Sly Bald Guys Forum

Discussions About Being Bald => To be or not be...Bald => Topic started by: Big Jon on July 26, 2008, 12:37:57 AM

Title: Time for a change?
Post by: Big Jon on July 26, 2008, 12:37:57 AM
Hey guys!

I'm Jon, from NY, and I just turned 24 this past Tuesday. How's it going?

Hear's my story. Back in my freshman year of college I had a big afro. I got my hair braided in cornrows and got it done off and on for a few months. When getting your hair braided it's pulled tight and it's not unusual that hair comes out when you're unbraiding it. Sometimes that hair doesn't grow back which leads to alopecia. I realized this when prior to starting my sophomore year I cut my hair short and there were a few small bald patches. I tried all sorts of different shampoos and creams to get it to grow back. Weeks, months, and years went by. But recently it finally sunk in that the hair will never grow back. I was a little sad.

My mother suggested I shave my head. I never liked the thought of a shaved head but over the past few days it's been on my mind. I think I'm actually warming up to the idea. Maybe it's time for a change. As I said I just turned 24 and I'm going back to school for my master's degree. Maybe this change is something I need.

So I want to know: When and why did you guys start shaving your heads? Does anyone else here have alopecia? What advice can you give me?
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: MagmaBabe on July 26, 2008, 12:56:07 AM
Hey there Jon, welcome to the forum  :)
if it's advice you need, this is the place to get it  O0
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: GASlick on July 26, 2008, 12:56:45 AM
Welcome Jon!

Don't have alopecia.  I started shaving my head just because I wanted a change.  I had long hair down to my shoulder at one point.  Sometimes, I just want something new.  The best way to start is to buzz it down to no guard and shave from there.

I use HeadSlick or Nivea for Men Xtreme Comfort gel and a Fusion.  I also have a Mach3.  DO NOT use a disposable or cheap razor.  It will get you every time.

There are a couple of guys on here that do have alpecia and they can give you a lot of input.  Welcome to the gang!
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: Tyler on July 26, 2008, 12:30:24 PM
Jon, welcome to SBG!  I shaved my head for the first time when I was 24 and haven't gone back.  I'd say give it a shot.  Your hair will grow back to the way it is now, so there really isn't any risk.
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: BALDANDRE on July 26, 2008, 12:55:07 PM
Hey Jon...

Former big fro guy and cornrow dude?...

BALD is a great alternative...trust me, you wanna "edge"..

shave your head slick bald...and you'll have your edge back bro!

Started shaving my head completely bald when I was about 24-25 but because I like the bald look.. I have a full head of hair ..

Go for it! O0
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: TheSlyBear on July 26, 2008, 01:00:26 PM
You've got nothing to lose, but perhaps much to gain. There is no down side.
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: FR8TRAIN on July 26, 2008, 04:24:19 PM
Hey Big John, first welcome to the forum. If you consider MPB alopecia then I'm one of those guys. Though I try not to catagorize myself in anyway. I started loosing my hair when I turned 30 and shaved my head for the first time when I was 34. I've been a SLY guy now since April. It is the best thing I've ever done regarding my hair loss.

My best advice is to just go for it! Take the SBG 30 day challenge. Shave it off for 30 days and see how you like it. Chances are you'll never go back.  O:O

Most important of all is to stay active here on this forum and soak up all of the great wisdom and advice of my SBG family. O0

Let us know what you decide and we'll do all we can to help you along the way.
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: tomgallagher on July 26, 2008, 04:37:52 PM
Welcome to the club John.
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: Big Jon on July 30, 2008, 11:33:59 PM
Hey guys! I have an update!

First I want to thank you for your support.

Second, this past week I notice more bald guys at my job than usual. (I work at Wal-Mart.)

But anyway, guys, I WENT ALL THE WAY TONIGHT!!!! Using a Conair trimmer I buzzed off my hair. I look pretty darn good. I took some pictures and you'll get to see them soon. Since it's late (1:30 AM) I'm going to wait until tomorrow to use my razor. This is so awesome.

I guess this means I'm a sly. ;D
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: Kojack on July 30, 2008, 11:50:25 PM
Awesome Big Jon.
Yep you sound pretty sly!  O0
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: Tyler on July 31, 2008, 01:31:02 AM
That's great!  Yes, you are now Sly.

Now, if you want to be really Sly, tell them to start stalking the shaving section with more head shaving gear!

