Sly Bald Guys Forum
Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Head Shaving => Topic started by: DJ_Bald on March 02, 2009, 09:09:27 AM
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Hi guys. I am strongly considering lasering the dome. But not all fo the dome...
I have MPB like a lot of you but my hair seems to grow in a weird pattern up top.
I have some in front, much thicker in the middle and very thin in back.
When I have even just a few hours of shadow this pattern is very noticeable.
To me it looks like I have a strap accross the top of my head when it grows in...
If it grows in a lot it looks ok because I can grow it longer but I dont have any interest in growing my
hair back to that point...Ill be sly forever !
I shave twice a day to get rid of the shadow as much as possible but I am getting tired of it.
So I am going to look into lasering the top....and leaving just a shadow around the sides and back.
I think it would be thin enough to get done in one shot and I am fair to medium skin-tone and my hair is dark.
Any thoughts from you guys who have gotten lasered ? Does it sound like something that can be done in one shot ?
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Hi guys. I am strongly considering lasering the dome. But not all fo the dome...
I have MPB like a lot of you but my hair seems to grow in a weird pattern up top.
I have some in front, much thicker in the middle and very thin in back.
When I have even just a few hours of shadow this pattern is very noticeable.
To me it looks like I have a strap accross the top of my head when it grows in...
That sounds like a pretty typical MPB pattern and that is exactly why I started shaving. Eventually that "strap" in the middle will thin out and disappear. I wouldn't bother lasering it. I doubt that anyone else is paying enough attention to the top of your head to notice.
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My dermatologist wasn't particularly keen on lasering a guy's scalp, period. I'm sure there are those who'll do anything for a buck, particularly now. It's not eligible for health insurance reimbursement as far as I know, it does have some risk attached. I've seen a marked "loss" of shadow in the "strap" between the ears and in the two spots in front particularly in one, in just under 1 1/2 years, so I would think all you need to be is patient and Mother Nature will take care of it. Google up the Norwood/Hamilton charts and if you get the complete chart you'll see that fading is part of the pattern in MPB.
Another consideration in addition to safety and cost, it isn't really "permanent." You will have regrowth to some extent even if not to the level you have now--and that again could be mother nature.
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Just posted about this on another thread.... I got my first laser treatment two weeks ago and I'm pretty pleased with the results so far. I am naturally bald on top and have decided to rid myself of what's left on the sides and back for (hopefully) a shadow free head. I was also wary of the dangers but I found a place that I was really comfortable with. They were very informative as far as what to expect and what is involved. The woman who did it was experienced, very down to earth, funny and didn't act like I was a weirdo for wanting this done. They allowed me to try a small test patch (at no charge) and then wait a week to make sure there were no adverse reactions. The last thing I wanted was a burned, scarred or blistered head. The process wasn't traumatic or scary in the least.
She set an expectation that I may not see any difference in the first treatment, but the change (to me at least) is dramatic already. My shadow is less pronounced. I let it grow over the weekend and most of my hair seems finer, lighter and grows a lot slower with a few totally smooth spots. There are a few little dark patches and a little bit of grey hair that I had is growing at the same rate as before. If I grew it for a while it would probably look a bit mangy, but shaved it doesn't look unatural. Occasionally I think I'm nuts for doing this, but I'm really happy with it at this point.
As Saintc says, if you're balding now, it's likely nature will take it's course on the top of your head, but I certainly can relate to your wanting "bald symmetry". I seriously doubt one treatment will give you the results you want, but I have noticed some reduction after one shot.
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I say go for it...and feel good about your slyness 100%....that's what going sly is all about any ways...
why not try to empower yourself fully...and be "real" bald...
go for it bro...
what , so you'll be bald for life...not a bad way to be my friend! O0
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it may take a number of treatments-Im guessing 4-5 to get it done with a follow-up here and there. Give it two weeks to see if the hair grows back before making any judgments.
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I'm in the same boat. I would also happily live with just having a bit of shadow growing around the sides and back of my head, and having the top cleaned up permanently. That way if I miss shaving a day or two I would still feel neat and clean, without this patchwork thing on top of my head! Let me know how it all turns out - I might do the same myself!
btw, sorry I haven't posted in so long. I'll try to contribute more frequently - you guys have a great group going here.
