Sly Bald Guys Forum
New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: hellocowboy on April 14, 2007, 08:09:33 PM
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Hey all.
Here's my story that lead up to me joining this site:
I'm 21, a junior in college in Texas, microbiology major. A few months before my 21st birthday, I started taking notice that my temples were seemingly higher than they used to. It ended up instilling a sense of paranoia as I began to think I was losing some serious hair. That idiocy subsided, but my obsession to make my hairline straighter stayed with me.
I got all my treatment tips from Hairlosstalk, and started the Rogaine, Propecia, etc., the whole deal. It didn't bother me at first, but more and more I started to do weird things. I started checking my hair before every class, whether it was windy or not. I'd walk as far as I needed to go on campus to get to a restroom that was empty so I could check things out in solitude. I had to start getting up earlier so I had enough time to put on the topical products and style my hair.
Then, what really pushed me over the edge I think, is when I started using the concealer Toppik.
But the whole problem with all of it is that I really am not losing that much hair. I just spent so much time listening to those whiney crybabies at the 'other' forums who think that a normal V-shape hairline is balding. Some of them have a warped sense of reality, and I started thinking the same way.
About a month ago, I decided to buzz most of my hair off, to time it with my Spring break. I could almost literally feel as if the stress was inside the hairs themselves, and when they came off, I mentally felt like I was before I started freaking out over nothing (I'm a Norwood 2.5ish for those who are familiar with the hairloss jargon). Quite possibly the most liberating thing I've ever felt. I have a Buddhist-leaning side to my personality, and looking back, it really bothers me that something so stupid was affecting me so much.
I think my problem was that I felt like, since I'm in college, I had to look like these annoying frat boys and their goofy 15 year old gelled hairstyles. But I've never liked having to deal with hair. I just never had the courage to cut it off. Until now.
I admit, I'm not "sly" yet, but ever since I first buzzed it off with a 1.5 guard, I've gone down to a 1, and yesterday with a 1/2. Every time I cut it shorter, I feel more and more as if I'm becoming what nature intended me to look like, to become what I was supposed to look like. Sounds corny, but I truly believe I look better without hair. I look at old photos, and I don't recognize myself.
What really helped me come to this conclusion is my older brother, who posts here under the name Blondeguy. Rather than go through months of annoyance like I did, he had the correct idea and shaved it all off after a brief trial with Rogaine. His hairline is a little bit higher than mine, and he didn't torture himself with false hopes for months like I have. I've yet to see him in person with his new look, but from the pictures, he is definitely sly.
I plan on shaving it all the way in a few weeks to see what it looks like. I'm not sure if I'll end up keeping it, because I really do like the stubble look (plus I've had the 2-day-facial-hair-growth look for about 3 years now) and I like seeing the coloration it gives my head, but I'm going to try out the shaved look for a little bit after my final exams are over.
But one things for sure, I'd rather be bald-by-choice and SLY than paranoid and obsessed with growing a few new hairs. About an hour ago, I packed up my Rogaine, Propecia, and Folligen lotion into a small box, and I stuffed that thing deep into my closet. My hair may continue to recede, but if anything, it will influence me to shave it all the way, if I haven't already.
Hope to talk to ya'll more.
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welcome Cowboy and glad you seen the light!!and glad you caught yourself before you spent yrs stressing yourself out.
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Welcome Cowboy!!
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Looking sly, Cowboy
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Cowboy, welcome to Sly Bald Guys!!! You have a cool bro. Glad you made the leap instead of wasting your time and money on the alternatives.
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Hey, bro...I was wondering when you'd come to your senses and show up here. I've got a HeadBlade with your name on it when you come down this summer. :x!
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Hey, bro...I was wondering when you'd come to your senses and show up here. I've got a HeadBlade with your name on it when you come down this summer. :x!
Ah, brotherly love!
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Hey, bro...I was wondering when you'd come to your senses and show up here. I've got a HeadBlade with your name on it when you come down this summer. :x!
Hey, man....I've had the privilege of a visit from Tyler....and it is a privilege...so all I have to say is !p !p !p !p
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Awesome! That was a good story, I think an inspiring one for anyone that is having a hairloss problem. Kudos to you!
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...and welcome to SBG!
