Sly Bald Guys Forum
New Member Section => Introductions => Topic started by: Smooth Jack 😁 on May 20, 2025, 04:20:11 PM
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Hi Im Jack, new here today. Im surprised just how thin and patchy patterned my hair is. Knowing it was getting thin and receding, I clippered it down to a #4. Looks okay from the front, yet if I can see my scalp like this under a 60w bathroom bulb, then people will see it the summer sun! Maybe I'm not there yet, maybe I'm in denial! I'm just surprised how quicky it has happened, it felt thick last yeah. Obviously honesty is appreciated.
See image
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Hi Jack and welcome :)
Yip, definitely looks like the start of MPB.
Great head shape and face shape though - seeing as you've come this far, may as well get the razor and take the rest off :) you won't regret it
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Hi Jack, welcome!
Yes, you're getting pretty thin on top. Not the end of the world. If you go shorter on the sides and back, it might look like you have more on top.
As far as going with a shaved head, that's simply a personal choice. I can tell you that many of us absolutely love wearing a completely bald head. Even guys like me, with a full head of hair, enjoy it! I shave every day, so theere is some work to maintain a smooth bald head, but so worth it.
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Hi Jack,
Welcome! Your hair is definitely thinning but you have enough to work with to keep a short haircut. As reddog noted, tighter sides will help the top look fuller and it's an easy haircut to style.
My hair loss if very similar to yours, maybe a little thinner. When I grow my hair out from a shaved head, I just get a skin fade and keep the top short -- less than an inch. I also cut my hair every 2 weeks. I've just been adjusting my haircuts as my hair gets thinner. And it works fine for me. Just because your hair is thinning doesn't mean you need to shave your head; it just means you need to at least get a much shorter haircut to keep it manageable even if it's a .5 blade.
I started shaving my head when I had a full head of hair. Shaving my head was like freedom but I love my bald head as much as I like a nice short haircut so I go back and forth. But I know someday I'll just end up just keeping my head shaved.
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Welcome to the board Jack. While you hair is thinning, you do still have enough left to keep it for a while if you wish. Guys here have been all over the board with head shaving. For myself, I had decided early on that I would rather shave than have thinning hair or bald spots, and would shave at the first signs of thinning. And that is what I did. Having made the decision at an earlier age made it easier for me when the time came.
Some guys here choose to shave with a full head of hair just because they like the shaved head look. Some kept their hair as long as they could until little was left. And some here that still have some or all of their hair choose to go between shaved and short hairstyles on occasion. We even had a few who choose to wear a high end hair piece.
So there is one answer as to how to deal with thinning hair.
If you decide to shave, I suggest you grow some facial hair. Many guys like the look with some visible hair and having facial hair will compensate for the lack on top. From your photo, it appears you could grow a very good mustache or circle beard (mustache with connecting goatee). I cannot really see you cheeks, but a full beard may also be an option for you.
Keep us posted as you work things out, ask questions as needed. Most of us have been through the same thing.
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Hello Jack
I?ve looked at your photos and you still have a bit of hair, although it is clearly noticeable to have profuse thinning.
It might look better if it was a shorter buzz cut it would look less thin and patchy ??-but do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
I think you owe it to yourself to give a shaved had to try because it would look in my opinion better than what you?ve got going now.
And remember that if you do, you must commit to the 30 day rule that you have to keep it shaved for 30 days before you make a decision as to whether or not you want to grow hair back that way you can make a recent response rather than a reactive Knee-jerk response.
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Welcome to the board Jack. While you hair is thinning, you do still have enough left to keep it for a while if you wish.
Thanks for the welcome everyone! ...and sage advice.
Which thinking about I realise I still have adequate coverage (when the is hair longer) to appreciated the keratin a while longer. Certainly a shock seeing the lightness and pattern though at a conservative #4 clipper. So more length on top might help the situation which is the opposite of what I initially thought
Unfortunately I cant grow a full beard - which is a bummer for the future and the way our necks tend to go! - I'm not really partial to a goatee, although my stubble does form the beginnings one. O2BSly, if I could grow a beard I would probably just shave the head now! But alas.