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Hi guys. I am strongly considering lasering the dome. But not all fo the dome...
I have MPB like a lot of you but my hair seems to grow in a weird pattern up top.
I have some in front, much thicker in the middle and very thin in back.
When I have even just a few hours of shadow this pattern is very noticeable.
To me it looks like I have a strap accross the top of my head when it grows in...
If it grows in a lot it looks ok because I can grow it longer but I dont have any interest in growing my
hair back to that point...Ill be sly forever !
I shave twice a day to get rid of the shadow as much as possible but I am getting tired of it.
So I am going to look into lasering the top....and leaving just a shadow around the sides and back.
I think it would be thin enough to get done in one shot and I am fair to medium skin-tone and my hair is dark.
Any thoughts from you guys who have gotten lasered ? Does it sound like something that can be done in one shot ?
so you would rather have the horshoe shadow than a shadow with hair on top?
im strongly considering getting lazer one day. right now im a broke college student who cant afford it and my parents definately wouldnt help me with something like that because they would probably be against it. well.....my dad would anyways. im not sure about my mom. shes pretty supportive of my decisions.
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Just posted about this on another thread.... I got my first laser treatment two weeks ago and I'm pretty pleased with the results so far. I am naturally bald on top and have decided to rid myself of what's left on the sides and back for (hopefully) a shadow free head. I was also wary of the dangers but I found a place that I was really comfortable with. They were very informative as far as what to expect and what is involved. The woman who did it was experienced, very down to earth, funny and didn't act like I was a weirdo for wanting this done. They allowed me to try a small test patch (at no charge) and then wait a week to make sure there were no adverse reactions. The last thing I wanted was a burned, scarred or blistered head. The process wasn't traumatic or scary in the least.
She set an expectation that I may not see any difference in the first treatment, but the change (to me at least) is dramatic already. My shadow is less pronounced. I let it grow over the weekend and most of my hair seems finer, lighter and grows a lot slower with a few totally smooth spots. There are a few little dark patches and a little bit of grey hair that I had is growing at the same rate as before. If I grew it for a while it would probably look a bit mangy, but shaved it doesn't look unatural. Occasionally I think I'm nuts for doing this, but I'm really happy with it at this point.
As Saintc says, if you're balding now, it's likely nature will take it's course on the top of your head, but I certainly can relate to your wanting "bald symmetry". I seriously doubt one treatment will give you the results you want, but I have noticed some reduction after one shot.
Welcome Someguy...
Thanks for the story...gotta say the results look great...not much shadow on you...and when you have a bald head...
100% hairfree is an awesome look to achieve...sweet!! O0
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Thanks. I'm sure the lighting in this photo contributes to the shadow free look because I really do still have a noticeable horseshoe even when shaved clean, but like I said it's definitely lighter after one visit. The laser tech said a head could take as many as 7-10 visits just because of the nature of hair growth, hair being in a dormant state etc. I'm her first head case. Shaving doesn't really bother me, I'm just more interested in reducing the hair to the point where there's little or no shadow.
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looks damn good already, Some Guy. Good luck!
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I agree with Razor, no one really notices the top of your head but you.
Skip it, and enjoy your shave!
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Hey Some guy,
Welcome to the board, brother. That's a great dome ya got there.
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so you would rather have the horshoe shadow than a shadow with hair on top?
Absolutely. The horseshoe shadow is only horrible if you let it grow in...I just want symetry.
it doesnt bother me that people see I am going bald...it bothers me that my hair grows in a weird pattern.
I know its on the norwood scale but I still dont like it. Besides...I look at this as the first step to lasering the whole head.
I will NEVER want to grow my hair back so lasering may be a good option.
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I know its on the norwood scale but I still dont like it. Besides...I look at this as the first step to lasering the whole head.
I know I love the 100% bald look with no shadow and if I were MPB and had a dark horseshoe even after a shave...I would consider lasering like you...
just as everything fellas...It's what makes us comfortable...and to DJ having his shadow be gone is what he wants (and needs!)...
go for it and be happy with yourself bro...it is your life! O0
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thanks andre. Whats with the hair in your avatar ? Is that photoshopped ?
