Dane-without-the-mane on 03 Feb, 2026 21:54 in Introductions
Hey, Name is Dane. I?m a new member and have lurked a time or two over the past couple months. I was the winner of ?loveliest locks? my senior year in high school, and my hair had not been above shoulder length for a 15 year time period. That changed in 2023 when I shaved my head for the first time. After trying every cut my heart desired, I find myself going through spells of shaving and then growing out. However, my semi-self-induced thinning up top has recently become inescapable to the eyes of everyone who looks at me. I really want to make it stick a saw a habit, but I?ve never made it past day 8 of the 30 day challenge. If you think it suits me; I?d love some advice and encouragement to stay the course. Any experience with the 30 days working well for you?
StillLurking on 03 Feb, 2026 11:05 in Head Shaving
While looking for photos for my last post, I found this. I think I look like a mad scientist or criminal mastermind! Should I use it for my profile picture?
StillLurking on 03 Feb, 2026 10:55 in Reactions to being Bald
I recall the first time I saw myself bald, the summer of 2017. I had wanted to shave my head since high school, but never had the courage. Even in a barber's seat, I couldn't force myself to ask for a shorter cut much less a head shave. My hair was usually kind of long and not styled in any way.That changed in the summer of 2014, when the barber simply asked, do you want to go short for the summer? I said, "Ok.". She offered a 4 on top, 2 around the sides. That sounded too short, so I said, "8 on top, 4 on the sides." I never before had such short hair and loved it! Everyone from family to coworkers commented it looked better. In October, I went for another haircut and this time I did get a 4 on top, 2 on the sides. The cut was so addicting!By 2015 I was going to the barber every month, or every two weeks. By 2016, I switched to high and tights, with the actual sides and back shaved. That felt incredible! Finally, I posted here, May of 2017, about how I planned my 1st head shave (to be done by myself, over Memorial Day weekend so stubble could start regrowing if I didn't like it.) I never followed up. Here is the rest of the story ...I chickened out and postponed it to Independence Day weekend. But then I actually did it. July 2017 I was independent of hair! And, despite the fact my hair was so short before I shaved with a razor, my first reaction was that I made the biggest mistake of my life! A number 1 is light years from skin bald when it is your head you are viewing in the mirror! I was horrified! But ultimately decided it was for the best, as now I know it's not for me. But almost immediately I started to like it. No one even commented that I was now fully bald. But I couldn't keep up with the maintenance, so it grew out.Since I had the shaver anyway, I started buzzing my own hair and never saw another barber. A #4 all over in the cold months, a #2 all around and shave the sides and back with a razor in the warm months. I only shaved smooth bald one more time (during the holidays, that year or the next) and everyone at work was shocked by it (as if I hadn't done it before), then the weather took a turn for the cold, so I was over the urge to be bald.Until COVID. During the lockdown, I thought just one more time. Late June 2020, with a razor I shaved my head, and my reaction was again the same: this is horrible! Worse mistake ever! But at least none will see me. Then a week later, I thought I should take a picture bald, since I will never do this again, and shaved a 2nd time for photos. The next week I thought, I should try walking around to see if anyone stared (my face would be masked, but not my head), so a 3rd time I again shaved it smooth. I had no reactions. Then I thought, to really test it, I should try shopping, where I am more visible (at a safe distance, masked) and for a 4th weekend in a row shaved it smooth. I figured I could keep this up until I was called back to work, and shaved every other day. I just loved the smooth feeling! It was then I decided to stay bald, even after lockdown.Since I knew I "fell off the wagon" when I got busy before, I bought an electric razor to keep my hair at least at stubble and then enjoy a razor shave every weekend and that did the trick! From initial reaction of " biggest mistake ever" to something I'd not give up. I will include before and after pictures.
Semi-Sly on 01 Feb, 2026 20:44 in Head Shaving
Quote from: BaldBlindAt20 on 02 May, 2022 14:57Quote from: reddog on 02 May, 2022 14:01@BaldBlindAt20 , I think the difference is you can look bald, and you can feel bald. Say you use an and it leaves a tiny bit of stubble, or you shave against the grain and your head is baby butt smooth. People looking at you will say you have a shaved head either way. If you have blonde hair, you should have much shadow. I don't have any shadow at all as I have white hair. So if your head is stubble free smooth, you are doing it right. Like many guys here, I hate the feel of subble, so I shave daily. If I don't shave, you really can't notice any hair until about the 3rd day.I shave against the grain, I had hoped little to no shadow will be seen. I shave every few days, this is how I look after shaving:I don?t see much of any shadow. I think it looks great. I think you should wear that dome loud and proud!I try my best but I still have much to learn about shaving!
