Newbie from PA, has questions, need support.

[jerry020653]

Hi. I've been lurking for a while now. I live in western PA.

I started losing my hair about 20 years ago (MPB), and I'm 55 now. During all of that time, I've had a combover. My hair (what's left) is very thick, and the combover is not really niceable until you get close, however, it is still noticeable even though you can not actually see my scalp.

So anyway, I'm just tired of maintaing it, and putting up with all of the inconveniences. Not being able to do things that I want to, always being worried about wind, rain, etc, never being able to wear a hat or hood, the list is endless. I've looked at different things like hairpieces, trandplants, etc, but there just seems to be too many negatives to even bother. I'm used to people looking at me, maybe even occasionally snickering, so I don't think that will bother me. Recently, I lost my job because the company closed, so right now, I am unemployed, and don't have co-workers to think about (I used to work quite a distance away from where I live).

I'm psyching myself up to become SLY, but not quite there yet. I hate the "fringe", so going SLY is my only option if I want to make a change. There are a few things that I am worried about however, so I have some questions that I am hoping someone will be kind enough to answer.
  1. I take blood thinners, so shaving with a blade is out of the question. I have seen a couple of special electric shavers specifically made for shaved heads, and I was wondering if anyone has used them, or know how they work. I saw them in Walmart.
  2. I don't like the 3/4 fring, and I also don't want a shadow. Are there any type of hair removal products that are specifically tailored to removing hair from the head? I read somewhere of something called "Magic" that was specific for this purpose, but I was wondering if anyone has used it or knows about it.

I guess that's it for now. My wife is supportive, and says that it's okay with her if I do it. My kids dont want me to. I'm just trying to build up the courage to do it, and hopefully it will be soon. Either way, if I get any job interviews, I want to do it before that, so I can start fresh, without all the worries and hassles. If anyone can offer some advice or information on the questions I have, it would be appreciated. Also, any suggestions on building up my courage to "Do the Deed" would also be appreciated.

[andrew]

jerry020653,

Welcome to SBG ...    I think you will find that many of the guys in here have gone through the same decision-making process as you, in determining whether or not to "do the deed". 

In my situation, my wife was very supportive but my daughter was not.  In fact, she was freaking out about it.  But, that didn't stop me and now (almost) 6 months later, my daughter now thinks its cool.

I say GO FOR IT!!   You will likely feel a little awkward at first but experience great relief afterward and wonder why you didn't do it much sooner.

Andrew

[joergHH]

Welcome here, Jerry!

Yes, do the deed, you will love it. If not - it's hair, it will regrow.

Blood thinners are not a big problem.
If you use a HeadBlade in the corrrect manner with no and never pressure on the blades (first the tripple blades, advanced and experienced you will use the doubles for the smoother shave) you will have no problems with cuts and bleeding.
I myself take ASS after my heartinfarction and have a styptic pen, but I used it just once or twice.

Read all the treads and will find the best advices.

Go shave and enjoy being sly!

J

[herronm]

Welcome Jerry!!!  Glad you found us.  Don't fear the blade, just use caution like Joerg said.  I've never read a review of an electric razor that worked well on the head.  If you are talking about a buzz cut, that is a different thing (just about any with a 1 or 0 guard will work.

Max

[Timmay]

I wouldnt be afraid of using a blade.  Always keep one of those stypic pens close by...the stop the bleeding immediately.....go for it dude...what you got to lose?? Your hair??? LOL

Timmayy!

[Mikekoz13]

Jerry-

               Welcome to SBG from another Pennsylvanian! I'm 47 years old so I'm just a few years younger than you. i also had MPB. Back in May of 2000 I had hair over my collar in length but the old scalp was showing thru big time on top. So one day without teling anyone I stopped and had all my hair cut off down to just about 1/4 all over (just the back and sides... the infamous horeshoe was all that was left).
               I wore it like that until last July.... when I just did the deed one day. The only one that knew i was going to do it was my wife.
               my son freaked a little and my co-workers gave me a few jabs..... but eventually every single person that had the balls to talk to me about it said that I looked younger and much better.