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Hey, bro...I was wondering when you'd come to your senses and show up here. I've got a HeadBlade with your name on it when you come down this summer. :x!
Hey, man....I've had the privilege of a visit from Tyler....and it is a privilege...so all I have to say is !p !p !p !p
I think Blondeguy was talking to his brother...LOL
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Welcome. As the mum of a teenage son experiencing hair loss, I congratulate you on your courage. The hair loss "industry" is doing a lot of damage to young men's confidence so thanks for your story. With young men like you (and the rest of you supportive guys) I feel more hopeful in guiding my son through the next few years.
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Yeah welcome,looks good
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Welcome bro. Good choice. Enjoy and be free. O0
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Welcome to SBG Cowboy. Great story that may help countless others. Nice job. O0
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Thanks everyone. Just from a quick glance, I can already tell this is an infinitely more positive environment then where I used to go.
I hope anyone who is in the same situation that I was in will read my post and realize that there really is a better alternative. You can be the balding guy trying to hide, or you can be the sly bald guy and be who you were born to be.
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You can be the balding guy trying to hide, or you can be the sly bald guy and be who you were born to be.
sounds like a hallmark card. damn fine posts. glad to have you on board. this is easily the best place to come if you are having doubts/fears. looks like momma raised two smart men.
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Welocme cowboy, good story and i can remeber thinking I was going bald when i turned 18...it was just the normal male thing of getting a more thinned out hair type or hair line...I freaked...but was never balding, I've always had the v shape....since birth, so i can see where you ended up finally seeing that WASN't balding...it's all such a mind f*ck!
All that being said, you will look great totally slick and sly...leave the face stubble if that helps...you'll be amazed how just having skin on the top of your head will completely give you another take on life....
it's a HUGE difference between buzzed and completely bald....
Bald is a classic SLY look (110% confident)...buzzed is trendy at the moment and (90% confident)...you'll know what i mean when you do the deed!
Good luck and listen to your brother and go the way of SLY!
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it's all such a mind f*ck!
My exact sentiments.
The only reason I haven't gone sly immediately is that I'm trying to take this a step at a time. I think everybody can understand, that after 8 months of relying on the crutch of the false hopes of hair regrowth, suddenly stopping using that stuff as I have is a big change, and it's a small step outside of my 'comfort zone'. So I'm taking this at a pace that makes me feel comfortable, so I don't think it was just some radical thing I did in a fit of depression (like Britney Spears).
But every time I look at myself, I'm excited about being sly. Just 2 or 3 more weeks until this semester is over.
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Wowsers!! what a cutie!!
Welcome to the forum cowboy...yeehaw! :px
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it's all such a mind f*ck!
My exact sentiments.
The only reason I haven't gone sly immediately is that I'm trying to take this a step at a time. I think everybody can understand, that after 8 months of relying on the crutch of the false hopes of hair regrowth, suddenly stopping using that stuff as I have is a big change, and it's a small step outside of my 'comfort zone'. So I'm taking this at a pace that makes me feel comfortable, so I don't think it was just some radical thing I did in a fit of depression (like Britney Spears).
But every time I look at myself, I'm excited about being sly. Just 2 or 3 more weeks until this semester is over.
I see your point...if you're excited about the prospects now, you'll totally dig the end result...
plus it's cool that blondeguy is your brother....look out world, the "sly brothers" are coming!
Very cool!
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Don't worry, guys. He's gonna be shaved sly if I have to hold the razor myself and do it. Where's my chloroform? Afterward, we can put our heads together and look like an ass. Awesome!
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Don't worry, guys. He's gonna be shaved sly if I have to hold the razor myself and do it. Where's my chloroform? Afterward, we can put our heads together and look like an ass. Awesome!
Don't knock it dude...chicks dig a good lookin' ass 8)
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always nice when big brother is helping shaving the head from a brother
Helping hands
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Welcome Cowboy. Kudos to you and your bro.
Straight Razor, that is a great picture.
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Welcome Cowboy! Glad you took the leap and joined the ranks.
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Don't worry, guys. He's gonna be shaved sly if I have to hold the razor myself and do it. Where's my chloroform? Afterward, we can put our heads together and look like an ass. Awesome!
Don't knock it dude...chicks dig a good lookin' ass 8)
Some basic science is called for here!!
The north pole of a magnet "attracts" the south pole of another magnet.