BaldOrchidgrower on 28 Jan, 2026 17:16 in Head Shaving
reddog on 28 Jan, 2026 14:18 in Reactions to being Bald
Great post, @Razorhead !
Razorhead on 25 Jan, 2026 11:35 in Reactions to being Bald
When I first shaved, about 20 years ago, I was wearing a short buzzcut. I don't remember the exact length either a #0 or #1. A buddy of mine had buzzed my hair short and I got curious about razor shaving it. I wasn't a fan of shaved heads at that time. but I really liked the clipper shaved buzzcut. And I liked the shape of my head. I think that's what made me curious. Eventually I worked up the nerve to shave my head. I used a head blade. I didn't think going from a short buzz cut to a smooth shave would be all that different. Taking the first pass over my head and removing all remnants of hair, I realized this was different. My head was bare! It was smooth yet rubbery. When I finished, I stood in front of the mirror and I was hooked. I liked the boldness and the feel of it. The first time I went out, I did it without a hat. I wasn't hiding it. I've had haircuts that were normal in style but I hated them and wore a hat. Not this. I was so comfortable with a bald head. I was surprised by this. I was rubbing my head all night and I liked the cool feel on my pillow. The next surprise was the next day. I didn't shave again because my head was a little irritated and it was still smooth in the morning. Later that day, the next surprise was the sandpaper feel. The initial effect of smoothness was over. The disappointment was like when the amusement ride is over. I didn't shave again after that. It was around the holidays and I thought I would just let it go. I did what I wanted to do. But it was like a bug. I kept thinking about it. Then early spring, I decided to shave again and kept it for a few years before letting my hair grow out again. I was obsessed. I wanted the smoothest, shiniest noggin. Some things I learned: I was happier as a bald guy. I had a full head of hair. I realized I just didn't like my hair and I don't think other people liked my hair. It was always a source of comment. Even the buzzcuts. People liked my head shaved. It gave me confidence. I also realized my hair doesn't need to define me. I could live with out. There was also a Brotherhood among guys who shaved. I think this is more true 20 years ago when guys shaved their head more for fashion and not necessarily as a way to deal with hair loss. I think back then I saw more guys who can grow a full head of hair but opted to shave it off. With those guys, there was also a nod for approval when we passed by each other. Or there was a comment like "don't forget the sunscreen."I think all men should shave their heads at least once in their life. They might be pleasantly surprised.Right now, I have grown my hair out some. Probably about 1.5" on top, but my hair is thinning and it's probably about time to just give it up and shave it clean and just be a bald man because I'm balding. I will say that I do feel different about this than my first head shave. The first time was an act of boldness, this time it's accepting mother nature.
Chevytaker on 21 Jan, 2026 18:27 in Tattoos and Piercings
I don't know, I really only want a couple of tattoos.
Semi-Sly on 21 Jan, 2026 12:23 in Tattoos and Piercings
To be honest with you, I?ve never even heard of that before, and I?m a guy who is covered from scalp to ankles with tattooMany tattoo artist will ask you or even require you to allow them to take a photograph of their work and put it in their album or on their Instagram or social media pagesThe only thing close to being a tattoo model that I have seen is a tattoo conventions where somebody is doing getting a tattoo done right there at the convention and then enters into the competition each day at the end of the day
buddha on 19 Jan, 2026 08:44 in Reactions to being Bald
I've posted about this before but it's a funny bit when I think about it.I first shaved my head around Y2K because of an interaction with a herd of deer flies in the northwoods of Wisconsin. Prior to that my hair was down to my shoulder blades. At the time my (late) wife and I owned a coffee business called "Pony Espresso" and we had a business route wherein we made lattes and cappuccinos in the truck and then delivered them to different businesses, one of which was a kinda high end beauty shoppe. One of the women who worked there had expressed an "interest" which I did not react to because I had already gone through divorce once and did not wish to repeat that adventure (Note: Ex wife was a cheating slut and finally got caught, hence divorce. But it hurt, nonetheless.).So, back to the hair stylist.So, I have this encounter with the deer flies while out jogging and I decide "F**k this S**t" and when I got home I shaved my noggin smooth.The next day I'm back to work on the route and the hair stylist (who had expressed "interest") sees me walk in the shoppe, gets a big smile on her face and walks up to me and says "You really look good, did you lose weight?". So don't worry too much about people noticing your new look.