Just kidding bro!  Well, sort of...
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: Sly Red on July 31, 2008, 03:54:14 AM
Hey Jon, Welcome to SlyBaldGuys.  Post up those pics soon so we can see you in all your Slyness.

SimplyRed
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: Mikekoz13 on July 31, 2008, 04:39:14 AM
Welcome to SBG Jon!!

Way to make the decision quickly and then carry it out.

I've been SLY for just over a year.
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: BJ on July 31, 2008, 05:15:09 AM
Hey guys!

I'm Jon, from NY, and I just turned 24 this past Tuesday. How's it going?

So I want to know: When and why did you guys start shaving your heads? Does anyone else here have alopecia? What advice can you give me?

Big Jon,

BJ here (aka Buzzed John). What a coincidence another BJ coming on board. Never had an afro or cornrows. I had my hair buzzed throughout high school and college. So it was no big deal when I decided to shave my skull free of hair. Give it a try Jon. You'll probably adjust to the new SLY you in no time.

John 
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: Paul on July 31, 2008, 05:23:15 AM
Congratulations on entering the world of the sly Jon and welcome.   Need any help or advice on the shaving routine, don't be afraid to ask anyone here.
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: hammerdrill376 on July 31, 2008, 05:28:19 AM
I shaved last month for the first time and love it. My motivation was that I was thinning on top and have never liked the idea of the "half-moon" look. My brother did implants several years ago and to me it just did not look all that great notwithstanding the cost. So out came the razor..away went the hair. 
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: Timmay on July 31, 2008, 07:01:31 AM
I have hair...well I had hair.  Its still there when I let it grow...I just did it because I wanted to.  It has been a little over a year now...and I look for it to stay for much longer.
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: schro on July 31, 2008, 07:08:12 AM
Welcome Jon!!  O0

So you went from afro to corn rows to sly.
Now that's a progression you don't see everyday.  :*))

Glad you saved the best for last!

Cheers!
Schro
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: BlackJamesRackham on July 31, 2008, 07:47:54 AM
Welcome Big Jon...give it a shot! Like others have said, you've got nothing to lose, and everything to gain  O0
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: dog20 on July 31, 2008, 09:16:49 AM
My mother suggested I shave my head. I never liked the thought of a shaved head but over the past few days it's been on my mind. I think I'm actually warming up to the idea. Maybe it's time for a change. As I said I just turned 24 and I'm going back to school for my master's degree. Maybe this change is something I need.

So I want to know: When and why did you guys start shaving your heads? Does anyone else here have alopecia? What advice can you give me?

You got a cool mom!  I surprised mine (and my entire family) when I shaved my head in January of 2007.  I was 20 then but after I shaved, I didn't have much support from my family.  My mom didn't give me a hard time, and she actually started liking it, but my grandma and dad didn't like it so much.  My grandma gave me the hardest time about me being bald and I grew my hair back until now, when I shaved it all off again (I'm 22 now).  I don't have alopecia, but I did have a bald spot above my hairline which really bugged me. 

I am a lot more confident now and I feel great that I don't have to have "hair issues" anymore.  Shaving my head for the first time was really scary though, I think I was in the bathroom for about 20 minutes before I actually shaved it off LOL.
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: BALDANDRE on July 31, 2008, 09:54:54 PM
Congrats Jon...

show off that newly balded mug bro! O0
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: wpruitt on August 01, 2008, 06:54:17 PM
Way to go bro!
Hey guys! I have an update!

First I want to thank you for your support.

Second, this past week I notice more bald guys at my job than usual. (I work at Wal-Mart.)

But anyway, guys, I WENT ALL THE WAY TONIGHT!!!! Using a Conair trimmer I buzzed off my hair. I look pretty darn good. I took some pictures and you'll get to see them soon. Since it's late (1:30 AM) I'm going to wait until tomorrow to use my razor. This is so awesome.

I guess this means I'm a sly. ;D
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: Big Jon on August 01, 2008, 09:37:24 PM
Well I finally posted my pic! Visit me on myspace to see more!
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: dog20 on August 01, 2008, 09:50:45 PM
lol you should have told us you were black.  all black people look good bald  8).
Title: Re: Time for a change?
Post by: schro on August 01, 2008, 09:59:20 PM
Jon, the sly looks suit ya!  8)

Well done!