Sly Bald Guys Forum
Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => How To Protect Your Bald Head => Topic started by: D.A.L.U.I. on February 02, 2010, 09:18:32 AM
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Just back from the skin doctor--have scheduled my treatment for 10 pre-cancerous lesions on my face and dome for 2/18.
Lesson: stronger sunscreen, I guess my favorite Banana Boat 30 spf, that wasn't greasy looking is toasted, and I'm on to 70spf. Only advantage--when I've used it I look like a laser dome, bright glaring shine--nice O0 Getting there is going to be a bitch, last time I had these things around my eyes it looked like I'd been in a really tough fight and gotten the worst of it :(. I'm worrying that this is going to cause problems w/ my obsessive daily shave. :Xo! Oh well, pre-cancerous is better than basal cell or squamous treatments--that leaves scars--this doesn't.
Get stronger sunglasses guys, Saintc is going to be really shiny from here on out ;D.
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Good luck Saint. Stay out of that sun man.
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Mu understanding is the strength of the sunscreen is not near as important as frequency of application.
GOOD LUCK!
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Sorry to hear about that Saint. I use Neutrogena ultimate sport (70+) and it's not greasy. Give it a try.
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WOW.
Hang in there, Saint.
We're all thankful they're pre-cancerous.
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We're all thankful they're pre-cancerous.
Best wishes!
J
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Good luck Saint! Shiny is better!
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Don't get the wrong idea guys, the treatment doesn't hurt, it just looks like H_ll, and I admit--I'm vain about the way I look. They're pre-cancerous, so absolutely no worry about anything really serious--just ego. I'm thinking about how I'll look in a hat--I don't like hats at all, but I can't cover my face. It only lasts 2-3 days, but I might miss getting some nice looks from the young ladies. Had some nice exchanges last Friday with the stewardess on the flight home--that never happened with a combover, I can assure you.
I'm not even telling the wifey--she'll blame shaving the dome. Funny thing, asked John, that's the doctor, whether on the dome they were in the bald area or the fringe--in the bald area.
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Best wishes, mate. Shine on, brother! O0
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hey saint: i'm sorry 2 hear about that. glad that U have a plan. O0
WARHAWK O0
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Saint your in my prayers and I thank God they are pre cancer ,,just keep on the good smile and hey maybe the with all the shine they ladies wont see anything else .... O0
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Good to know that they are pre-cancerous and not malignant Saint. You do seem to be really inclined to these types of lesions though. Are you really fair skinned or is there a family history?
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Are you really fair skinned or is there a family history?
Fair skinned, never able to get a dark tan. Also, way back when, they treated acne w/ sun lamps and that is one of the predisposing conditions for this stuff. I am my skin doctor's full employment act. ;D
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Good luck and hope all goes well.
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All the best Saint.
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Keep the positive attitude Saint. We're all pulling for you.
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I'm pulling for you, Saint. Having been down Basal Cell Boulevard myself all I can say is that it only took the one time for me to make hats a considered part of my wardrobe. I've gone the cheap route on the sunscreen, as well. I get the greasy waterproof Coppertone 70 and apply it often.
Have you considered using an electric during the time of healing. I have a couple, Braun and Panasonic, that I use when I have cuts that I don't want to re-open. Maybe one o' them Conair CleanHeads that people are talking about. Minor investment, I guess, I heard that they are around $35 from Wally's.
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Saint, I'm right there with you. I have them removed twice a year and use chemo therapy cream in between. Stay on top of these lesions. You are doing the right thing.
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I really appreciate the support guys. But I'm not worried about the lesions--they're Ivory Soap harmless, I am worried about not being able to keep the dome cleanly shaven for a week or so after they're frozen off--and what I'll look like, red raw areas on the dome and face, swelling, having to wear a hat, looking like I've been mugged--it's a total vanity issue for me now. I know that sounds stupid, it's just me. I'm also concerned that from here on out I'm going to be a lot brighter, shine wise. To get myself used to this and to minimize future occurances, I've decided to start the 70spf Neutrogena sunscreen [formerly I used 30spf--sunny days only] today as a daily part of my routine whether or not it's sunny--just to get everybody ready for the new edition "Lightbulb" Saint :D. I'm getting dressed to go to the office, and it's bright, clear--people are going to notice me shining like a silver ball. Ladies might like it though, they can check their makeup on my dome ;D. No one, absolutely no one is going to be able to ignore my presence from here on out unless they're visually impaired.
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You've got a great attitude saint. Good to hear the lesions are not going to be a problem. O0
Hopefully this will make our guys think twice before going out into the sun, myself included.
