Sly Bald Guys Forum
New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: AndrewD on May 31, 2010, 06:20:45 PM
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Only a few hours down and I'm already loving my decision to go sly. I was a member of the hair club for about 5 years, and over those years I've come to regret that move more and more. I started going bald when I was about 19 or so, and being so young I was incredibly self-conscious about it (I understand it's probably the same at any age, but at the time it felt like the end of the world). So when I was 24 I decided to join the club and do something about it. Well, as I'm sure many of you know from either experience or other posters, all the club does is switch your low self-esteem's focus from going bald to being one of those guys with a toupee. So it has been a struggle for several years for me, weighing the pros and cons of getting rid of the faux hair, or continuing with the shoddy product and ridiculously high monthly bills for fear of showing my bald self again. Well, I'm 30 now and a person changes a whole lot between one's early twenties and late twenties, and I finally came to the conclusion that I need to let go, embrace my bald self, and finally be who I am. I'm just a few hours removed from the wig and I couldn't be happier about my decision. It's like a big weight has lifted off of me. Naturally, I'm still a bit nervous about how co-workers/friends/family are going to react, but that slight fear is far outweighed by how much better I'm feeling about myself. I found this site just this morning, and it was a very helpful catalyst to finally push me over the edge to rip that thing off my head and go sly. Thanks all and I look forward to being part of this community for a long time to come. I already feel like I'm part of a new special club, one that's much better than those guys over at the hair club...I'll add some before and after photos soon.
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Welcome and excellent decision............. 8)
And whats more important is you make it another Sly Andrew too this site O0
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Congrats, you were born to be free O0. I recently Google'd toupee, and among the odd facts that search engine produced was one report I should have linked here, the wig business is down 30%! Hopefully the guys here at SBG's have had some part in bringing guys to accept their mpb as a genetic trait, not a disease or defect, and offered a sane and safe solution. We welcome you and all those whose lives have been affected by the robbers at HCM, et als. who have preyed on the indecision and angst of the balding--we are free, you are free and all can be free of their crap.
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Congrats, I know how you feel, being nervous to how others are going to react is natural. But do not let negative comments get you down, if it makes YOU happy stick with it and others will come around eventually. I'm sure most people will react positively though congrats again man!
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Congratulations on your newly found freedom. It's always a little scary when you first shave your head -- whether you were weariing a toupe or not -- and face the world. But it's not nearly as bad as you expect it to be. Almost everyone here will testify to the fact that it usually turns out to be a huge non-event, and the only comments you receive are likely to be positive ones.
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Andrew, Welcome to the site. Good luck with seeing your friends, family etc.. Do expect some shock on their part. You may recieve some smart-arst remarks, but I think it is part of it. Just laugh along with them and they will soon come around. In your life, you are the most important thing. Be Happy!!!
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Congrats Andrew!
I will tell you some of the looks on the faces of my friends and family have been priceless, almost worth the shave just for that! I've been going out of my way to make it fun. And as far as comments go that people might make, I've been rather quick to point out how much I'm liking my new style before anyone has really had a chance to say anything, and so far nobody has felt strongly enough to disagree or try to change my mind. But the looks I get at first are great, I've been acting like I don't know what they are talking about when they first ask.
Friend: "What happened to your hair?"
Me: "Is there something wrong with it?"
Friend: "You don't have any!"
Me: "What are you talking about?? It was there when I went to sleep last night!?"
Friend: "....."
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Congratulations Andrew. Welcome to the SBGs! O0
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Welcome Andrew!
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Welcome Andrew! I too was a "Club" member. A few years longer than you. I'm glad you felt the instant relief. No more appointments, no more products, no more worrying about the edge showing, no more writing huge checks to the Club. The 4th is my 6 month anniversary and I am so glad that I made the same decision as you.
As for other's reactions - get ready and brace yourself. I was totally shocked by what people didn't say after I walked back into work after my haircut appointment. I had one comment - "I see you got your hair cut, can we start on that project now?" - and that was it. My 4 year old daughter still teases me by telling me that my hair ran away. Other than Emma - there hasn't been anything but positive comments.
