Sly Bald Guys Forum

Discussions About Being Bald => To be or not be...Bald => Topic started by: Itsonlyinmyhead on April 06, 2007, 01:40:08 PM

Title: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Itsonlyinmyhead on April 06, 2007, 01:40:08 PM
Well I got this link off another forum hairlosstalk.
Im a 23 year old, Im blonde, have been losing my hair since I was 15 but at a slow pace
Ive been thinking about shaving my head for the last couple of months since my hair is getting too thin and receeded. I have come to terms with all this so Im not one of these guys who is a majorly despressed because of this.

BUT

I really dont think it would suit me as

1. Im skinny
2. my ears stick out abit
3. my nose isnt small
4. I just generally dont think it would suit my head shape

and I dont think my family would like it all as they are quite conservative

Any advice would be more than welcome
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Dtopford on April 06, 2007, 02:38:17 PM
welcome Itsonlyinmyhead All I can tell ya is that this is a gathering of a great bunch of people. I am sure teh others will post thier opinions and thoughts also. As for myself I havn't seen a pic yet of a bad looking sly every one has imperfections on their heads both real and imagined (I have a flat spot LOL). The only thing I can tell you is that I shaved it a couple weeks ago and I love it, been shaving every two days since to keep it slick.

Good luck with your decision and once again welcome. O0
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Paul on April 06, 2007, 02:39:07 PM
Welcome Itso, glad you found us.  If you check out alot of the other threads you'll see that almost every guy here had a concern about a believed imperfection.  After going sly these concerns disappear and are replaced with confidence about yourself and your appearance.  Because we care about our family and friends, their views are always important.  But it is your head and you should be able to show them that it would be important for you to go sly.  
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Razor X on April 06, 2007, 02:50:30 PM


I really dont think it would suit me as

1. Im skinny
2. my ears stick out abit
3. my nose isnt small
4. I just generally dont think it would suit my head shape

and I dont think my family would like it all as they are quite conservative

Any advice would be more than welcome

These are the same thoughts that most of us had prior to taking the plunge.   Here are my thoughts:

1.  Being too skinny or too fat is a separate issue altogether.  Join a gym and bulk up (or slim down as the case may be).  It's no reason not to shave  your head.

2.  Your ears are supposed to stick out a bit

3.  Your nose size is what it is.   Shaving your head isn't going to make it look any bigger or any smaller.  It will look the same as it does now.

4.  Another common fear that almost never turns out to be the case.  Nobody's head shape is perfect; we're all just far more critical of our own appearances than we are of other people's.  I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, but if it makes you feel better, post a photo of yourself and we'll all give you our honest opinions.

As for your family, they may very well not like it.  Mine didn't, and I took some flack for it.  And to be honest, that is one of the biggest reasons I put it off for as long as I did.  But in the end, you have to do what you want.  They will get used to it.  They may not ever really love it, but they'll still love you, and eventually they'll shut up about your hair.  Believe me, if my mom finally shut up about it, anybody will.

If you've gotten to the point where you're seriously considering shaving, then you owe it to yourself to give it a try.  In my experience, you will know no peace until you do, because  you will always be wondering what it's like.  Just remember, it's not a permanent change unless you want it to be.  Your hair will grow back more quickly than you think, if you don't like it.   In all likelihood, you'll be very happy with the results.  Most people are.  And if you don't like it, at least you will have found out for sure.

Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Tyler on April 06, 2007, 03:07:46 PM
Welcome man!  You have one thing that many of us wish we had - blonde hair.  This puts you one step ahead of many of us because you will have little or no shadow whatsoever. 

As for your fears, listen to RazorX.  I have yet to meet a guy that didn't wonder why he didn't shave his head sooner.
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: schro on April 06, 2007, 04:09:34 PM
Family will come around, it's more about how you will feel about yourself. Do you think your conservative family would prefer a comb over ? My conservative father was always harping on us to cut our hair (into "hair bands" in the 80s). You can't get any shorter than SLY.

I love my look, and I know everyone else here loves their look and the decision they made to go sly.
Good luck with your decision.
Schro
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Razor X on April 06, 2007, 04:11:17 PM
Do you think your conservative family would prefer a comb over ?


One of my aunts actually suggested that I do that.  I shot that idea down immediately.
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: schro on April 06, 2007, 04:28:16 PM
 b0x3r TAKE THAT, AUNTIE!
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: iBald on April 06, 2007, 04:49:05 PM
Try this one at a time.


Well I got this link off another forum hairlosstalk.
Im a 23 year old, Im blonde, have been losing my hair since I was 15 but at a slow pace
Ive been thinking about shaving my head for the last couple of months since my hair is getting too thin and receeded. I have come to terms with all this so Im not one of these guys who is a majorly despressed because of this.

