Sly Bald Guys Forum
Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: MDas88 on July 22, 2009, 05:16:09 PM
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How old were you when you first shaved your head bald?
What was the reason?
What were the reactions from family/friends etc?
Ive shaved mine 4 times now, im 21. Been cutting it short for a while now and thought the next step will be razor! With me, got a bit of a receding hairline, although family think im paranoid about it. Although to touch, there is nothing, smooth as, it still looks like ive got hair so with my family and friends, none of them actually reallised i'd haved it bald until i told them.
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Hmmm - I was 52. Old enough to realize I should have done it much sooner.
My ex saw it for the first time this past weekend (been sly for 10 months). Her reaction was very negative but since she's my EX-wife, ask me if I care. lol
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How old were you when you first shaved your head bald?
What was the reason?
What were the reactions from family/friends etc?
The very first time I shaved my head slick, it was freshman year of college, and I was 18. I went from long hair (at least 4 inches on the back & sides) to totally bald in one fell swoop. Took the bare clippers and did the reverse mohawk down the middle, so there was no turning back. It was 1983, the height of the Big Hair 80's with most guys emulating Duran Duran and Flock of Seagulls, not Kojak. But I wanted to try it, so I did.
My friends and my whole family freaked out when they saw me bald. They were convinced I joined a cult, or I was depressed, or I was crazy. Of course, I wasn't any of those things....LOL. ;)
The reaction was so intensely negative that I started growing it back right away, and didn't try shaving it totally bald again until 1995.
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I was 24 and it was 1998.
I preferred short buzzcuts but they are a pain because they are actually high maintenance if you have anything other than a simple buzzcut where everything is the same length. I'd get a flattop with a fade (I really liked the nearly bald sides and back) but within a week all I had was a short haircut due to how fast it grew out.
Bald heads looked awesome and I really liked how they seemed so easy to maintain and obviously didn't grow out. BUT I was too nervous. I started buzzing my hair shorter and shorter (and gave myself flattops with stubble sides) and finally got to the point where I shaved it off smooth. My parents didn't even notice I shaved for a couple days because I had been buzzing it so short!
I grew it out because I felt self-conscience about it like everyone was staring and pointing, and then that week a friend at work was killed in a car accident. Spending mental energy on something as trivial as my hair during THAT just seemed, trivial, and the only way to stop it was to let it grow out. So I did.
Over the next year I kept it at about a half inch, then I decided to give myself flattops with bare-blade clipper sides using a brand-new professional set of clippers. Likewise that got old and I tought "heck, why not just shave it?" so I did. This time around it wasn't really a big deal shaving it off like it was that very first time a year earlier. I'd shave it over the weekends and then let the top grow during the week. Stupid huh? :D Then it occurred to me in early August that if I liked being bald so much why not just keep it that way permanently? It really was this revelation as if I always thought of my shaved head as a temporary hairstyle, and once I decided to keep it that way it was like a weight was taken off my shoulders!
Of course my mom doesn't like it. Does any mother like it? She hates facial hair too. My dad didn't really care but thought it was an odd choice. He was from the 60s and thought all guys, given the chance to do what they wanted to do, would walk around with a big ugly mop with hair on their heads that would even cover the ears. It's annoying that my sister and her kids always get into some big discussion on it as if my head was growing feathers or something.
Now it's nearly 10 years later and I'm still diggin' it! :)
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I was 17, and freshly enlisted into the U.S. Army. I had long hair , and decided that if they were gonna cut it off that I didn't want any hair. So left the barber and dug out my razor and took it all off. Was like that off and on for the 4.5 years I was in.
When I got out I let it grow out some (well quite a bit) then had my wife braid it and chop it off (the braid was about 22-23" long). Took it down to the scalp right after. Been short since with some shaving here and there. Odds are it will remain this way since hair maintenance is so easy in the morning now.
