Sly Bald Guys Forum
New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: Goldn Scalp on July 24, 2013, 12:31:51 AM
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Good day guys,
I am a 30 yo dude who got hit pretty hard and fast by male pattern baldness, and by that I mean I lost almost all the hair on the top of my head in matter of months. Although all the male members of my family have a fairly receding hairline,I did not loose a single hair before I turned 30 (I thought I had actually dodged the condition). When it started to look too ugly, I took the trimmer and got rid of all of it. From then on, my life just basically went to s**t . I feel like nothing really makes sense now.
About a month ago, I started to google "bald" and wandered through many websites, mostly filled with people willing to butcher a piece of their scalp so they can maintain the illusion of having hair or take pills at the risk of endangering their manhood. Do not get me wrong, I am definitely not coming to terms with my baldness, but resorting to such extreme measures to keep an illusion is in my mind equally appalling...
A few days ago I found this website and here I am posting for the first time. Hopefully it will be the first of many.
Thanks for making this site so inspirational, reading you guys does ease the pain a little bit.
Far out
Goldn
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Mate well all I can say is that pic of yours looks damn fine. You've taken the truest, strongest, most authentic course of action and should be proud!
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Dude!! You look great sly and there's no reason to question anything more at this point. All men go through this at one point or another. This is just an opportunity to find yourself at your best at 30. In my case, I will always have a full head of hair. My dad did until he passed, his dad did so there is no reason to believe that I won't. What I didn't expect in my early 30's is to have a full head of nasty Grey hair. Every time I grow it out, I get the full reminder every day that I look old so shaving it down actually makes me look and feel younger. I just have to say enjoy being "sly". It feels better, looks better and you're making a strong statement that I'm sure a lot of your friends are too timid to try. It tool a lot of courage to slick it down and you're better for it.
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Golden, pleased that you found this site. There are thousands of bald guys on here to support you. Your picture looks fantastic. Bald looks really good on You.
A head shaved bald look so much better than very thin/balding hair. I wish more guys would do it.
Some of us are bald by choice, BBC, and others in various stages of natural baldness, but just about all of us enjoy the look and feel of a completely shaved head.
Welcome. Hope we can encourage you.
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you look great. shaved look is now well accepted.
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Welcome! Dude, you look like a natural sly; your scalp is indeed "Gold'n".....Enjoy and participate often!
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welcome
you look great O0
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Welcome.
You look great sly. you will get a lot of support on this web site.
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You look great. Great shaped head, so enjoy your new look!
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Multiple accolades for not falling into the hair "restoration" trap, sir, and a hearty congratulation on going Sly!
I am sorry you had such an abrupt encounter with MPB, but, in my honset opinion, you made an excellent decision to go smooth. You look great.
So many guys here with MPB have discovered that shaving off their hair is very liberating. You no longer have any reason to worry about whether the bald patch is getting bigger or how to style what is left of your hair. You actually will blend in with the growing number of men who also decided to shave it off. It has become a very mainstream style.
Glad you are with us, Golden
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Looks great. A very positive decision. You'll rock the look in China.
I've been to China a number of times and my shaved head/white beard seems to fascinate many locals and I have often been asked to be photographed with locals from old grannies, to pretty young girls, to babies. A great way to break the ice with locals.
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You look great with the scraped skull. Nothing to worry about there.
That being said you can mull the whys and wherefores of why you started losing your hair ad nauseum. To paraphrase the Buddhists life comes with a built in supply of pain, that's inevitable. Suffering, though, is optional. To toss this around and around inside your head is to ask to suffer with it. Or you can just accept that the way of the world as it pertains to your head is for it to be without hair and move ahead.
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You look great and very handsome shaved. Problem solved.
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Top of the morning to you guys,
To try and answer a few of you (not necessarily in the right order):
I guess the lights were not too bad when I took that picture… Seriously, thanks a bunch for your posts, it does help. However, comes to think about it, I think I took a few harsh hits following my first “close shave” and have not had to the time to process what came afterwards. My point is not that I find myself ugly (it is irrelevant at this time) but it does make a huge change in who I am. My hair were kind of a significant part of who has I was, (so are my teeth you will say and thank god those will not fall off in the foreseeable future…) but I must say I am having trouble adjusting.
Been “rocking the look” (I dig that expression!) for about 3 months and I can tell you, people sure look at me funny hehe. One fact that could be helpful to your site (In case you ever want to open a “did you know?” section in the forum), in China during ancien times, male shaving their heads were considered iron willed people in Guangdong province.
I sure do hope to post contributions in the future, further exploration has finished convincing me on this site being a frigging gold mine. Just came back from the Head shaving section, I am thinking about going for the shining bowling ball this week-end. If I am getting bald, might as well finish what Mother Nature started... I think I will give it a go if only for you guys comments.
About BBC, now that is an interesting subject. I am yet to understand how one person would prefer no having hair (maybe because they can go back whenever they want?), but I guess the newbie I am still has a long way to go. It takes some confidence and actual boldness to pull that off.
