Yes or No?

[Baker]

Greetings,

I am a 49 year old (as of today) male and am contemplating taking the plunge. I have a receding hair line and have some loss on the crown as well. My biggest concern, as with most I'm sure, is if I will look ok without. I have an extra large head. (2X in hat and helmet sizes) Hence my concerns. I where my hair short I guess to try try and hide the size of my head.

So, after taking a look at the size and shape, what are your thoughts? I realize that most here may say "go for it", which is fine. But, if there are those that say "nah bro...better not", thats good as well.

Thanks,

[slybeard]

I was about your age when I first shaved, and at the time had more hair than you.  I had told myself for years at the first sign of MPB, I would shave.  I was just starting to notice crown thinning and slight receding.  I was already at a short haircut, so I buzzed shorter and shorter until one day I took a razor to it.

But to your question, there a very fey guys with MPB that do not look better with a shaved head. Head size and shape really do not matter.  I suggest you start with a short buzz, give yourself some time to adjust (2-4 weeks), and then shave.  If you maintain the shaved head for 30 days, you will likely stick with it for life.  But you could also wait a few years to see how quickly your MPB progresses.

[Semi-Sly]

To be very honest with you; I think that you have come to the end of the fight!  There just isn't much left up there, and what there is actually "accentuates" the size and shape of your head.  Why - because you have this Peninsula running out the center of your head towards your brow with the hair carefully "messed up" in an attempt to hide how thin it has become.  Without the scraps your head will look just fine!

IMHO it is really time to get rid of the scraps and give yourself a break from all of the worry.  If you are not ready to go all the way just yet, try getting a nice tight buzz cut (No 1) with skin faded back and sides. Which ever you choose, you MUST commit to the 30 day rule to give the "self-identity" part of your brain time to get used to it.

Turn it into a Rite of Passage.  Pamper yourself.  Treat yourself to a nice barbershop experience when you do this.  You are going to feel GREAT!.  You are going to feel "free".  You are going to feel "clean".  You are going to feel "MALE" in a way you may not have felt in long time!

[SlyMike]

I have a similar size head to you, but mine is more receding, hence why I have started shaving my head.  I would recommend giving it a try, and if you are unsure them just trim your hair close with clippers to get used to it, this is what I did.

[Goatee]

Just go for it! What is the worst that can happen? Your hair will grow back!!!

[Sir Harry]

Welcome, Mr. Baker!

Believe it or not, most heads do not look as big when shaved. Almost everyone who shaves bald keeps it long term, if not permanently. Your coverage still looks decent, but many guys with a lot of gray shave to look younger and they do. As the others say, give it a try and if you don't like it you can always grow it back. Good Luck!

[slymyke]

I think you have a great head shape for shaving.  As far as the size, it will not make any difference.  While you may need a bigger size hat, your head does not look big.  Mine is big, and I only get compliments on the Sly. Keep the goatee for sure.- it will be a good look.

[tobler1]

I say go for it.  Your head doesn't look extraordinarily large to me.  Worst case scenario(s): a) you hate it and you grow your hair back; or b) you become obsessed with being bald because you love it so much.  Not sure the last one is such a horrible scenario.

[Mike E. P.]

Hi Baker,
I think you look fine the way you are. However, if your receding is bothering you and you think you will look and feel better shaved, then I would encourage you to do it. We all think there is something unusual about our heads - too big, bumpy, dented, misshapen, etc. but mostly it is our own skewed perception. I think your head would look great bald and would actually de-emphasize the size.

Let us know what you decide. You'll get support here no matter what you do. Welcome to SBGs.

[reddog]

Hi Baker, now that you are thinking about shaving, you will probably start to spend way too much time thinking about it. Do you notice guys with shaved heads and think it looks good? One thing g I love about my bald head is no more grey hair. You will probably look younger, took 10 years off of me. I guess you can tell I like my shaved head, almost never wear a hat because I love to show it off. Gotta wear it with confidence!
Mike

[mrzed]

Mr, Baker.

I have more hair than you do, but I shave it all the time.  While my beard hair shows a lot of white, the hair on top is full color.  The bald look is another hairstyle choice.  For you, it will hide the grey and it will hide the thinning spots.  It will look good. 

If you do it cold turkey, it will take a little bit for people to get used to it, but it's just the same as a lady with hair to the belt line that changes styles and does a pixie or a 'bob'. It's a new hair style.  It will look good.

The bald look will likely drop the appearance of a few years, too.

For me it's been a fun adventure being BBC (bald by choice).  You are there.  Don't forget the 30 day rule.  If it turns out you don't like it, you will be back to a buzz in just a few weeks, and your current hairstyle in just a bit longer than that. It's worth a try.

[Baker]

Thanks for the reply's!

A lot of food for thought here. I am all-in-all a pretty bold guy most of the time. And, I know...it will grow back. But, if I look in that mirror afterwards and see this huge gored I may pass out! LOL!

I know, I know....I'm my worst critic. If I could travel out of town for about a month I'd take the plunge right before leaving and all would be great! Chicken way out right?

My major issue is the "over sized head" concern.

Thanks again,

[mrzed]

Head size/shape is a big issue for a lot of guys.

I have a big head. Others on here have even larger heads.  It's OK.

If you wish to go the conservative way, get the clippers out and take it down 1/16 of an inch at a time.  Start clippering with 'adjustable' clippers at #3 ( about 3/8th), then adjust to the shortest #3, switch to the longest #2 and so on until you are down to no guard and the absolute shortest settings.

Now you are ready for the razor blade.  It's a gradual fade to bald.  At the longer stages, you might go shorter on the sides and fade to longer on top.  If you can afford a barber, he will do this for you.

As you are looking to go shorter, you'll probably want to buzz weekly for the transition.  The shorter you go, the faster it appears to grow back in.  When I got down to #1 and no guard, I'd run the clippers daily .. just to get in the habit of daily shaving.

[DOC_OSMC]

I too had a problem with thinning in the crown area.  I buzzed it down for about a year before I shaved my head, it got me used to seeing what my head shape was and used to having short hair.

From the looks of your pic, it seems that your head shape is fine.  Doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary.  I'm in the camp of give it a try, or at the very least buzz it down so that the thinning crown doesn't seem as apparent.

Let us know what you decide and post some pics when you do.

[Baker]

Buzzing it down may be the way to start.

The reason all this came to mind was due to a mid 40's lady in our church that is having chemo treatments and will most likely loose her hair. I thought, what can I do to support her? The thought came to mind to go sly. Then after coming here, I'm thinking on doing it either way!

Should I be concerned about the "tan line" so to speak?

Also, thanks again for all the replies!