I have been a bit lax on my sun protection, and I have noticed some brown spots on my scalp that were not there before.
Can you give an idea what these lesions look like, so we can be more aware of what to look for?
Much appreciated, and hang in there!
Hey, look at it this way, you can milk the sympathy you'll get from the ladies, right? lol.
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Hey, look at it this way, you can milk the sympathy you'll get from the ladies, right? lol.
Not much of a leg man there I guess >:D
The spots look more like spots of sebaceous dermatitis, funny looking off color skin, but not elevated, they aren't irritated and don't bleed when i shave over them. They don't flake really, but I use a loofa pad every day on the scalp and face anyway so I wouldn't notice. Had some a couple of years back around the outer corner of my eye, John froze those off. Looked like I'd taken a pretty good punch and the eye was almost closed for a day or so. I'm thinking of staying home and working from there Thursday and Friday. The boss has approved. I really, really don't want to wander around downtown in the office building w/ a hat, or looking like I've been banged up in a mugging.
I found this description today in a website on skin cancer:
"is a scaly or crusty growth (lesion). It most often appears on the bald scalp, face, ears, lips, backs of the hands and forearms, shoulders, neck or any other areas of the body frequently exposed to the sun. You’ll most often see the plural, “keratoses,” because there is seldom just one." You guys will all recognize "bald scalp".
The exposure to the sun was through the combover--yet another reason for guys to get sly to the bone so you can use sunscreen--can't do it easily w/ hair, no matter how this. Today's my first day using the 70spf by Neutrogena, and it sucks, it is greasy, and I have napkins for my hands after I rub my head--bummer. Really need to find a Dry Banana Boat style at high spf.
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Hope you get squared away before Fat Tuesday Saint.
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Hope you get squared away before Fat Tuesday Saint.
Doing it two days after Mardi Gras--I'm going to be gleaming, costume ready, except I need to find a source for temporary fleur de lis tatoos in New Orleans--got to be all the way.
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LOL...Let the good times roll brother.
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Damn, got myself psyched up to have the lesions frozen this morning, get to the Dr.'s office and he's canceled today's appointments at the last minute :(. Now it's 3/9. I was prepared to go for 4-7 days w/o a blade shave--planning to 0 guard it w/ the clipper around the areas that will be swollen and tender. Oh, well, at least it's not a critical problem, just preventive maintenance. Some of the internet pictures I've seen of the procedure and results fully reminded me of how I'll look for a couple of days >:(.
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Saintc , sounds like this will work out just fine. I had a melanoma cut out of the edge of my ear in Dec. They say it shoud be 98% cured,it was caught early. It was the size and look of a large freckle. I think it was a freckle that had changed. I have also had actinic keratoses removed both by freezing and chemically from my face.I make sure I wear a hat outside at all times.I tan easily but I try to stay out of the direct sun. Also sun block is a must.
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Staying ahead of these things is always good Saint. I took a small red spot on my left shoulder to the Dr about 3 weeks ago, after he examined it through a magnifying instrument he advised me it was abnormal and needed to be removed. It was about 5mm across, irregular in shape and slightly raised, the color was for most part red. Four days later it was cut out, just 3 stitches and when the biopsy came back it was a benign keratosis. So I was seriously relieved. My Dr said that caution is always the best option. I guess like you in the southern states we have strong sun (UV) and high instances of skin cancers. I was however surprised by how non-invasive the removal was, it really was totally painless. My advice would be to get unusual stuff checked out. Good luck Saint, I'm sure you'll be fine.
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I'm totally confident there isn't a problem :) I've had this done before, and I've had electrodessication and curettage for basal skin cancers 4 times, and 3 mohs procedures for squamous cell cancers. It's not the procedure that gets me going.
What I worry about is how I'll look for a couple of days after the procedure, shaving, etc. I'm pretty vain, so I'd gotten everything set for the day, then it blows out >:(. Now I have a Tuesday appointment--I'll have to work from home, no business meetings looking like I've been mugged--that's the part that bugs me. :Xo! I learned that too when this was done before, the swelling on one eye almost prevented me from putting in my contacts.
