Sly Bald Guys Forum

Discussions About Being Bald => 30 Day Rule / Beginners Section => Topic started by: MunkyMunk on October 12, 2015, 06:44:50 PM

Title: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 12, 2015, 06:44:50 PM: Only my second day; here goes.
It was very cold in my house after I shaved; I'm guessing that my body will adjust its thermostat and I'll get used to it soon. I wore a hoodie out to the bus stop this morning, which helped.

One good thing is that my wife said my new look is "sexy." 8) That's good, and pretty unexpected. I don't think she expected to like it as much as she does.

Lots of double-takes at work today, and lots of people asking, "Why?!" A few folks said I look good like this. One woman who likes my new look shared with me that her husband is also fully bald. She even showed me a pic of him. I guess she's part of the ladies auxiliary of the brotherhood of bald men. :)

I'm happy that all the shaving I did hasn't seemed to cause any skin irritation or bumps or anything. That seems to be a good sign that I'll be able to do this long-term.

I'm surprised at the amount of stubble I've got already. I never thought my hair grew fast, but it's really noticeable when it's so short. I'll have to shave again tonight or tomorrow morning.

Spent the day reading reviews of razors. Trying to decide whether to buy a HeadBlade and which other stuff to get (HeadLube Matte maybe?). It's all kind of expensive, though. For now I'll stick with my disposables. I'm leaning toward a HeadBlade Sport, though.

So, to anyone thinking about shaving their head, go for it! Reactions have been mostly positive (or bemused!), and I feel good about it!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: tobler1 on October 12, 2015, 07:06:29 PM: Awesome summary! Glad to hear it's going well.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: mrzed on October 12, 2015, 07:39:01 PM: Just had some personal communication with Todd Greene at Head Blade. He's the president. He uses the SPORT model himself. Prefers it over the ATX which they sell in stores. I agree.

I like the sound of the 'ladies auxiliary'! All ladies at my house, except me. Wife and three daughters.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 12, 2015, 11:31:20 PM: I shaved my head again tonight. I had watched a number of YouTube videos in which the guys shaved their heads while standing at the sink, so I decided to give that a go.
I used one of the same razors I used two days ago, and maybe that was a mistake, or maybe the mistake was not giving my stubble enough time to soften up like it would have in the shower, but I ended up with a bunch of bloody spots on my scalp and a lot of tenderness now.
Also, is it normal for my scalp to be mostly pretty numb? It was numb yesterday also, before I inflicted all this damage to my scalp.

Next time I'll do it in the shower again, after plenty of soaking time to soften up the stubble. Ouch. :'(
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: john.peachie on October 12, 2015, 11:49:52 PM: Daily shaving at first is a tender experience, the same goes for the temperature sensitivity. It took 2 weeks for my head to acclimate to being sly.

Back to the shaving routine, I tried daily shaves at first, but like you my skin was very sensitive and very uncomfortable with a few bumps. I noticed after 2 weeks, I was able to daily shave with no discomfort, most of the bumps on my head were shorn off and healed. Also, shaving against the grain will become more comfortable, your body just takes a little time to adjust to the new routine.

That's excellent you are getting some real positive feedback! Keep us updated on your progress. O0
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 13, 2015, 12:24:18 AM: Thanks much, John - I'll keep at it. Good to know I'm not totally abnormal (at least in this one area of my life!).
I'll wait a couple of days before shaving again, and I think I'll go back to shaving in the shower, after letting the hair soften up a bit.
Also plan to give a HeadBlade a try.
Thanks again. Great bunch of folks on this board!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 13, 2015, 12:29:39 AM: Thanks mrzed! Based on your recommendation, I'm going to give the Sport a try. If that doesn't work out for me, I might give the ATX a try.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: Semi-Sly on October 13, 2015, 01:28:58 AM: Yes, for me there was the false numbness when I first shave after not having done it for a while seems like the nerve endings are used to being yanked around by rhe hairs and when thrybarevsuddenly not there........ But the "numbness" goes away within a day or two.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: Quiet_Dan on October 13, 2015, 01:49:48 AM: glad you like it mate, I'm a shower shaver too, It works well for me. As for a shaver I use a Mach3, I did try electric shavers but they were pretty rough on my scalp
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: Laser Man on October 13, 2015, 07:37:44 AM: I'd avoid shaving twice a day at first because your scalp will become irritated pretty quickly. I'm not sure I have any scientific proof, but in my case, the longer I've been shaving, the more slowly my hair grows. At first, the stubble was noticeable to the touch by 10:30 - 11:00 in the morning, but now it's more like 4:00 in the afternoon. (this is after 4 1/2 years of daily shaving)