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[quote author
=DJ_Bald link=topic=9203.msg160450#msg160450 date=1236183624]
thanks andre. Whats with the hair in your avatar ? Is that photoshopped ?
[/quote]
Naw, bro no photoshopping there, even though I'm good at it...just have wanted to try the flattop/ sculpted beard combo...you know do the things in your life ya mean to....
there's a whole thread on my new hairiness....
that's all , I'll be slick bald again..no worries about that bro! ;) 8)
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so you would rather have the horshoe shadow than a shadow with hair on top?
Absolutely. The horseshoe shadow is only horrible if you let it grow in...I just want symetry.
it doesnt bother me that people see I am going bald...it bothers me that my hair grows in a weird pattern.
I know its on the norwood scale but I still dont like it.
I can relate to that. I used to, on days that I skipped shaving, at least take a minute or two to scrape the top clean because I didn't like the way the remaining hair looked on top, either. I haven't done that in a long time, though. I usually skip dhaving on either a Saturday or a Sunday, but the hair has thinned out enough on top that I don't worry about it anymore. The fact that I don't have dark hair helps, too.
Similarly, on days when I don't shave my face, I at least go over the cheeks with the blade (much to SBG Math Guy's horror, I am sure ;) ) because I just feel tidier that way. I doubt anybody else notices the difference, though.
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so you would rather have the horshoe shadow than a shadow with hair on top?
Absolutely. The horseshoe shadow is only horrible if you let it grow in...I just want symetry.
it doesnt bother me that people see I am going bald...it bothers me that my hair grows in a weird pattern.
I know its on the norwood scale but I still dont like it.
I can relate to that. I used to, on days that I skipped shaving, at least take a minute or two to scrape the top clean because I didn't like the way the remaining hair looked on top, either. I haven't done that in a long time, though. I usually skip dhaving on either a Saturday or a Sunday, but the hair has thinned out enough on top that I don't worry about it anymore. The fact that I don't have dark hair helps, too.
Similarly, on days when I don't shave my face, I at least go over the cheeks with the blade (much to SBG Math Guy's horror, I am sure ;) ) because I just feel tidier that way. I doubt anybody else notices the difference, though.
;) Well Razor here is the thing. Lately I have tried shaving low on my neck you know following that tradition "if there's hair you gotta shave it or else you look half shaved".........what's happening is skin irritation because there aren't too many hairs. So I would imagine something similar would happen if I were to shave too high on my cheeks.
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;) Well Razor here is the thing. Lately I have tried shaving low on my neck you know following that tradition "if there's hair you gotta shave it or else you look half shaved".........what's happening is skin irritation because there aren't too many hairs. So I would imagine something similar would happen if I were to shave too high on my cheeks.
No, the neck is more sensitive than the cheeks. Everything irritates my neck, especially shirt collars. When I take off my shirt and tie after getting home from work, my neck looks like someone tried to hang me.
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DJ, I've been lasered on top for the very same reason that you are considering it. I have a slight advantage in that my better half is a physician who performs laser hair removal, so in exchange for being a "guinea pig" I was able to have it done at no cost. ;D
For me, it took only two treatments, and it's very likely that one treatment would have accomplished the task. In reading the literature, we found that head hair is different from body hair, in that the majority of it is in the growing phase at any given time, which is the only time at which laser treatment is effective. By contrast, only one-third to one-half of the hair below the neck is in the active growing phase at any given time, so it requires several treatments to completely do the job.
I very much recommend it, and couldn't be happier.
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Buzzdawg that it very interesting. Hopefully I will only need a visit or two more. Question, how long did it take for your hair to fall out after each treatment?
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I knew there was a bunch of you who were interested in laser...I just knew it :)
Buzzdawg check your private messages.
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Buzzdawg that it very interesting. Hopefully I will only need a visit or two more. Question, how long did it take for your hair to fall out after each treatment?
I kept shaving after each treatment, so it's difficult to say; however, we noticed a definite lessening of the shadow within a week or two.