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Deed is done. The line of the lesions follows the part in my former combover and into the hole in the back of the head--freaky. I'm again physically reminded that I waited far too long to ditch the dying mop. Had I done it 10, even 15 years before, sunscreen would have protected my scalp. These won't leave any scars but damn it makes me mad I waited so long. I was cursing myself all the way through the procedure--it hurts when they freeze, really hurts for about 5-10 minutes after, tears form, and still is irritating. Only good news is he said shave away just put this ointment over the areas if the razor opens up the blisters. More Shine-- O0
So, lurkers and fencers w/ combovers, you're flirting w/ skin cancer in addition to not looking your best. Grab your blade, the skin cancer you'll avoid will be your own. Sly--the start of skin cancer prevention for the noggin. O:O
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Glad you're ok brother :)
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I've been able to very carefully continue shaving with my trusty M5 and some KOS shave gel that lets me see where the spots are. The only thing I have to do is apply this ointment, Aquaphor, to the eight spots twice a day--really greasy stuff. It helps healing. Pain is all gone, look like sh_t, and I wore an Under Armor beanie at the gym so I wouldn't grease and possibly leave something behind on the equipment or pick something else up. I look like a fool, but I figured I could tell any combover guy who asks my latest rant about Sly being the best thing to prevent cancer in combovers. >:D There was one spot on my left cheek, between my eye and mouth, the lesion had bled twice when I washed my face recently. So, I mentioned that. Out comes the knife and the pain shot and he took a sample. Test came back today, it's another basal cell :XX, so when I go back for my check up on the 24th, he's going to scrape that baby out. But at least the dome is now clear or getting clear, and as my latest post on Protection for Your Bald Head is my rant that says shaving a combover is now shown to be not only a thing for appearance, it's for health too. Hope some of those lurkers and fencers w/ combovers hear the message loud and clear ;).
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Saintc , Iknow what your going through . In Dec. I had a melanoma cut from my ear. It looked like a freckle . I caught it in a early stage 99% cure rate. The other day Dr. took another freckle for biopsey . waiting on results. Hat and sun block in the sun thats my motto now..
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^ Dump Limp Bizkit -- Lets see the Head behind all this valuable advice ............... O:O
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a general and personal comment here.....about 6 years ago I went to Yankees Spring Training in Tampa and noticed all these freckles and raised skin thingies all over and around my mose. I had them frozen off and it took about 3-4 years to get them all. Only 1 was borderline serious.
My motto: If it doesnt feel right or look right, see your dermatologist. It doesnt pay to let this stuff go on. To MAGOO: You seem so young with that melanoma. ThankGod its treatable. To my pal from Louisiana: thanks God u got it early.
M
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marty , I ain't so young ...67. But a friend of mine daughter had a melanoma and she was less than 20 she worked as a lifeguard at a pool.It was treated sucessfully. Caught early the succes rate is 100%.
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the avatar makes u look 29. Oh well! LOL
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marty , I ain't so young ...67. But a friend of mine daughter had a melanoma and she was less than 20 she worked as a lifeguard at a pool.It was treated sucessfully. Caught early the succes rate is 100%.
You're a shade older than me, but you're definately right--skin cancers and pre-cancerous lesions can get you at any age, even children. You have to be alert, and when in doubt--get to the skin doctor and have them checked out, bc as Magoo has correctly stated, caught early the success rate is virtually 100%. Just don't think that youth protects you from this stuff. A friend of mine had a melanoma that one skin doctor missed, so not only does he now do a once a year show it all to the doctor, but he changes doctors every couple of years to make sure the doctor is really paying attention--like they generally do to a new patient.
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Saint, I want to thank you for your insight on this and other posts that you have made on this site. You, in particular, were one of the guys that reflects the true sly lifestyle to me. Speedy, complete recovery and once again, thank you for your posts!
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Saint, I want to thank you for your insight on this and other posts that you have made on this site. You, in particular, were one of the guys that reflects the true sly lifestyle to me. Speedy, complete recovery and once again, thank you for your posts!
Thanks, but it is enough that all of us remember to put on our sunscreen everyday without fail, that all the mpb lurkers who are out there remember you are not only delaying the inevitable, but are also potentially putting your health at risk [yeah, it's my newest and longest lasting rant, I'm not letting lose of this--combovers are potentially dangerous to your health, get it???] :/O---- and finally all you guys, My Brothers, --you're a h_ll of a lot of fun. ;D
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Hi Saint,
I know this is a bit of an old thread but just wanted to say glad you're all good and thanks for the education on this! I'm 22 and haven't really been taking the sunscreen thing too seriously... After reading this I've realised my head will have lots and lots of sun exposure in the years to come and I'll need to be careful!
Thanks for passing on your experience, I'm running out the door right now to stock up on suncreen! :)
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That's a good move Regi, there's a new one that Rob6 found, Face Saver Antiaging spf110 by Neutrogena--about $10 for a 3oz tube, it's a dry result, not greasy at all.
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Saint you're always the voice of reason on the board. Hopefully all of the rest of us will take note of your situation and wear sunscreen. Tans are nice - but they don't do any good when you're 6 feet under.