Considering going buzzed pretty short - what reactions can I expect?

[ben9792]

Hey,

So I'm considering/about to buzz all my hair. I've been receding for nearly 3 years, but enough is enough - time to go!

What sort of reactions can I expect? and how did you deal with them?

Main people I'm a little worried about are my parents, my friends and work colleagues.

[reddog]

Ben, when I shaved off my full head of hair, I expected family and friends to freak out. Didn't happen, my girlfriend at the time said OMG! five minutes later she said I should keep it for a while, it looked good.

I would just have a couple of responses ready like, "I just wanted to try a new style".

FYI, when I got the clippers out, I buzzed to about a #2 and really didn't like it, so I shaved it, and loved it. Whatever works for you.

[ben9792]

thats good advice actually, having some responses ready. Everyone can see im losing my hair, so when I shave it I'll just acknowledge it and say "yeah decided to get rid!"

I'm going to get some clippers that cut very close, to allow me to experiment a bit with some different lengths!

[Hairloss BaldWin]

Hey Ben,

Been exactly where you are... I just kept denying it for a while but it was eating me up inside and I buzzed it down out of frustration one Saturday. Best decision I ever made!

I realized I didn't look too bad at all and was freaking out about nothing. This is the biggest problem I've realized... guys freak out about going bald but don't even know what they'll look like so why get so paranoid before even seeing yourself bald once? Also, good decision to buzz and gradually start shaving, it's a smooth transition and you'll love it!

Sooo reactions. Well after I buzzed it, I had this huge sense of relief which I can't really explain. I could run my hands over my head and not find myself counting the number of strands that fell out which was amazing. I remember going down and my mom looked at me, smiled and said something like "Wow, maybe now you'll stop being depressed" lol

Next thing I did was change my profile picture on FB, whatsapp etc to sorta prep my friends... then one by one I ensured I met all of them so that I wouldn't have to constantly think about how people are going to react. All in all, very positive reactions.

If people know you've been losing your hair and have been noticaeably worried about it, they're generally very encouraging and happy for you so don't worry about it. Remember, at the end of the day, it's your hair and it's your life and you need to do what makes YOU happy!

All the best (and post a pic when you're done )

[Frontier Guy]

Ben, it's great that you've decided to take action. Give yourself some well-deserved credit.

Reactions ...

Based on other guys postings, parents are likely to be the least favorable. It's really not about having a bald head - I think - but it's more about them realizing that you are changing even more from that little kid, and are becoming your very own unique person. Sometimes it's hard to let go of those fond memories and images.

For anyone else, my experience was it has everything to do with how comfortable you are with the change. If you are confident that will come through. Likewise if you are uncertain. I went from a full head of gray hair when I left work for the weekend, to a totally shaved head when I reappeared Monday morning. I'd never mentioned that I was even considering a change.

As Reddog mentioned, having some comebacks ready will make it all so much easier. They have to be in keeping with your style and personality. When a co-worker said, "What happened to your hair?" I rolled my eyes up and said, "What? It was there Friday" and we had a good chuckle. For others it was just a more matter-of-fact "I was ready for a change." or "Gray really isn't my best color."

Guy friends, especially if they are harboring fears of balding, may be a bit more direct.

Just remember that you are doing this for YOURSELF. Your hair, your business.

Keep us posted.

[ben9792]

BaldWin you're right I'm paranoid without knowing how I'll look. It's not just changing the style with some gel, I cant change my mind once it's done. I'm a bit worried if I do it and it looks terrible, my self-confidence will become even less... If I look good, I'll be really happy though, and I'll feel a hell of a lot moe confident in myself. Cause I know I dont look at all good with balding, wispy hair now! so an improvement would make me feel great.

My parents have just had myself and my brother move out and get our own places, which I think has been a bit saddening having us both grow up so quickly, so i guess this will just be a apart of that too. My dad and both grandparents are bald so it wont be anything new for most of my family anyway.

You mentioned guy friends too Frontier Guy. I think thats who Im most worried about. All of my friends have good hair, and my good friend from work who I see everyday does too. Its always a topic of conversation - I guess without hair I'll feel a little bit seperate from them all. I know they wouldnt intentionally make me feel that way, and will be great about it. But I'm worried I'll feel like that. Has anyone experienced anything similar?

[Frontier Guy]

Ben, from what you wrote your friends will be at least tolerant, and possibly supportive.

So apparently the only person you are really worried about is you. You're clearly not happy with the situation as it is. Sounds to me like you are ready for either a buzz or to shave it entirely (and my recommendation is the latter). In for a penny, in for a pound as they say. Go the whole way.

AND then adhere to the 30 Day Challenge. Commit to maintaining the look for 30 days so you and everyone else has time to become accustomed to the "new and improved" you. After 30 days if you want to let it grow back ... what the heck. But I'm betting you'll be a confirmed Sly Guy at that point.

Regardless, I wish you well as you adjust to the changes ahead. New living space. New look. Seems to all be coming together for you.

[warhawk]

Hi Ben:  The toughest part of anyone's 1st head shave is the hours or days before "the day".
I can almost guarantee that you will love your new look.  Just get those clippers and don't look back.

WARHAWK

[ben9792]

I've ordered some clippers today! Hooray!

Going to choose a Friday, and do it as soon as I get home from work. I'll then atleast have the weekend to get used to it myself! I'll bring it up with the girlfriend that I'm going to do it, as shes the only person I cant avoid while i get used to it seeing as we live together!

[wpruitt]

Ben - to be truthful, people will probably not notice.  If they do, you may here a few neutral comments like "Got a haircut?" or "Boy that is short".  It'll be a one time thing and folks will move onward.  Your worries are for moot.

[mrzed]

I took my hair down 1 mm per week. It was gradual enough that nobody noticed. When I finally shaved my head, it took three days for family members to notice!

[geeman]

I took my hair down 1 mm per week. It was gradual enough that nobody noticed. When I finally shaved my head, it took three days for family members to notice!

same! my own mother took a couple of weeks to notice, though I don't see her often. sure you get the odd negative comment, but I just mentally tagged those people for the same criticism for when they next had a hair cut or changed the style... petty.... but deeply satisfying.... and not one of them has mentioned it since.... I think it brings people's own insecurities out.... its always the same people who comment on something new.... a car,  a new jacket, where you go on holiday.... anything they deem "out of the norm"  they have to comment on, less they be seen to be different themselves and so face the wrath of the norm police.

[EmDe]

I was also nervous what people would say or how they would react, but I decided to pick a day where many people in my surroundings would all see my new hairstyle at the same moment. Instead of having different people commenting for weeks, I just heard it a lot on ONE day. At the end of the day I realized that the responses had be surprisingly positive. Having a few answers ready surely helped. To the few people who said: "Awww, but I loved your long curls", I replied: "Yes, I loved them too. If my hair wouldn't get thinner, I'd probably have kept them. But because it did, I decided that this fits me better now. Plus it's really convenient. I already kinda love it". You saw them thinking for a second, before saying: "Hmm fair enough, it suits you quite well". Being confident and relaxed is key: someone who is at ease is no mocking-material

Ever since that day it became a total non-issue. For them, but most importantly for me. O, and I have new hobby: buzzing/shaving/trimming. I seriously love doing it as groomed and neat as possible

Good luck!