Sly Bald Guys Forum

New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: Cowboy on April 01, 2007, 10:06:51 AM

Title: Greetings
Post by: Cowboy on April 01, 2007, 10:06:51 AM
Hello everyone.

I been reading all your posts last couple days and decided to become a member.  The mood here is really positive and upbeat, which is a lot nicer than a hairloss forum talking about drugs, regimines, side effects and depression.

Anyways, I used to have hair halfway down my back throughout highschool and chopped it off final year because it was getting oily and falling out.  Throughout college I had a short spiky look, but gradually it continued to get thinner and thinner.  I was going to go for a #3 shave yesterday, but ended up going with a really short brush cut.  It reveals the scalp quite a bit, but it doesn't look any longer like im trying to fool anyone.  And when I do go with the full shave, it won't be such a shock to close family, friends and coworkers.

A close female friend told me that I would look alright with a shaved head but she would prefer me with hair.  My mom told me to keep my hair and NOT to shave it.  I'm a diffuse thinner, and don't plan on keeping the hair on the sides if I have nothing on the top.

I'm extremly nervous about shaving it even to a #3 because I'm worried my head will look weird.  It's not round and smooth like some guys pull off the shaved look.  It's not a peak to the top and I don't have an abnormally large forehead or anything, but I'm just nervous.  I'm worried I won't pull off the look without tattoos and peircings, which is kind of out of the question for my line of work.

Anyone else worry about the shape of their head?
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Beer Barron on April 01, 2007, 10:23:21 AM
Welcome Cowboy!

I too was once a #3 guard shaver until I accidently grabbed the #1 from the bag.  So I went with the number #1 for about 4 months and then decided to go for broke.   That was August of '04 and I haven't gone more than a 2 day stretch without completely shaving my dome with the Headblade.

I wasn't really worried about the shape of my head myself, but took head shape related comments from my wife and mother under advisement.  That is why I decided to first use the razor during a week off from work to see if I liked it or not.   Turns out I loved it and was told by those two special ladies in my life that it didn't really make my head look funny at all. 

Another positive I get from shaving is the disappearance of head acne.  When I did have hair, I had horrible problems with head zits.  Once I started shaving/exfoliating, I've pretty much been zit free on my head.  I get the occasional in-grown hair up there but they go away quick and don't grow to the size of mountains.

For the record, I have no piercings and one tattoo above my right ankle and I like to think that I pull off the bald look alright.  Give it a shot, and if you don't like it, grow it back to a manageable length that you can maintain with the clippers.  If I were a betting man, I think you will wind up loving it like the rest of the sly guys around SBG.

Cheers! :)
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Paul on April 01, 2007, 11:20:24 AM
Welcome cowboy, glad you joined us.  If you continue to read the various threads you will find that a great many of us have had concerns about dome imperfections.  You will no doubt find, as many of us did, that no one else really notices and that once sly you don't see them either.   Any guy who goes sly is confident enough to pull off the look/lifestyle.  Piercings and tattoos are not necessarily part of the Sly look, but of the look of that individual.  Be yourself and you'll be ok. 
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: PBurke on April 01, 2007, 12:08:24 PM
welcome cowboy. what line of work are you in? oh yeah, about shaving. COWBOY UP and do it.
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: dieseldan04 on April 01, 2007, 02:29:36 PM
Welcome Cowboy, confidence in your decision will determine how well you pull off the sly look.
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: wpruitt on April 01, 2007, 02:32:41 PM
Welcome Cowboy.  Go for it!
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Tyler on April 01, 2007, 02:38:27 PM
Cowboy, welcome to Sly Bald Guys!

Many people usually psych themselves out about shaving their head and then ask themselves afterwards, "what was the big deal about?"  And that's usually followed by, "why did I wait so long?"

So, just do it man!  You'll be much relieved when your are finished.
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: schro on April 01, 2007, 02:49:11 PM
Welcome Cowboy. Was I nervous? A little....however my nervousness was immediately replaced with self confidence and a feeling of being much more satisfied with my appearance than with the "horseshoe of hair" that was only about a year away.
Like Beer Baron, I also suffered from a scalp condition that has completely gone since shaving.
A Healthy scalp
+ an overwhemling feeling of self confidence
+ a more youthful appearance
= A Super Sly Schro that ain't changing anytime soon.

Welcome!
Schro
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: jusbnme on April 01, 2007, 04:55:12 PM
Welcome Cowboy. 
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: blondeguy on April 01, 2007, 06:49:26 PM
Welcome, Cowboy.  I used to have a ponytail in high school, but my curly blonde hair made me look like a girl, so I cut it. :)

Many people usually psych themselves out about shaving their head and then ask themselves afterwards, "what was the big deal about?"  And that's usually followed by, "why did I wait so long?"

This is so true.  You fret about it, then you do it, then you realize it wasn't a big deal and feel way more confident.  I love feeling sly and don't plan to go back any time soon.  Go for it, Cowboy!
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: tomgallagher on April 01, 2007, 07:14:11 PM
Welcome aboard Cowboy. Keep it SLY y'all.
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Cowboy on April 01, 2007, 07:19:48 PM
welcome cowboy. what line of work are you in? oh yeah, about shaving. COWBOY UP and do it.