As to temperature sensitivity, it's common to notice how cold and drafty it is. This will diminish a bit, but a bald head will still always be more sensitive to temperature, so be ready to wear caps / hats. It's also normal for your scalp to feel a bit odd at first. It's been covered by hair and now is exposed to the elements. As time passes and you shave regularly, it will toughen up and you won't notice the difference.

Lastly, I'm glad your wife likes your shaved head. I shaved my head as part of a charity fundraiser and my wife immediately liked my new "look" - so much so that I have continued to shave daily for 4 1/2 years! It's good to have support from your wife.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: slybeard on October 13, 2015, 08:02:52 AM: Shaving in the shower will be easier on your scalp, at least for now. Try an anti-fog shower mirror if you don't have one. I found the Headblade did not work well for me. But according to others, it may take more time than I gave it. I use either the Persona M5 or the Micro-tough razors and have had good success with both. Good Luck!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: Cave Dweller on October 13, 2015, 08:16:01 AM: Sorry the second shave did not go so well for you. It will get easier with time and experience.

As for the sensitivity to cold, I empathize. Right after I started shaving, I had to buy an assortment of beanies just to wear at my desk at the office.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 13, 2015, 10:35:31 AM: In reviewing my posts, I see how it would seem as though I've been shaving my head more frequently than I actually have. I've only shaved my head twice in my life: Saturday afternoon and Monday evening.

Already I am feeling less sensitive to the cold. I'm less cold at home and I performed the bulk of my morning travels today without a hood.

My head is also not as badly nicked up and irritated as it felt last night. I think I also did a better job of getting all the hair shaved off, though I did still miss a few spots.

I've also ordered a new fleece beanie hat to wear when the temperature drops even more.

Thanks again, everyone. And don't worry that I'm going to be writing every day - my posting will taper off, it's just that every aspect of being bald is brand new to me right now. :)

~ Munk
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: mrzed on October 13, 2015, 06:26:26 PM: In the early days, try not to scrape your head to be absolutely smooth. That will come soon enough.

Some good after shave head cream (Nivea, or Head Lube, etc) hand lotion if you don't have anything else? Coconut oil ... etc.

A good hot towel, or wash cloth to soften up the hair. Lather and let it sit there awhile before shaving. Shave secret oil mixed in with the shave cream or perhaps just as a pre-treatment.

Good ideas.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: nuts on October 13, 2015, 08:23:01 PM: Great story. Always a bonus if wife or partner is happy with the look. I'm up to 11+ years now and my bald look is never commented on - not that I would be prepared to change.

My beard is a bit longer that usual (nearly 50 years) but the weather has warmed up in Australia so might go shorter again.

Roger

Just realised in my street where about 10 men live 4 have shaved heads.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 13, 2015, 09:48:41 PM: Okay, two interesting things today:

1. A woman who works in my office saw me today and told me that she thinks I've found "my look." She liked my bald look.
2. A woman at the bus stop who I see every day but who has never spoken to me before commented on my shaved head and that I picked the wrong time of year to do it. She then told me that it looks good.

Very interesting. Very affirming.