The north pole of a magnet "repels" the north pole of another magnet.
Putting it SLY
One bald head is a chick magnet,
two bald heads together...repulsive!! :/O
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Welcome Cowboy, sounds like you got a plan. Glad you're taking a positive step and joining the ranks of the sly.
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Don't worry, guys. He's gonna be shaved sly if I have to hold the razor myself and do it. Where's my chloroform? Afterward, we can put our heads together and look like an ass. Awesome!
Don't knock it dude...chicks dig a good lookin' ass 8)
Some basic science is called for here!!
The north pole of a magnet "attracts" the south pole of another magnet.
The north pole of a magnet "repels" the north pole of another magnet.
Putting it SLY
One bald head is a chick magnet,
two bald heads together...repulsive!! :/O
Three bald heads start shooting lasers and punch a hole in the space-time continuum. :)
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Good story man (another young college guy!!)....
I'm also 21, and am graduating in May. I've been using propecia for a while now, and I'm the same way as you were, hate windy days, when its sunny out, I know people can see straight through my diffused hair. I also use couvre and toppik, and whne it isn't sunny out, the results are pretty spectacular, however I always get worried about someone spotting it. I'd buzz my hair now but its too big of a change and graduation is so close I'm just waiting till then. Oh and the whiners on hairlosstalk, some of them are friggin ridiculous. They barely have thinning hair and are like little babies. I have a couple thigns going against me, I look pretty young, like 18 probably lol... I don't have much facial hair (even though my dad has a very thick beard), and I have a relatively small frame. Conclusion - I don't care, thats how I am, I'll get tan to make it look better, and come midway through May the hair is getting buzzed at a 1.5 guard or so. I love how you said your stress fell away as the hair dropped from your head (I'm eagerly waiting this moment).
I had the topical concealers in my hair during Easter and my grandpa couldn't believe how thick my hair looked. I told him and my Grandma what I had been using and that I don't care becuase it has gotten me to fully be sick of worrying about my hair and that I'm just going to shave it. He goes on to tell me how important having hair is and that people look at you differently (he's bald but at a late age). I knew I was fully ready to buzz my hair when I proceded to confidentally tell him he doesn't know what hes talking about haha. He talked about the connection with being a skin head. I said give me a break, I'll never look that way, if anything I"ll look like I'm a cancer patient (my dad laughed) lol. Its hard when your family goes against you, but I'm fully ready to go for the glory. My mom on the otherhand is all for me buzzing my hair, but wants me to do it after I get a job offer and accept it. I'm thinking who caaaaaaaares. :P
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Well i have got all the names:
Skin head
Cancer patient
Prisoner
Butt not one match me Johannes.
I start shaving my head when i was 26 now i'm 51 i know all the wrong names, butt always like my shaved head
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@dalecooper
Yeah, HLT is a joke. Like 4 guys over there are actually bald, the rest are little kids freaked out about 5 hairs in the sink.
I'm not sure if I want to keep all my old hairloss products boxed up in the closet for me to look back on, or set that ungodly monster of evil on fire >:D
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@dalecooper
Yeah, HLT is a joke. Like 4 guys over there are actually bald, the rest are little kids freaked out about 5 hairs in the sink.
I'm not sure if I want to keep all my old hair products boxed up in the closet for me to look back on, or set that ungodly monster of evil on fire >:D
Something like this?
@nn!3 !B@
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I'm thinking more along the lines of a giant mushroom cloud of apocalyptic hellfire. This is as close an emoticon as I can find
F!@m
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Welcome aboard the Sly Train Cowboy.
Dude, just go with your heart....but save your money from those products!!!
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Hey guys, I'll try to find my college graduation picture so I can post it. But, one thing I recommend is shaving BEFORE your graduation day. If you plan on taking a bunch of pics, and I'm sure your mom will, then you will one day look back and say "Why didn't I shave for that day?"
I was looking at some pics the other day and I didn't realize that I was actually thinning my senior year of college. It didn't affect me, because I don't remember even thinking about it, but it's evident in my pics.
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No I'm gonna wait till after graduation. My mom and dad both like my hair alot after I put on the concealers (they were amazed actually).... I'm looking at it as my last day with hair, something to remember. Not to mention, my parents would want it the same way.
