Sly Bald Guys Forum
Discussions About Being Bald => To be or not be...Bald => Topic started by: KJTQ29 on March 30, 2011, 11:22:15 AM
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I'm thinking of going bald. Starting point would be a St. Baldrick's event, but then would have to decide whether to shave smooth and stick with it.
I have a bald spot in back and slightly receding hairline, but otherwise okay hair. I admire the sly look, but am worried about the reaction I might get to a big change like this.
I'm on the fence and need advice.
Thanks!
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You look like a distinguished bright guy.... I'm guessing that shaving your head will take a few years off your appearance. Don't worry about what others reaction will be............. if your own reaction is one of satisfaction than move along!!!
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Thanks for the compliment and advice.
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While it looks like you have a decent head of hair, it also looks like the sly look would suit your face/features well. Good luck with the transformation! Also, thanks in advance for support St. Baldricks. It is a great organization.
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I'm hoping that I look good sly. I think it'll be a confidence boost once I get over the initial change. St. Baldrick's is a good cause - I'm glad to be part of it.
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Do what many of us have done. Buy a set of clippers and gradually shorten your hair. Start with a #3 guard, wait a few days and use the #2, then the #1, and then no guard. Once you get used to the close buzzcut, try shaving your head. If you are afraid to use a razor, try an electric shaver. The Conair CleanHead shaver is a good choice ($30 at CVS.com).
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Thanks for the suggestion
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I also had a mop of hair with a patch at the back, the receding in the front was still 'under cover'. The clipper route is a good way to go - I went to a 2, then a 1, then with no guard and finally a blade in the space of two hours, and was more than happy with what I was seeing every step of the way.
There will be all kinds of reaction you didn't expect or anticipate (that was my experience). The issue is whether you're happy with yourself, if so, then you'll handle the reactions in your stride.
I'd mapped out a plan to go sly this coming June - had a ton of reasons why that was best. Then saintc had words with coach7 that made me realise that there is no time like now. Even then I could keep coming up with excuses to delay, so simply bit the bullet ... wow, I am so glad I did. If you've decided, then do it. It grows back. Don't worry yourself over it - that's wasted effort. There are a lot of guys here will hang in there with you.
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if you find yourself asking should i loss the hair and hassle of hiding the MPB than i say take the scrapper to the grape and learn the way of the SLY.
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I first shaved my noggin because I got tired of paying $10.00+ bucks a week for a bad haircut when I was in the Air Force. When I retired, I let it grow back out, but my MPB wasn't getting any better and while I don't mind my gray, blond, brown, white mix of thinning straight hair...sly works better for me. I work in my state's government and while some folks have commented on wanting to see my "lovely" hair back, I simply prefer it sly. Plus, I love hats and this gives me a great reason to where them year long with NO hat head. I started growing it out yet again, but the MPB isn't getting any better. My hair is just getting thinner.
Shave it. Shave it for 30 days. If you don't like it, let it grow back.
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KJTQ29,
By participating in St. Baldricks you have the best of both worlds!
While you won't be razor shaved, you will have a good idea of how sly will work for you. If you like the look, do the last mile of due diligence and take out the razor. Congratulations, you have a new hair style! If you don't like it, it's hair and will grow back to what it was. Nobody will razz you, or think any less of you, for supporting a worthwhile charity.
If I were in your shoes, what would eat me up is being curious about a different hair style (i.e., sly) and not checking it out.
Have fun and enjoy! Life is to short not to make the most of the journey.
Ken
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Thanks for the advice. It is eating at me that the St. Baldrick's event is several weeks away. I plan to shave smooth immediately after the event so that I get the full feeling of being sly. As you can tell, I'm anxious to experience being sly. It's hard to picture the actual end result, though.
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Thanks for the advice. It is eating at me that the St. Baldrick's event is several weeks away. I plan to shave smooth immediately after the event so that I get the full feeling of being sly. As you can tell, I'm anxious to experience being sly. It's hard to picture the actual end result, though.
Good motive. Remember, as so many of us have found out, mpb is relentless whether it be a rapid onset or slow. Getting ahead of it will let you move on to more important thoughts than the state of your scalp! And, it does make most guys look younger, more alert.
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thanks for all the support. You've convinced me that it's the right thing to do. I can't wait to go sly. Will definitely post picture of "after" as soon as the St. Baldrick's event is over and I've shaved smooth!
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KJTQ29,
By participating in St. Baldricks you have the best of both worlds!
While you won't be razor shaved, you will have a good idea of how sly will work for you. If you like the look, do the last mile of due diligence and take out the razor. Congratulations, you have a new hair style! If you don't like it, it's hair and will grow back to what it was. Nobody will razz you, or think any less of you, for supporting a worthwhile charity.
If I were in your shoes, what would eat me up is being curious about a different hair style (i.e., sly) and not checking it out.
Have fun and enjoy! Life is to short not to make the most of the journey.
Ken
Perfect advice. And if you get any flack after the Baldrick's event just tell them what you did and why. That will generally shut the critics up.
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Thanks! My wife said a great comment to me this morning, "it's an exotic new look around the personality I know and love, so it's the best of both worlds." She's already making sure I have the right sunscreen for the new dome when we go on vacation later in the summer! Any suggestions on sunscreens?
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from my limited experience most of them seem to work well. just remember that your scalp has been shaded for life so go with a higher SPF to start than what you may think you need. also, until you're sly you don't realize how much your scalp does sweat so make sure it is sweatproof.
another thing to consider trying from the beginning is the Jergen's Natural Glow, it will help to blend your newly sly scalp in with the balance of your head that has had a lifetime of sun exposure. it is a reliable self tanner and when used according to directions you get a natural color from it - not an orange.
