Decided to take the plunge...sort of - page 1 -

• Decided to take the plunge...sort of by ascotthowe on 09 May, 2012 08:29
• So a little background information. I'm 24, just got married, and for a while I've been experiencing MPB. Probably around junior year of college I started noticing it and freaked out. I went to see a dermatologist and he let me know my options were pretty much rogaine or propecia. I considered propecia for a while, went and read some fake reviews and then I came across real horror stories. I decided I would stick it out. I actually bought some rogaine just to see what the fuss was about. No, it wasn't a miracle cure. I looked into expensive hair transplants, and those looked as fake as ever. I loved my hair, a lot...but not that much.
  
  So for the past 2-3 years I've just been kind of watching it slowly dwindle away. It started with the receding hairline. Then as time passed I started getting thinner all over, and just recently within the last 6 months I started to develop a bit of a bald spot on my crown. It wasn't full bald, just really thin.
  
  I came across this site, and decided about a month ago I would begin the plunge into full bald-dom. I've had my hair buzzed in the past (though I had a full head of hair then, so wasn't sure how this would turn out). I let my fiance know that after the wedding I would start to experiment with this new look. She was fully supportive. The wedding was about 2 weeks ago, and here are some before/after shots of my 1 guard buzz cut.
  
  On the honeymoon, hair doesn't look terrible but I'm always extremely self conscious of what people think. It doesn't look terrible I know, but the feeling I have without a hat or something on pretty much destroyed my confidence. I wore a hat in the pool almost 100% of the time because of this.
  
  
  
  Pre hair cut, you can really see the thinning.
  
  
  
  and now post haircut...feeling great.
  
  
  
  
  So guys, let me know what you think. Glad to be here, I may go full on shave to try it out but I'm definitely very nervous for that. I may go no guard for my next cut. Not sure yet!
• #1 by D.A.L.U.I. on 09 May, 2012 08:42
•  
  All the right moves, no to drugs, no to plugs.  Yes, you're just another one of us with mpb who will control his fate.  Looks good, you could continue with the buzz, but you could go for the prize and shave it.  Then, although mpb will continue, no one will notice and you'll look good.  Again congrats on the smart and wise way of dealing with a genetic trait.  Nice to have a supporting spouse!
• #2 by ascotthowe on 09 May, 2012 08:55
• Wife goes out of town in July for 5 days so I'm planning on trying a shave then. That way by the time she gets back it'll be back at buzz length. I also work from home so that'll be a perfect time for a test drive. If I don't like it, I can just stay at home all day. 
• #3 by Cris on 09 May, 2012 09:39
• Quote from: ascotthowe on 09 May, 2012 08:29

  So a little background information. I'm 24, just got married, and for a while I've been experiencing MPB. Probably around junior year of college I started noticing it and freaked out. I went to see a dermatologist and he let me know my options were pretty much rogaine or propecia. I considered propecia for a while, went and read some fake reviews and then I came across real horror stories. I decided I would stick it out. I actually bought some rogaine just to see what the fuss was about. No, it wasn't a miracle cure. I looked into expensive hair transplants, and those looked as fake as ever. I loved my hair, a lot...but not that much.
  
  So for the past 2-3 years I've just been kind of watching it slowly dwindle away. It started with the receding hairline. Then as time passed I started getting thinner all over, and just recently within the last 6 months I started to develop a bit of a bald spot on my crown. It wasn't full bald, just really thin.
  
  I came across this site, and decided about a month ago I would begin the plunge into full bald-dom. I've had my hair buzzed in the past (though I had a full head of hair then, so wasn't sure how this would turn out). I let my fiance know that after the wedding I would start to experiment with this new look. She was fully supportive. The wedding was about 2 weeks ago, and here are some before/after shots of my 1 guard buzz cut.
  
  On the honeymoon, hair doesn't look terrible but I'm always extremely self conscious of what people think. It doesn't look terrible I know, but the feeling I have without a hat or something on pretty much destroyed my confidence. I wore a hat in the pool almost 100% of the time because of this.
  
  
  
  Pre hair cut, you can really see the thinning.
  
  
  
  and now post haircut...feeling great.
  
  
  
  
  So guys, let me know what you think. Glad to be here, I may go full on shave to try it out but I'm definitely very nervous for that. I may go no guard for my next cut. Not sure yet!
  

  Thank you for the clarifying photos.
  You look stunning.
  Now take away that sand and you will be perfect
• #4 by Baldstu on 09 May, 2012 09:46
• Yeah def go thewhole hog , you will amazin atthe moment but go full sly def.
• #5 by SlyBaldDude on 09 May, 2012 09:47
• You have a great head!  Go all the way ..
• #6 by SalWalker on 09 May, 2012 09:49
• Welcome Cris!
  
  You look great with the buzz and you'll look great with a shave - should you decide to take that step.  You've made good decisions about the drugs and the plugs and now the buzz.  Keep on being good.
  
  Again, it's a good look for you.  Best wishes.
  
• #7 by RoWilJr on 09 May, 2012 13:18
• Good move NOT to take the Rogaine/Propecia route... Full blown gimmick IMHO. You seem to have a pretty good game plan in place. Your right there, Slydome awaits YOU! 
• #8 by stasiu on 09 May, 2012 13:26
• In agreement with the guys here.  You made the right move to buzz it down.  No guard buzz or razor is next step, well we all know you will never go back to see-thru !  CONGRATS !
• #9 by balddoc on 09 May, 2012 13:49
• Keep the buzz cut till you're completely comfortable, then go for full-sly. It'll look great.
• #10 by Laser Man on 09 May, 2012 14:07
• The buzz looks much better - much more "contemporary" (the word my wife used when I went sly!)
  
  Next try going with no guard and see how you like the look.  You'll get a sense of what you'd look like with a fully-shaved head.  Once you're that close, the urge to try full sly will be very, very strong!
• #11 by xnewyawka on 09 May, 2012 14:16
• Welcome to the forum ascotthowe. You've already made a great decision to buzz it down and take control over your mpb. Big thumbs up for not choosing the dreaded "drugs, rugs or plugs" route as well.
  I suggest you gradually take it down further until you're ready to shave it all off. I have a feeling that won't take long though. Let us know how it goes for you. 
• #12 by Sir Harry on 09 May, 2012 15:32
• Welcome and good luck....like what was said earlier, go all the way when you feel comfortable.
• #13 by Mr Jules on 09 May, 2012 16:13
• Welcome to SBG
  
  Like the others say, shave sly. You'll love smooth feeling and your new great look.
• #14 by IllinoisBaldy on 09 May, 2012 16:20
• Welcome to SBG.