Again thanks for everybody's time and input!
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Yes Jack, don't jump into it! Try some different things, but when you decide to try shaving, definitely do the 30 day trial. It takes time for you and others to adjust.
One thing I tell guys, if you see guys with shaved heads and think it looks good, then you will probably like it. I know when I grow my hair back, the hardest thing is when I see baldies, I envy them and want to shave my head smooth! An added bonus beside the trendy look, is how a freshly shaved head feels amazing.
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Just because your hair is thinning doesn't mean you need to shave your head; it just means you need to at least get a much shorter haircut to keep it manageable even if it's a .5 blade.
Good advice. Though #0.5 blade on top would be near good as bald for me, as my hair is fine and fair. I'm thinking either grow a bit of length back on top and tighten the sides as one path you suggest. Or tighten the sides while bringing the sunroof down to 1.5# or even #1 to perhaps get some uniformity and get used to the concept of "real" super short. Last week I thought #4 was short!
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Sounds like a good plan Jack O0
Yes I also thought #4 was short when I first started buzzing, eventually settled on a 1.5 or 2 as my go-to buzz
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Just because your hair is thinning doesn't mean you need to shave your head; it just means you need to at least get a much shorter haircut to keep it manageable even if it's a .5 blade.
Good advice. Though #0.5 blade on top would be near good as bald for me, as my hair is fine and fair. I'm thinking either grow a bit of length back on top and tighten the sides as one path you suggest. Or tighten the sides while bringing the sunroof down to 1.5# or even #1 to perhaps get some uniformity and get used to the concept of "real" super short. Last week I thought #4 was short!
Yes, but believe it or not there?s even a world of difference between a .5 and a blade shave people who don?t like the stubble look of A .5 are shocked when they see how nice a clean smooth scalp looks I warned you though once you start shaving your head, it?s addictive. There?s nothing like the feeling of a clean, smooth head.!
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Well... I got the fade on the sides and #2 on top today.
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got back home ... and well, it didn't last long!
(https://i.postimg.cc/cJmLVyTx/01-IMG-1042.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/kV2CbHkz)
(https://i.postimg.cc/j53dSHGB/02-MG-1034.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CBDVvqM4)
(https://i.postimg.cc/d37Qk7F3/03-IMG-1043.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/QK3ZvdHZ)
(https://i.postimg.cc/gc529KyZ/04-MG-1033.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/qgsTyy5J)
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZKdKJyjD/05-IMG-1045.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/JGRWq0fb)
#00 and razored the lower sides too!
Done and dusted! 😂
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Looking very sharp Jack, looking very sharp
It suits you 100%
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Cheers pal! I may have made a good decision ^-^ It grows back - but having "nothing" there.. feels amazing love the slickness - like bare ***ing skin! - on the sides and micro stubble up above. Outrageous change for me!
Great for summer. I can see my self growing back some for winter, the tan/colour makes a difference I can tell already.
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Wow! That looks great Jack. Nice head shape fot sure.
Ok, here's what you do. Razor shave it, get sovne sun for color, some cool sunglasses, and a black tshirt. You'll be hooked.
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Wow! That looks great Jack. Nice head shape fot sure.
Ok, here's what you do. Razor shave it, get sovne sun for color, some cool sunglasses, and a black tshirt. You'll be hooked.
Hey RD, thanks for that advice on growing or going shorter. I knew you really wanted fresh new baldy blood on here.
Can't belive it... I'm baldie of the day on slybaldguy.com!!!
Will razor the scalp smooth next week. I've bic-ed the back and sides like a skin fade already
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showing scalp is shining under the bathroom light?
