Sly Bald Guys Forum
Discussions About Being Bald => 30 Day Rule / Beginners Section => Topic started by: baller on July 05, 2011, 12:24:14 PM
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Ok so I have overcome the shape of my head, I think it will be fine. Here is my last tread about that http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=14256.0
Short recap: 29 years old guy, looking much younger (we europeans tend to do), mbp increasing. Half a year ago I decided not to start with any treatment against mbp when I found this amazing site. I'll do the deed as you put it. So I have already decided that I'll be sly sooner or later.
Back to the present..
My GF is going away for half a week so I thought I may do it this weekend and maybe have time to get a little bit of tan before she gets back. The concern now is how do I start?
I have quite long hair right now and it's covering my hairline which is really high now, the V-shape you know. So my hair is maybe 10 cm long (4 inches) so this is a major change. I don't think a lot of people have noticed my MBP since I had this haircut for like 4 years now. I'm not even sure my GF noticed. So cutting it short or shaving will reveal what I have hidden. Even if I shave the shade will reveal it. I read about cutting shorter and shorter in periods to give myself, family and friends time to adjust and get used to the change. I understand that's a good way but since my hair has been so long and covering my MBP I'm not too happy to go half way either. What should I do? Should I go all in? I'm thinking maybe a 0 guard buzz is a good start? But how much will that reveal my MBP? Will it be too much of a shock?
I may also mention that I'm working at quite a large office with an open landscape setup (great..) and I'm pretty well known since I'm supporting and educating almost 200 employees in the IT system used. I wish I worked in a small car repair shop or something ;D
When I decide how to do it I'll also need some advice about great equipment!
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My advice - talk to your GF before you do it, not to get her approval, but to let her know. I talked to my wife and she was really supportive - a big help when you make a dramatic change.
I went sly in one step - full head of hair (with a small bald spot) to completely smooth over a weekend. I work in a big company and in general the first reaction was "oh wow!" then "it looks good!" Expect a few negative comments, but who cares about those?
Go for it - you'll like the change!
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My advice - talk to your GF before you do it, not to get her approval, but to let her know. I talked to my wife and she was really supportive - a big help when you make a dramatic change.
I went sly in one step - full head of hair (with a small bald spot) to completely smooth over a weekend. I work in a big company and in general the first reaction was "oh wow!" then "it looks good!" Expect a few negative comments, but who cares about those?
Go for it - you'll like the change!
Ok, I have read other treads where the opposite is proposed. But actually I told her in februari that I wanted to do it. Not a very supportive response that time. I guess it would be the prefered way to do it IF you get the supportive response, but if you don't?
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If you don't get the response you want, still go ahead and do it. You're doing it because you want to. She may end up liking it or even if she doesn't, she may grow accustomed to you being sly. If she gives you a real hard time about it, you have other issues to deal with.
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My wife disapproved every time I mentioned it over the past 10 years so I didn't. January 2010 I shaved my head. She didn't like it but tolerates it after she got used to it. Everyone else likes it (receive lots of compliments) as do I. I wish I had done it 10 years ago. I think you'll like it and if you don't it's only hair and will grow back
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Thanx. i'll figure that part out I hope.
Any thoughts about the practical part? Still don't know how to start out. Shave at once or start with the 0 guard buzz? What cind of clipper is good if?
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I went straight to smooth - had it buzzed down with a zero guard then went home and shaved clean. Try the zero guard to get a sense of what you'll look like. If you like the look, then shave down smooth and see if you like that even better. It's really a matter of personal choice. I go smooth because I like the feel of it.
On the practical side, I started shaving with a HeadBlade using HeadSlick. At first, went only with the grain until I got used to using the blade. After a few days, I started going against the grain to get a smoother shave. Now I use an electric to start out and the HeadBlade to finish (only against the grain with the HeadBlade) and I get a super smooth result.
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I went straight to smooth - had it buzzed down with a zero guard then went home and shaved clean. Try the zero guard to get a sense of what you'll look like. If you like the look, then shave down smooth and see if you like that even better. It's really a matter of personal choice. I go smooth because I like the feel of it.
