Scared about being bald.

[Ftank]

I have shaved my head as I am going bald pretty fast and I am 28 years old.  I don't want to whine/complain because I am so thankful for all I have been given in life.  Yet I do have some anxiety about being bald.  I don't think my shaved head looks that bad.  I shaved it for the second time yesterday.  The first time I shaved it I grew it back because of negative reactions from friends and family.  I showed a picture of me with hair how I was styling it but it is getting worse and looks more weird as it recedes further.  So I want to give it a three month trial this time and see how it goes.  I am working out six days a week and eating healthy because I figure that is something I can control. 

Anyway any honest feedback would be appreciated.  I would like to just keep it shaved rather than watch it recede and fade more but I have some concerns.  I am worried how people will judge me and I wonder how it will effect dating.  I know confidence matters most with woman but I don't know how they will react to me being bald.  I know some won't like it but I was hoping some would find it attractive.  Just a hope I have.  I originally tried rogaine and propecia very briefly but I decided I did not like the health risk involved.  I have made the decision that I value my health more than my looks. 

[TANK25]

Bro you really pull off the sly look Most family and friends are a little taken back when you first go sly. They get use to it very fast after seeing you a few times.

[Mikekoz13]

Welcome to the Forum Ftank!

I think you look great shaved. As for the dating.... well I'm an old married guy but I can tell you that a LOT of women love shaved men.

You've already made an important life decision by giving up the drugs and the possible nasty side effects. Pump up your confidence level and watch your life change.

[Mikekoz13]

Bro you really pull off the sly look Most family and friends are a little taken back when you first go sly. They get use to it very fast after seeing you a few times.

Yeah.... my Dad's exact words were, "What are you nuts?" I had a horseshoe and he just didn't... and doesn't.... get it.

[Jer]

Family and friends really are the worst critics.  The good thing is though that the time will pass by so fast, the next thing they'll be saying is how they don't even remember you with hair.  It was the same with me, many people wondered I would go and 'do that to myself' but hell, now it's been a year and people are all saying how they don't even remember me with it.

Obviously asking us what we think is sort of a bad idea, afterall we're all Sly and support it.
The only real opinion that matters is your own.  Ask yourself this, do YOU like it and are YOU comfortable with yourself Sly?
If you answered yes to both then there you have it!!!  It'll eventually grow onto your family and friends and hell, who knows, maybe some of them will end up seeing the light and taking the plunge themselves.

All that having been said, bald does look good, just remember to do it for yourself and not others.

Jer 

[Ftank]

Thankyou for the excellent advice!  I like it on me to be honest and it feels really good, I am not sure if it gets old or not after awhile but I will have to wait and see.  I feel much better this way than with my receding and thinning hair.  I was going to an expensive barber to get it just the way I wanted it but I had to go like every 3 to 4 weeks to be happy with it.  To be honest I can use the extra money by doing it myself. 

So it will take time for me to be comfortable around others.  I would be lying if I didn't wish my friends and family would compliment me on it but at least they are being honest.    So I will give it some time and see where it goes.  Thanks for the posts guys.

It means a lot to me.

[Jer]

That's what this place is all about!  I know it's good to be back here seeing all guys again and knowing that they're still here after I had to disappear for personal reasons.  Most of us know what you're dealing with, no matter how young or old we are and we're all glad to help in any way we can.

Cheers bro!

[marty22]

welcome FTank!

[Tom McGarry.]

Ftank,

          I agree with my fellow Sly brothers advise, and I will tell you that the Sly look is a good look for you. But in the end it only matters what YOU think!! Because if you like being SLY and are comfortable with it, then your confidence level will go WAY UP!! And women love a confident man, you can have a full head of nice thick hair without any dandruff, but if you have no confidence you still won't attract the women you want. Unless you like the superficial ones.

