28 years old, just took the plunge.

[SephF]

Hey guys,

My name is Joseph (friends call me Joey or Joe). I'm from Edmonton Alberta Canada and I'm 28 years old. I work in the tire industry and I'm a big hockey fan, my Dad had me in skates as soon as I could walk! I played minor hockey from 6 years old until 17. Love the sport!


Anyways, I have been lurking these forums over the past few years while I obsessed about my disappearing hairline.

I started receding pretty much as soon as I hit 18, I didn't really notice until 23-24 because it was such a slow process but it has gotten to the point where I have to give up and stop the fight.

It really consumed me and chipped away at my confidence... it was getting to the point where I was unhappy with how my hair looked more often then I was content. I was rocking the junior comb over for the last few years covering up my disappearing bangs. I did an OK job but it still bothered me.. I hated seeing some pictures of myself. I have been THAT GUY rocking a hat whenever I went out... I never wanted to be that guy.

Here are my before and afters, I don't think I'm ready to razor it right down to the skin, I unfortunately have a pretty bad/patchy beard that takes months to fill out. I work in a professional setting and can't look scruffy for two months while it fills out.







I just did it last week, still getting used to the look (and need to get some sun) but I think it looks OK, definitely makes me look older though. Not sure why my bangs decided to disappear when my crown seems to show no signs of balding but I guess its different for everyone.

I have had mixed reactions. A lot of people were shocked because I did a decent job of covering it up so they didn't realize how far gone my hairline was. I had a woman at work look at me and just say "oh no!!" and kind of give me a sad look. But I'm a pretty confident guy so I'm able to handle it. Some others have said it looks better.

It's a shock everytime I look in the mirror still, my hair hasn't been this short since I was an infant.

It's definitely nice being in and out of the shower in 5 minutes and out the door right away in the morning instead of sitting infront of the mirror for half an hour trying to make my hair look presentable.

Anyways, I will probably post here occasionally - seems like a great community.

Cheers

[tobler1]

It's a very definite improvement.  Congrats on the new look.

[Sir Harry]

Welcome, Joe! Given that your crown is still intact, the short buzz looks good! You don't have to reach for the razor just yet if you don't want to!

[Cave Dweller]

Welcome to the board, Joseph.

Congratulations on taking the plunge and discovering how liberating the new look can be. I see it as a great improvement over the before combover look.

[slybeard]

Looks much better.  If you are concerned with growing a beard and keeping it neat while it grows, you can use a beard trimmer to keep it trimmed weekly, but gradually increase the length setting.

I suggest you go ahead with the blade head shave and start the beard.  Your friends and co-workers will only go through the "shock" one time rather than dragging it out.

[wpruitt]

Great improvement!  Looks good.

[Mike E. P.]

Hello, Joe. The buzz looks terrific - much better than the before photos. And you don't look older.

[SephF]

thanks for you kind words guys, it felt like 100 lbs got lifted off my shoulders as soon as I shaved my head. So glad that I don't have to worry about it anymore.

[Tyler]

Joey, it looks great!  Congrats on making the decision.

[AJ Q-Ball]

It looks really good Joey. Nice improvement!

[Semi-Sly]

As I said to another guy on the board recently when he posted his before and afters:

"from Dud to Stud"!

Huge improvement Joey.  You don't look older, but you do look more confident and mature.

[chgobuzzbald]

Looks great. Maybe try growing the sideburns down farther and a bit of goatee. Experiment and have fun with it. You look like a young guy who buzzed his head, not older. Try a bare clipper buzz with no guard next. Its like 4 days growth if you don't like to be back where you are now.   

[mrzed]

Good decision.

It will take a while for you to get used to the new look. You pass a store window ... notice the reflection of this guy with very short hair and wonder who he is.  Oh, it's me!  I went through that. Just hang in there. You have a very new look.  Looks good. 

sounds like you are on the right track. 

I've visited Edmonton many years ago.  Stayed at a campground west of town.  Took the kids to the mall for two days of swimming and riding the rides. They were quite young at the time.  I'm guessing that was 1989 or so. 

We were on a drive from Alaska to the lower 48 states.

[bennett11]

You look great with short buzz.   I lived in Edmonton for two years. Nice city.

[SlyMike]

Looks great