What was YOUR reaction?

[reddog]

There have been lots of discussions about other people's reaction when you first went bald, but what was your reaction?

Thirteen years ago I wanted to try a really short haircut. I had been trimming my own hair, so one morning I decided to give myself a buzzcut. I did about 1/4 inch all over, didn't like it , so went down to a #2, didn't like it, so I used the 0000 blade. Nothing but stubble was left, and with my white hair, I pretty much looked bald. So I got in the shower with a razor and for the first time I had a shaved head!

My significant other, who was totally against a buzzcut, was in shock. I wasn't sure about being bald, and figured I would grow my hair back. Later that day my SO asked what I thought about having a shaved head, so I asked her what she thought, and she rubbed my head and said she loved it and I should keep it!

After a few days, I was hooked, and 13 years later, still love it.

[slybeard]

I loved it from the start.  As I have stated on other threads, I never really liked my hair that much and I had made up my mind that I would rather have a shaved head over a partially bald head with a fringe.  I had been keeping my hair shorter and shorter over the years and was waiting for the first signs of thinning to shave it.  Once I discovered the thinning starting in my crown, the razor came out and I was hooked from the first shave.  And I realized I did not have to wait for thinning for the excuse to shave my head, I could have done is years earlier.

[Semi-Sly]

When I first shaved my head, it was long before it was ?normal? to do so, and I must admit I was pretty shocked at the results and had initially instant regret.  It wasn?t something that I fell in love with right off the bat!  3 PM on the other hand. I enjoyed the experience immensely and thought that it looked and felt really cool And wish I would?ve kept it for a lot longer time the first time I shaved my head

Over the years each time I shave my head I keep it for a longer and longer period of time. It were not for the fact that I think I look better with a little bit of hair I would keep it permanently because I find it looks and feels clean And it?s a heck of a lot easier to take care of than my Flattop

Initially, I must admit that my own feelings were colored a lot by other people?s reactions. My immediate family members were very negative about it, and that made me feel really self-conscious.

[chuck63]

I kept my hair buzzed to a number 2 or 3 for years before shaving it to the skin for the first time.  For me, it was a huge change looking at a bald version of myself in the mirror for the first time.  I liked the way it looked and felt, but I ended up letting my hair grow back after a few days. Over the next few years, I went back and forth before settling in on a daily shaving routine.  I haven?t gone more than four days without shaving in over five years.  I?m thinking about letting my hair grow for a couple of weeks just to see what it looks like for a change.  I may not have the willpower to wait that long.  We?ll see.

[reddog]

@chuck63 , q know what you mean. When I try to grow my hair back I really miss that smooth head feel. Then, whenever I see another shaved head guy, I think how cool he looks, and I can't wait to get back to a bald head.

[buddha]

I've posted about this before but it's a funny bit when I think about it.
I first shaved my head around Y2K because of an interaction with a herd of deer flies in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Prior to that my hair was down to my shoulder blades. At the time my (late) wife and I owned a coffee business called "Pony Espresso" and we had a business route wherein we made lattes and cappuccinos in the truck and then delivered them to different businesses, one of which was a kinda high end beauty shoppe. One of the women who worked there had expressed an "interest" which I did not react to because I had already gone through divorce once and did not wish to repeat that adventure (Note: Ex wife was a cheating slut and finally got caught, hence divorce. But it hurt, nonetheless.).
So, back to the hair stylist.
So, I have this encounter with the deer flies while out jogging and I decide "F**k this S**t" and when I got home I shaved my noggin smooth.
The next day I'm back to work on the route and the hair stylist (who had expressed "interest") sees me walk in the shoppe, gets a big smile on her face and walks up to me and says "You really look good, did you lose weight?".
So don't worry too much about people noticing your new look.   

[Razorhead]

When I first shaved, about 20 years ago, I was wearing a short buzzcut. I don't remember the exact length either a #0 or #1. A buddy of mine had buzzed my hair short and I got curious about razor shaving it. I wasn't a fan of shaved heads at that time. but I really liked the clipper shaved buzzcut. And I liked the shape of my head. I think that's what made me curious. Eventually I worked up the nerve to shave my head. I used a head blade. I didn't think going from a short buzz cut to a smooth shave would be all that different.  Taking the first pass over my head and removing all remnants of hair, I realized this was different. My head was bare! It was smooth yet rubbery. When I finished, I stood in front of the mirror and I was hooked. I liked the boldness and the feel of it. The first time I went out, I did it without a hat. I wasn't hiding it. I've had haircuts that were normal in style but I hated them and wore a hat. Not this. I was so comfortable with a bald head. I was surprised by this. I was rubbing my head all night and I liked the cool feel on my pillow. The next surprise was the next day. I didn't shave again because my head was a little irritated and it was still smooth in the morning. Later that day, the next surprise was the sandpaper feel. The initial effect of smoothness was over. The disappointment was like when the amusement ride is over.

