Young guys (Bald at 21...finally)

[Lol]

Hi all

I've been 'lurking' around this site for the best part of 8 months now. I've read testimonies, looked at what celebs are going/gone sly, and thinking about my own 'situation'.

At 17, I had a full head of hair, really thick...I loved it. But I took it for granted. I had never really thought about going bald, naturally or by choice. My Dad is bald and to be honest (although I'd probably never tell him) it looks great on him. He would look weird and unnatural with hair. At around 18 I noticed my hair was going a bit thin, my old man once said to me: So what would you do if your hair started to go. My reply was: Just shave it off. It's only hair.

But when the time came...

Yes, you guessed it. I fought nature like hell. I went to consultations, looking at ways to keep my hair, to regrow my hair; anything to not be like my Dad.

At 18 it didn't seem fair. Why me? Why not my friends? I had never had a problem with confidence. I'd considered modelling (don't want to blow my own trumpet, but if no one else will!) but decided against it. I enjoyed playing sport and hanging out with friends. Now it seemed like everything had to stop. Why? Because I was losing my mop!

The lengths we go to in order to deny the obvious, the inevitable, the hand we were dealt. I would use a can of hair spray a day to keep it in place, wear an utterly ridiculous hair band to keep it down when I played sport. I was forever fiddling and touching my hair. I don't know why because the hair I had I hated. At 20 it was really going. My confidence remained in tact for the most part, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't keep me awake at night. Because it did. A lot.

I got into a relationship with a woman from work who is quite a bit older than me. She was, apart from my Dad, the first person I ever spoke to at any length about what I was going through. And you can probably guess what she said: Shave it off, please!

It affected our sex life, it was affecting my performance on the pitch at football, I would shower at hers but refuse to get my hair wet. So, one day before I was due to fly to Prague with a few friends, I did it. My Dad shaved my head and it's the best thing I've done in a long, long time.

Of course, at first I was unsure. But it's been two months now and the changes are incredible. I don't worry about balding, because I'm not. I'm bald, I'm healthy and most of all...I'm happy. Everyone has commented positively, even my friends (after some ribbing, of course) urged me to keep it this way.

What I want to say to young guys who are in my situation is this. I know how you feel, I sympathise with you. I've been there, at the bottom of a can of hair spray. It doesn't seem fair, it seems like everything will change. And it will. But I truly believe things will change for the better.

My girlfriend loves it. My friends and family think it looks so much better.

But most of all...I love it.

Think about your life, about the things that really matter, about the people who really care about you. The people you know now and the people you will meet in the future. The likelyhood is that if they're bothered about whether you've got hair on your head or not, they don't really matter.

Personally I try not to judge people on their looks. I will give as much time to a girl with a 34b cup as I will with a girl who has 34dd's. It's just your body. It's not who you are.

Guys, please, don't let your hair hold you back. Hold back your hair and shave it off!

Be brave, be bold, be bald!

Thanks for listening

Lol

[Paul]

Welcome to the forum Lol and thanks for sharing that uplifiting and positive point of view.  It is a must read for all the younger bros struggling with the decision to go sly.

[PeripheralxMvmnt]

This is like the poster child story to why us young ones need to shave if its falling out. Well done, and welcome!

[Lol]

Hey guys and thanks

If our stories and shared experiences can help at least one person see the light at the end of the tunnel, then we did something right!!

[MLNHD]

Lol, welcome, and thanks for sharing that very positive attitude.   

[The Scottish Ambassador]

A big Scottish welcome and thanks for that uplifting intron

[Sean25]

Such a very true post.. Congrats on the decision.

[Tyler]

Great intro!  Welcome!

[Ghost1988]

great post man. you should post a pic. you seem like a nice dude.

also.....how much hair did you lose before you decided to shave it off? are we talking bald or badly thinning? its good that a lot of young guys can relate.

[DCdome]

Hey Lol,

Welcome here, buddy.  A story that will inspire all the young lads.  Thanks for that.

[BlackJamesRackham]

welcome aboard!

[flatdave]

Welcome Lol!  What an inspiration your story will have for alot of other future Sly Guys.

[DuffRyder17]

yep, the first half of your story sounds alot like mine.
Glad to have you on the team. see you around.

[Stu]

great story and great decision... welcome

[20, bald, and loving it]

Great story and welcome