On the practical side, I started shaving with a HeadBlade using HeadSlick. At first, went only with the grain until I got used to using the blade. After a few days, I started going against the grain to get a smoother shave. Now I use an electric to start out and the HeadBlade to finish (only against the grain with the HeadBlade) and I get a super smooth result.
How was your hair situation before the first shave? And how often do you shave? Any issues with irritation?
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I had a a fairly normal head of straight hair with a receding hairline and small bald spot. The barber clipped it down in stages one Saturday morning, finally getting it to a zero guard. The first week of shaving produced some irritation, mainly on the sides / temples where the skin is not as tight - no irritation on the top or back. Switching to shaving first with an electric has really cut down the irritation. After shaving, I rinse with cold water and use ClearHead to calm down the scalp.
I shave every morning because I end up with a fuzzy, velcro feeling by the end of the day. If my wife and I are going out, I may do a touch-up to get back to smooth and shiny.
I don't know if others have experienced it, but after six weeks, my head is naturally shiny - nothing needed.
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Ok sounds like I'm in a similar situation.
Bought a Philips QC5550 today so I think I will start with that one. It's a combined clipper and shaver, I'll get back with a review when I used it! Maybe I will stack up with razors also in case it doesn't work out.
http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/cpindex.pl?slg=en&scy=nl&ctn=QC5550/15
Jeez I'm nervous!
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I can understand being nervous. For a couple of weeks before going sly, I kept thinking about it and I was constantly touching my hair. For the first few days after going sly, I was self-conscious about seeing people. But I can honestly tell you that the nervousness goes away and the you'll really enjoy being sly. You'll get over the dramatic change and sly will look and feel normal. It's strange to say, but after six weeks of being sly, I have a hard time picturing / remembering what I looked like with hair.
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Ok Im done for today. I cut my hair from 10 to 0.5 cm and that was a huuuuuge step for me. I have never in my whole life had this short hair. I think I may stay like this for a few days just to get used to it. Im not yet sly but Im a very big step closer to it.
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Good work! It'll take a time to adjust to the look of very short hair, but then you'll probably start to wonder what you'd look like going full sly.
I had a barber buzz me down and when I looked, I was startled because I haven't had hair that short since I was about 8 years old. I went home and shaved smooth. I haven't regretted it.
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Awesome! You'll be amazed at how much MORE freedom the next step of going completely shaved will provide you.
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Thanks!
I'm already wondering how the next step will feel.
I noticed I had three small bald spots i the back and on the side. Two very small and thin plus one like 1 cm diameter. Also I discovered a mole and one read like bump. Maybe I'll get these things examined/removed soon, better safe than sorry.
However I am still glad I started the journey, it's the absolute right thing to do even if it's a little bit depressing right now to see my receding hairline so clearly.
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it's a little bit depressing right now to see my receding hairline so clearly.
When you shave it down to the wood, only you, and other sly guys, will notice. It's shave time Dude--get it done.
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Thanks saintc, really appreciate it.
Ok here is my look today. Buzzed down to 3 mm this morning.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65030031@N04/5921152065/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65030031@N04/5921151911/
What do you think about my headshape? I think it's pretty long and thin.
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I don't agree, except that it's time--the mpb is there. You know, Mother Nature may have started this fight, but you can finish it. And, if after 30 days you're not happy, in about a week you'll be back where you are now. Take is slow after a nice hot shower. Enjoy.
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Ok I did a 1 mm buzz and I like it! The hair is less visible.
I seem to be the slow transition cind of guy :) bare with me.
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Looks very nice! Very short is so manly.
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Ok I did a 1 mm buzz and I like it! The hair is less visible.
I seem to be the slow transition cind of guy :) bare with me.
So take it down to 1/2 mm. If you don't like it, it will grow back to 1mm in less than a week.
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Razor X is right. You'll be surprised at how fast hair grows back if you don't like the look.