HOWEVER, the next day - its getting buzzzzzzed. I plan on taking a whole bunch of pics. You can be sure I'll have pics where I don't have anything in my hair (fresh out of shower) so I can look back and say man that looked bad, Im free from that now. Two graduations, one from college, one from thinning hair hahah. I might just have to go buy an s2000 and cruise around with the top down, not worrying about the sun shining thru my hair :)
This is just the way I have it planned out, and its not going to change, thanks for the friendly advice though Tyler.
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Hey guys, I'll try to find my college graduation picture so I can post it. But, one thing I recommend is shaving BEFORE your graduation day. If you plan on taking a bunch of pics, and I'm sure your mom will, then you will one day look back and say "Why didn't I shave for that day?"
COMPLETLEY agree....
I almost fell for the 'looking presentable" thing for my wedding....
Thank heaven, my wife said at lunch one day (while i was growing it out for the wedding)..."you know it just isn't YOU wil hair...you should shave it"....
next day not a hair left on the ol' head ...and it was the best thing I've ever done...why would i have hair all of a sudden after two years of being bald...and i look way better bald anyways?
Have to agree, i'm sure the "sad" me would have shown through, but not the case with the gleamin' head and big ol' smile ....
Do the deed for your big day...it's the day you will start your new life anyways...
Why not start it right and SLY?!!!!
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Hey all.
Rather than waiting 3 weeks, I went ahead and bought a headblade from Walmart and I am now sly. Give me a bit to get some pictures up.
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Hey all.
Rather than waiting 3 weeks, I went ahead and bought a headblade from Walmart and I am now sly. Give me a bit to get some pictures up.
Way to go!! O0 O0 O0
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Okay, my new sly brothers! I finally did it! Three weeks ahead of schedule
Man, I sure nicked myself like a mofo, and I need a serious tan up there :D I'll spend some time on campus tomorrow outside. See the reaction to the new sly guy on campus.
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Excellent! O0
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looks good bro! you'll have no prob pulling the sly look off....now wasnt that the most liberating thing you've done?....try some dark colored shirts on...i've found shirts with alot of white in them dont go good with the sly look...black and dark blues are the ticket...
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Awesome bro!! Now go out and get ya some head rubs on campus.
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8) :D Looking really good, Cowboy. You should be proud of yourself for taking the initiative. The look complements your features and style. Can you imagine your posing with a thinning pate instead of a gleaming dome? Stay O0 sly! Congrats, Professor Melon
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Don't worry, guys. He's gonna be shaved sly if I have to hold the razor myself and do it. Where's my chloroform? !
Okay, my new sly brothers! I finally did it! Three weeks ahead of schedule
Your brother didn't have chloroform you after all!!!
Good job!
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Looks great Cowboy! Nice job. O0
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Looks great bro. We were chatting on AIM yesterday before and after you went to Walmart. Keep the shadow on the face. The combo is you.
Buddy
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Awesome Cowboy, you were made for the sly style. Looks great on you and you set a milestone for SBG, our first sly brothers.
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Lookin more slyer than ever cowboy. You rock the look!
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Awww, dude! Looks great, i'm glad you decided to just do it....
Cool feeling, huh? You'll find how much more confident you feel being bald vs. just buzzed!
Seriously, good for you...
Keep us posted on how it is to finally get movin' on your life...at least you have no more stupid "hair" worries!
Keep it sly brother!
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Doesn't he look freaking awesome? I'm jealous!
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Looking sly cowboy
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It looks great bro. Keep it sly. 8) O0
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Looking good Cowboy! I'll bet you're glad you got that out of the way. Great decision.
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You look great!
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Welcome Koaa2.
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Cowboy, that is a great look. Keep it SLY.
Max
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Looks GREAT Cowboy!!! Way to go!!! O0
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Oh man Im jealous that I dont have the balls to do it like you do.
You look good btw! Definately suits you
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Damn man, that is exactly what happened to me, that Hairloss forums gets in your head... I just went sly yesterday, i figured I was too lazy to deal with all those products! 8)
Anyways It looks freaking awesome, If I saw you with hair I'd be weirded out :)
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Cowboy, just read through your post (sorry new here also) and I gotta say congrats O0
Looking very Sly!!
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Grats Cowboy and welcome to the club man