BUT
I really dont think it would suit me as

1. Im skinny

Brager!!!

I take an asprin and gain 5lbs.

Seriously, you are skinny with hair and will be skinny without, makes no difference.

Quote
2. my ears stick out abit

They will with thining hair too.

Have you watched American Idol this season? Seriously. Phil is bald with larger ears then normal and it looks fine on him. Now he wears too many hats but he looks good with the bald head.




Quote
3. my nose isnt small

Doesn't matter.


Quote
4. I just generally dont think it would suit my head shape

and I dont think my family would like it all as they are quite conservative

Any advice would be more than welcome

Do what I did, go with a buzz at first and wait two days to see if YOU like it. Then go all the way. Conservative... Hmm most consevatives are very pro military and most of my military friends are buzzed or sly.  It's your life, you choose, not them.

Buzz short then shave... If you don't try it, you'll will always wonder what it will be like. Also if your thining hair is effecting your confidence, then going sly will give you some. A must if you're 23. I wish I went sly back then.

Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: blondeguy on April 06, 2007, 06:06:15 PM
Welcome to SBG!

1. Im skinny

So am I.

Quote
2. my ears stick out abit

Everyone's ears stick out a little.  Trust me, nobody will notice.  In fact, after I shaved my head, nobody ever glances at the top of my head or ears when speaking to me.  People can't help but zero in on your face, which will stand out more.

Quote
3. my nose isnt small

I have a long, pointy nose.

Quote
4. I just generally dont think it would suit my head shape

This is a common fear.  You have to understand that every bump and ridge you feel with your hands is exaggerated in your mind, and it will all disappear when it blends into the rest of your shaved skin.

Quote
and I dont think my family would like it all as they are quite conservative

This one's a toughie, because my family was supportive.  I suspect it won't be as much of an issue as you think it might be, but you do have to keep in mind that shaving your head is something you have to want to do, and that's what should count to them.
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Robmeister on April 06, 2007, 06:06:43 PM
Welcome, I.O.I.M.H!!!

Lotsa good advice here already.....take heed, well-met fellow O0
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Beer Barron on April 06, 2007, 06:21:39 PM
Welcome to the group Itsonlyinmyhead.  The only thing I'll add is that you'll never know until you sly, I mean try.   ;)
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Itsonlyinmyhead on April 07, 2007, 04:50:26 AM
Wow, I posted last night(UK time) and I get all this.
 Its pretty amazing how positive everyone is. On the hairloss forum everyone seems to be so down.
 Cheers for the comments. I just wish I could find out what it looked like before but I suppose thats impossible.
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Ian on April 07, 2007, 06:30:27 AM
I'm in the UK aswell,if your not sure about going Sly then go down to a grade 2 or 1,it wont be such a big change that way.Have you spoke to your parents about it? my Mum (R.I.P) was the one that told me to go & get it shaved in the first place.
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Robmeister on April 07, 2007, 07:07:37 AM
I just wish I could find out what it looked like before but I suppose thats impossible.

There is such a place you can go!

http://headshave.baldlygo.com/

Click on the "Shave Me" button

The owner of this site will do a photoshop of any photo you email him.  If you don't mind waiting a while....I think he'll do it for free (but it could be a long wait).

If you pay $10.00, he'll turn it around in like 72 hours and he'll do 4 renderings with various facial hair if you like.

Give it a try....I did back before I shaved.....here's mine from back in October.


(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi176.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw166%2Frobmeisterbrau%2FIntimidator.jpg&hash=f83b73fa75b71e5804f1714d032592d33df673dd)

(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi176.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw166%2Frobmeisterbrau%2FIntimidator2.jpg&hash=63e277c19d60f490814c066450f268ec871f4988)
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: BaldBen on April 07, 2007, 07:25:58 AM
I dont think my family would like it all as they are quite conservative
Any advice would be more than welcome
Go for it dude. You only live once. The Sly way is the only way!!

my Mum (R.I.P) was the one that told me to go & get it shaved in the first place.
My Mom (R.I.P.) was not very supportive with me shaving my hair. She was the best in every other way.
Just lost her two weeks ago. I'd give anything to tell her how much she meant to me just one last time. This will be the first Easter without Mom's cooking. It's been a very difficult and painful time.
My wife, on the other hand can't get enough of the slick shiny dome and she's a not a bad cook either!!
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Professor Melon on April 07, 2007, 07:46:11 AM
 O0 Ahoy, Itsonly. Welcome aboard. All your fears are well known here. We all were apprehensive about the issues you raise, particularly the possibly negative response of your family. Fortunately, my wife supported the honest shaved look I wanted from the get-go. If YOU are pleased with yourself, that will make others find you attractive. RazorX gave you some solid advice. I started shaving on 4th November '06 and would not go back to the anxiety and inexorable slow process of balding--not to mention the pills and sprays--if you paid me. As to your bumps and ears, send a pic; one's own perceptions are often subjective and wrong. Try it at least once; stay shaved bald long enough to get over the shock of the new image; and then determine if you want to resume the image that has proven increasingly unacceptable. Godspeed, Professor Melon
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Ian on April 07, 2007, 07:56:28 AM
My Mom (R.I.P.) was not very supportive with me shaving my hair. She was the best in every other way.
Just lost her two weeks ago. I'd give anything to tell her how much she meant to me just one last time. This will be the first Easter without Mom's cooking. It's been a very difficult and painful time.

