Should I go the whole way?

[nickster]

Hi! New member here... lurker for a few weeks. I've really noticed thinning on my crown in the last few months and I've had temple recession starting when I was about 16. 27 now. Yesterday I took my hair down to a #3; it's been a few years since I did that and I'm wondering now whether or not I should leave it as it is (with this cut I can see the thinning on top clearly, whereas with hair it looked like minor crown thinning) or just go the whole way; got my clippers here, thinking about going unguarded but very much on the fence right now. Attached is before (about a week ago) and after (yesterday). Thoughts?

[Frontier Guy]

Welcome nickster,

I think if I were in your position I'd go the whole way for 30 days. You are "so close" now, why not do it and find out what it feels like and how it looks (but give it the 30 days "wear in" period).

If you decide you don't care for it, it won't take long to grow back to what you have now. But I think you know that inevitably you are heading down this path.

Personally, I think you will be like so many others here who are incredibly relieved to have taken control of the situation.

Best to you in your decision(s).

[invaray]

The before was good, the after was better and if you shave it best. It is what ever you like. I think you would look fine with it shaved off with a razor. You should try that at least once. I would keep the mustache or goatee or beard.

The length you have now if you shaved it would take about two or three weeks to grow back if you don't like it.

Its just hair, shaving it off isn't permanent. (sadly)

[Cave Dweller]

Welcome, Nickster!

If you have the "itch" to do something like that, it is not going to go away until you scratch.

I agree with Frontier Guy. You are very close to what you are contemplating right now. If it turns out you don't like it, you, can be back to your current look within a week or two.

Glad you joined the board, sir.

[bbc2012]

Go for it. If you have the wish to become a bald guy give it a try. Hair grows back if you don't like it (which would not be the case )

[mrzed]

The 30 day rule is a good starting place.  Hair will grow back, if you don't like it and no worse for the wear.

However, I found that after a few days, I was sold. BBC.  I especially like the feel of a smooth head shave.

At least around my town, bald heads on guys is rather common, or at least a very tight buzz (no guard).  Looks sharp either way.

I'd say go for it.  The itch won't go away until you shave your head; and the recommendation from many of the guys here is to commit to sticking with it for a full month to give you and others a chance to get used to it.  Then decide.

[tobler1]

If you're tempted to shave, there is little or no reason to try it out.  But, if you're really asking whether we think your hairloss is so bad that you really don't have a choice but to shave, no, I don't think you're there yet.  The buzz looks perfectly fine on you.

[reddog]

Gotta scratch that itch, once you think about it, it will constantly be on your mind. You look like you have a good head shape, go for it.

[reddog]

Duplicate,sorry

[Razor X]

The buzz cut is an improvement but it does not conceal the receding hairline.  So, as oths have suggested, since you've at least asked the question, go ahead and shave it.  It does not take long to grow back out to buzz cut length, so you might as well go for it.

[AJ Q-Ball]

I was in that same situation months ago.  The recession in front was present but my crown was really bad.  If you shave it completely, you will feel a huge amount of relief and that a big weight has been lifted off your shoulders.  You're still young like me and don't deserve to have something like hair consume your thoughts like it does.  My advice like others will be to shave it off completely and be done with it.  Keep your beard though.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome! I don't have anything to add to what the others have said, but growing out the facial hair was a good move to go with the shorter hairstyle, IMO

[slymyke]

Welcome! I don't have anything to add to what the others have said, but growing out the facial hair was a good move to go with the shorter hairstyle, IMO

I agree with Sir Harry, and I think it will look good on you.

[nickster]

Hi guys, thanks for taking the time to reply; I guess it's good to hear my current middle ground option looks okay, and shaved would probably be good too. As frontier said, I am dealing with the inevitable. Reactions so far to my buzz have been good, but I've ordered a head blade; it's the next step. Got a classic safety razor (no Mach 3 for several years now...) but seeing as I always nick myself with it when I can clearly see myself in the mirror, I wouldn't want to try it on my head!

[Razor X]

There is a learning curve to using the Headblade. I wouldn't recommend using it the first time out.  And as for reactions, you'll probably be surprised at how few reactions you'll get.  Most people will consider your buzzed head to be "shaved" already.