Fears about going sly

[Razor X]

When I was on the fence, I had two main fears about going sly:

1.  That I'd hate the way I looked bald and have to endure a certain amount of humiliation while I waited for my hair to grow back

OR

2.  That I'd love the way I looked bald and never have hair again.


I know #2 sounds crazy, because ultimately that's what we want to happen.  But at the time, making a permanent change to my appearance really frightened me.  Did anyone else experience that?

[warhawk]

razorx....the only fear that i had was #1.  i was afraid that i wouldn't look right.  however....after my 1st initial plunge...i looked in the mirror & smiled and said something like..." i shoulda done it sooner."  AND that's the day where i never looked back.  now...i gotta keep my dome smooooth.

WARHAWK

[SLYinKC]

I think for me, it was more just the fear of going through the drastic change and possibly enduring humiliation and ridicule from "friends" and acquaintences.  Neither of which happened, probably because it wasn't the "drastic" change I had envisioned.

[Paul]

I have to echo both Warhawk and Sly in that I both feared of how it would look when I shaved and what others were going to say about it.  Being BBC it was a drastic change and a lot of people were shocked that I not only did it but that I kept it bald. 

[Stu]

All I knew was that unless there was a 'real' cure for baldness, I wasn't about to waste my money on all of the so-called alternatives -- plugs, drugs, etc.  There was also no chance in h*#l I would allow myself to look like one of those people who try to hide the obvious with combovers, hair pieces, etc.  So I just kept my hair very short until I could no longer resist the temptation and took the plunge 3 years ago this month.  I didn't have as much angst as some of my bruthas here because I'm married (off the market), and I have never been a person who wins over people with my stunning looks (no comments necessary).  As a consequence, I just felt that I would look how I looked -- not much I can do about my head; it's the only one I have.  I guess I should stop; I think I'm rambling again (comes with being old).

[Razor X]

There was also no chance in h*#l I would allow myself to look like one of those people who try to hide the obvious with combovers, hair pieces, etc.  So I just kept my hair very short until I could no longer resist the temptation and took the plunge 3 years ago this month.

Same here.  In the end I liked being bald more than I thought I would.  Definitely loved the way it felt but had some doubts from time to time as to whether it was the best look for me.  But then I started thinking about other people.  Of all the sly guys I knew or had seen out in public, I was hard pressed to think of any for whom sly wasn't a huge improvement.  So there was no reason to think I was any exception.  I guess it's easier to judge it on someone else, though.  In the end, I just had to force myself to stick with it and eventually the lingering doubts went away.  It will be four years for me next month.

[JDog]

I did not care one iota what other people would think about my decision to be sly..Except for my wife of course but she was okay with it.

If they dig it,cool...If they think it looks like sh*t,cool...like my sly bro Joe says..Opinions are like certain holes,everyone has one.

Overall in the 1 year since I did it 99% has been positive. I dont regret it and never plan to have hair growth again

[shyslyguy]

Like Stew, I just took it to be the best option available to me under the circumstances. I think if I let what hair I do have grow out I'd probably get a lot more derogatory comments than I do being sly. (In fact, not really had any negative feedback re the shaved head except from me mum of course, but that almost goes without saying!) 

[Professor Melon]

  Subtle question, Razor.  I went through the same process, ultimately--and rather quickly--reaching affirmation about being totally bald. I knew I had lost all interest in attempts to hide my hair loss; I just did not know that 1) negative responses would be few and far between; 2) positive responses (including and especially wife's) would be many and enduring; 3) I'd love the feel and boldness of the move; and 4) anxiety always abates when you face it [no pun intended] head-on. My first anniversary comes at the end of October. I am not even curious about turning back, trying to see what I could grow back. In sum, bald is better! Professor Melon

[Robmeister]

Didn't really have a lot of "fear" involved in the decision.

I was already clipping it pretty short so I just figured if I or the family didn't like it, I would just let it grow back.

So my main concern was that the fam liked it.  Everyone else be damned.

