Sly Bald Guys Forum
New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: leighmundo40 on August 05, 2012, 06:43:18 AM
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My story
Hi Everyone! Newbie to this site and after "lurking" for a week (I think that's what it's called!) I thought I would post my story.
I'm 40. I first noticed my hair loss when I was 27. Someone I hadn't seen for a while saw me and mde a comment that my hair had started to thin at the front. This threw me into a major panic, which lead to a bout of depression. During the months that I was signed off work, I started looking into possible treatments. This was before the internet, so it was all in magazines. I stumbled across an advert in the back of a newspaper for "Advanced Hair Studio" I sent away for the brochure, couldn't believe what I saw (if only I had known then!) made an appointment for a consultation. Completely fell for the sales schtick and paid 3thousand pounds for what was basically a glued on wig! My naievity lead me to believe that they actually permenantly replaced the hair forever! For 6months I was relatively happy, I had hair, I went every month to have it refitted. Then the pressure came to buy a second unit "in case something happened to the first" Well, that was all it took to make me buy a 2nd..it was awful! wrong colour! I felt that I was again in a trap, and my depression re-surfaced.
I found a local hair restoration company, family run and went to them for advice. Seemed that a lot of their customers had come from AHS and they genuinely helped me and put me at ease. For the next 15 years I bought my systems from them every couple of years, went each month for the upkeep and had to say, that I felt that it was a great alternative to have hair. As far as I was aware, no-one knew (my parents did, I ended up telling them as they couldn't understand the bouts of depression) I was careful with my relationships, never letting anyone near my head, and I got on with life.
Then last winter I started to think about what I was doing, all the money I had spent over the years. Not just on the pieces themselves, but the shampoo's, tapes, monthly visits etc etc. The staff were lovely and nothing was too much for them, but the owners were getting near retirement and I started to think about what would happen when they did. I'd obsessively looked into other companies offering similar services, hair transplants and even the new head tattooing! But I just felt that I would be swapping one thing for another.
So...I made a desision..I was going to stop with the pieces and buzz my hair down and just get on with life! I fessed up to my partner, who had no idea about my hair! It was very emotional and nervewracking. I gave myself a time frame of three months, starting taking some nutrients in an attempt to thicken up my own hair, started talking at work about possibly having a new look. It was stressful and I felt sick 24/7, in a way this kind of helped as I developed a weird scalp infection called follicatitis, which gave me an added reason to change my hair.
I went to the company for the last time in early December. They were fine with it and I knew that if I didn't do it then, I never would. I had taken 2 weeks away from work to get used to my new look. I admit that when I got home that first day I cried like a baby for hours. I bought some clippers, my partner clippers my hair for me every few weeks. I bought some spray tan for my face..very pasty where the piece had been! I also bought many hats!
So, bringing up to date...Am I happy? Uhm...I feel better for not being tied into something. The reaction from others has been fine. Ive been told the new look makes me look younger. My nieces arent keen, they liked to put ribbons and bows in my hair! Me? I have to say that I prefer myself with hair. Some days Im fine, others I hate it so much! Ive looked into natural methods of keeping the hair I have, supplements, shampoos, massage etc. Im not going down the procecia, finasteride, rogaine route. It's coming up to 6months now and Ive yet to have my picture taken without a hat or cap on! Ill get there eventually! I actually find the buzzed look very attractive on others..not so sure about me!
I just wanted to share this with people who might have been through a similar thing.
Feel free to ask any questions!
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Hey glad to have you here ;) !Greetings from Vukovar -Croatia (Wolf-city ^-^ ) i am 27 right now and right now I realize hair is just a...hair no need to over think this -go with a flow man don't take this like some doom or something be free O0
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Thanks!
Some days are better than others I have to say. I made the decision at the end of the day. And like people have said, I dont have an horrendous illness, I havnt lost a limb in a war.
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Hello Leighmundo, and welcome to this forum.
Your story is interesting, but not completely unique form many others who frequent this site. Thanks for sharing...
You have come a long way from a few years ago. Well done! Don't write off the possibility of shaving it all off some day, or even soon. There is nothing like it!