Sorry to hear that,its a hard time.I lost mine 4 yrs ago & reading that post really choked me
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Itsonlyinmyhead on April 07, 2007, 02:04:55 PM
Well thanks again, this is a very supportive and positive forum. I am quite amazed.
 I think Ill give that website a go see if he can do a few photos for me from different angles.
 and
Ill probably get my head buzzed(see if I like the short look) pretty soon.

I suppose this is so hard because its so different for me as Ive never had my hair shaved, buzzed or anything near. The shortest before is about an inch long. I am used to(before the last year) to having my hair to about my eyebrows, kinda the surfer look with my sandy blonde hair and having it kinda spiked(the bed hair look) but with any product or my hair spiked my hair looks rubbish hence why Im thinking of shaving it.
 
Like I said Im not upset by hairloss since I realised when I was about 12 that I would follow the way of my father. and by the age of 15 I had started receeding.

But on the other hand one of my co workers said to me dont shave it till you have no option as you will never be able to grow it again. He is a sly guy(not on this forum, well to my knowledge). He is happy, has a good job with good money, is getting married and has given me some sound advice over numerous topics and is confident.
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Razor X on April 07, 2007, 02:14:44 PM

But on the other hand one of my co workers said to me dont shave it till you have no option as you will never be able to grow it again.


It can be tricky knowing when it's the right time to shave.  With me, it was always a question of when, not if, I would shave.  I wanted to hold onto my hair for as long as it looked reasonably good.   When I shaved it, I thought I was jumping the gun a little bit, but I was really tired of the thinning hair.  Now when I look back at some of my old photos, I realize I did not jump the gun and probably waited a little too long. 

Right now I am more of the viewpoint that guys should just shave it all off, as soon as they feel they're ready to take the plunge - even if you don't "have to" yet.  If you've gotten to the point where you "have to" then you've waited too long. 
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: blondeguy on April 07, 2007, 07:20:54 PM
Everyone has their reasons for doing it, but the net effect is universally positive as you can gleam from every poster on these boards.  In my case, I had a surprise boost of confidence and realized how unhappy I  had been even though I didn't know it.  For me, shaving my head was symbolic of an overall attitude change.  And I have this site to thank for motivating me to do it!
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Itsonlyinmyhead on April 08, 2007, 04:22:59 AM
Blondeguy-Well your the guy that inspired me to come to this website, so if I shave my head (looking about 90% likely) its your fault/you inspired me javascript:replaceText(' :D', document.forms.postmodify.message);
Cheesy
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: Tom McGarry. on April 08, 2007, 06:07:56 AM
My Mom (R.I.P.) was not very supportive with me shaving my hair. She was the best in every other way.
Just lost her two weeks ago. I'd give anything to tell her how much she meant to me just one last time. This will be the first Easter without Mom's cooking. It's been a very difficult and painful time.

Sorry to hear that,its a hard time.I lost mine 4 yrs ago & reading that post really choked me
Let me welcome you to the group Itsonlyinmyhead, also I don't think that there is much more to be said, I too know the pain ov loosing someone close, as I lost my fauther two years ago the day befor his birthday. But I think that all our parents would just like to see us happy in life and enjoying it and embraceing everything life has to offer. I think that the ultamate desission weather or not to shave your head is yours, and you should do what ever makes you happy, and feel better about yourself and about life.
Title: Re: To do it or to not!!!
Post by: BaldBen on April 08, 2007, 07:05:52 AM
I too know the pain of loosing someone close, as I lost my father two years ago the day before his birthday. But I think that all our parents would just like to see us happy in life and enjoying it and embracing everything life has to offer. I think that the ultimate decision whether or not to shave your head is yours, and you should do what ever makes you happy, and feel better about yourself and about life.
I guess life is far too short. What it all comes down to is making choices that make you happy. And since I have both of parents looking down on me this Easter, I know that they want me to enjoy and embrace everything life has to offer. So cheers to everyone. Have a Sly Easter Sunday!!