[Marz]

I had buzz cuts a lot growing up so I was not worried about how I would look too much (head shape, etc.) although I do have 2 wicked scars on the back of my head, that didn't bother me too much.

For me the biggest thing was seeing people I knew and basically advertising my hair loss unsolicited.

It was pretty much an unavoidable topic to those that knew me with hair to see me bald for the first time. this caused alot of reactions and occasionally my head would become the round table topic when I was still pretty inhibited about it and was hoping to just get it over with and move the conversation away from my head.

Showing up at partys and being a focal point, going to social occasions that were already uncomfortable and then sticking out like a sore thumb... yeah, it had its strange points.

I feel I instigated some uncomfortable situations but I also instigated a lot more praise and head rubs and a few of my friends clipped their hair down as well.

Once I had gotten over that part (running in to old friends at the market etc. ) it was just accepted as part of who I am.

As I have described some of the uncomfortable moments, they peril in comparison to what I have seen others go through and situations where the reactions were whispers and giggles behind someones back, instead of an up front Q&A to my face.

I have never regretted my decision to man up initially and make it an obvious part of who I am. I am respected and accepted for it to this day.

[BALDANDRE]

I had buzz cuts a lot growing up so I was not worried about how I would look too much (head shape, etc.) although I do have 2 wicked scars on the back of my head, that didn't bother me too much.

For me the biggest thing was seeing people I knew and basically advertising my hair loss unsolicited.

It was pretty much an unavoidable topic to those that knew me with hair to see me bald for the first time. this caused alot of reactions and occasionally my head would become the round table topic when I was still pretty inhibited about it and was hoping to just get it over with and move the conversation away from my head.

Showing up at partys and being a focal point, going to social occasions that were already uncomfortable and then sticking out like a sore thumb... yeah, it had its strange points.

I feel I instigated some uncomfortable situations but I also instigated a lot more praise and head rubs and a few of my friends clipped their hair down as well.

Once I had gotten over that part (running in to old friends at the market etc. ) it was just accepted as part of who I am.

As I have described some of the uncomfortable moments, they peril in comparison to what I have seen others go through and situations where the reactions were whispers and giggles behind someones back, instead of an up front Q&A to my face.

I have never regretted my decision to man up initially and make it an obvious part of who I am. I am respected and accepted for it to this day.

And really why would YOU ever regret it bro...

You are definately a natural for the look!

Man, in the old days seeing your bald mug would have definately made me want to take the razor to my full head of hair...

Good move on your part!

[Marz]

Thanks Andre, likewise.

Funny thing too I was looking at some old pics of when I had hair this weekend and the wife and I were laughing because it looks like me in a really bad wig.

I dont regret it at all, never did... but back when I first started (94-ish)  people mistook me for being a racist skinhead or a lukemia patient. Everyone was into Grunge and had long hair and ponytails and I was going through the gamut of being a young-un going to cooperate Christmas parties etc. with my girlfriend (now wife). Being bald was not as socially acceptable as it is now and I was often the sore thumb at large functions that I would have felt out of place at with a full mop.

I am not going to lie, it was a tough transition, but one well worth it.

[Sooner Steve]

Subtle question, Razor.  I went through the same process, ultimately--and rather quickly--reaching affirmation about being totally bald. I knew I had lost all interest in attempts to hide my hair loss; I just did not know that 1) negative responses would be few and far between; 2) positive responses (including and especially wife's) would be many and enduring; 3) I'd love the feel and boldness of the move; and 4) anxiety always abates when you face it [no pun intended] head-on. My first anniversary comes at the end of October. I am not even curious about turning back, trying to see what I could grow back. In sum, bald is better! Professor Melon

Professor Melon, you are right on point.  I second everything you said.

[champ007]

OMG... did you read my post Opinions Plzzzzz
If it wasn't for the "Brothers" and "Sisters" (nuthin but love  ) on this site, I would have made myself insane and probably would not be me. Always had a sense of humor but the confidence was gone. I was almost to the point of a hermit with a hat. I have to say the process was worst than my divorce, took me 2 days to get over that, a week to go the losing of the hair!