A few years ago I never imagined I would ever do this, I mean never in my wildest dreams. Now at 46 I am so happy with the Sly look, after 95 days, that I know I will probably never go back to my thin hair and flaky scalp. Going Sly was one of the most exhilarating things I ever did!
All the best with you decision...
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Thanks for the contribution Waine. I imagine that there are a lot of people out there with similar stories to my own.
You look great, for me I think I need a bit of hair at least..for now!
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Welcome to SBG.
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Welcome. Perhaps with your newer experience and awareness you will notice how many more bald guys (either MPB or BBC) are walking around out there. There is no stigma attached to being a bald guy.
I trust that with time you will become "at ease" with the new look. It really simplifies so many aspects of life.
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Hey Leigh: Welcome 2 the sly fraternity.
WARHAWK O0
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Welcome, and good luck with what you decide.
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welcome
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Welcome. Perhaps with your newer experience and awareness you will notice how many more bald guys (either MPB or BBC) are walking around out there. There is no stigma attached to being a bald guy.
I trust that with time you will become "at ease" with the new look. It really simplifies so many aspects of life.
^Right on the money with that.
Usually you have to conquer a fear to get over it. Many people have felt the way you have... I know I did. But I can't begin to describe how... empowering? it is to shave your entire head and own the look.
I wish you luck in your journey. I would suggest for you to read a lot on this website, you more than likely will be surprised at how many people have a similar situation. :)
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Welcome to the bald brotherhood Leighmundo. Good luck with whatever decision you come up with but I am hoping that the tons of inspiration in the forum will help you move in the more "favorable" direction.
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Thaks guys!
Im slowly working my way through topics on the forums bit by bit. And yes! I have noticed how many guys now sport the cropped/shaved look!
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Welcome, leighmundo. Thanks for sharing your story.
You've been hiding behind hair treatments for years. Of course it's natural to feel overexposed when you've buzzed your hair down... Unfortunately, there's no perfect (or for the most part, effective) hair treatment out there. Being tired of dealing with constant hair maintenance, you've made the best possible choice. Give it more time.... You may grow to like it on yourself. Then comes the good part: confidence gain. :)
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Welcome. Good luck.
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Welcome to SBG! You're story is not new...and we have a plan...just shave it for 30 day straight. I know you've been buzzing, but go all the way! It will be life changing. I promise!
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Welcome to SBG's forum. I hope you can find your confidence and do what's right for you. The reality is, your hair is not what makes you who you are. You have to get past that feeling and move on. Good luck. O0
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Thanks for all the comments guys.
Ive read the "30 day trial" section..not sure that is for me just yet to be perfectly honest. I think I need to lose some weight so my head would look far less like a giant pink bowling ball!
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The bowling ball thing is a fear we almost all had, turns out no one's head looks that round! You have showed great courage by ditching the system, it must have been a real effort... But now that you are free of it, just give yourself a chance to enjoy being you. Peace brother.
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Leighmundo, you are in the right place to make the decisiom one way or another. the guys here are really supportive. Just make the decision that is right for you
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Shave it off!! give it a try dude, after all it will grow back...
O:O
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Hello Skimdude. Yeah, I agree with you...Sometimes "No hesitaion" can be such a rush...
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Once agan, cheers for all the positive vibes.
Ive given myself 12 months to get used to what Im like now (another 5months left!) Then Im going to review the whole situation. I really doubt that I would go completely to the grain, but definately shorter.
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Firstly, welcome mate, you have come to the right place. It seems you have a plan in mind, I understand that you aren't wanting to shave your head now. It was a good 6-8 months since it was suggested to me by a sly close family friend that I give it a go, before I actually took the plunge. Keep up the buzz for the next 5 months as you are planning and if you get the urge, just knock it down lower, if you get to the point where you are going no guard then pull out the trusty razor and go full sly. But until then keep doing what you are doing and just remember that losing your hair isn't the end of the world, every single one of us that have gone sly due to MPB or thinning have been in a very similar situation to you, and now here we are enjoying our new lives and trying to help our brothers out of their slumps and to improve their quality of life.
Make sure you keep reading through the mountains of information on this forum, feel free to join in with our conversations, and please keep us posted with your progress, I really hope you come to like the new you.
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Amen Beardman!
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Thanks Beardman, appreciate that a lot.
