Sly Bald Guys Forum
Discussions About Being Bald => To be or not be...Bald => Topic started by: Camp on December 28, 2008, 11:07:03 PM
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As a preface--I have posted here before under a different account...but I had trouble remembering my password so I made a new account.
Anyway, I'm off to the fire academy as of January 7. I couldn't be more excited for it! Before I go to the academy I have one thing I feel I need to take care of--my lack of hair. I'm 22 years old, I believe I am a fairly good looking guy, and I generally have a high self-esteem...except when it comes to my hair. I have always worn my hair long to cover up my receding hairline (which started receding at probably 16 or so), but my hair is thin and wispy so when the slightest breeze blows by, my hair flies all around my head and exposes my ever-worsening hairline. My hairline was the butt of plenty of jokes through highschool, and it hasn't gotten any better since college. I am in one of my friends phones listed as 'five-head' (because the space between my eyebrows and my hairline takes 5 fingers to cover up, vs the normal four).
I have a girlfriend...and I have brought up the idea of taking a clipper to my hair (I have been thinking a 2 or 3--but i am not ruling out the completely sly look ;)) but she hates the idea. I have tried to explain that it would be more practical for the academy, AND bolster my confidence, but she is convinced I am going to look horrible and that I should try 'thickening' shampoos on my hair and whatnot...which I am extremely against. My mother has had me using some shampoo for hair-loss since I was like 17--I think I actually got it as a birthday gift from her (thanks mom)! My parents also are on the 'don't shave your head, keep your hair til its unbearably thin' bandwagon. As far as I am concerned though, it is unbearably thin at this point AND I would rather give a righteous finger to MPB than suffer from it til I am 35 (an ideology I have picked up while reading this forum).
So, I am gonna try to upload a pic of me so that you guys can tell me to shave my head... I need a little encouragement before I take the plunge. For a little background, the pic was taking on possibly the greatest day of my life--the day I learned to surf in Maui.
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff183%2Fdie4one%2Fsurfresize2.jpg&hash=00aefb3c76cf9040e487129208b8ac0d3e5da438)
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As far as I am concerned though, it is unbearably thin at this point ....
I agree; it's time to turn to the razor. It's obviously bothering you and it will continue to bother you until you take care of the problem. You don't see many 22-year-olds going around with thinning hair, but you do see plenty of them with shaved heads. You'll look a lot less out of place with a shaved head; in fact I think it would really suit you. It will do wonders for your confidence and allow you to stop obsessing about your hair loss and instead concentrate on things that are important -- like getting started in the fire academy. You're young and physically fit; you shouldn't be going around with an old man's haircut. You know what needs to be done -- just find the courage to do it. If you're brave enough to face running into burning buildings, this should be a piece of cake. Now go do it. ;)
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Welcome back to the forum !! O0
If Razor tells you to turn to the razor, then get a razor and razor your head !! :D
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I think you should go for it and shave it all off. Obviously that's what you want to do and the opinions of others are holding you back. They'll get used to it and they'll notice how much happier you've become.
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It's time to take the razor to it.
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As others have said, and I agree, Go For It !
It's just a matter of taste and it's up to you, and you alone, as to wether or not to shave your head.
Give it a go, speaking from personal experience you feel and look a lot better and it works wonders for your self confidence.
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I have tried to explain that it would be more practical for the academy, AND bolster my confidence, but she is convinced I am going to look horrible...
1. It would be more practical for the academy.
2. It would bolster your confidence.
3. You would NOT look horrible. I have yet to see a single guy who looks horrible with a shaved head.
Go for it, man. I almost guarantee you won't regret it. My wife thought I'd look horrible bald too. She still prefers me with hair, but she's cool with it now and I love it. Give it 30 days. If you want to grow it back, you can. Once the idea of shaving is in your head, you won't be satisfied 'til you at least try it.