[Sean25]

I think the close shave/Bald look is the best fit.  If you can't handle the bald look on yourself keep it shaved close and eventually you'll get used to it.  I went from somewhat long hair to no hair and it took people like a week to get used to it.  If you do a three month trial I'm confident you won't have any problems

[Ftank]

This time I am determined to give it a fair chance.  I gave up too soon the first time I shaved my head.  I like it but it will take time to get used to and not let myself be dependent on the reactions of others.  I will keep working out because that helps my confidence but I know I have a lot of work to do on the inner man as well.  Thanks for the compliment.  I was unsure whether I looked weird or not

[Sean25]

Yeah keep up in the gym.  A girl melts for a six or eight pack no matter what kind of hair you've got.  A little muscle always helps too.  I go six days a week and diet too.  It's tough but it will pay off tenfold.

[Timmay]

Weird?  Looked Weird....heck yes you looked weird.  I think you need to just spike it up all over your head and do the rainbow of colors.  LOL  

You looked great to me with a shaved head.  Just one question though, has it been over a year since you have shaved it down and grown it back?  I have been shaving now for almost 2 years (june 2007)  You are going to find exactly what Jer said, your family and friends are going to be the hardest to deal with.    By shaving and keeping it shaved and dealing with rude people as such, will in no doubt boost your confidence.  Trust me and what the others have said in here.  If it werent true, I wouldnt be here today and shaving.  I am one who didnt have much confidence and now, I just go out into the world everyday ...HEAD FIRST!  Sometimes I do not even realize I am shaved bald.  
Just this past Tuesday, I was on my way home from being out of town and I was on the four lanes.  This truck kept inching up on my left side.  I kinda got the " this person is annoying me" so i would speed up.  Finally after about what seemed like 3 or 4 attempts to pass me, I slowed down.  He gets up right beside me and I look over and it is this guy who seemed to be about 23-24 years old pointing at his head.  He was shaved smooth and giving me thumbs up.  I gave him thumbs up back.  A few minutes later as I was approaching a gas station he was in front of me and he motioned for me to pull in.  I did and he jsut came up to me and said that he was not feeling very confident at the moment as he had just shaved his head for the first time that morning.  He noticed my SBG sticker in my back window and wanted to know if it was a local group from the Evansville area.  I said no that we were from all over the place.  I assured him that he looked great and gave him several on the spot suggestions on what he should do.  He was using a double cheap o disposable razor.  I steered him in the direction of Headslick and the HeadbladeSP.  He was happy to have ran into me and he said normally he wouldnt ever make any suggestion toward another guy on his looks but he couldnt refuse.  I think he just needed a confidence booster and I am glad I was there.  I gave him a SBG business card, so if anyone sees a guy named Ben from Evansville Indiana area, welcome him with open arms.

Timmay!

[schro]

Ftank,
Concentrating on your health is huge and like you said, focus on things you can control. By going sly, you're taking control of your hair loss in the best possible way. Plus, it's cheaper to go sly anyway (see the attached thread). http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=4670.0 

Your pic with the sly look is great. You look just fine and shouldn't be concerned. Yeah, the family reaction can be harsh (my wife hates it but respects the fact I get complete relief from seborrheic dermatitis by shaving), but if you like it, they'll come around. Plus, your confidence will definitely go up as a result of not being self-conscious about your receding hairline.

Stick with it and you'll learn to love it! 
Good Luck!

[DCdome]

Hey Frank!

You look great with a shaved dome, bro; but consider taking the pink ribbons off your dog!

Seriously, losing hair does obviously reduce options in hair styles and eventually limits a guy to close buzzcuts, a shaved noggin or an assortment of ridiculous combovers.  So there is some grieving associated with that.  The great part is that most guys look terrific with a shaved dome and you, buddy, rock the look.  Just know that.

Confidence will come with time.  Wait until the first time you get a head rub from a beautiful woman  !

Family and friends will get used to it and then just see it as a part of you.  Time is on your side.