I didn't shave again after that. It was around the holidays and I thought I would just let it go. I did what I wanted to do. But it was like a bug. I kept thinking about it. Then early spring, I decided to shave again and kept it for a few years before letting my hair grow out again. I was obsessed. I wanted the smoothest, shiniest noggin. Some things I learned: I was happier as a bald guy. I had a full head of hair. I realized I just didn't like my hair and I don't think other people liked my hair. It was always a source of comment. Even the buzzcuts. People liked my head shaved. It gave me confidence. I also realized my hair doesn't need to define me. I could live with out. There was also a Brotherhood among guys who shaved. I think this is more true 20 years ago when guys shaved their head more for fashion and not necessarily as a way to deal with hair loss. I think back then I saw more guys who can grow a full head of hair but opted to shave it off. With those guys, there was also a nod for approval when we passed by each other. Or there was a comment like "don't forget the sunscreen."

I think all men should shave their heads at least once in their life. They might be pleasantly surprised.

Right now, I have grown my hair out some. Probably about 1.5" on top, but my hair is thinning and it's probably about time to just give it up and shave it clean and just be a bald man because I'm balding. I will say that I do feel different about this than my first head shave.  The first time was an act of boldness, this time it's accepting mother nature.

[reddog]

Great post, @Razorhead !

[StillLurking]

I recall the first time I saw myself bald, the summer of 2017.  I had wanted to shave my head since high school, but never had the courage.  Even in a barber's seat, I couldn't force myself to ask for a shorter cut much less a head shave.  My hair was usually kind of long and not styled in any way.

That changed in the summer of 2014, when the barber simply asked, do you want to go short for the summer?  I said, "Ok.". She offered a 4 on top, 2 around the sides. That sounded too short, so I said, "8 on top, 4 on the sides."  I never before had such short hair and loved it!  Everyone from family to coworkers commented it looked better.  In October, I went for another haircut and this time I did get a 4 on top, 2 on the sides.  The cut was so addicting!

By 2015 I was going to the barber every month, or every two weeks.  By 2016, I switched to high and tights, with the actual sides and back shaved.  That felt incredible!  Finally, I posted here, May of 2017, about how I planned my 1st head shave (to be done by myself, over Memorial Day weekend so stubble could start regrowing if I didn't like it.)  I never followed up.  Here is the rest of the story ...

I chickened out and postponed it to Independence Day weekend.  But then I actually did it.  July 2017 I was independent of hair!  And, despite the fact my hair was so short before I shaved with a razor, my first reaction was that I made the biggest mistake of my life!  A number 1 is light years from skin bald when it is your head you are viewing in the mirror!  I was horrified!  But ultimately decided it was for the best, as now I know it's not for me.  But almost immediately I started to like it.  No one even commented that I was now fully bald.  But I couldn't keep up with the maintenance, so it grew out.

Since I had the shaver anyway, I started buzzing my own hair and never saw another barber.  A #4 all over in the cold months, a #2 all around and shave the sides and back with a razor in the warm months.  I only shaved smooth bald one more time (during the holidays, that year or the next) and everyone at work was shocked by it (as if I hadn't done it before), then the weather took a turn for the cold, so I was over the urge to be bald.

Until COVID.  During the lockdown, I thought just one more time.  Late June 2020, with a razor I shaved my head, and my reaction was again the same: this is horrible!  Worse mistake ever!  But at least none will see me.  Then a week later, I thought I should take a picture bald, since I will never do this again, and shaved a 2nd time for photos.  The next week I thought, I should try walking around to see if anyone stared (my face would be masked, but not my head), so a 3rd time I again shaved it smooth.  I had no reactions.  Then I thought, to really test it, I should try shopping, where I am more visible (at a safe distance, masked) and for a 4th weekend in a row shaved it smooth.  I figured I could keep this up until I was called back to work, and shaved every other day.  I just loved the smooth feeling!  It was then I decided to stay bald, even after lockdown.

Since I knew I "fell off the wagon" when I got busy before, I bought an electric razor to keep my hair at least at stubble and then enjoy a razor shave every weekend and that did the trick!  From initial reaction of " biggest mistake ever" to something I'd not give up.  I will include before and after pictures.