Scalp Scars

[JasonR]

I have a few scars on my head from a procedure, and no one even notices them.

I do see scars on bald guys head occasionally, and I think they look cool.

This one guy I saw had a giant scar on the side of his head, looked like he had a metal plate in his head. He rocked it.

[rfn]

I have a few scars on my head from a procedure, and no one even notices them.

I do see scars on bald guys head occasionally, and I think they look cool.

This one guy I saw had a giant scar on the side of his head, looked like he had a metal plate in his head. He rocked it.

If no-one notices my scars (assuming I do it), and I struggle to notice them myself, I'll probably be okay with it.  As for rocking big scars, I'd say it's very subjective - if you hang around extreme sports-types and bikers, you'd probably be okay.  Trying to make it to the top in the corporate world, probably not so much. 

For what it's worth, I've been playing with an image editor (my image editing skills are poor, to say the least).  Does anyone think the sly look would work for my face?  The opinions I've gotten so far ranged from something like "lol, NNNNOOOOOO!" to "very scary, I hope it's only an experiment" to "you look like a suicide bomber" - nothing that really instills confidence.

[Semi-Sly]

Aw Come on; how can you even ask?  Look at that photo.  You have a nice face and strong masculine features.  Without the scraps of hair to distract, the first thing anyone notices when they look at you is your eyes.  You have good eyes and, unlike mine, they are even with eachother.

You look good clean shaven and you are going to feel even better.  It is a very freeing and masculine feeling!

The comments you have received are from people who sit behind the safety of your social network and just think that it is fun to throw a few barbs at you.  The comment about being a terrorist.....?...... well perhaps if you shave your face you will look more like the clean cut all-american male than the bearded terrorist!?!?

Just rmember the 30 day rule.

[tobler1]

I think your photo shop job looks good..and I can only imagine it would look better for real.  It's my honest belief that most people, if they look reasonably attractive with hair, look equally attractive without...it's all about having a good facial structure, which I think you have. 

[Frontier Guy]

I'll throw in my couple of thoughts.

Regarding the scars ... it probably varies by age, but when I see a guy with a scar and he clearly is comfortable with himself I admire him. Scars are a part of life, regardless of how you get them. Being at ease with oneself is the key, and an attribute I definitely admire.

As for your proposed look. Totally fine. Those who are the naysayers often are either insecure with themselves ("what would I do if I were balding?") or people who are afraid of change, and the thought of you changing is unsettling.

The people who are important to you, who like you because of you, will still be there. Those are the ones that matter.

If you go for it, I think you will be incredibly relieved. Less stress is a great thing.

[slymyke]

There are more and more men in the corporate world with shaved heads now.  You will look great that way. Don't give them the option to chose what hair style you wear.  Just do what you want and make them adjust.    Having confidence in the look you chose should go a long way in the corporate world or anywhere else.

[JasonR]

I have a few scars on my head from a procedure, and no one even notices them.

I do see scars on bald guys head occasionally, and I think they look cool.

This one guy I saw had a giant scar on the side of his head, looked like he had a metal plate in his head. He rocked it.

If no-one notices my scars (assuming I do it), and I struggle to notice them myself, I'll probably be okay with it.  As for rocking big scars, I'd say it's very subjective - if you hang around extreme sports-types and bikers, you'd probably be okay.  Trying to make it to the top in the corporate world, probably not so much. 

For what it's worth, I've been playing with an image editor (my image editing skills are poor, to say the least).  Does anyone think the sly look would work for my face?  The opinions I've gotten so far ranged from something like "lol, NNNNOOOOOO!" to "very scary, I hope it's only an experiment" to "you look like a suicide bomber" - nothing that really instills confidence.

That photo looks positively badass!

[rfn]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the positive feedback!

[rfn]

I'm flying down to see the surgeon for a consultation tomorrow.  In preparation, I got a #1 buzz cut today; it's shorter than my hair has ever been. 

If it weren't for that dent and the big protruding lump that my injury resulted in, my head shape would've been pretty good and I probably would've gone sly already.  Let's hope that medical science can sort that out and get my quality of life (mentally and emotionally) back to where it should be.

[Semi-Sly]

I have to tell you; you look better already with the buzz!.  Let us know what the surgeon says.  But, I'm serious, even if he cannot make it look a bit better, I think that you look really good with a tight buzz.  Once your head is shaved clean you won't even notice the little bump.  Remember the 30 day rule!

[Cave Dweller]

I don't think you have anything to worry over, RFN. I think most of us have something about our scalps we would like to change. I spent two months of anxiety when I realized I have two major creases on my backside that would be visible if I shaved. You are going to be fine.

Hope the appointment with the doc gets you the results you want, but as BBBA said so well, the buzz looks good right now with your scalp as it is. I have a feeling you are going to like the smooth look as well regardless.

[tobler1]

Good luck with the surgeons.  I think the buzzcut looks very, very good.

[Sir Harry]

The buzz cut looks good, and I can barely notice the scar. Good luck with the visit to the surgeon!

[meanderthal]

I was born with a raised scar over my left ear that was about 1.5 inches long.  getting haircuts was difficult as a kid because i would always have to warn the barber/stylist about the scar so they wouldn't hit it with clippers. 

toward the end of my college years, I started buzzing my head and knew that I wanted to shave it.  I did shave it once to reveal the scar. I didn't feel like i could keep doing that.  I went to a surgeon and had the scar removed. While there is a slight line in my skin where the scar used to be, it is completely flat and it can be shaved over. with a few exceptions, i have been shaving my head ever since. 

My real point is very few people have a perfectly shaped head, and many guys have irregularities. good luck with the doc and keep thinking about what you want in the end. i am sure it will turn out okay.

[rfn]

toward the end of my college years, I started buzzing my head and knew that I wanted to shave it.  I did shave it once to reveal the scar. I didn't feel like i could keep doing that.  I went to a surgeon and had the scar removed. While there is a slight line in my skin where the scar used to be, it is completely flat and it can be shaved over. with a few exceptions, i have been shaving my head ever since. 

Thanks for the reassurance - if they can fix a scar on one guy, I'm sure that can do it for someone else as well.

Update:  I went to see the surgeon, and he spent quite a bit of time looking at my head and talking me through all of the issues and options.  He presented two key options:
1.)  Mimix bone cement, which is relatively affordable, but might result in a larger scar because it has to be shaped at the time of surgery.
2.)  Biomet implants, which are custom made based on 3D scans, and then fitted into the defect.  This only requires a small incision to insert the implant, and it is very safe.  He'll still have to burr down the excess bony lumps around the dent, but he might be able to do that via the same incision.  This is substantially more expensive.

He doesn't want to risk serious scars (in fact, any visible scars), so he said that he would consult with one of his colleagues who is a plastic surgeon, to design an "optimal" incision.  I'm waiting for an update from him.  All in all, it seems very likely that he will be able to help.