have to shave my head bald, but I like the look and I'm just going to do it.  I don't need the thinning hair as a reason.
  
  You do have one advantage, though. Your blades will last longer, as you don't have as much hair to shave each day.  Lucky guy! 
  
  My going sly has been a totally positive experience.  Never dreamed that I would do it. But I'm finding it completely enjoyable. Feel like I set an example for guys with thin hair.  I can encourage them to shave sly as well.
  
  Here in our community near Charlotte, NC, there are LOTS of guy who shave their heads bald.  It's very common. Not a majority, but very common. I see fellow bald guys daily.
• #3 by Sir Harry on 11 Jul, 2013 08:28
• Welcome, NYC! If your barber doesn't do headshaves, maybe you could just ask him to "no-guard" it for you all the way down with clippers. Then, you can go home, take a razor and shaving soap/gel/cream and shave with the grain if you need time to adjust to being sly. After the first couple of headshaves, you can look into the more advanced methods that we offer here. Also, there's nothing in the rules that say you can't buy you own clippers, and if you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, you can ask your S/O, a friend or someone else to do it for you. Good luck!
  
  P.S. Thank you for your service, and if you can, please post a picture!
• #4 by TheSlyBear on 11 Jul, 2013 10:37
• Firstly, thanks for your service! (Cold war infantry veteran here.)
  
  Secondly, just grab your balls in one hand and a razor in the other and do it!
  
  There's no down side. In the very unlikely event you don't immediately think "Why the hell didn't I do this sooner?" it just grows back!
  
• #5 by Cave Dweller on 11 Jul, 2013 14:54
• If you really want to shave it off, sir, then just do it. You are not going to believe how good it feels and how much anxiety goes away once you start.
  
  You are not alone in being hesitant. A lot of us have been. I waited until I was 51 to shave off my horseshoe and go Sly. I did it all in one session over my bathroom sink. My only regret is the common one expressed on this board: I wish I had not waited so long to do it.
  
  And while I concur with the second point proposed by TheSlyBear, you can let go once you start and use that hand to feel for stubble and pull your skin taught for a closer shave.
  
  Remember to post a pic (of your head) when you are finished.
  
• #6 by jdcsky on 11 Jul, 2013 17:07
• Just do it. Enough said.
• #7 by Thebaldnation on 11 Jul, 2013 18:55
• Oh!!!!!! Your gonna love it!!!!!, welcome to SBG,
• #8 by baldjoeg on 17 Jul, 2013 18:13
• Welcome to Sly Bald Guys.
  
  Thank you for your service. I am a Vietnam Vet myself.
  
  I would just do it.
  
  If you don't like it, it will grow back in a couple of days.  I have no regrets myself. I love the sly smooth dome.