NOT A PROBLEM :D
(https://i.postimg.cc/FsxfMBpH/shine.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8jjPWwx2)
(https://i.postimg.cc/VkLSmWZB/IMG-1057.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CzXM4kgz)
Last summer's hair! Gone quickly and dramatically :*))
(https://i.postimg.cc/R0TSZXXV/long-hair.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/06bRtGTL)
Now a regular on a forum for bald guys!
(https://i.postimg.cc/9Q3NNVVs/shave-mov.gif) (https://postimages.org/)
Bic razored on sides
(https://i.postimg.cc/Gp4Kc5cv/side-shave.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/SXpCdVYK)
Some Bic nikcs shaving right down to the skin!
(https://i.postimg.cc/fbsWs67r/shave-neck.gif) (https://postimages.org/)
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Excellent choice Jack
And congrats on taking the plunge by the way, very inspiring
I knew you would love it!
Bold, Bald, and The Best
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I also think the slightly visible MPB (at #0!) further justifies today's course of action O0
Thanks for the encouragement to go there dude.
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Great pics, looking good!
You've got the bug, and you've got it quickly 😊
Look forward to next week's pics of the full razor shave - that's if you can wait that long...
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I got AI involved too...
Google Gemini
(https://i.postimg.cc/s2XbdmQh/ai-hair-assessment.png) (https://postimages.org/)
and GRok
Posted the same images of the thinning and receding
(https://i.postimg.cc/ZKxQW26N/assement-2.png) (https://postimages.org/)
ALL AI rated me at Norwood 3 or Norwood 3 Vertex (learning so much stuff!)
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Top advice from AI, although I'd be inclined to give a score of 10
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haha... thought you would have 10 :D
Mind you "suiting the look" was factored in my ratings
while GPT said 8.5... I actually had 3-4 in mind in terms of pure hair loss.
"They" then lectured me on self perception and realism, then;
"However, based on your specific balding pattern (Norwood 3 Vertex/4 with thinning, recession, and patches), I am indeed recommending that razoring it smooth is the best option for you from now on, for the most consistently clean and uniform look."
I have mentioned in previous post about probably growing it out for winter. But this is most likely it for me now, I get it, regrowth will show the MPB at its worst so the instinct is to shave it back off! I now realise I've seen my now shadow of a hairline shape on many many bald heads I've seen.
I love the bizarre combination of advice from one of the web's longest standing communities AND freaking AI!?
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Enjoy the new you
Looking about 10 years younger I might add
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Wow, that looks much better1
But as long as you?ve gone this far, I think you?re treating yourself if you don?t try to shave head look for 30 days. Be easy to come back to what you?ve got a month from now if you want to.
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haha, It wont be a problem keeping it for 30 days! One, I have the hots for a girl at the barber's. I've always had a thing of clippers and being at a woman's mercy. So being attacked with balding shears every few weeks really appeals!
The appeal of growing back greying, thinning hair is dimming in its already dubious appeal, as I would need to get it back to +2" for the my wavy kinky hair to have the required volume. I really cant be bothered with it. Right now I'm tanned early in the summer and I think my scalp will follow soon... it all feels so much healthier at and balanced the moment, the sun, the sea, the wind... on my scalp.
I've noticed my iphone is lovin' the bald, taking great selfies, Samsung S-Tab ... er, not so much!
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haha, It wont be a problem keeping it for 30 days! One, I have the hots for a girl at the barber's. I've always had a thing of clippers and being at a woman's mercy. So being attacked with balding shears every few weeks really appeals!
The appeal of growing back greying, thinning hair is dimming in its already dubious appeal, as I would need to get it back to +2" for the my wavy kinky hair to have the required volume. I really cant be bothered with it. Right now I'm tanned early in the summer and I think my scalp will follow soon... it all feels so much healthier at and balanced the moment, the sun, the sea, the wind... on my scalp.
I've noticed my iphone is lovin' the bald, taking great selfies, Samsung S-Tab ... er, not so much!
I do like the stubble on top, but I will gladly shave it down for some valued forum kudos and the experince (will it grant me promotion from "Sly Training Guy" status?!)
