well... i've done it; but not happy with the results

[hjb_1990]

After almost 2 years considering shaving my head I finally took the plunge while in Spain last week and shaved my head. Well; I didn't blade shave it but cut it right down to a '0' with a Phillips beard trimmer. I know this is bound to be a shock to me and I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it immediately but I really dont like it and feel as though it will never grow on me 

I was receding badly but still had thick hair on the back and sides. I also have some scaring/bald patches on the top of my scalp where hair has never grown after cradle cap scars from my childhood. The short cut now just exaggerates the blatant baldness on top and I have what I believe is known as the horseshoe effect (pictures to follow).

My scalp was also very pale so stupidly trying to gain some colour while on holiday I only used SPF 15 sun screen and subsequently have some sunburn to the top of my head which now also looks ridiculous. I also think I have a horrible shaped head which makes my short buzz and possible baldness look even more pathetic.

It has really got me down since I did it last week, and I have been constantly wearing hats when leaving home

All this and I'm only 24 

I'm not after sympathy just a few opinions on what you guys think it looks like and whether maybe I should shave it completely with a blade to at least have the same effect all over my head!? I'm even sitting here researching hair transplant clinics!

I've attached some pictures below which show me as follows:

1. Thinning hair before the shave
2. Thinning hair before the shave held back
3. After 'the cut'
4 & 5. Weird shaped head
6. Bald scalp scaring and sunburn! 

[DoberDaddy]

Hi,

Don't think it looks bad at all... I do think a blade shave would probably look a bit better...

Try it, you  have nothing to loose.

Steve

[mrzed]

Well, remember the 30 days rule.

My personal experience is that I like the razor shave much better than the no-guard buzz.

That little difference does not LOOK much different, but it sure feels different. The sandpaper or velco feel is not all that great, but the smooth dome is really nice.  Add some hand lotion or Head Lube Glossy and there is a nice shine.

Your head will look pale at first. Color picks up within the 30 days.

for my personal opinion, I like the #3 photo. I think it looks sharp.  You look like a mean dude ... don't mess with me! 

The sunburn will heal pretty quickly.  The #4 and 5 look longer than a #0 buzz.  Maybe your clippers don't get all that close? Or it's been a few days.

My Wahl clippers get pretty close ... although I never use them any more.

[Mike E. P.]

You do look great in that third picture. The short buzz is a big improvement over the receding hairline visible in the first two. I agree with Steve. You would look even better razor shaved.

If I were you, I definitely would not be researching for a hair transplant. You can totally pull off sly and your head shape is normal.

[Frontier Guy]

Since I've never seen you before, were I to meet you my first impression is that you've got a totally normal-shaped head and the "less hair" cut works for you.

As my cohorts above wrote, I agree that a blade shave will be an improvement.

You can absolutely own this look. Give it 30 days.

[invaray]

Once again proving how we can be our worst enemy.

You have a nice head shape it looks nice, honestly I like it.
The shorter cut is an improvement.

 I think if you shave it will all be more even and you will like the look and feel better.
Shave it don't wear a hat there is nothing to feel odd about or hide you look fine.

[Goatee]

Look, it is fine! Suits you!

With thinning hair it is always better to buzz or shave the head. Trying to hold on to any hair that is there is very obvious indeed! Give it 30 days.

[slymyke]

Welcome, hjb!

The buzz looks good, but the places where the hair is thin is what you are seeing as an odd shape.  The visible hair is making a shape of its own.  When you razor shave your whole head, you will see how your head will look more uniformly shaped and I'm sure it will look great.  You may even like to grow a beard of some sort to add to the new look.

[Sir Harry]

Hey, Harry:

I looked back when you posted at the beginning of the year. The thinning was not that noticeable then, and I thought that with the beard that you had at the time, sly would look good. Regarding the pictures you are showing now, I think you did a nice job, however the problem with clippers (especially beard trimmers) is that they don't cut consistently and you run the risk of leaving patches. I think you should go ahead and do the blade shave, or at the very least, let a barber shave it for you. Also, would you consider regrowing your facial hair to offset being bald a little? One more word to the wise: Even with a blade shave, shadow is going to show in the areas where you can still grow hair, but believe me, only another bald guy will know the difference. Good luck and PM me if you need any tips and/or have questions!

[Razor X]

It takes time to adjust.  It looks fine.  I agree that a blade shave would be a little better because the receded hairline will be a little less visible. The 30 day rule really is important as the change can be a shock and you will need some time to get used to it. The reality is you're going to end up bald no matter what you do, so you owe it to yourself to give this a legitimate try. 

[Frontier Guy]

As Handlebar Harry wrote:  Even with a blade shave, shadow is going to show in the areas where you can still grow hair, but believe me, only another bald guy will know the difference.

To which I will add: And a bald guy won't criticize the shadow, but will understand it.

[tobler1]

The sun burn looks unpleasant.  But the shots not of your head look perfectly fine to me--I don't see an odd-shaped head at all.  I tend to agree with the rest of the comments that you might want to consider shaving completely.  At worst, if you prefer having some stubble, it will only be a few days before you get back to where you were at the of the time of the photos.  but if you're concerned about scarring, I wouldn't research hair transplants any further.

[cuie]

The short cut is BIG improvement. I think totally shaved head + stubble beard would look really good on you.

As previous posters said: remember the 30 day rule and wait for your self-image to ajust for your new look.

[02kpjw@gmail.com]

I do not think that there is anything wrong with the shape of your head.  I really would suggest and urge you to razor shave it and keep it up daily for a month.  You look so much better with a short buz then with the thinning hair.    If you do not like it after that trial period you can grow it back or keep a short buz.  Truthfully, hair transplants are a waste of time and money.  Just be proud and hairless.
You might consider a goatee, it help me feel better about bald.

[gwsmallwood]

I think your head shape, hairline, and hair color, and hair thickness are all very similar to my own.  Nothing wrong with any of them.

When I first started shaving, I tried to leave it a little bit long to go for that Jason Statham look.  I tried it for a few weeks, but IMHO, my hair was far too dark and the recession was too bad on the sides for it to work. 

I then moved to a 0 with my beard trimmers for a few weeks.  I liked it much better, but again, with the dark hair I felt like a skinhead or something. 

I finally picked up the razor and found that both I and my wife much preferred the razor shaved look.  Like many here have already said, It just feels better too.  It is a little more work, especially if your hair grows as quickly as mine, but now that I've switched to a DE Safety razor, I like taking the time to do it.

My recommendation would be to follow the same path as me.  Try it a few different ways and give each one a few weeks, and then decide which you prefer.  Since your head and hair situation is very similar to mine, I do think you'll end up preferring the razor.