Afterwards, it is going to come down to being A bald guy vs The bald guy (but I prefer not to think about it right now).
One step at a time.
Thanks again
Goldn
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Hey Goldn, maybe I can shed some light on the BBC subject. I always like the sly look when I would see it on other guys, so 5 weeks ago I shaved off a full head of hair. My s/o said try it one time. Well, when I did it, she said she thought I was kidding about shaving. Low and behold, she liked it! I have received dozens of positive comments, only a few "why did you do that?" comments. I love the look, and the attitude it gives me. Here in Minnesota, you can't go anywhere without seeing a guy with a shaved head. It has become a widely accepted style choice.
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I too can grow a mostly full head of hair, though thinner on top ( I made the mistake of hair transplants when I was younger and quite insecure about losing hair and it was a disaster to the point I had some micro tattoos done on my head as in my photo to conceal the surgery scars) but rarely do grow it now.
I cant say anything about China having never been there but here in Chicago anywhere I go in the city about 25% of all men are shaved smooth or buzzed down to the skin, hair loss or not. It is just another haircut now and quite expected. Some days it is closer to 35% shaved. I do notice a generational aspect to this in that most anyone over perhaps 60 or 70 still clings to notions popular when they were young that all men must have hair at any cost or are viewed negatively some how. That idea is dying out. Do not get attached to it, it does not serve you. You look great buzzed/shaved and do enjoy the experience of shaving with a razor, soap, get a shaving brush and really enjoy the experience. Badger Brush.com has a whole section on head shaving technique with soaps, brushes, double edge razors guys find helpful in head shaving. There are guys there too that are bald by their own choice and prefer it that way.
Let go and enjoy being bald, it does feel great to rub your hands over a freshly shaved head as you will discover. That feeling becomes expected and desirable.
Perhaps in China you are not seeing this look yet but I imagine it will become popular there too. Or perhaps China is a temporary assignment for you ? In any case let go of ideas about needing hair to be successful or handsome because you already are with your head buzzed/shaved in your photo. If this site had been around when I got the idea to do transplants it would have saved me a world of hurt. Listen to us please.
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Evening guys,
Reddog,
The tanned skull + white Van dyke does come out well indeed!
When you say “the attitude it gives me” could you please elaborate?
Chgobuzzbald,
Thanks for the advice and the website, it is very helpful.
Been living in China for nearly 10 years and although you can spot one or two baldies here and there, hair is pretty much the norm.
The situation both you guys are both describing features shaved heads in astonishing proportions!!! Maybe I should relocate in the States hehe.
In my home country, it still carries a significant social stigma, which I was not fully aware of until I became bald.
As Buddha said (the gent from the sly bureau) I can ponder and mull and ponder all I want, there is nothing I can actually do to stop that. Might as well let it go…
Spent some hours on a website strongly advocating for hair restoration yesterday evening and there was a guy whose post signature was all the pill and lotions he used daily. It scared the living s%^&t out of me. I refuse to be defined by the daily regimen of chemicals I put into my body.
Will post again after I shave my head tomorrow...
Thanks
Goldn
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Glad we are being of assistance to you. Which is your home country ? I have recently bought a small shaving brush and a cake of shaving soap. I prepared some very hot water in a cup and dipped the brush in for a minute, then used it to whip up lather on the shaving soap cake in a cup, which made hot lather. Also used a towel dipped in hot water and microwaved for a minute as a pre-shave wrap for my head to soften the hair. Felt great and then used the hot lather with the brush which in itself feels good and then tried a few different razors during my headshave. I spent maybe 45 minutes just enjoying the sensation of the headshave and the freedom of doing it before I was done. My head was as smooth as glass for at least 8 hours after the shave. I enjoy the shaving very much so don't rush it. I also have a Panasonic Es electric wet/dry foil shaver I run over my head as well with lather and used that too. An hour of fun and loved the shaved look and feel afterward. Enjoy the fun and freedom of your headshave. If China is not bald enough for you then come to the States !
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Just took a look at my first post and I apparently left it out. I am French and now bald (talking about accumulating handicaps:) ).
Your shaving ritual looks interesting. I do not have soap bags, Gillette foam will have to do in my case.
I saw Tyler's beginners 30 days rule and I must say I am afraid my skull will get irritated if I shave it too much too soon:/ What do you think?
When you mentioned it felt smooth for 8 hours, does it mean it start becoming scratchy afterwards? I thought it was going to take longer for the hair to grow Anyway, will shave it tomorrow and tell you how it feels and lasts afterwards.
Have a nice week end
Goldn
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Welcome Gold'n!
I live in a small town in Japan, where there are few enough foreigners that we all attract plenty of stares, even more so with the bald head! That said, I've been here almost 6.5 years now, married not far off 5 years and with a 2 month old baby boy (sleeping on me as I write this clumsily on my phone).