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Hey Andrew,
As someone who shared in your former predicament I can totally relate and say congrats in your new found freedom!!! You made the right choice and I'm glad you did it before waiting as long as others (like myself did). Welcome to the club, brotha!!!
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awesome!!! well done mate!
sounds like you are loving it. Don't worry about what anyone thinks or says! you feel good so thats all that matters.
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Great decision, Andrew! O0
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Great decision Andrew!!
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Andrew welcome to the Un-hair club for REAL men. O0
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Good job at making the switch! I'm 18 right now and started thinning when I was 17. So I definently feel where your coming I sure would have loved to rather lose my hair at 40. But life has ways of choosing when things happen, I was always hiding my hair and looking in the mirrror even though it wasn't that bad. But the confidence I've gained from being sly is ridiculous and you keep getting more confident everyday you really get back to your old self.
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Congratulations on setting yourself free, man. A year from now, you won't even remember what you looked like with hair.
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Welcome Andrew. Great decision
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Well done mate!!
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So I definently feel where your coming I sure would have loved to rather lose my hair at 40.
The thing is, there isn't a good time for your hair to fall out. Younger guys always think it wouldn't be so bad if it happened to them at an older age, but trust me, you won't want to be going through it when you're 40, either -- an age when you have to start monitoring your health more closely and fighting off a slowing metabolism, among other things. When you do get to that age, you'll be glad that the balding process is long behind you, because if you've taken good care of yourself, the physical changes in your appearance won't be quite so dramatic.
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Good one! O0 welcome to the club! 8)
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Welcome and congrats O0
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A belated Welcome to you Andrew, congrats on making the decision to end the false hopes and lies.
Like Todd said, I'm sure you feel a freedom like you haven't had before. It's a great thing.
Now you can get on with life. O0
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Sorry for the late welcome...WELCOME TO SBGs!!! 8)
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Glad you felt the relief, everyday gets better to! O0
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Yep...once more sorry for the late welcome! So...its been a bit...how are you enjoying the new you?
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Welcome. Doesn't it feel great!! Glad you are with us.
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You will get used to it i promise. Some of us say that it needs to be seasoned, meaning that you can now use moisterizes and experiment with a routine to take care of your precious dome. Do a good prep and decide whether to be a sink shaver or shower shaver. I am not sure what your skin color is, but regardless as I said in a previous post to even out the color to match your face, if you are living (even if you are not) in a place with very warm temperatures keep the head exposed for no more then 15 minutes then where a hat or put on sun screen. even if you are not trying to get the color to blend in it will happen naturally usually in two weeks.
i am proud of you, you will see it just gets better and better.
Welcome to the Sly bald guys we are glad to have you here and we are here to support you.
Fred
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It's been a ling time since I've been back, but I'm still soooo incredibly happy about my decision. some funny, shocked reactions from people I know at first, some great jokes, but after a couple of weeks life went back to normal. Every day I feel so grateful that I made the right decision to get rid of the wig. Coming up on my one year anniversary, and can't wait for many more to come.
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Congrats Andrew on your decision to pull the plug on the rug and join the greatest bunch of SLY dudes around! O0
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Thanks Chromeo. I don't know why i stayed away from this site so long since the first days I went sly, but I'm happy to be back in the community. It's been a great year thanks to one of the best choices I've ever made!
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Andrew, your story is much like mine.....although I had a rug for 17 years! (age 23-40) I think about it and regret not being "myself" all those years. I am going on 2 months sly and still love it O0 Hope all is well!
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Thanks Damen. It's amazing how many of us share similar stories. It was a great feeling when I first discovered I wasn't along in my hair piece misery, and truly helped me along in my decision to finally be rid of it. I just hope more and more club members will one day see the light!
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That should be a motto here.....Helping get rid of the rug, one guy at a time O0
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Welcome and congratulations on taking the big step.Remember,as long as your happy thats all that matters.Everyone else will get used to it or too bad for them! :XX
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Sounds like it's all going well! I'm so pleased for you...
On your first post that started this thread you said you were woried about what your friends and work colleagues would say... care to post any of the comments they've made?
It's always good to hear positive stories :)