Sly Bald Guys Forum
Discussions About Being Bald => To be or not be...Bald => Topic started by: malaco on January 08, 2010, 07:43:46 AM
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Hey there guys
First of all let me introduce myself, I am 27 years old, Brazilian...
Actually at home my father was bald from the time I was a kid (horseshoe) and it was a very natural thing for me the balding thing.. .Never really worried about it. I thought the look was nice on him, and he didn't bother about it either (never once have I seen him regret or sigh or complain about the past). So for me, balding was never a big deal.
I still have good hair I guess, just strong "invasions" from the sides of the frontlines (don't know how to say that in English). But I always thought that when I buzzed down the #2 (I did that when I was a kid) I looked cool, and after getting to know that Jason Statham guy I started wondering if I should do that and also #1 and 0 later. I have been cutting my hair buzzing on the sides (#1.5) and scissors on top for a while.
Yesterday I buzzed down to 2, looked great... I will keep it like that for a while (bought clippers), and then when it gets a little warmer will go down to 1 and 0... giving the time for people to get used to it.
Ok so that brings the subject of this topic. I intend to switch between #1 and #0, mostly because I like that #0 look, but I am not really into the shaving thing... I mean, it looks great on many, just not in me I guess... I think the #0 cut is "cooler". But hey that is just me.
But out of curiosity, and from realizing (easily!) from the other topics that you really enjoy it... I thought it'd be interesting to ask the reasons for why you like it that much compared to the no-guard buzz... I thought some interesting answers might come up.
So... Why is it that you like to shave so much more than to do a no-guard buzz cut? Just curious!
PS: On a side note... This forum is great... I mean I am a social psychologist and I am really interested in how people tackle some issues and so on... So in order to compare I went to some forums of balding people who refuse to lose their hair and to accept the fact that they're getting bald... So they stick to hair treatments, crazy and expensive surgeries, and nothing fixes.. What's more, it seems to them that the most important issue on their life is hair... Good god... It's just hair! And the bald - buzzed look is kick ass. So compliments to you guys, you sure as hell do have personality!
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The slick feeling and to get the shine on my smooth dome. O0
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Well, my main reason for shaving it clean is the fact I get complete relief for the pain & itching associated with a bad scalp condition. No hair, no pain, no problem! Plus, I think it just looks better.
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Firs off Malaco,
Welcome to the SBG Family it's great to have you!! As for me I am BBC (Bald By Choice), I just simply love the look and feel of a smooth shaved dome, I could not do a buzz with a 0 guard, I hate the velcro feeling on my head.
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Like the other guys, I like the smooth feeling. And so does my wife!
My hair is so dark that it actually looks like a no guard buzz even though it's smooth.
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Welcome to the Forum Malaco. Good post, and it's nice to have a social psychologist validate what has been developed by the members, that is to say, acceptance and straight forward acceptance of balding is healthy, while drugs, rugs and plugs are not natural and potentially dangerous.
Why do I shave rather than buzz? Well, I started to deal w/ mpb and a bad combover by buzzing after reading about it here and other sites on how to manage the appearance of balding. But, having gotten a #4 buzz, I only kept it for a week when I went back to the barber and got it pulled down to a #3. After that I had a clipper and took it to a #2 for about two weeks. Then I did a #1--oh, did that feel and look great. But, at #3 under lights, I was obviously a bald guy w/ a short fringe ;). I knew, or I was at least aware that ultimately it would all come off. What I didn't realize was that at a #1, the urge to finish would be so strong, so overwhelming. The #1 was Tuesday, and that Friday morning, before the gym, I buzzed it with no guard, then shaved on returning home and showering. That was probably one of the most memorable moments I've had personally. The freedom, the liberation was a rush unlike any other feeling I've had resulting from a change in clothing or grooming. It was totally over the wall. I've been shaving almost everyday since then, and each day enjoying the feeling of my smooth scalp as a great start to the day. But that's just my experience. My bet is that you will have a similar feeling of liberation.
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I like the smooth feeling and the look with my shining bald head. I have buzzed my hair for over 15 years shorter and shorter and went to no guard in May 2007. Since August 2007 I shave daily.
My hair is white since I'm 50 and I didn't want to look as my 100 year old grandma. Buzzing you see my white hair, shaving it's away ;D
J
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Welcome to the Forum Malaco! Very nice intro!