Not a good day today I have to admit, but Ill get there!
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You are most welcome mate, sorry to hear it hasn't been a good day, hopefully tomorrow is better O0
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Have no fear my friend ......
I was with hairclub for 16 disappointing years
I know ALL about it.........
I took the plunge 29 days ago
It has been MUCH MUCH easier than I EVER thought to be FREE from hair
My advice. Is to STEP UP!!! , MAKE A COMMITMENT TO YOURSELF
Face your demons and shave your head Clean, Free of them.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR DESTINY Bro and Continue net working here
READ ALL THE TESTIMONYS. From the Ballsiest Men I Know!
Please feel free to ask me any questions if you like
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You need to post a pic so we can give you our opinions.
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The photo thing? yeah, I know I should. Ill work up to doing that next week. See what you guys think
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please post!
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Well, I spoke with my partner today about it (it was buzz cut day!) He sports the sly look himself. He actually said that he likes the buzz cut look on me, and likes the feel of stroking it (Im a freakin' cat!)
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Let's see the two of you in a pic
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This is the most current one I have, only Ive got a hat on Im afraid!
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Very Nice. Your partner is a hunk. I really like the beard. Your quite handsome yourself. Thanks for the pic. O:O
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You both have the head to pull off sly.....
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Ive got a hat on Im afraid!
You've got nothing to worry about.
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As your partner is sly I am sure he would like stroking your bald head even more that a buzzed head.
Take the hat off, grab a razor and go clean. It does wonders for your confidence.
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Nuts, exactly what I would suggest....once you do it you won't look back!
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You are a beautiful couple. Both will look amazing shaved smooth.
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What everyone else said! :D
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Umm.....
Like what are you afraid of again?
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Awwww! Thanks guys, appreciated greatly. Like Ive said Im giving it the full year and my plan is that at the start of next to make a decision one way or another.
I like his hair that short, he has completely shaved it off before, and I thought it looked quite severe.
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Just think how much fun it would be to shave each others heads. I wish I had someone to shave mine for me, I'll bet it is very relaxing. Can we please see a pic of you without the hat?
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go for the sly ! you both are a very handsome couple ! very lucky to have each other and both being cueballs would just compliment the package !
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Im working up to taking some shots without the hat. I did take some immediately after I'd had the system removed and buzz cut, but it totally freaked me out and I deleted them from my camera and computer.
Twin cueballs huh? LOL
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Hey, at least you put in an avatar picture, That's a start!
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It is I guess! A start of some kind. I dont wear the hats in work as it wouldn't be practical.Its all about me getting used to the new look. Catching glimpses in reflective surfaces, kettles, shower screen, windows etc, still a shocker!
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Don't worry, it becomes easier and easier to reconcile yourself with the man in the mirror, you'll get there O0
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Hoping so. Wearing a hat in this weather is BOILING!
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Hot enough to burn up the hat and let you be free?
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Not just yet! but soon!
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Be Free Brother
Embrace and Walk Tall
Dont lose that Great Smile
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Well, I went out with a friend last night to dinner and a movie. Hat was off in the restaurant and cinema! Baby steps!
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Well, I went out with a friend last night to dinner and a movie. Hat was off in the restaurant and cinema! Baby steps!
You forgot to write ... "And it was great!"
So ... what were the feelings?
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Uhm....well, I don't wear any headwear when Im in the office at work, so it's not that it's brand new. I guess it's more of a security blanket type thing when Im out socially.
My friends got the big reveal at Christmas, so are used to it now, but Im always like "Who is staring at me?"
Daft I know!
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Seems like a lot of work to keep track of headware. Maybe it's time to leave the security at home?
I'm just sayin'
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Yeah, it can be a bit like that, but nothing out of control at the moment!
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Why not apply the 30 day Sly Rule to wearing the lid with a modification...try no head gear for just 3 days and see how it feels- if still not feeling confident put the training wheels(hat) back on for a day then try it again? This is just my 71 year old mind working overtime,,,Good Luck
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Interesting point Bald Kahuna. I actually went sans hat today on a family meal, was too bloody hot by the grill anyway!
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Leigh you look like a winner you will be fine :)
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Cheers Boxman, much appreciated