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Hi, Camp! First of all, welcome to the forum. Second, I will be uncharacteristically blunt and say that if your pic and avatar are really you, then anything would be an improvement over your present appearance. I mean, I don't mean to be mean, but that hair just looks plain nasty. Several years ago, I ran across a picture of a guy and his two teenage sons who were out surfing, and all three had shaved heads, and they looked fantastic. I wish I knew where the picture was, so I could show it to you and prove that the bald look can be every bit as cool as "Beach Boy hair". As for the women in your life, it might take a while, but they will grow to like it as well. They are simply responding to society's pavlov's-dog conditioning that "bald = ugly", and it will take a bit to overcome that prejudice. And in the ninth place, do they allow you to dictate their hairstyles? I think not. Anyway, you might want to try a buzz (#4 = 1/2", #3 = 3/8", #2 = 1/4", #1 = 1/8") first, as it will allow both you and them to ease into the new look. Or, you might want to say "screw it! Let's just get it over with now" and take the razor to it all. Your choice.
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Welcome back to the Forum Camp!
No doubt your hair is to the point that action is needed. Not so much because of the photo but because of the thougghts you have in your head about it. If you were comfortable with it as it is I would say to keep it... but it is obvious that it bothers you.
So take it off.
My wife loves my shaved head and if I say I'm not going to shave ona ny given day she kind of goes "Oh........" and I wind p shaving it.
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Welcome!
Like the other guys say, go ahead and shave it. If you really don't like it, it will grow back.
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Camp I think pretty much everyone here experienced resistance to the idea of shaving their head, unfortunately bringing up the idea beforehand doesn't seem to work, the only way to get family on side is to go ahead and do it. Everyone I brought up the idea with before doing the deed was negative about it, until I got it done and they could see it for themselves. Then of course, the reaction was overwhelmingly positive. I can't recommend it enough, as it's evident you're not happy with your hair at the moment. But as a member of this forum in the past I'm sure you've heard this before. It's surprising how little other people care, and it grows back really quickly, so I say go ahead and go for it! Alls you have to do is get that courage up for those few moments in the barbers chair, to say 'f it' and just do it.
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It looks like you're a fan of water. You MUST buzz it down to nothing or take a razor to it. You'll absolutely love it. You have to ditch the thin wispy hair dude. Don't worry bro, you'll be a stud. Just do it.
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Dont' EVER listen to others when it comes to YOUR hair...
do it if you want bro..
fire dude and surfer..both need a carefree dude running the show..
pls one of the coolest surfers in the world is SLY...Kelly Slater..
now ask your girl...is HE ugly?
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Dont' EVER listen to others when it comes to YOUR hair...
do it if you want bro..
fire dude and surfer..both need a carefree dude running the show..
pls one of the coolest surfers in the world is SLY...Kelly Slater..
now ask your girl...is HE ugly?
"one" of the coolest surfers! :Xo!
BA, that must be a typo. You meant to say TWO of the coolest surfers in the world...
Kelly Slater and The Mighty A
You're right about carefree dudes not having to deal with hair.
Hair-free is the way to go. Life's a breeze being hair-free. 8)
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Dont' EVER listen to others when it comes to YOUR hair...
do it if you want bro..
fire dude and surfer..both need a carefree dude running the show..
pls one of the coolest surfers in the world is SLY...Kelly Slater..
now ask your girl...is HE ugly?
"one" of the coolest surfers! :Xo!
BA, that must be a typo. You meant to say TWO of the coolest surfers in the world...
Kelly Slater and The Mighty A
You're right about carefree dudes not having to deal with hair.
Hair-free is the way to go. Life's a breeze being hair-free. 8)
Sorry bro...my bad! ;)
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Hi, Camp! First of all, welcome to the forum. Second, I will be uncharacteristically blunt and say that if your pic and avatar are really you, then anything would be an improvement over your present appearance. I mean, I don't mean to be mean, but that hair just looks plain nasty. Several years ago, I ran across a picture of a guy and his two teenage sons who were out surfing, and all three had shaved heads, and they looked fantastic. I wish I knew where the picture was, so I could show it to you and prove that the bald look can be every bit as cool as "Beach Boy hair". As for the women in your life, it might take a while, but they will grow to like it as well. They are simply responding to society's pavlov's-dog conditioning that "bald = ugly", and it will take a bit to overcome that prejudice. And in the ninth place, do they allow you to dictate their hairstyles? I think not. Anyway, you might want to try a buzz (#4 = 1/2", #3 = 3/8", #2 = 1/4", #1 = 1/8") first, as it will allow both you and them to ease into the new look. Or, you might want to say "screw it! Let's just get it over with now" and take the razor to it all. Your choice.
