Sly Bald Guys Forum
Discussions About Being Bald => To be or not be...Bald => Topic started by: phigg on July 15, 2010, 01:33:31 PM
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I'd wondering what kind of caveats I might face going sly, seeing as how I'd had hair transplants 20 years ago. I was mostly worried about scarring in the front of my scalp, from where the plugs went in.
Here's my experience, going sly, for anyone in the same boat as I and wondering the same:
The scarring in the front is not a real problem, however, wherever I had plugs put in, those spots tend to remain dark, as the hair follicle seems just below the skin and cant' be reached via the razor. In time, as my skin adjusts, maybe I'll get closer, I'm just not sure. I've used an electric razor for as long as I can remember, so I forget how that whole thing works. It's not really awful though. Just not as seamless as I would've preferred. Scar-wise, however, not a problem.
The real scars are the ones in the back - I have 3 of them, about 6 inches long, pretty deep, and one runs up towards above my right ear.
I look like I was in a knife fight, people will think I'm sort of gangsta badass! lol Not really the look I was going for, but hey, they're in the back at least. Not so bad. At least I have a story I can tell.. or make up, depending on who I wanna impress .. ;)
So, I shall see how things develop as:
A) My skin/scalp adjusts to being shaved
B) Exposure to sun and elements "weather" my scalp, and it tans some
Hopefully, things will "even" out more. Time will also help, and probably has somewhat already.
I know I also have options such as microdermabrasion and laser treatment as well, something I wanted to do for my face anyway.. it's just a matter of $$.
All in all though, it's not that bad.
From the front, anyway, things look decent. Certainly not bad enough to prevent anyone whose had transplants in the past from going sly. If you really want to do it, just do it. You won't look anymore like Frankenstein than you probably already do, really. (Sorry, but that's how I felt about myself)
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphrets.com%2Fpix%2Fslypaul.jpeg&hash=f51d40b651f270bbe7b190b7f19bc9338e927454)
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphrets.com%2Fpix%2Fslypaul2.jpeg&hash=b02368a4db178474700817b1a184a47482d4cc0b)
I'll gladly answer any questions anyone has, just let 'em rip.
If you want some shots of the back, I can do that too.
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First, it looks really good, and I have to add, takes some years off too.
Second, great attitude on the plug stuff. I have a scar about the size of a quarter where a skin cancer was removed a few years before I scraped the grape, it's much whiter than the surrounding area--but my point is that no one, not one person, even my wife who isn't a sly fan--has said one word about it. People are like that--I doubt anyone will ever say anything, but if they do, I'd really like to hear the tale you tell.
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I'm all for taking years off!!!
I'll be 50 in two years as it is.. not looking forward to it, but, on the other hand, I don't feel like I'm 48, and I doubt I look it either.
I just went out in public for the first time with the new look. I was in the car, but still.. kinda cool.
Now to get some sunlight on the noggin..
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You look great - - -Enjoy being SLY BALD
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O0 O0 O0 Ahoy, Phigg: Great, adult, realistic attitude. Best news, you look fine. No conspicuous scarring, and you're free of the pretense. Regards, Professor Melon
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Looks awesome! Great attitude and I'm sure your comments will help others who have had transplants. Keep the look!
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Phigg, it looks really good. You should have done it a long time ago instead of transplants. Oh well, that's water under the bridge -- onward we go. O0
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It looks fine phigg, definitely the way to go. Great decision! O0
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Good show!
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Thanks guys. To be perfectly honest, you can't see the scars from the photos I provided, as they're in the back and along my right side. (they couldn't even keep it somewhat symmetrical?)
From the front, it looks pretty decent - not great, but decent. I still have these stupid "dark spots" all along the top front, in a row of sorts, where the plugs are, but the follicles can be "killed" with laser, and that will fix that for the most part. In a way, it looks like some kind of tribal tattoo! The scarring there isn't significant, but it is in the back.
I was genuinely surprised at how wide and ragged the scars are!
They really stand out, as there are still fine hairs which darken the rest of the normal skin area, so there's a bit of contrast working against me. They also make shaving a real pain in the arse, as the skin is uneven there. I can't use my headblade there, I'll cut myself up and/or get razor burn and big red bumps which make the scars look even worse. I'm using Mederma on them several times a day, but supposedly it takes months for an improvement. Argh.
Yeah, I really, really, REALLY wish I hadn't done the transplants; I got a cool shaped dome, and I love the new look, but the scars'n' stuff are really bothering me. Of course, 20 years ago, the sly look was not nearly as accepted as it today, things were different then, plus, I was in a band, and big hair was all the rage.