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How do I accomplish 1/2 mm? 1 is the smallest on the clipper. You mean with no guard?
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Yes, take the guard off. You'll end up with a really close cut. It'll give you an approximate idea of what you'll look without hair. If that seems okay, then shave clean and see how that looks and feels.
By the way, the 30 day rule works because it gives you time to adjust. You'll get better at shaving, your scalp will become accustomed to being shaved, the color difference between your face and scalp will fade, and your skin's natural oils will make the scalp shine without extra help (assuming you like the shiny look), and lastly, in 30 days you'll have run into nearly everyone you know at least once and you'll feel more confident about yourself and the new look.
Good luck - it's big step, but it's a good one.
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I want to but just a little bit worried about this red mark. Its like bump in the back.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65030031@N04/5922670099/
I think I have had it for at least half a year. I dont know if I might break it if I go with no guard amd its not very pretty either. Should I have it removed before I go shorter?
About the 30 day rule, is a shave with an electric shaver ok to start count from? :)
Im sure too that it will get much better! Inalready feel more manly than I ever did.
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Thanks to all for the support by the way, I would have never been able to even get this far without it.
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Personally, I'd have the bump checked out by a doctor before risking cutting it open by shaving.
Regarding whether an electric shaver counts for the 30 day rule, my guess is that it does. I started with a blade and now use an electric first and a blade to get super smooth.
Good luck!
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Get that checked out pronto. I am a veteran of numerous small skin cancers and that looks like it could be one. They are virtually 100% curable, and there is little if any discomfort in getting it removed. Just think, your decision to go sly let you catch this potential problem very early.
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Ok Thx guys. Going to bed now, it's been a very interesting weekend. I'll call the doctor first thing tomorrow. And then work. It will be an interesting week too for sure.
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Got an appointment today and it was an infected something. Gonna remove it but they want to do it in the autumn instead to avoid sunlight.
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Glad to hear it was nothing more serious!
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Thanks I am too. Like saintc said, shaving could had been a life saver!
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I wrote a little bit about my skinhead problem in another thread. Here is a pic of how it looks right now. I think it may be partly because of the 1 mm buzz. Either I should shave or I should let it grow out to 5 mm.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/65030031@N04/5926662365/
In the picture I feel neutral but I just think it shows that I look like Im out to murder somebody. :Xo!
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Ok, first- SMILE!!! Second, it looks really good. You've gone this far, shave it with a blade. Third, How about a pic. That isn't a profile. Dnt be SO critical of yourself. :)
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I should smile more I know. Tomorrow I'll go out and be as positive as I can. Im fighting the negative thoughts! Did you have any bumps on the road Daven?
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We all have some bumps in the road. To total strangers, you will not look any different because they don't know you in the first place. To friends and coworkers, only your hairstyle has changed. There'll be an adjustment period, but most of us have found that it goes quickly and sly feels very normal.
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We all have some bumps in the road. To total strangers, you will not look any different because they don't know you in the first place. To friends and coworkers, only your hairstyle has changed. There'll be an adjustment period, but most of us have found that it goes quickly and sly feels very normal.
Words of wisdom ^
The adjustment period was much easier than I anticipated. In fact, I regretted clinging to my remaining hair for so long. People that know you and care about you will still feel the same way. They will adjust quicker than you will most likely. Looks good by the way!!
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Thx philip and npsbg! Today was a better day, smiled so much I almost locked my jaws ;D
I'm gonna start counting my 30 days now even though Im not shaved with a razor! Then I can have another 30 days when I do start with the razor but I feel Im not ready yet and need this countdown for the buzz look ;)
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Another advantage with acting nice and smiling more not to scare people is that I feel like a better person and more positive in general. Not that I was rude before but now I act more on my own in comparison to reacting to others. Hard to explain. :)
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Another advantage with acting nice and smiling more not to scare people is that I feel like a better person and more positive in general. Not that I was rude before but now I act more on my own in comparison to reacting to others. Hard to explain. :)
I understand exactly what you're talking about. It's like creating a positive feedback loop :)