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I just went sly for St. Baldricks.
You should see if there is another one relatively close by that you can do sooner. In my area there were many listed.
I had a full head of hair and just went and got it done. When I got home I gave it the close shave and love it.
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The particular spf will depend on your skin, very high for fair easily burned, there are brands that go to 90+, and don't for get a good hat--even with sunscreen you may feel the sun more than you are comfortable with initially. Second, sunscreens need to be reapplied regularly when you're in the sun for long periods of time. Third, try several different brands, some are "greasier" than others and you might not like that sensation.
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Thanks for the advice, especially about the Jergens. I'll start with a high SPF since my skin burns pretty easily, so I can only imagine the scalp will really burn! I have a few caps to help as well, although I'll visit the hat shop near my office once I'm sly to get something other than a cap.
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Go for it - -you will look great - - -and it makes you look younger (no more gray) Enjoy and welcome to SLY BALD GUYS
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Any suggestions on sunscreens?
Do internet research on substances such as Oxybenzone in sunscreen. This is one of a number of substances commonly referred to as "synthetic estrogen" that are used in most sunscreens. I guess the jury's out as far as a conclusive verdict that the S. E.s have on men but questions have been raised with regard to these substances possibly reducing sperm counts and possibly encouraging the growth of carcinoma/melanoma type skin cancers.
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Good advice. Also, thanks TJ for the advice on sweatproof sunscreens. When I exercise now, I can practically wring out my hair it's so wet. Counting down the days to becoming sly!
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When I exercise now, I can practically wring out my hair it's so wet. Counting down the days to becoming sly!
If you don't already, bring your OWN towel to the gym, putting that bare skin on the equipment can expose you to things that aren't always what you might like!
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I usually bring my own towel to shower and use one of the small ones the gym provides for wiping my forehead and neck. Good advice, though to just bring my own for both purposes.
Sorry to keep asking so many questions, but about how long does it take for the skin on the scalp to have the same coloring as the face and neck?
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That depends on your own complexion, how much time you spend in the sun, how often you shave, what sort of shadow you get from the remaining hair roots, etc. It's tough to say, different for each one of us. I can tell you that I'm at the 2 month point (hard to believe it hasn't been forever) and I still see a difference where my hair remained still being lighter. I have used the Natuarl Glow and made a definite point of getting the noggin exposed to moderate amounts of natural sunlight.
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I've got a fair complexion and work in an office, so natural sunlight is more a weekend thing, but fortunately, summer is coming. I'll have to make it a point to get more sunlight when I can, being careful not to burn the scalp - a problem with fair skin.
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get a thing of the Jergens Natural Glow. It comes in regular and express as a normal moisturizer =I've used both. The express will darken you up in less than half the time of the other. If you have existing skin issues there is also a facial version that I have not had any experience with. I'm guessing you will want the type that is for lighter complections.
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I'll look for it at CVS or Walgreens and be ready. My skin is generally good, just very fair and the fluorescent office environment isn't really very helpful either.
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walmart and target both carry it for about 2 bucks a container less.
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Thanks, TJ I'll look for it.
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Another question for sly bald guys - do you shave at night or in the morning? I was thinking about this and thought morning because if I do it at night, then my hair will be flat in the morning - then I realized: I won't have hair!
Seriously, though is morning or night better?
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Morning, I head to the gym, come home shower, scrape the grape, then breakfast. It's a great way to start the day.
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Morning, I head to the gym, come home shower, scrape the grape, then breakfast. It's a great way to start the day.
YEAH :: If you don`t have a job ! ! ! >:D
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Morning, I head to the gym, come home shower, scrape the grape, then breakfast. It's a great way to start the day.
YEAH :: If you don`t have a job ! ! ! >:D
No, actually it works with a job, you just have to get up at 4:30a--works fine.
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Seriously, though is morning or night better?
Morning because if you do it at night, you'll have velcro by midday.
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definitely mornings though evenings work well on Saturdays since it makes for a very smooth head if I'm going out.
I've found it adds about 5 minutes to my morning shower. One thing, if you get into the traditional mug and brush process, and have developed the strange habit of bringing coffee into the shower......make sure you keep it straight as to which mug is which. The lack of the travel mug top should have been the give away that I had blindly reached for the wrong mug......BLEHHHHH
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I'm on the fence and need advice.
Thanks!
My advice sir is to follow through and do it without any hesitation...... O0
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I'm flummoxed by this last question. See, I work 7pm-7am and I sleep during the day. When I get up it is about 330pm which is technically afternoon but then I shower and shave after waking. But since I work nights and sleep during the day would 330pm actually be considered morning for me and morning be considered night? Did I say that out loud?
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So the answer is: shave when you get up (whether it's morning or afternoon!) Makes sense to avoid looking fuzzy.
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So the answer is: shave when you get up (whether it's morning or afternoon!) Makes sense to avoid looking fuzzy.
I think that's what I was going for.
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I understood you just fine!
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The answer is "YES" do it and get it over with - - -SLY BALD is great and feeling the smooth dome is even better - - -
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Go for it. You won't regret it. I am glad that I did.
Joe G.
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thanks for all the support. You've convinced me that it's the right thing to do. I can't wait to go sly. Will definitely post picture of "after" as soon as the St. Baldrick's event is over and I've shaved smooth!
KJTQ, Did your event come up yet and did you go SLY? How do you like it?
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May 21st is the big day. I'm really looking forward to it! As soon as the deed is done, I'll post!
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Good deal... You must be real patient having to wait that long until the big day. I'm sure you'll love it.