I appreciate your bluntess! That is really me, and that is really what it looks like when its wet. I assure you it isn't THAT BAD all the time (i.e. when it is dry), but its still not good.
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Welcome back, Camp. There's just one way to find out if a shaved head is for you and what your friends/family/co-workers will say. And that's to get to a good barber and have him take it down as short as possible. If you like what you see, you're just a swipe of the Mach 3 from joining our slick sly ranks! Go for it...
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Your pic indicates 1) you would look great with a shaved head and 2) you need it. No sense fighting a losing battle especially when you know it will only boost your confidence. I'm amazed that so many people in your life think that your hair looks ok (not to be mean), especially when you have expressed a desire to shave it. Do it, and let them see how happy it makes you. If they still don't like it, well too damn bad.
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I am always surprised by ppl, who are automatically opposed to buzzed and shaved heads... being a libertarian, I must allow everyone to express their preference, but I just can't understand how they come to a conclusion that thinning, receding hair is superior to a buzz or shave... which I think looks tremendously better.
to each his own I suppose, but to shoot down an idea without giving it a fair shot is just a shame.
If you want to buzz your head then do it. give it a try.... you will most likely enjoy it, if not the hair will grow back...
as far as your g/f I dunno what to say. some ppl just can't be reasoned with
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Many years ago, shaved heads were regarded as freaked out or biker-style. This guy should just give it a shot with the modern world. It can always grow back.
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in 30 min--I have a date with an executioner. I'll post pics of the aftermath...
;D
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(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff183%2Fdie4one%2F1229081647a.jpg&hash=aefa09a2bee2460cda9aa22c8ae5962392bb924c)
SO--I've always said that I could not go through life without having a mo-hawk at one point. So here is my new mohawk--the sides are a 0. In a week or so, I'm gonna take the hawk off and keep it at a 0 or so all over.
My father has already told me I look like a white supremacist by the way...
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oh man, I always wanted to try that. Unfortunately the "hawk" part fell out out before I could. Looks cool man. You're just a 2" strip away from being sly now. Congrats!
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tell the old man that marty22 said it was kewl., LOL
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Just think, two swipes and you are sly
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Cool. Very Travis Bickle!
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I'd recommend shaving your head for the academy. After you complete the academy, you can always let your hair grow back. In a month or two you could have your mohawk again, but may be you'll prefer to keep the sly-look. The others in your life may agree after they get use to you being sly.
Great mohawk!
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Cool 'hawk! And congratulations on going through with it.
In a week or so, I'm gonna take the hawk off and keep it at a 0 or so all over.
You'll be missing out on the best part of being sly if you don't scrape your whole noggin' clean with a razor. A zero can't compare to to a completely smooth scalp. You have to at least give it a try.
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(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi47.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Ff183%2Fdie4one%2F1229081647a.jpg&hash=aefa09a2bee2460cda9aa22c8ae5962392bb924c)
SO--I've always said that I could not go through life without having a mo-hawk at one point. So here is my new mohawk--the sides are a 0. In a week or so, I'm gonna take the hawk off and keep it at a 0 or so all over.
My father has already told me I look like a white supremacist by the way...
Nice!!! O0
Good move man...
just take Razor's advice...you gotta try 100% smooth to the skin..none of this "0" stuff...
nothin' like real BALD bro!