My reasons for shaving versus buzz:
1) I like the clean look. Shaving = no shadow/fringe
2) A freshly shaved head feels amazing
3) Buzzed hair will stick to your hats and towels.... a shaved head will not
4) Shaving my head is a way to do something for ME
5) I think the close buzz look has passed it's time.... but SLY is timeless
6) A shaved head looks great
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hey malaco: welcome 2 the sly fraternity. glad that ya joined us. 4 me... i like a freshly shaved head because i love the look and the feel of smoooooooothness on my dome. O0
WARHAWK O0
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Thanks for replying guys!
Hahaha I mentioned the social psychologist thing more as a way to justify my curiosities and so on. Being a social psychologist I'm more into the experimental part of basic processes (knowledge, perception, etc), and really do not know much about clinical psychology (which is more closely related to what is "healthy" and what is not). Anyway, just to say that in no way I have a "professional" look on that - and neither want to, I keep things quite separate...
But to be honest... There is no need of a psychologist to realize that the sly way is healthier than the hair-loss-desperate way... Just read this forum and one hair treatment forum for 10 mins and anyone can see that!
Thanks for the comments again guys... And saintc... I have to say that man... By reading the forum the past days I can tell that you are the toughest guy around dude... You sure know you way and take no bulsh*t from anyone who's stupid hahaahah Kick ass man, I like your style!
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And saintc... I have to say that man... By reading the forum the past days I can tell that you are the toughest guy around dude... You sure know you way and take no bulsh*t from anyone who's stupid hahaahah Kick ass man, I like your style!
Well, I'm actually a pretty laid back guy, but my writing may reflect my background as a lawyer--we tend to be direct to make a point. The guys I've met from the Forum in person will back me up on that, I hope! :D
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--we tend to be direct to make a point.
That is a great quality, you say what you need to, you make yourself clear, no regrets, no misunderstandings.
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I hate the velcro feeling on my head.
What he said.
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Welcome to the forum, malaco!
I answer to your question, I would have to say that, for me, the difference is:
a. the incredible feeling of a perfectly smooth head
b. the strong, positive message it sends
c. the total absence of dry, flaky skin that I dealt with my whole life.
8)
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Welcome malaco!
Here are my reasons:
- to feel the smooth skin above the hard skull is amazing
- the shiny dome looks great
- with a buzz cut I often had the feeling that something was sticking to the head
- it is the ultimate hairstyle: with hair there is always the possibility to change something like length or style or color - without hair there's nothing left to change, it's the end of the road so to speak.
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"Why do you prefer shaving so much more than no-guard buzz cut?"
I don't. I only no-guard buzz cut mine. (don't hurt me) Less effort and I like how it feels.
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It looks better: it's just smooth and clean.
I rest my arms on the top of my head quite often and I hate the feeling of stubble on my soft forearm skin.
The cord on my clippers is a bit on the short side. It's OK for trimming my annoying arm hair once a month but it would get old trimming the top of my head every day.
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Wind resistance. Stubble slows me down.
lol -- actually the feeling of a smooth head is invigorating. Stubble just doesn't feel all that great.
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Like others I dont like the velcro feeling. Smooth is way nicer to feel when I touch my head for any reason. Bald is more modern, slick and streamlined. To me a no gaurd buzz looks lazy like the person didnt want to take the extra few minutes to finish shaving.
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Personally, I go back and forth between the sly and the buzz. Well, I let it grow to what the no guard buzz would be, then I shave it smooth. I like the feeling. The ritual. If that makes sense. It's like a good shave. I just found that, too. Being 35, you'd think that I would have known more about how to shave correctly. Really, I used to only shave my face once a week. Wherever I work has usually been lax enough that I could get away with it. Not anymore, really. But, with proper routine, my face doesn't feel like I used a lawnmower. And, shaving the head smooth lets me change my appearance up. It really is a clean look. That and it feels good.
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A smooth head feels a lot better than a velcro head. Some people look OK with a bit of stubble, but if you've got blond or reddish hair, it can look a bit scruffy. And if you're dealing with a severely receded hairline, it's best to shave completely to minimize it as much as possible.
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I like a completely shaved head because it feels great, also in my case I was buzzing it pretty short for a long time, but the gray would show back up in a day or two. I am in my thirties, and don't like seeing myself with gray hair.