~Gary
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I was 43 - I had MPB and a hairpiece for 23 years - Family thought it was the greatest thing ever. I agree.
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I was 16 or 17 the first time I shaved my head, twice in one summer, about 4 weeks apart. Next time was 2 weeks ago, at the age of 24.
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2 weeks before my 34th birthday in 2009. Reactions have been very very positive. I wish that I had done it a lot sooner.
As a note, I just convinced my dad to shave his head. He is 63 and he looks great as an SBG!
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i was 19, and it was right around the time my ex broke up with me. got tired of being upset about not having a full head of hair, so i got rid of what was left. best decision i ever made.
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I was sixty-one when I first shaved the dying mop. It had been in decline for 30+ years (my best friend from college recently said I had really been losing it since we got out of school!), but I held on to it, applying expensive "thickening" shampoos and conditioners, carefully brushing it, and locking it in place with massive amounts of hairspray. At one point in my early fifties, at my wife's suggestion, I used Rogaine, with disasterous effects--a severe rash and crusting that ultimately required medical attention. Looking back, I should have shaved it off about five years before that. I first had a hole in the back of my head, and a receding hairline, so my combover was from the top to the right side, leaving the left side as part of the part in my hair. Ultimately I faced the fact that I had two hairlines, one from the two spots of growth in front and then a strip behind that. All through this time the top was thinning--pathetic.
One day, in April, 2007, I was getting dressed and while putting on my tie, I realized I could see the window behind me through my hair--clearly showing my scalp! I got my wife's make-up mirror to get a good look--not pretty. I knew it had to come off--but I also knew my wife was totally against it. Two friends of ours were "sly" and I had mentioned that it looked like a good solution, both looked a lot better once they ditched the dying mop. She went ballistic--totally. So I struggled w/ the fact that it had to come off and her opposition.
I dithered about, started searching on the web, found sites that suggested shorter was the answer for thinning hair. Finally on September 7 (I think it's interesting I remember that date so well), for no apparent immediate cause, I stopped at the barber at lunch and said, "Buzz it!" First he did a 4, and then a 3--and that's how I left. People at work that afternoon really liked it. Wife that night--literally screaming--"You've lost your dignity, you look life a freak, why are you doing this to me!" On and on--just a total melt down. But, I liked it.
Had to go to see my Dad who was sick. This was in the West, and all my relatives there liked it--one uncle said "You're bald, just like your Dad and me!" His sons, both have total heads of hair--they don't have foreheads, they have threeheads! My aunt's oldest on the other hand--bald and sly. And he said take it off, and gave me his extra clipper.
Back at home, I buzzed it to a 1, and wow, it felt great. But, in any kind of light at all, it was clear I had advanced mpb, and it was only a matter of time til there wouldn't be anything to buzz but the sides and back--and I dreaded the Bozo ring--another story.
Finally, on Friday, 10/12/07, I got ready to go to the gym, but I stopped downstairs and 0 buzzed it. My wife had gone to work when I got back, so out w/ the Fusion and gel, and off w/ the hair. Wife nearly had a total and complete breakdown--crying, screaming, cursing, you name it--I could have had her committed if we'd been anyplace else but New Orleans.
Almost everyone else liked it even better than the buzz--and some of my wife's best friends among them. One came up to me at a party, Halloween I think it was, and said, "Please don't tell Jenny, she said she'd kill me if I told you, but I think it looks great, sexy, just fantastic!" Several others said the same--to wife's face--and that set her off again. She's quieted down lately, but she really, really doesn't like it--but it seems she is resigned to living w/ it. She's never, not once, touched my dome.
Probably more than you asked for, but that's it. And, of course, I still like it- O:O-wouldn't have it anyother way O:O--except maybe a costume for Mardi Gras--it is New Orleans, after all. ;D
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I had a flat top for years and years (no MPB here)... I'd shave from time to time for the heck of it but I started being sly at 41 and don't plan on going back, EVER!