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alright--so the girlfriend saw my mo-hawk tonight. She wasn't SUPER pleased with it--but she didn't dump me so that's a plus. I have had the hawk for about 9 hours now, and I couldn't be happier with it. Also--I can't stop rubbing my head ha ha. I have ZERO regrets about shaving my hair off and I look forward to becoming SLY soon--although I'll have to warm the girlfriend up to the idea first...
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Camp... congrats on trying the hawk - looks good. If you love the feel of your head now, imagine how much you'd love it if it was completely sly. Once you lose the hawk, you should shave it at least once to see if YOU like it. If you find that you do like it, you'll feel more confident about your looks, and that confidence will show to others. As a side note, before I went sly I had been gradually buzzing it closer and closer and then just went for it without telling anyone first. No one really noticed at first and I had to point it out. Once my friends and family realized I had shaved my dome and they saw how much I liked it, they were accepting of it as well. My point is it's your hair and your life - you need to think about what you want first and others can accept it or not.
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Hello, without being rude I think it looks awful, sorry.
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Hello, without being rude I think it looks awful, sorry.
HAH! No REAL offense taken....but to turn your comment into something that resembles CONSTRUCTIVE criticism--do you think that I look better when I take the hawk off?
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It has to be interesting to see people's reaction to the Hawk. Have fun with it, and post an update when you take the next step. I think you will look awesome when you shave it all. By the way, how can one say, 'Hello, without being rude...' and then proceed to make a rude comment?... makes no sense to me. But then I don't think there are any 'Vamp' posts that have made sense anyway.
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Welcome and that looks waaaaaaaaaay WICKED BRO!!!
Don't worry on any awkward reactions to the hawk, besides your much younger than anyone who might not take to it but amongst your peer group, guyz u hang with and your girl as you mentioned, will love it.
If or when you decide on trying the sly route, I think it'll look banging going on those pics O0
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Camp ~ if you have the stones to sport a mohawk (and obviously you do) then a slick, smooth razor job is absolutely NO stretch! You like the way the no-guard buzz feels. I can promise that the difference between that and completely peeled is lightyears. I have a sneeking suspicion you'll be applying steel to cranium soon. It will look terrific.
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do you think that I look better when I take the hawk off?
You weren't askin me...
but I'd say 100%...
YES bro!
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So--the fire academy starts on Wednesday, and since I always like to be EARLY with things, I shaved off my mohawk tonight. I was sad to see it go--but no biggie.
Hair grows FAST! I used to get my hair cut once every 6 months or so.... and after like a WEEK I have lots more hair again! This is going to take some getting used to.
So right now, my hair is at a #1. HONESTLY, I don't think it'd bother me to go sly at this point--but I think my girlfriend would have my head....so while I warm her up to the idea (and hopefully the weather warms up) I think I'm going to keep my hair at a 1.
On a sidenote--having a mohawk is a lot of fun! I got the craziest looks from little kids and old people--it was awesome. Also, I felt like it gave me a big confidence boost to go from long hair down to a hawk...and likewise--I think when I go from the 1 to sly, I'll be more confident.
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Good luck at the academy !! Hope everything goes well for you !! O0
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I regret not giving myself a mohawk for a weekend when I shaved by head. I couldn't get away with it at work, although I found out one guy here has a mohawk but always wears a cap, so you'd never know.
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Personally, I didn't care for the mohawk look. Of course I'm a senior citizen and stuck in my ways. If you liked it, great. I, however believe the sly look would suit you better. I have a full head of hair and decided to shave the noggin' and I loved it. I can't imagine the #1 route. The stubble of missing one day shaving drove me nuts. A smooth scalp is the only way to go. For the most part, I received compliments after shaving and basically didn't care about the negative people's opinions. By the way, welcome back to the forum and good luck at the academy.
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I have a bet going with some of my struggling students that if they are earning an A at the end of the semester I will grow my hair out and get a Mohawk for the summer. Should be interesting.
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I have a bet going with some of my struggling students that if they are earning an A at the end of the semester I will grow my hair out and get a Mohawk for the summer. Should be interesting.
Do you have to keep it for the whole summer?