               The whole confidence thing wasn't really an issue for me because I've always been a "if you don't like what I'm doing it's your problem, not mine" kind of guy.
               But when i shaved mine an interesting thing happened..... I absolutely loved it and stood just a hair (no pun) taller with pride in my new look.  I couldn't imagine why I didn't do it much sooner. I would never grow my hair back now..... even if some miracle hair growth technology appeared. As discussed in a recent thread, many of the my fellow SBG brothers wouldn't grow theirs back either.
               Look at it this way..... all that time and money you're spending worrying and primping over your hair will be gone for good and replaced with a powerful feeling of freedom. Those things you don't want to do anymore because your hair will get messed up will be gone.... for instance swimming.

                 I can't speak to the effectiveness of the electric razors because i don't use one but I don't think you'll ever get as close a shave as with a razor.  But I'm sure it will be close enough for you to wear your new look with pride.


                  For a semi tongue in cheek look at the advantages of being Sly, check out the "ADVANTAGES" thread.

 

[champ007]

Hey Jerry, welcome to SBG.
The first time my Dad saw me shaved, he had to rub my head, and then asked me what I used, etc. I showed him my headblade, headslick and bald guyz moisture gel. My dad has had the hosreshoe syndrom since he was about 32, he is 65 now. Anyway, 2 weeks later he called me and he tells me he is Sly! He just had a triple bypass about 4 years ago, and a aneurysm in his stomach about 2 years ago. He takes blood thinners and is a diabetic, so has about 15 pills a day he takes. But he has yet to knick his head, he does knick his face every once in a while. He told me he likes the headslick so much he uses it for his face now also. It might be worth a try just to see how it goes....
And for hair removal products on the scalp, I have never heard of anything the does not cause major irritation and a incredible burning sensation for days. My advise would be to stay away from them. If you try something I would only do about a quarter size area of the scalp to test.
Good Luck 

[warhawk]

jerry...welcome 2 the sly fraternity.  glad that ya found us and glad that U R thinking about going sly.  listen 2 the other brothers...U can still use a blade even though U  R  on blood thinners.  i'm a rn and i have many patients who R on blood thinners.  U just gotta B extra careful.  besides...there is nothing better than having a quality razor 2 make your dome smoooooth.  hope U stick around & B  an active member of the best site on the internet.  keep us posted 2 your road 2 slyness.

WARHAWK

[jusbnme]

Welcome Jerry.  I say go for it man.  Sounds like it's about the only option for you.  Meaning that if you don't at least try it you will be constantly thinking about it all the time.  You can get pretty close with a pair of clippers without a guard and especially with an electric razor.  But like some other bros said, I think you will be perfectly safe with a razor as long as you are careful.  In your case there is no doubt in my mind you would be fine as long as you go WITH the grain.  I shave off and on with and against the grain.  I have never nicked myself once going with the grain.  But try it with clippers or an electric razor first just to get a feel for it.  Then get yourself a good razor.  Get some shave cream, gel, or oil and take it slow.  I'm very confident that you will be nick free.  Let us know how it goes.  Good luck.

[jerry020653]

Thanks for all of the support and suggestions. I thought very hard about it today. Then I chickened out. I feel like such a wimp. It's a big deal for me because once its off, there will be no going back, as my hair is pretty long. Maybe a new harley will help me make the decision. lol.

[jusbnme]

Whatever makes you happy is the right decision bro. 

[Tyler]

Jerry, welcome to SBG!  I don't think you should have to worry about the blood thinners as long as you have a styptic pen handy ($1.50 at Walmart).  All it takes is one swipe across the fringe and you'll feel compelled to do the rest.  Trust me when I say you will feel a HUGE sense of relief when it is done.

[Nick912]

As soon as you do it you will be amazed how addicting it is!!

[warhawk]

As soon as you do it you will be amazed how addicting it is!!

nick...that is so very true!!!

WARHAWK

[Paul]

Welcome aboard jerry, great to have you with us.   DO NOT, repeat DO NOT use the shave magic.   I did try it, it burns your skin and does a terrible job of removing the hair.  It states quite clearly on the tube that any remaining hair should be left there for 24 hours before repeating an application OR shaving.  So for a day you would walk around with patchy, burned skin.      As for NOT using a razor because of blood thinners, I guess it would depend on how heavy a dose you are on.  I take Coumadin daily and also razor shave daily.  I have found that a simple stiptic pencil stops even the worst nicks.   Hope this helps and again welcome.