If it weren't for those, I'd PROUDLY show off my noggin.
As it is though, I'm a bit uneasy, and there's nothing I can really do about it. I don't wanna walk around looking like the Frankenstein monster. Even if microdermabrasion and laser can fix a lot of it (not all), I don't have the $$ to even begin to address it.
Hmm.. then again.. what if I got a tattoo on the back? Can you tattoo scar tissue? Maybe I could hide the scars within some kind of pattern!
Or I could wear Elvis shirts with huge collars flipped up in the back.. or even dress like a Ferengi from Star Trek, lol.
Some family members say they think it's fine though, that I look "badass", and that I should tell people I was in a bar fight years ago, and people should see what happened to "that other" guy, lol..
I don't wanna lie though, but I also don't feel like admitting to the stupid surgical procedure I chose to have done, so I think I'll just tell people (if they ask) that it was a "stupid mistake on my part, 20 years ago, and I don't like to talk about it".
That's fair enough, and leaves some mystery about me too!
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I think I'll just tell people (if they ask) that it was a "stupid mistake on my part, 20 years ago, and I don't like to talk about it".
That's fair enough, and leaves some mystery about me too!
This sounds like a reasonable and workable course of action. At some point you may have some extra coins to get some plastic dermatological work done to minimize the damage. I would hope that at some time, if asked by a guy w/ mpb, you could tell the guy not to engage in the plug route and prevent the huckster hair transplant "doctors" from harming another person. But until then listen to your family members, no one will talk. My son-in-law has a very good friend who was in the wedding. Sly, looks great--but why is he sly. Brain cancer, several operations but he's alive and will be a new dad in early August. He's a great person, no one says squat about his scarring. His personality and demeanor are fantastic, and that's all anybody notices. Great dome too. Something to think about.
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I've seen people with transplant scars. While they are noticeable, a scarred dome still looks better than bad hair. There are some dermabrasion procedures that can help minimize the scarring. Some of the guys here have had it done and can probably offer you some advice.
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I don't wanna lie though, but I also don't feel like admitting to the stupid surgical procedure I chose to have done, so I think I'll just tell people (if they ask) that it was a "stupid mistake on my part, 20 years ago, and I don't like to talk about it".
That's fair enough, and leaves some mystery about me too!
We all make mistakes, and I think telling the plain truth - depending on the person and situation - might be even better. No mystery, no more curiosity.
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I would definitely warn someone away from transplants if the situation arose.
I'm looking at future options, seems I have some to minimize the damage. Actually, even today, it seemed to look better. The closer a shave I can get, (w/o nicking, so far, so good) the less contrast there is between scar tissue and regular skin with hair follicles or stubble. Also, I think plain ol' exposure to the elements should help things even out a bit too.
It's only been 2 weeks, though I already have some good color thanks to being on vacation and getting some sun.
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I am in your boat but with one scar yet I am sitting on the fence thinking will I look like a freak shaved to a buzz 2 or 1 or shaved. I talked to a HT Doctor who seemed to think I would in fact look obvious and freak (gee thanks Doctor) but I guess hes either being honest (He wasnt pushing me to have a hair transplant he was just offering his opinion when I talked about shaving my head)
That and I dont think my headshape or body size (I aint a big guy) would look that good however I can tan up so one positive
You look awesome by the way definitely suits you
It annoys me hair loss as I have a motorcycle and want to ride it but tend to shy away as the helmet. I am truely f**ked up in the head... Its a big industry the hair one
Why cant I just be the asian Kelly Slater! :XX
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You sound like you have good instincts on the sawbones who makes money preying on the insecurity of guys as they deal with a genetic disposition to mpb--it is not a disease and is not indicative of medical procedures or medicine. But, he keeps his life style by making guys feel bad. Remember, you can try a tight buzz or even a to the bone shave--what you have will grow back. So, try it a month. If you read the many posts here several common themes and one of them is that the responses and reactions the guys anticipate as they face shaving bears no resembence at all to reality. Most comments will be favorable, but the comments are no where near as numerous as guys anticipate. Try it, you may like it and a little sun will probably minimize the appearance of the marks of your surgery to everyone but you.
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you are one of the role models on here. I had my front layers of tp's cut out.
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you are one of the role models on here. I had my front layers of tp's cut out.
OUch! Cut out?? I thought you had the follicles lasered to kill them.