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can you be completely bald after laser treatment? like howie mandel bald or does it just thin your hair out and make your shadow lighter?
i want to get laser treatment so it takes all my hair away. front,back,side,side,top. everything. i dunno if thats possible.
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can you be completely bald after laser treatment? like howie mandel bald or does it just thin your hair out and make your shadow lighter?
i want to get laser treatment so it takes all my hair away. front,back,side,side,top. everything. i dunno if thats possible.
Ok Ghost I will come a bit hard on you here. So get ready for it. First, yes laser can take away all of your hair if you want. But here is where I'm going to say some harsh words........................
Let it go before you do something you will regret. You are too young about thinking of eliminating hair from alll parts. How you do you even know you will look good with it??? Remember, once you remove hair permanently THERE IS NO GOING BACK. So, let things go as planned. Or maybe do laser at the top but if you are to do laser at the sides and back I think it's a wrong choice. You are 20 years old and at that age, I'm sorry but you are not ready to make such a big decision. Maybe once you turn 30 you can make that choice. I'm not saying you are not mature enough for your age. Not at all, but I'm saying 20 is too small of a number to make such a big decision.
No hard feelings. This site is about helping others and I would hate to see you make a bad decision that is not reversible. Peace. O0
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I used to, on days that I skipped shaving, at least take a minute or two to scrape the top clean because I didn't like the way the remaining hair looked on top, either. I haven't done that in a long time, though.
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This is something that I tried once on top when I had a freshly tight clipper shave, leaving the sides and back. Was thinking maybe this was a weird thing to do. Maybe not. How many others do this regularily to keep a neat, tight horseshoe, when you're not ready for the full head shave, but tired of the stragglers up top?
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can you be completely bald after laser treatment? like howie mandel bald or does it just thin your hair out and make your shadow lighter?
i want to get laser treatment so it takes all my hair away. front,back,side,side,top. everything. i dunno if thats possible.
Ok Ghost I will come a bit hard on you here. So get ready for it. First, yes laser can take away all of your hair if you want. But here is where I'm going to say some harsh words........................
Let it go before you do something you will regret. You are too young about thinking of eliminating hair from alll parts. How you do you even know you will look good with it??? Remember, once you remove hair permanently THERE IS NO GOING BACK. So, let things go as planned. Or maybe do laser at the top but if you are to do laser at the sides and back I think it's a wrong choice. You are 20 years old and at that age, I'm sorry but you are not ready to make such a big decision. Maybe once you turn 30 you can make that choice. I'm not saying you are not mature enough for your age. Not at all, but I'm saying 20 is too small of a number to make such a big decision.
No hard feelings. This site is about helping others and I would hate to see you make a bad decision that is not reversible. Peace. O0
whys getting rid of all my hair on my head permanently a bad idea? im completely bald already from shaving lol. what would be the difference besides the shadow?
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well "maybe" just "maybe" your shadow actually works towards improving your appearance. You would have to somehow find out exactly what you would look like without a shadow at all before going for laser.
When I look at your pics in your avatar I don't see your shadow being a negative thing in your appearance at all.
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can you be completely bald after laser treatment? like howie mandel bald or does it just thin your hair out and make your shadow lighter?
i want to get laser treatment so it takes all my hair away. front,back,side,side,top. everything. i dunno if thats possible.
There a lot of different factors that come into play. The laser works best if you have dark hair and light skin. The lighter your hair color, the less successful the treatment is likely to be. It's extremely difficult to permanently remove 100% of your hair, so you'll probably always have to shave, though you will have less hair to shave, and hence, less shadow. The worst case scenario is that you could end up having patchy hair loss -- completely bald in some spots and hairy in others where the hair was resistant to the laser. Then you'd have a very oddly-patterned shadow to deal with. Just something to think about.
Anyway, wasn't it just a week ago (or less) that you were worried about the prospect of being completely bald?
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can you be completely bald after laser treatment? like howie mandel bald or does it just thin your hair out and make your shadow lighter?
i want to get laser treatment so it takes all my hair away. front,back,side,side,top. everything. i dunno if thats possible.
