Sly Bald Guys Forum
Discussions About Being Bald => Reactions to being Bald => Topic started by: hjb_1990 on September 17, 2014, 03:08:05 PM
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After almost 2 years considering shaving my head I finally took the plunge while in Spain last week and shaved my head. Well; I didn't blade shave it but cut it right down to a '0' with a Phillips beard trimmer. I know this is bound to be a shock to me and I wasn't expecting to fall in love with it immediately but I really dont like it and feel as though it will never grow on me ::)
I was receding badly but still had thick hair on the back and sides. I also have some scaring/bald patches on the top of my scalp where hair has never grown after cradle cap scars from my childhood. The short cut now just exaggerates the blatant baldness on top and I have what I believe is known as the horseshoe effect (pictures to follow).
My scalp was also very pale so stupidly trying to gain some colour while on holiday I only used SPF 15 sun screen and subsequently have some sunburn to the top of my head which now also looks ridiculous. I also think I have a horrible shaped head which makes my short buzz and possible baldness look even more pathetic.
It has really got me down since I did it last week, and I have been constantly wearing hats when leaving home :(
All this and I'm only 24 :-\
I'm not after sympathy just a few opinions on what you guys think it looks like and whether maybe I should shave it completely with a blade to at least have the same effect all over my head!? I'm even sitting here researching hair transplant clinics!
I've attached some pictures below which show me as follows:
1. Thinning hair before the shave
2. Thinning hair before the shave held back
3. After 'the cut'
4 & 5. Weird shaped head
6. Bald scalp scaring and sunburn! :-[
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi61.tinypic.com%2Fwtf4tu.jpg&hash=0843cabc42e60b41abda53294264980d99dfc18a)
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(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.tinypic.com%2Fnz1ykm.jpg&hash=6403246f489ffbc70df26b9fe962bca1a7f0a866)
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.tinypic.com%2F2hwjyb7.jpg&hash=2685decc8aba7559639620f701673d938fd5aa71)
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Hi,
Don't think it looks bad at all... I do think a blade shave would probably look a bit better...
Try it, you have nothing to loose.
Steve
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Well, remember the 30 days rule.
My personal experience is that I like the razor shave much better than the no-guard buzz.
That little difference does not LOOK much different, but it sure feels different. The sandpaper or velco feel is not all that great, but the smooth dome is really nice. Add some hand lotion or Head Lube Glossy and there is a nice shine.
Your head will look pale at first. Color picks up within the 30 days.
for my personal opinion, I like the #3 photo. I think it looks sharp. You look like a mean dude ... don't mess with me!
The sunburn will heal pretty quickly. The #4 and 5 look longer than a #0 buzz. Maybe your clippers don't get all that close? Or it's been a few days.
My Wahl clippers get pretty close ... although I never use them any more.
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You do look great in that third picture. The short buzz is a big improvement over the receding hairline visible in the first two. I agree with Steve. You would look even better razor shaved.
If I were you, I definitely would not be researching for a hair transplant. You can totally pull off sly and your head shape is normal.
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Since I've never seen you before, were I to meet you my first impression is that you've got a totally normal-shaped head and the "less hair" cut works for you.
As my cohorts above wrote, I agree that a blade shave will be an improvement.
You can absolutely own this look. Give it 30 days.
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Once again proving how we can be our worst enemy.
You have a nice head shape it looks nice, honestly I like it.
The shorter cut is an improvement.
I think if you shave it will all be more even and you will like the look and feel better.
Shave it don't wear a hat there is nothing to feel odd about or hide you look fine.
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Look, it is fine! Suits you!
With thinning hair it is always better to buzz or shave the head. Trying to hold on to any hair that is there is very obvious indeed! Give it 30 days.
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Welcome, hjb!
The buzz looks good, but the places where the hair is thin is what you are seeing as an odd shape. The visible hair is making a shape of its own. When you razor shave your whole head, you will see how your head will look more uniformly shaped and I'm sure it will look great. You may even like to grow a beard of some sort to add to the new look.
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Hey, Harry:
I looked back when you posted at the beginning of the year. The thinning was not that noticeable then, and I thought that with the beard that you had at the time, sly would look good. Regarding the pictures you are showing now, I think you did a nice job, however the problem with clippers (especially beard trimmers) is that they don't cut consistently and you run the risk of leaving patches. I think you should go ahead and do the blade shave, or at the very least, let a barber shave it for you. Also, would you consider regrowing your facial hair to offset being bald a little? One more word to the wise: Even with a blade shave, shadow is going to show in the areas where you can still grow hair, but believe me, only another bald guy will know the difference. Good luck and PM me if you need any tips and/or have questions!
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It takes time to adjust. It looks fine. I agree that a blade shave would be a little better because the receded hairline will be a little less visible. The 30 day rule really is important as the change can be a shock and you will need some time to get used to it. The reality is you're going to end up bald no matter what you do, so you owe it to yourself to give this a legitimate try.