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21, lost my girl and was losing my hair so i decided to make some changes.
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I was 33 the first time I took the razor to my scalp. And like most guys, I wish I'd done it sooner.
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It was like 3 weeks ago, and I was- and still am- 24.
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cincydavid, we are about neck and neck, I will be 3 weeks on Monday.
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I was about 14 - 15 the first time I shaved my head with clippers and no guard. People thought I was a skinhead.
I have shaved my head to different lengths my whole life (using #2 in the summer was pretty popular when I was younger).
When I started loosing my hair (22-24) I shaved it with clippers and it wasn't long before it got the bic.
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I actually gotta say, the first time I ever shaved my head totally and completely was just a few days ago. I've always had it at least no-guard, buzz-cut short since I got out of the military. As for my age, I'm 29.
I've had my hair so short that not many people noticed it when I actually Bic'd it for the first time. I did it this past Wednesday and my Dad has still yet to say anything about it. My Mom, Sis and friends think it's alright. I gotta say though, I was at a parade/local holiday weekend here in the valley where I live and didn't wear a hat or any sunscreen and I think I 'm gonna have a dome that looks like Rudolph's nose within the next day or so.
I shaved my head after a long-standing desire to do so. I've always been nervous about doing it but finally decided that if a buzz-cut is 'low' maintenance, a chrome-dome is 'no' maintenance!! I love it and will be doing this every single day when I shower. It's way easier to shave it completely myself than it is to buzz it myself. I always missed patches of hair when I tried to buzz it, now I can do the whole thing in the shower. It just adds an extra 2-4 minutes when I do it!! I'd still have a full head of hair if I didn't shave it, but at 29 and getting a few grays here and there, I thought I'd do this instead!! I don't regret it a bit!!
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Around about age 40; that's nearly a quarter of a century ago. But the hair has come and gone often since then. I was buzzing for a couple of months, lately--once a week, #2 (did it myself), and although a once-a-week buzzed head is actually lower maintenance than one shaved bald (I shave MWF, usually), I'm willing to put in the "little extra" it takes in time. At least some of the time.
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I am 33 (will be 34 next week), and I am in my third week of shaving. I had been doing the buzz cut with a #1 for about a year. I must say, I really haven't gotten much reaction from my family on it. My wife still hasn't said whether she likes it or not. My kids said they like it. Of course, my kids would probably say they liked it if I had a big orange mohawk. I guess I haven't gotten much reaction because I had been buzzing it so short anyway. I decided to shave because I was getting thin on top and didn't feel good about it.
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My wife still hasn't said whether she likes it or not.
If she didn't like it, she would have said something by now. ;)
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When I was 16 I cut all of my hair off with the clippers, but I had never taken the razor to my scalp until about a month and a half ago (I'm 19 now). I've shaved properly 6 times now and I absolutely love it, but my family, especially my father, reckon I've gone bananas. I thought he'd understand seeing as he's bald himself heheh. I think I might keep it shaved for a while, although since it's winter down here right now it's not the smartest idea I suppose. It'll definitely be back in the summer though!
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First time was last weekend, I'm 27.
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I was 47 and had been wearing a buzzed down horseshoe for about 7 years. My lack of hair never bothered me so one day I just shaved it.
My wife loved it immediately and I've been SLY ever since.
Even my oldest friends say they can't imagine me with hair..... even my Mom says this too.
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I was 47 and had been wearing a buzzed down horseshoe for about 7 years. My lack of hair never bothered me so one day I just shaved it.
My wife loved it immediately and I've been SLY ever since.
Even my oldest friends say they can't imagine me with hair..... even my Mom says this too.
wow....from looking at the slybaldcon pics i couldnt even tell you have a horseshoe. you looked like you had a full head of hair by ur shadow. looks good.