I am in a sales position for an automotive restyling facility.  My job involves meeting with auto dealership sales managers within approximately 50mile radius of my city and maintaining that communication and contact with the dealerships.


Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Cowboy on April 01, 2007, 07:27:50 PM
Thanks for the warm welcome.

I guess the main objection with shaving it down to a #3 or lower is the shape of my head.  I try to visualize in the mirror what the outline would be like and what I would look like from different angles.  Probably sounds strange.

I really hope once I do it the case is as many of you mention, like wow, this looks great why did I wait so long.  But there's no way to know before doing it.

I'm a decent looking guy. A female friend of mine says I have a cute face and muscular build so I'll pull it off.  I'm not that outgoing at the moment in the small town where I live, so I'm not getting a lot of action at the moment...but I'm afraid I won't get no action if I shave my head and it looks strange or doesn't suit me.

My brother and his girlfriend both told me yesterday with my brush cut that I looked better with how it was before.  But thing is, its only a little bit shorter than what I would normally cut it as.  I've got a family gathering for Easter next weekend, so relatives will probably notice and likely make a comment about my thinning hair.  I am trying to be courageous and showing up...because the next time they see me, they won't be so shocked if I do go all the way.

We will see, I really may have no choice in the end.

Thanks for the warm welcomes brothers!
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Tyler on April 01, 2007, 11:27:44 PM
But there's no way to know before doing it.

Exactly bro!
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Cy on April 02, 2007, 12:02:50 AM
Hey Cowboy, welcome!

Shaved to a #3 takes about 3 weeks to grow out if you're worried about coverage. I say go for it.... and bring a towel... er sunscreen.

-A
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: blondeguy on April 02, 2007, 03:16:26 PM
I guess the main objection with shaving it down to a #3 or lower is the shape of my head.  I try to visualize in the mirror what the outline would be like and what I would look like from different angles.  Probably sounds strange.

Nah, doesn't sound strange, we all went through that.  I used to stand in front of the mirror and put my hands over my hairline to get a picture of what I might look like with no hair.  It wasn't even close to how I ended up looking.  Even the difference between a #3 buzz and a full shave can be a big one.  Any head dimples and bumps you perceive with your fingers will blend in with the rest of your bald skin, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Also, you'll look cool with sunglasses.  It's a law of the universe that bald guys and sunglasses go together.  O0
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Kajun on April 02, 2007, 03:36:17 PM
welcome to SBG's Cowboy!
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: PigPen on April 02, 2007, 04:43:51 PM
Welcome Cowboy! I'm in the car business as well, and have no problems with my customers, the owner of my dealership or other owners. Everyone accepts it quite well.
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Cam on April 02, 2007, 06:20:23 PM
Welcome Cowboy! Just like everyone else, I say don't think about it too much.. just do it!
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Cowboy on April 02, 2007, 07:46:14 PM
I guess the main objection with shaving it down to a #3 or lower is the shape of my head.  I try to visualize in the mirror what the outline would be like and what I would look like from different angles.  Probably sounds strange.

Nah, doesn't sound strange, we all went through that.  I used to stand in front of the mirror and put my hands over my hairline to get a picture of what I might look like with no hair.  It wasn't even close to how I ended up looking.  Even the difference between a #3 buzz and a full shave can be a big one.  Any head dimples and bumps you perceive with your fingers will blend in with the rest of your bald skin, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Also, you'll look cool with sunglasses.  It's a law of the universe that bald guys and sunglasses go together.  O0

Good to know bro.

I try to cover my hairline and one of the sides and try hard to visualize.  Or when its wet and matted down.  It's just really hard to know for sure.

If its wet and I tilt my head down, it looks like my head is a lot bigger because the back is elevated.  When I look straight on, it looks more regular.  Also, near the front, in front of my ears, but behind my eyes it is narrower than it is towards behind my ears.  It's just hard to visualize, and makes me want to shave it to find out.  But I am so nervous because this is going to HAVE to be my new look and I'm going to HAVE to like it and live with it.  At 22, its a hard thing to deal with you know.  I am the middle brother and my younger and older brother appear to have lots of hair.  I don't want to be the odd man out.  Even at family gatherings with extended family, my grandpa on my mom's side still has all his hair.  Uncles and cousins, all have hair.  I understand having the confidence and whatnot, but mother nature is definately influencing this choice.
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: ar3inc on April 03, 2007, 04:32:31 AM
Welcome to the group, Cowboy!
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: Shiny on April 03, 2007, 11:53:51 AM
Just look at the wide variety of faces and head shapes on this site alone.  Hell anyone can "pull it off", even Paulie (J/K there Paulie).   Like you said, you'll never know until you do it.  Just do it on a Friday after work and if you don't like it, you'll just have real short hair on Monday morning.  But I bet you'll love it. 
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: HotCajun on April 03, 2007, 03:21:56 PM
Hi Cowboy! Welcome!
Title: Re: Greetings
Post by: OzPete on April 03, 2007, 04:52:53 PM
Welcome Cowboy!