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Liking the new username - grab hold of that baldness identity!
The stubble will be back less than 48 hrs after a shave, so don't worry about trying to preserve it 😊
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(https://i.postimg.cc/G3xdf2sD/IMG-1109.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dD3bkJ6Q)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kvcxh2nH/IMG-1110.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hhYHVNZL)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQhsqVpQ/IMG-1113.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKt7jg7v)
(https://i.postimg.cc/htfnh1Z8/IMG-1124.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pmb46zHy)
Whoooooa, not going to lie that is one intense freaky experience (ever so slightly marred by my inability to stop marco-cutting my scalp!)
Thought it was underwhelming and really quite tedious, but then sensations kicked in, my scalp was soft and tacky at first while shaving, I aloe vera-ed afterwards and it firmed everything up. Crazy suddenly having hand slapping contact with such a expansive but neglected part of the body ...and it's only on top you of your F-ing head! Ive been playing the drums on my dome like an exited orangutang
Its growing on me ... could the once lustrous hair now just be a annoying near waste product the body produces? Swifty be tossed into vortex of the plug hole not, even fit for a few days' stubble?
It feels very healthy too, where as just the though of this ... LOL
(https://i.postimg.cc/43yDKsJF/hairline.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Z9k72kvr)
feels a rather sad picture of unhealthiness
Thanks for recommending doing the skin shave guys, I was *very* happy with the sharp stubble before and might of only shaved it down a lot further down the line.
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Well, that progressed really fast! It looks very sharp. Enjoy having a smooth head, there's nothing like the feel of a freshly shaved head. Looks very cool!
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double post
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Tripple Post :D
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Liberation Day!!
Perfection
Simply perfection
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Love your new look!
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Another new username!
Is that signalling a commitment to daily shaving?
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Well its day two, but it could be the case, it's new, it feels weird ...could be habit forming.
certainly beats what could have become ones, ie; sneakily lining up my hair line and dying bits of grey "mid brown" on an ever more thread bare thatch, that now lies outside in the general waste bin.
;D
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Yip, I like your thinking.
Totally an option to confine one's hair to the bin or bathroom basin.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/G3xdf2sD/IMG-1109.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/dD3bkJ6Q)
(https://i.postimg.cc/Kvcxh2nH/IMG-1110.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hhYHVNZL)
(https://i.postimg.cc/BQhsqVpQ/IMG-1113.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/rKt7jg7v)
Oh wow, you look downright awesome! With your jawline and now shaving head, you look like some kind of a superhero from a marvel movie!
I?ll be very anxious for you to post some of the reactions you get from people that you know
(https://i.postimg.cc/htfnh1Z8/IMG-1124.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/pmb46zHy)
Whoooooa, not going to lie that is one intense freaky experience (ever so slightly marred by my inability to stop marco-cutting my scalp!)
Thought it was underwhelming and really quite tedious, but then sensations kicked in, my scalp was soft and tacky at first while shaving, I aloe vera-ed afterwards and it firmed everything up. Crazy suddenly having hand slapping contact with such a expansive but neglected part of the body ...and it's only on top you of your F-ing head! Ive been playing the drums on my dome like an exited orangutang
Its growing on me ... could the once lustrous hair now just be a annoying near waste product the body produces? Swifty be tossed into vortex of the plug hole not, even fit for a few days' stubble?
It feels very healthy too, where as just the though of this ... LOL
(https://i.postimg.cc/43yDKsJF/hairline.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Z9k72kvr)
feels a rather sad picture of unhealthiness
Thanks for recommending doing the skin shave guys, I was *very* happy with the sharp stubble before and might of only shaved it down a lot further down the line.
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@Smooth Jack 😁 Wow. A bald head really suits you! Welcome to the club. Your hair last summer was a shaggy mess. Bald suits you much better. Yes, the first feel of the tacky and smooth feel of the dome is a amazing.