Thank you tobler1, mrzed, john.peachie, Semi-Sly, Quiet_Dan, npsbg, slybeard, Cave Dweller, and nuts for the help and encouragement!
I'll try to post a pic soon...
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: john.peachie on October 14, 2015, 12:18:03 AM: Looking forward to seeing the pics!

I need to get a new passport and with that comes a new picture, perhaps I can get a matching background for my avatar.

Cheers,
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 15, 2015, 09:06:23 PM: Okay, I'm back. I shaved my head again last night and I realized why I had little spots of fuzz all over my head: I'd been holding my razor at the wrong angle for my head! Duh!
I was dragging the head of the razor over the fuzz, so I was getting that little scraping sound which usually means that hair is being cut by the razor, but it wasn't the blades that were going over the hair!

I had to learn to keep the handle held up higher in the air when shaving my head. I'm guessing that the HeadBlade makes that part of shaving easier, so I've ordered one.

Also, I was wondering whether shaving my head would be easier with shorter hair, so I shaved my head again tonight.

I finally got that all-over shiny and smooth feeling! My fourth time shaving is my best shave ever.

Still a ton of little nicks and bleeding, though. Seriously, it looks like I have measles, there are so many little red dots on my scalp. Hopefully it will get less bloody as I keep practicing.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: tobler1 on October 16, 2015, 12:32:53 AM: It definitely gets quicker and easier over time. Doesn't mean you won't occasionally ding yourself shaving, though. Hazard of the look.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 17, 2015, 04:46:59 PM: In an effort to let my scalp heal up a bit, I didn't shave my head yesterday.
Today, however, my HeadBlade arrived in the mail. How could I get a new HeadBlade in the mail on not shave?

So I shaved my head today with a HeadBlade for the first time. I liked it! As I mentioned, one of the problems I had been having with a regular razor was holding it at the correct angle. The HeadBlade took care of that.

Before I used the HeadBlade, I kept practicing with it with the cover over the blade, just to get the hang of how to use it. I think this would be a good idea for anyone new to the HeadBlace.

The shave was pretty easy and it was nice and close. I still nicked myself alot, but I think that was just because I had a bunch of preexisting nicks that were raised up and cut open by the close shave of the HeadBlade.

I plan to let it go for a couple of days to let my scalp heal, then I plan to start shaving each morning, only with the grain to start.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 19, 2015, 03:29:24 PM: Okay, I'm posting a pic.
I'm letting my scalp rest to heal all the nicks I've inflicted on it, so I've got about two or three days' growth here.

(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi464.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Frr9%2Fhermit93%2FBald_Head001_zpscoipp807.jpg&hash=32894284186ef02708affa2c134194b64e8062f1) (http://s464.photobucket.com/user/hermit93/media/Bald_Head001_zpscoipp807.jpg.html)
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: Sir Harry on October 19, 2015, 03:48:52 PM: Beard and glasses are a nice touch! I can barely tell if you were a victim of MPB or not.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 19, 2015, 03:57:57 PM: I'm about a 2 on the Norwood scale, so I'm pretty much Bald By Choice.
Also, I need my pate to get some sun so it's not so blindingly white.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: reddog on October 19, 2015, 04:08:11 PM: No worries Munk, you look good with a,shaved head. Rock on!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: SlyMike on October 19, 2015, 05:01:37 PM: You look great with a shaved head, thanks for sharing the pics
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: tobler1 on October 19, 2015, 06:58:53 PM: I can't compare it to before, but I think you look great bald. No wonder strangers are telling you it looks good. It does!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: john.peachie on October 20, 2015, 03:58:14 AM: Looks just like your avatar! Good look, keep going with it! O0
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 20, 2015, 08:22:11 AM: Thanks, fellas. Just shaved my head again last night and did much better. I used a real feather touch, and the HeadBlade did a great job.
The encouragement is appreciated. :)
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: TheSlyBear on October 20, 2015, 09:29:07 AM: The look works well for you! Keeper.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 25, 2015, 05:51:36 PM: I post this for other newbies and folks who are considering going bald - my first few shaves were rough, but it's getting better. I seem to be finding what works for me.