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To me a no gaurd buzz looks lazy like the person didnt want to take the extra few minutes to finish shaving.
HAH! That's basically me. Lazy and don't want to take the extra few minutes to finish shaving. I dig the look of a completely shaved head so I try to get it really close. In pictures I look like I shaved yesterday. I am lazy though and as much as I like the shaved dome I really hate shaving it every day. I don't know how you guys do it, some guys even shave twice a day. Maybe in the summer I'll be more motivated.
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What I didn't realize was that at a #1, the urge to finish would be so strong, so overwhelming.
This is what I am feeling!
The #1 was Tuesday, and that Friday morning, before the gym, I buzzed it with no guard, then shaved on returning home and showering. That was probably one of the most memorable moments I've had personally. The freedom, the liberation was a rush unlike any other feeling I've had resulting from a change in clothing or grooming. It was totally over the wall. I've been shaving almost everyday since then, and each day enjoying the feeling of my smooth scalp as a great start to the day. But that's just my experience. My bet is that you will have a similar feeling of liberation.
January 21 is my date. ( holding off for personal reasons, but I've told so many friends that this will be the day, that I can't go back).
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easy answer :D
"awesomeness, clean, smooth, shiny, hot"
:d
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I like both, but they're like night and day.
I was zero-buzzing my head for decades (literally) before I shaved it all off. I was amazed at what a difference that minuscule amount of hair made. Huge difference.
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It's the difference between buzzed and shaved.
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It may not seem like much, but once you've been smooth, you'll know what we mean. ;)
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I prefer the no guard buzz cut because I felt the complete shave left my scalp way too shiny. Plus, with the no guard buzz cut you can still see where my hair starts, somehow still framing my face. I was freaked out about not knowing where my forehead ended after the complete shave.
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"Too shiny"?
"Too shiny?"
Hold on... I'm trying to wrap my brain around that one.
Isn't that like "too rich?" Not getting it...
8)
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Hmmm, my love has quite the opposite opinion. He says he does not shave his head totally clean because he does not want to look like a baby or end up with a too shiny head. I don't want to push him anyway...
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"Too shiny"?
"Too shiny?"
Hold on... I'm trying to wrap my brain around that one.
Isn't that like "too rich?" Not getting it...
8)
Me either, my head has some days that are shinier than others, the shine is king! Also, with my hairline the buzz made me look way older and destroyed my confidence. Smooth, I feel confident, look clean, and the lady loves it.
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"Too shiny"?
"Too shiny?"
Hold on... I'm trying to wrap my brain around that one.
Isn't that like "too rich?" Not getting it...
8)
Me either, my head has some days that are shinier than others, the shine is king! Also, with my hairline the buzz made me look way older and destroyed my confidence. Smooth, I feel confident, look clean, and the lady loves it.
Love it, Im also as shiny as a billiard ball. gets worse as the day gets on. have to go in and wash my head if it gets really bad. But hey I love the feeling of a smooth dome, feels much better than stubble/velcro. Love the feeling straight after a shave smooth and soft. Hard to describe.
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Outsider, I'm with you on everything you said 100%. I too start out shiny and it gets shinier from there. I have to wash my head at least once in the afternoon. Anyone have suggestions for taming oily skin?
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I like shaving because for some reason, it gives my head a cleaner feeling after it's done, I did the no guard thing a few years back when my horseshoe hadn't developed, but now that I have a horseshoe, shaving minimizes the appearance of said horseshoe....
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Outsider, I'm with you on everything you said 100%. I too start out shiny and it gets shinier from there. I have to wash my head at least once in the afternoon. Anyone have suggestions for taming oily skin?
Tea tree oil or witch hazel do wonders, but even with that the shine still comes later on in the day. I just rinse the dome and love shine
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"Too shiny"?
"Too shiny?"
Hold on... I'm trying to wrap my brain around that one.
Isn't that like "too rich?" Not getting it...
8)
LOL...my sentiments exactly. You can never be too shiny.
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Haha, okay, I'm sorry for offending all your shiny heads ;D
No, seriously, I don't have anything against a shiny head, but I don't really like it on myself. It's like some pieces of clothing or accessories: it looks awesome when I see it on other people, but just weird when I'm wearing it myself (e.g. a turtleneck sweater)
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Since (when I'm sly) I'm BBC, I prefer razor-smooth because my hair is so thick that a zero buzz or a missed day of shaving makes a big difference in both look and feel. And if I skip a second day of shaving, it's difficult and sometimes painful to shave down. So when I'm sly, I'm all-in, daily shaving.