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I was 19 when I first shaved. I had always liked the look of a smooth shaved head and my oldest brother shavd when I was younger and my uncle always tries to talk everyone into shaving their heads. I needed a haircut but didnt want to waste $15 on one and a bunch of other stuff happened so I decided that going Sly was the best thing. I joined SBG on February 11th and started asking questions and finally shaved it February 25th. It felt great. I loved it, my oldest brother liked it, my (ex)girlfriend liked it, but alot of people thought it was dumb. I kept shaving and still do shave, I passed the 5 month mark the other day and I dont think I will ever grow hair again. It is still weird looking at old pics of me with hair, it just doesnt look right, too childish looking. Since then I have gotten a couple friends and my oldest brother to shave and have been trying to get my dad and other brother to shave.
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I was 41 yrs old and had been slowly battling mpb. Nothing seemed to help and I did not want to go the drug route. I wore a horseshoe flattop (much like BaldAndre does) for several years and let it grow out and I was cutting it myself in a short Ivy League style. Pictures of my hair did not seem to be the same as what I saw in the mirror. I always saw more. I was tired of not having a decent looking haircut. The last time I had cut my hair, I cut like a HnT. It grew out and so in one day I buzzed it, in steps, from a #4 down to a 1/16" and at that point said to myself 'just shave it'. That was April 2 of this year.
I had no reaction until my lil bro and his wife came over one night and commented on it. My sis-in-law said it made me look younger and my bro said he had thought about doing the same. That's when my Mom spoke up and said "NO, it's bad enough that I have to look at one shiny head".
Sorry for rambling on.....
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my bro said he had thought about doing the same.
Work on him--bring another guy into the life of Sly--it's a good deed. >:D
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It was three years ago when I first shaved, and I was 35. One of the best things I ever did! 8)
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I was 46 yrs old ,i had alway wondered what i would look like with a shaved head, So one day bit the bullet and did it, The reason i shaved it was that i have a full head of hair and i suffered bad dandruff and dry scalp, And to see what it would be like , i will never let my hair grow again. As all hair problems gone.
The family at first didn`t believe it, my wife and 1 daughter loved it, other daughter hated it. But most reactions were positive and said i suited it, Got complaints from fellow workers who were going bald etc and said i was mad as i had plenty of hair.
But got the best reactions from the ladies, i get the ladies looking at me more now than with hair.
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I started shaving last year at the ripe age of 63. All my life I have hated my hair. I used to stand in front of the mirror, what seemed like forever just trying to get 2 hairs to lay down beside each other. Growing up, my parents were very strict. Watched every movement- High school had dress codes as did the military-and finally the 20+ year job with strict appearance clauses. When I retired, I said to myself-I'm tired of all these rules--hate my hair-so get rid of it. Had my life been different I probably would have gone this route ages ago. So-don't let anyone tell you that old age does not have it's perks. Man, I love the sly life!
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First shaved my head bald this past February at age 32. I've been buzzing my head shorter and shorter every year for the last 6 or 7 years until I started shaving with no guard last summer. So it was no big shock to anyone when I finally took it all the way. Get plenty of compliments.
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age 26 and i will be 27 in oct
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I started wearing my hair short when I was 36, always used like a #2 clipper, as time went on I would clip it shorter and shorter. Finally one day i decided to just shave it off. I was 37 when I first shaved it smooth and have been ever since. Do not think anytime in the near future will I be growing in any hair. Hopefully I will never become disabled to do that..and if I do, I hope all of my hair has finally decided to fall out and I wont have to worry about it.
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I have had short hair for quite some time. I joined the Navy and got the usual buzz cut in Boot. After Boot, I would get a Navy high and tight. Did that for several months after. Then when I became a cop, I was involved in some things that I shaved with no guard. Did that for a little bit and then took the plunge. I have MPB and after I did it once, I couldn't stop. My family all loves it. My kids think it's the neatest thing. And my wife, well let's just say I have been instructed to keep it Sly. So I was basically 24 when I buzzed no guard and then went Sly when I was 29. I'm 32 now.