The looks from others will soon become inconsequential to you. They won't matter at all. You know that you can't really do anything about your hair loss and as soon as you accept that and take the bull by the horns, the sooner your confidence will grow because you'll be in control.
Regarding the head irritation, don't feel like you must shave every day to begin with. Every two days or even three if necessary will give your head enough time to recover before the next shave.
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Thanks Bluebriz,
I guess biting the bullet still is the only way to go. Traveled to Japan a few times a couple of years back, I must say envy you a great deal.
Since my skin tends to get irritated easily, I intend to rinse my scalp with Betadine to prevent any zits from arising (actually i dont even know if such a thing could happen, I am making analogies with my beard when I shave it).
By the way guys, what should I expect after my first shave? Burning, itching, excessive sweating?!
I guess I will know soon enough...
Goldn
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Hey, Goldn:
Some things you may want to try after shaving to prevent irritation are: 1. rub your head with an ice cube after shaving, 2. Witch hazel is a good alternative to aftershave if you can't stand the sting of aftershave. There are other tips I am willing to share if needed. P.S. I don't know what you looked like with hair, but your bald head is one of the better ones I have seen as of late. (and I'm not exaggerating). Good luck!
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I saw Tyler's beginners 30 days rule and I must say I am afraid my skull will get irritated if I shave it too much too soon:/ What do you think?
Not to fear. Most likely, the first few days there will be a mild numb feeling on your scalp. This goes away pretty quickly. It's not bad, just feels a bit 'strange'. After all, you've not shaved your head before. Scalp is used to having hair there. I've seen a few guys post here that they get some irritation. Resolution is typically: Don't press so hard with the razor. Don't try to be super smooth in the first week or two. And if you need to shave every other day. DO apply a lotion after each shave, Hand cream would work if you have nothing else. Head Lube glossy or matte from Head blade. Nivea head balm or the likes. etc.
When you mentioned it felt smooth for 8 hours, does it mean it start becoming scratchy afterwards? I thought it was going to take longer for the hair to grow Anyway, will shave it tomorrow and tell you how it feels and lasts afterwards.
Hair grows FAST. By evening your head will feel like sandpaper. If you skip a day it will feel like velvet. In 3-4 days, you'll look like a tight buzz haircut and in a week, "Where did all this hair come from?" The longest I went without shaving since starting was 6 days. I was sick in bed that week. The amount of hair to shave was like starting all over, although some of the first week syndrome was not there.
Head shaving takes the least time if you do it daily. And do expect a long shave the first time. You're new at it and there's lots to shave. I took about 45 minutes first time. Now it's about 5 minutes daily.
Yes, hair grows fast and when it's shaved you notice it a lot. For me, the 'worst' part was after the first pass of the razor across my head. I'm not finished yet, but committed to shaving my head, as this swath was already done. I had to go forward. Once my head was fully shaved I felt good about it. Do follow the 30 days rule. Make that commitment up front. By 30 days you won't want to go back to hair. You'll be used to it, and so will others.
Go for it. You will look great with a shaved head. And no more worries about looking balding, thin hair, and looking old.
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Since my skin tends to get irritated easily, I intend to rinse my scalp with Betadine to prevent any zits from arising
Check with an MD or an RN about the safety of betadine. If you have it in a concentrated form it can actually be toxic to human tissue which is why it is such an effective germ killer when used topically. My concern would be if it got into a cut undiluted. I honestly don't know what effect this would have on the tissue beneath the skin. I'm thinking that you might only need to use enough of it diluted in water to take on the color of weak tea. I would use distilled water for this purpose.
Also, the betadine we have here is deep red and it can actually stain the skin a reddish brown color. Be careful with this stuff.
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From your photo I thought you were shaved.
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To understand going BBC, it's a matter of personal choice. I remember the first time I shaved it in my early 20s when I was stationed in Italy in 1992, a bunch of us guys decided to shave our heads down with a razor for an upcoming deployment. I was kind of hesitant as having my head buzzed off for boot camp and remembering how ugly it looked, didn't want to see that again however when we all did it, and razor shaved it, I just remember how empowering it looked and felt. It wasn't a "normal" look back then, especially in Europe so walking down the streets of Naples and Rome, Getting that "double take" from folks walking down the street, it just inspired confidence as I felt I was my own person and "bucking societal expectations." Over the years of my military career of growing and then shaving it off, discovered that although the hair looks decent, the Sly look makes life a lot easier. It's easier to maintain (if you're taking the time to shave your face, the extra five minutes to shave your head just becomes a part of your ritual), you look stronger and once folks are used to it, it just becomes you. As I've mentioned earlier, once I retired, I grew it out and all I saw was a constant, grey reminder that I'm old now so "rockin the sly look" makes me feel younger and reminds me of the young "Hard Charger" Marine that I was the first time I shaved it. It's all about projecting confidence. When you come to accept it and make it you, then it will be nothing but a thing. I know several of my Marines and non Marine friends who shaved their heads because of my look (I know because they asked me to and I shaved em down myself). You'll be surprised.