Today I had my best head shave yet! Jumped in the shower. Used a little bit of shampoo, then used some St. Ives apricot scrub to exfoliate my scalp since I've got a touch of dandruff.
Then I put some shaving cream on my head and left it for a minute. Grabbed my Headblade ATX and started.

An old boss of mine who has been sly for years saw how nicked up my head is. He asked me whether I'm going nice and slow when I shaved my head. I hadn't been. I had been going fast, like in the Headblade demonstration video I had watched. So today I took it nice and slow, with a feather light touch.

Hardly any nicks at all today, whereas last week I was using paper towels to absorb the blood from my scalp. I still have some nicks and scabs on my scalp, and I still didn't get my head completely smooth, but it's getting better!

And, as a side note, my wife is finding that she really likes my head completely shaved. I mean, she really likes it. Like really. So I'd encourage everyone to give the 30-day challenge a try!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: mrzed on October 26, 2015, 03:55:31 AM: Quote from: MunkyMunk on October 25, 2015, 05:51:36 PM
And, as a side note, my wife is finding that she really likes my head completely shaved. I mean, she really likes it. Like really. So I'd encourage everyone to give the 30-day challenge a try!

I know what you mean. My wife really likes my bald head to, even BBC. Probably the only reason I'd go back to hair is if I became a quadriplegic and was unable to shave my head.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 27, 2015, 03:46:48 PM: The look is definitely a good one for you, mrzed. Our significant others can have such an impact on us that I'm glad your wife likes the bald look and I'm so thankful that my wife was open to the change.

I'm finding that my head has adapted pretty well to the temperature change. Even though it's getting chilly out, my head doesn't feel all that much colder than it did when I had a full head of hair. The first few days after shaving my head were super cold, but now it doesn't feel that cold anymore.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 31, 2015, 02:09:43 PM: Another reason that the 30-Day Challenge makes sense: It is now 21 days into my bald journey. Three weeks in and I just had the best head shave yet!

It's taken me this long to learn about my own head. Shaving one's face is relatively easy: you can see the whole thing in a mirror, and it's pretty clear which direction the hair grows. It's simple, repetitive, and easy to see if you've missed any spots.

The hair on top of my head grows forward. The hair in the back grows downward, the hair on the sides grows from front to back in a curved path around my ears. And the hair whorl? I just watched a relatively silly video on the web in which a comedian was asked how he shaves his head. He mentioned shaving in a whirlpool pattern around his whorl. Duh! Of course that's how I should do it! Why didn't I think of that?

So today I hit my whorl from every conceivable angle, and that sucker's finally smooth!

And I'm at risk of sounding like a shill here, but I have been having great results using HeadSlick shave cream and a HeadBlade ATX. The HeadBlade removes the need to make sure that you are holding your razor at the correct angle for each part of the uneven globe of your head. Just use it with a very light touch, not pressing down on it with your hand, and no nicks at all.

Awesome! O0
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: Sly Red on October 31, 2015, 02:37:17 PM: I can tell you, as a guy who has a lot of hair on my crown, it never gets any easier. I actually envy the guys who have major baldness. Makes shaving much easier.

Red
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on October 31, 2015, 04:45:12 PM: Quote from: Sly Red on October 31, 2015, 02:37:17 PM
I can tell you, as a guy who has a lot of hair on my crown, it never gets any easier. I actually envy the guys who have major baldness. Makes shaving much easier.

Red

I was actually feeling the same envy this morning, for the first time in my life!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on November 04, 2015, 09:00:54 PM: I've been shaving my head about every two days now. I think waiting any longer between shaves was making things rougher. Tonight I had the best, closest shave yet.