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As Handlebar Harry wrote: Even with a blade shave, shadow is going to show in the areas where you can still grow hair, but believe me, only another bald guy will know the difference.
To which I will add: And a bald guy won't criticize the shadow, but will understand it.
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The sun burn looks unpleasant. But the shots not of your head look perfectly fine to me--I don't see an odd-shaped head at all. I tend to agree with the rest of the comments that you might want to consider shaving completely. At worst, if you prefer having some stubble, it will only be a few days before you get back to where you were at the of the time of the photos. but if you're concerned about scarring, I wouldn't research hair transplants any further.
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The short cut is BIG improvement. I think totally shaved head + stubble beard would look really good on you.
As previous posters said: remember the 30 day rule and wait for your self-image to ajust for your new look.
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I do not think that there is anything wrong with the shape of your head. I really would suggest and urge you to razor shave it and keep it up daily for a month. You look so much better with a short buz then with the thinning hair. If you do not like it after that trial period you can grow it back or keep a short buz. Truthfully, hair transplants are a waste of time and money. Just be proud and hairless.
You might consider a goatee, it help me feel better about bald.
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I think your head shape, hairline, and hair color, and hair thickness are all very similar to my own. Nothing wrong with any of them.
When I first started shaving, I tried to leave it a little bit long to go for that Jason Statham look. I tried it for a few weeks, but IMHO, my hair was far too dark and the recession was too bad on the sides for it to work.
I then moved to a 0 with my beard trimmers for a few weeks. I liked it much better, but again, with the dark hair I felt like a skinhead or something.
I finally picked up the razor and found that both I and my wife much preferred the razor shaved look. Like many here have already said, It just feels better too. It is a little more work, especially if your hair grows as quickly as mine, but now that I've switched to a DE Safety razor, I like taking the time to do it.
My recommendation would be to follow the same path as me. Try it a few different ways and give each one a few weeks, and then decide which you prefer. Since your head and hair situation is very similar to mine, I do think you'll end up preferring the razor.
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Hi All,
I just want to say a massive thank you for all the positive messages people have left. It is amazing how a few simple messages left by you guys can boost my confidence and make me feel better about myself already - it really does mean a lot so thank you.
I also agree with the majority of comments mentioning that I think my look will suit me better if I wet shave my head with a blade as the stubble look isn't really doing it for me. I also still have the facial stubble a couple of people mentioned it was just considerably shorter in the more recent pictures.
I'll have a read around the forum for the best methods and equipment for completing my shave and will hopefully get some pictures up in due course of the result.
Regards,
HB
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You look way better with your hair shaved. I think a full razor would make you look even better.
Congrats man, you really do look better, and now you aren't hiding anything, which is waaayy more attractive then all those thinning guys trying to hide their hair loss.
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You look fantastic/badass with the shave! I'd say go all the way - take the razor, lather up, and polish that thing off. It's a good look on you.
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Looks much better ... you're getting there! Keep going shorter
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And the finished article, shaved and tanning nicely and no more sunburn O0
I think i'm finally won over ;D
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Looks good! Welcome to the sly side of life!
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MUCH MUCH BETTER AND WHEN THE BEARD GROWS OUT A BIT YOU WILL REALLY KILL THEM. wELCOME.
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Looks terrific! O0
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I think it looks good. I do think it would look better with a blade shave. But just my opinion it looks great.
Roger
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WOW! You look great. Nice with the beard... glad that you are happy!
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Looks GREAT!! Congratulations
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It looks really good but I echo others by saying you'll look even better shaved completely clean.
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Looks really nice!!
I bet you would look great smiling too! O0
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It looks fantastic, especially with the facial hair.
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Looks good....Give it time.
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Looks great! O0
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looks real good. welcome sly guy. keep the facial hair growing.
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Really looks good
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Enjoy the smooth. Looks very good on you.
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People don't generally like big changes in their appearance right off. Change can be scary.
At the end of the day though, as everyone before me has said, you look better with the cropped hair, and I think the shaved head would look even better. Try not to look so unhappy on your pictures though!
Harsh as it is, this is the hand you've been dealt. You need to accept it, own it, and embrace it. Don't look at this as the end of something in your life, look at it as something new, fresh and exciting.
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Wow you look handsome it look's really really good
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And the finished article, shaved and tanning nicely and no more sunburn O0
I think i'm finally won over ;D
(https://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi59.tinypic.com%2F2iuq58x.jpg&hash=0e72674a3f8af74e17c0c8135e780b7bbcf43fb2)
You look amazing!
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Keep the facial hair, blade shave your head. Overall, look great!
Red
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Dudley Studly! You look great! You have to be happy with the end result.
I WISH I looked half as good as you do.
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Bald looks great on you, man! So much better than the comb-forward that seems to be in fashion these days.
It's really a huge difference for the better. You wear it well. O0
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it looks good.. razor shave would look better.