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Can I please ask (Phigg or anyone else that had a HT and went sly)
When you shaved down to a number 2 on top were the grafts noticeable and did you look terrible (not caring about the scar)
I am 33 yrs old in a few months and was wondering are there many members or how many of you guys went sly at a young age or did you hold on and hold on (possibly for too long) before you set yourselves free
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Yeah, you could see them I think, but I'm not sure exactly how much. My wife did the initial buzz cut for me, I didn't see anything until after we'd gone from #2 to #1 and then straight. But she said she saw them.
I guess it all depends though, I had a total of 3 procedures, and have a total of like 4 scars.. The back of my head looks like a road map, lol. In a way, I think I almost like that better than one single straight scar, which says "surgery".. I look like I had a nasty accident or fight or something. I have two curved scars along the back, (at least they follow the contour of my head, I've seem some that were a straight line, which looks really weird), one real short one sorta at a 45 degree angle in the "right rear corner" and another that goes along the right side of my head to just above/behind my ear. From front on or even a slight angle, you can't see it though. I can only see it with two mirrors.
If I get the kahunas up, I'll snap a pic of them some day and post it, so you can all see how bad it is or isn't. It varies, of course, with lighting and how fresh a shave I've done.
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Actually mate that would be awesome to see
You should grow out your grafts just to show us how much hair you can grow also ;)
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You should grow out your grafts just to show us how much hair you can grow also ;)
Uh... No. ???
I would look like crap walking around like that for a few days. I shave daily and do regular touch ups in the afternoon and evening just for those front grafts. Besides, who cares how much hair I can still actually grow? I already know it's not enough to look in any way "good". I'd have this funky thin ring around the front hairline area, next to no hair behind it (was just enough for Toppik to grab onto something).. and a strong horseshoe.
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You should grow out your grafts just to show us how much hair you can grow also ;)
Uh... No. ???
I would look like crap walking around like that for a few days. I shave daily and do regular touch ups in the afternoon and evening just for those front grafts. Besides, who cares how much hair I can still actually grow? I already know it's not enough to look in any way "good". I'd have this funky thin ring around the front hairline area, next to no hair behind it (was just enough for Toppik to grab onto something).. and a strong horseshoe.
I know a guy who's natural hairloss resulted in a thin line of remaining hair at the front. He's always kept it to the bone except an occasional week grow out when hunting or camping. He's okay w/ it, but never "grows" it out to see what's left--no purpose in that is there? It's gone for purposes of hair--it's just stubble now.
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Actually mate that would be awesome to see
You should grow out your grafts just to show us how much hair you can grow also ;)
Why would you even suggest that? Have you read any of his prior posts? :/O
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Actually mate that would be awesome to see
You should grow out your grafts just to show us how much hair you can grow also ;)
Why would you even suggest that? Have you read any of his prior posts? :/O
Because Nate is a possible Timbo1941? Whatch think? Been wandering why he posts so much and always considering things and wandering aimlessly around posting alot without taking the step to go sly. Where is his avatar pic? Am I going out on a limb here? lol Where's the troll police?!!!!!!!
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Actually mate that would be awesome to see
You should grow out your grafts just to show us how much hair you can grow also ;)
Why would you even suggest that? Have you read any of his prior posts? :/O
Because Nate is a possible Timbo1941? Whatch think? Been wandering why he posts so much and always considering things and wandering aimlessly around posting alot without taking the step to go sly. Where is his avatar pic? Am I going out on a limb here? lol Where's the troll police?!!!!!!!
I didn't put the two together right away JB, but I wasn't reading his posts after the first two anyway.
It had all been covered in previous threads, and if he bothered to look through them he'd have found his information. :/O
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What is a Timbo19....
Seriously I am just a screwed up guy looking for a bit of support
I know I am a fence sitter... I suffer and have huge bouts of depression over hair loss. Its insecure of me I know this
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What is a Timbo19....
Seriously I am just a screwed up guy looking for a bit of support
I know I am a fence sitter... I suffer and have huge bouts of depression over hair loss. Its insecure of me I know this
Nate.....there was another "member" Timbo19....who posted for a bit (you can look for his posts) and talked about shaving, starting a new life and so on...even with a countdown to the day he was supposed to shave.....then disappeared. It is everyone's opinion that he was just an internet troller....posting for his own entertainment I guess.
It's fine to be unsure.....I think people were just questioning similar posts that you have had asking pretty much the same things again and again. You know your options...now pick one. :P