I have a question, though:
I can still see little marks on my scalp from the horrible butcher job I did on myself the first few times I shaved my head. Other people can see them, too.
Did any of you get them when you (repeatedly) nicked your head? Will these marks go away with time?
#3l*
Title: Achievement Unlocked : 30 DAYS BALD!
Post by: MunkyMunk on November 08, 2015, 06:23:26 PM: T O D A Y I S M Y 3 0 - D A Y M A R K ! ! !

I like the way I look bald. My wife has come to see it as a very good look for me. I just invested in replacement blades for my ATX.

So it's safe to say that I'll be staying bald past the 30-day challenge!

It's been valuable to stick with it for this long just because it's taken me this long to figure out how to shave my head effectively. And it's taken me a while to get used to the feel and the look. It's also, I think, taken this long for folks around me to get used to how I now look, and to get over thinking that it might just be a phase I was going through. Since I've been shaving my head for over four weeks, no one can just assume I'm doing it because I "lost a bet" or something like that.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: mrzed on November 08, 2015, 08:17:31 PM: YES! Thus the 30 day rule! You've proved that it works. It's a good rule to have.

Good to hear your story.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: Laser Man on November 09, 2015, 08:52:27 AM: Congratulations on completing 30 days! As you noticed, it takes time to adjust to the look and feel of being sly, not just for you, but also for others. Regardless of how long you are sly, you'll still get the occasional question or comment about "growing it back", especially if you have more prominent shadow. Don't let it bother you. In general, people assume hair is preferable to baldness, so it's hard for them to grasp the concept of a guy enjoying (or choosing) baldness.

As to the nicks, yes, they heal and go away. And most people won't notice them anyway!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: SlyMike on November 09, 2015, 12:13:03 PM: Congrats on completing 30 days!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on November 09, 2015, 07:54:34 PM: Thanks so much, gents! I seriously could not have done it without the wisdom and support of this board. In retrospect, the first couple of times I shaved my head were a disaster: I literally had bloody paper towels wrapped around my head! If I were on my own, I probably would have given up and said that it was too difficult.

As it is, I shaved my head again last night, and I just ordered a Headblade Sport just to compare it to my ATX, so I am definitely bald for the foreseeable future.

Thanks again to everyone who has helped me with encouragement and advice over the past month. I suppose it’s time to retire this thread but I’ll still hang out on this forum and chat with this awesome community.
O0
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: nuts on November 09, 2015, 09:55:42 PM: To complete the pictur we need a photo of the bald head and if it is still growing the facial hair. Well done.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: john.peachie on November 09, 2015, 10:47:32 PM: Congratulations!!!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: tobler1 on November 11, 2015, 10:33:43 PM: Congrats, Mr. Munk. Always glad to read your posts.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: MunkyMunk on April 15, 2016, 01:12:05 PM: I just passed my six month Baldiversary! Wow - I had no idea that it's been that long!

This past week I actually flirted with the idea of letting my hair grow back in. I let it go for a few days, until my hair got past the stubbly stage. But then I just thought about how much I've preferred being bald, and how much better I think I look.

So, here I am - still bald after 180 days! I still love it.
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: Cave Dweller on April 15, 2016, 02:29:48 PM: Congratulations, Munk!
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: warhawk on April 16, 2016, 01:26:38 AM: Quote from: MunkyMunk on April 15, 2016, 01:12:05 PM
I just passed my six month Baldiversary! Wow - I had no idea that it's been that long!

This past week I actually flirted with the idea of letting my hair grow back in. I let it go for a few days, until my hair got past the stubbly stage. But then I just thought about how much I've preferred being bald, and how much better I think I look.

So, here I am - still bald after 180 days! I still love it.
Thanks for the update. Glad that you are enjoying the sly life.

WARHAWK O0
Title: Re: The Munk's 30-Day Bald Journey
Post by: tobler1 on April 16, 2016, 05:50:11 AM: Congrats on the six month mark.