Newbie here!

• Newbie here! by notquitethere on 08 Nov, 2013 08:30
• Shaved it all off this morning.  The hair has been receding for many years and I have been using strictly clipper cuts for about 4 years(usually with a 1 or 0 guard). Often doing it myself or with the help of my wife.  Went out a couple of days ago and bought the ATX. after giving myself a nice clip last night, made even closer with the use of a beard/mustache trimmer, I decided to give it a shot this morning.  Feels pretty good, would like it a little smoother if I am going to keep it but I assume that will come with practice.  No nicks scrapes or cuts - I rinsed afterwards with cool water then applied a daily face lotion with spf 15.
  
  My wife doesn't like it though.  Says it looks weird.  I think it is due mostly to the color difference because, even with really short hair, that part of my head hasn't really seen the sun.  I figure if it is a real problem, by Monday or so next week, it will be right back to where it was last night.
  By the way. My user name notquitethere is something I use on most forums. It's my reminder that there is always something I could be doing better or working harder on - strive for constant improvement.  I am there on the shaving thing, just trying to figure out if it will stay permanently now or if it is something I phase in.
• #1 by Cave Dweller on 08 Nov, 2013 08:59
• Congratulations on taking the plunge, sir.
  
  The lighter skin can take a while to tan. Remember to commit to the thirty days before making a decision about going back. It will give both you and your wife time to adjust.
  
  Welcome!
• #2 by slymyke on 08 Nov, 2013 09:05
• Welcome, Notquitethere!  
  
  You can experiment to see what blades, creams and methods work best for you.  There are several discussion threads on here about all of these and more.  Just have fun with it.  If you were already at a zero guard, you won't need much time to adjust to the look at all.
  
  As you said, you can grow it out to a zero guard length in no time.  Some guys shave their heads every day and others may shave in any other combination of days....sometimes in routine intervals and other times out of "laziness".    Don't tell the others, but I just went 4 days between shaving.  -lol
  
  Your wife may start to love the smooth feel of your shaved head.  Just see how it goes and let the moment you are in decide what you will do.    (that sounds kinda hippie-like, doesn't it?)      but you know what I mean.  
• #3 by Baldstu on 08 Nov, 2013 10:03
• Looks very good indeed , your wife will get used to it ,it just takes  time  , but stick with it if your happy with a nice shiny dome
• #4 by Sir Harry on 08 Nov, 2013 10:25
• Welcome to the forum! Looks good, just give yourself (and your wife) time to adjust.
• #5 by nuts on 08 Nov, 2013 12:44
• From y\the photo your head looks very smooth.  Give it a few days and iam sure your wife will adjust to the look (and feel).
• #6 by Mike E. P. on 08 Nov, 2013 17:13
• Looks great to me from the photo. Your wife will be used to it in no time. I shaved all the way this past summer and I'm still not at the point where I'm doing it every day. Part of that is due to laziness and part,I think, is due to the fact that I'm not 100% sure I like it better than the shadow I have when I clip with no guard. I like some stubble.
  
  And great attitude. We always have to strive to grow! Welcome!
• #7 by notquitethere on 11 Nov, 2013 08:59
• Quick update. 
  
  4 days in.  Shaved Friday. Then again Sunday. After perusing the forum for a few days, I dug out my shave brush and soap and teaked the routine a little more on Sunday.  put about 3 drops of shave secret(which I have used on my face for about 5 years now - very convenient for travel by the way) in with the soapy lather, scrubbed in on my head with the brush and went after it with the ATX.  I got better at the method of feel and shave to make sure I got everything nice and smooth.  Then I rinsed with cold water, rubbed it with an ice cube and applied a little of the olay face lotion with SPF15.  A day later it is still shorter and smoother than it was immediately after the initial shave on Friday.
  
  Getting better at it, wife is still not thrilled but doing ok with it.  Will probably go with a 3-4 times a week routine every 2nd or 3rd day.  Just can't see myself shaving the head every morning. I know there is the 30 day rule, I plan to stick with it until at least Thanksgiving where I can get a ton of feedback from family - our gathering has been no less than 35 people for as long as I can remember, big years we approach 60.
• #8 by g_bald on 11 Nov, 2013 09:13
• Welcome NotQuiteThere!
  
  Glad to see you've joined us. The sly look is great on you. Definitely give it 30 days, chances are pretty good before a week is out, if you've found a formula that works for you, you'll fall right into the swing of things as far as a routine and smoothness go.
  
  I used to think that really short "bristle-feeling" (like a coarse brush) was the way to go, but now I know the "truth"... smooth is the ultimate!
  
  Best of luck and let us know how you're progressing!
• #9 by Oklahomabald on 12 Nov, 2013 08:21
• Welcome!
   Yes the difference in color after that first shave was a little hard to get used to at first but its ok after a few days of sun.
   I started out shaving every other day then switched to everyday but now I think I'm going back to every other day. Yes I'm to lazy to do it every day.
• #10 by wpruitt on 12 Nov, 2013 12:13
• Welcome notquitethere
• #11 by isleepinthebuff on 12 Nov, 2013 13:04
• Welcome! It looks good, I'm sure you and your wife will get used to it. What I found was once I shaved, if I let my hairline back I was more aware than before and hatd it more!
  Oh and the nicks, scrapes and cuts WILL come!
• #12 by balddaniel on 13 Nov, 2013 12:05
• I think you look Great!  I say keep it   
• #13 by bud on 16 Nov, 2013 23:52
• welcome notquitethere and congrats!
  ...keep it, looks great