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I think I'd be ok with just shiny but I have shiny and oily. I love the smooth feel right after the shower and my head is already glowing but looks clean. Then as the skin start to get oily, it is very shiny and looks like oil slicks. I'll just have to continue washing during the day and hope when summer comes it doesn't get too much worse.
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There ain't no such thing as to shiny. :*))
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Raven- how about posting a picture of your husband so we can see what he looks like here ?
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Main reason I do it is because it is easier and cleaner to shave.
With buzzing, hair gets all over the place and it takes just as long as shaving.
I shave couple times a week and do not mind the velcro feel.
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Raven- how about posting a picture of your husband so we can see what he looks like here ?
Sure! There are a few pics on his webpage, you might check them out at
http://taphephobia01.freevar.com/index.php?id=pikz
(the freevar server might be slooooow...)
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I think I'd be ok with just shiny but I have shiny and oily. I love the smooth feel right after the shower and my head is already glowing but looks clean. Then as the skin start to get oily, it is very shiny and looks like oil slicks. I'll just have to continue washing during the day and hope when summer comes it doesn't get too much worse.
This. I've always had issues with the skin of my face getting too flaky or too greasy. With my scalp: after shaving it looks great during the first 2 hours or so, but at the end of the day you could deep fry an entire bucket of chicken wings on there.
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Haha, okay, I'm sorry for offending all your shiny heads ;D
No, seriously, I don't have anything against a shiny head, but I don't really like it on myself. It's like some pieces of clothing or accessories: it looks awesome when I see it on other people, but just weird when I'm wearing it myself (e.g. a turtleneck sweater)
That's how I felt at first, but it just changes what looks cool on you. some stuff I used to wear looks not as good and some stuff looks way better, it's all about how you pull it off, and if you want to be free it will look cool, there's no better feeling than smooth.
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I totally agree with you slyfive. O0
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The funny thing is that the difference only matters to us - the SBG crowd. To most people, if I get a #2 buzz or less, they say "you shaved your head"...
But when it's our own head, and the feeling is as important as the look, there's a huge difference between a buzz and a razor shave.
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Well said.
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I agree with Ozzie:
"In answer to your question, I would have to say that, for me, the difference is:
a. the incredible feeling of a perfectly smooth head
b. the strong, positive message it sends
c. the total absence of dry, flaky skin that I dealt with my whole life."
[/quote]
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Once you shave smooth for a while, you get used to the awesome feeling of a smooth, slick scalp. It feels great to run a hand over the shaved skin. For both reasons, it's hard to go back to having hair, even buzzed down!
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Once you shave smooth for a while, you get used to the awesome feeling of a smooth, slick scalp. It feels great to run a hand over the shaved skin. For both reasons, it's hard to go back to having hair, even buzzed down!
Once you shave smooth for a while, you won't have to ask this question. :)
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The funny thing is that the difference only matters to us - the SBG crowd. To most people, if I get a #2 buzz or less, they say "you shaved your head"...
But when it's our own head, and the feeling is as important as the look, there's a huge difference between a buzz and a razor shave.
This is my experience. I'm buzzing to no guard in the back and #1 on top. Wife says, "You shaved your head" "You look bald!" (and it's not, but will be shortly. Less than 31 days).
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Well, maybe for most wives/girlfriends, it is the same, but not for me.
My poor boyfriend, if he lets his hair to grow out for 1-2 millimetres, I immediately start to complain "Your hair is too long!" I know I am horrible :}
I agree that the "look" is basically the same, but the "feeling" is very different.
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Head rubs.
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My friend Bob would say 'head rubs' too.
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Hehe, I perfectly agree.
To rub someone's shaved head is a very pleasant experience.
Even more pleasant to know that you guys do not mind it :}
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Slick is cool
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Shaved smooth feels so much better. And looks better, on me at least.
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I actually like both, and I let the time of year dictate how often I shave. During the cooler Winter months I will go every few days between shaving. I like the look when I have about 3-4 days growth, but then on about that fifth day I know it's time to shave again. Best of both world's. O0