There a lot of different factors that come into play. The laser works best if you have dark hair and light skin. The lighter your hair color, the less successful the treatment is likely to be. It's extremely difficult to permanently remove 100% of your hair, so you'll probably always have to shave, though you will have less hair to shave, and hence, less shadow. The worst case scenario is that you could end up having patchy hair loss -- completely bald in some spots and hairy in others where the hair was resistant to the laser. Then you'd have a very oddly-patterned shadow to deal with. Just something to think about.
Anyway, wasn't it just a week ago (or less) that you were worried about the prospect of being completely bald?
no i was worried about bald as in horseshoe. not completely like howie. its weird i know. ide either rather have a full head of hair or be completely hairless. not halfway bald.
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Bald Is Bald...I'd be stunned if someone walked past you and said I see he's bald but HOW bald is he, how much hair does he have left
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Bald Is Bald...I'd be stunned if someone walked past you and said I see he's bald but HOW bald is he, how much hair does he have left
well said.
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Bald Is Bald...I'd be stunned if someone walked past you and said I see he's bald but HOW bald is he, how much hair does he have left
well said.
It's probably true most people don't notice. I think other bald guys probably take stock when they see another baldy. I know I do . I think the totally hairless head looks good so that's what I'm going for.
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Hey Some Guy: that's one helluva bald head you got there already: lookin good O0
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fantastic work there SOme Guy
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Thanks. I'm pretty happy with it. I just had my 2nd treatment on Friday. The post-zapping redness lingered a bit longer, maybe 12 hours.
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Thanks. I'm pretty happy with it. I just had my 2nd treatment on Friday. The post-zapping redness lingered a bit longer, maybe 12 hours.
Bald perfection bro!
That's one sweet naked dome you got there! O0
Lasering=GOOD!
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Someguy, I'm curious as to what type of laser treatment you're using. I had my first treatment two weeks ago and really don't notice much. I had IPL.
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I think it was also IPL but there may be different types of lasers used for IPL. I was looking on their (kinda cheezy) website for this info but am not finding it.
http://www.clalaser.com
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Hi guyz. Ive booked myself in for laser hair removal today, my first of 6 sessions, ill try and keep you all updated like Some Guy as to how its going etc.
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I completely agree! I hate my dark shadow. It does not even look good after a close shave. Its killing me, both physically and emotionally.
It would be such a relief for me to dont have to shave every 24 hours and feel great about my self again.
Btw, Im 21 and as long as I have my hair shadow Im going to destroy my youth completely which will likely end with me killing myself in despair over that. And yes...Im serious.
can you be completely bald after laser treatment? like howie mandel bald or does it just thin your hair out and make your shadow lighter?
i want to get laser treatment so it takes all my hair away. front,back,side,side,top. everything. i dunno if thats possible.
There a lot of different factors that come into play. The laser works best if you have dark hair and light skin. The lighter your hair color, the less successful the treatment is likely to be. It's extremely difficult to permanently remove 100% of your hair, so you'll probably always have to shave, though you will have less hair to shave, and hence, less shadow. The worst case scenario is that you could end up having patchy hair loss -- completely bald in some spots and hairy in others where the hair was resistant to the laser. Then you'd have a very oddly-patterned shadow to deal with. Just something to think about.
Anyway, wasn't it just a week ago (or less) that you were worried about the prospect of being completely bald?
no i was worried about bald as in horseshoe. not completely like howie. its weird i know. ide either rather have a full head of hair or be completely hairless. not halfway bald.
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Jez: keep us informed.
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Laser update ---havent done it...yet... but hope to schedule something for the end of this month. How the rest of you guys doing with it ?
Oh and to the dude ho wants to kill himself over the shadow. Chill man...its only a shadow and its only hair.
Maybe you should try shaving against the grain ..that cuts it a lot closer.
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*bump....anyone with any updates ?
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I still haven't been for a my second session. Never did get any results from the first try, something didn't go right with that. Shopping around other places. From what I read every four weeks with a double pass should get results. Different laser types other than just IPL should work better. Who knows, but I'm going to try.