Recently shorn new guy.

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Recently shorn new guy. by Sly Sox Guy on 20 Aug, 2013 23:53
Hello everyone. My name is Travis and I have taken the plunge in shaving my head. I had some MPB, but so does every guy in my family. But about 2 months ago I had to change medications I am taking for a pituitary tumor in my brain. About a month in, i noticed that I had these small patches of hair missing all over my head (size of a dime). When they grew to the size of a nickel, I called my doc to do some research on the meds. Come to find out there is a 5% chance of alopecia as a side effect. Story of my life!

So once the spots became the size of a half dollar coin, I decided to use clippers on a #1 guard. That just made my head look like soccer ball (bad look. funny, but bad). So i finally decided to shave my head. It looks good, the wife likes it, I like it, and my friends say I look like the old badass I was a few years ago (worked in a medium/maximum security penitentiary for 10 years).

My only concern now is that I still have quite a bit of hair left and it is quite noticeable where my spots are. I have to shave everyday for work (bartender) or it looks more defined. I am looking for some treatments to fully remove all the hair on my head to combat the awkward stares from customers.

Thanks. Talk to all soon.

Cheers!
#1 by 50plus on 21 Aug, 2013 02:30
Hi Travis. Firstly I wish you all the very best with the tumour/medication issue.

I have alopecia areata (causing patchy hair loss) and have recently discarded the hair piece and shaved. At the moment I have only discovered that shaving each day reduces the patchy appearance.

Certainly if I come across another/different idea I will mention it on this site. My own experience has been that some people look but they are few and far between. Lets make a list of reasons people (including you and I) look and others. On the other hand lets not.

Welcome mate. You have made the right decision. Important too…you have the support of family. Cheers
#2 by Sly Sox Guy on 21 Aug, 2013 03:18
Thanks 50 for the kind words. I am pretty sure that I have the same type of alopecia . Now I have 6 large bald spots on my head. I was joking with my doc about doubling up my meds so my hair would fall out faster, and my tumor would go away faster also. Win-win in my book. But of all the crap I have been through, loosing my hair sucked the most. I don't think people understand how psychologically different MPB is from alopecia.

Good luck on your journey also my friend.
#3 by Mikekoz13 on 21 Aug, 2013 05:18
Welcome to the Forum Sox Guy!

Continued daily shaving will make the differences in color betwen hairy spots and non-hairy spots less and less. As for treatments, expensive and painful from what I hear.

#4 by mrzed on 21 Aug, 2013 05:43
Welcome, Sir.

You will find good support here.

I'm Bald by choice, so in a sense I have a similar issue. I need to shave daily for things to look right. I really like the bald look and I've come to enjoy the few minutes shaving my head each morning. And I end up with a sugar scrub. Coconut oil, vitamin E oil, natural scent and sugar. Nice exfolient feeling, and the oil brings out the shine and makes the head very smooth. Feels good, smells good. highlight of the morning.

Just keep up the daily shaving and soon it will become habit and you'll enjoy it.

Your profile picture looks very professional. Bald looks good on you.
#5 by Sir Harry on 21 Aug, 2013 06:44
Welcome, Sox Guy! The avatar does look badass....As far as the alopecia, if a physician can't help, maybe a dermatologist can offer some suggestions and/or medication to help with the condition. Thanks for joining the forum, and wishing you continued good health.
#6 by BuzzDawg on 21 Aug, 2013 06:58
First off, Travis, the sly look suits you well, and please allow me to join others in wishing you speed and success with your treatments. It sounds like you have an extremely supportive wife, family and friends, which is awesome.

The stares you may think you're getting from customers may simply be curiosity; honestly, I think some people are simply fascinated by the appearance of a shaved scalp, and you eventually get used to the gazes.

Quote from: Mikekoz13 on 21 Aug, 2013 05:18
Continued daily shaving will make the differences in color betwen hairy spots and non-hairy spots less and less. As for treatments, expensive and painful from what I hear.

Koz is correct...after shaving daily for a while, the shadow of hair surrounding the small, mysterious, totally bald patch on the side of my head is not noticeable.

And as for treatments, it's hit or miss from person to person, and even on the same person. I had 100% success when I had the area above my forehead lasered, to remove a patch of hair that fell below my receded hairline. On the other hand, laser treatments did nothing for the neck area under my jawline, and below the hairline at the back of my neck. It might work better on scalp hair than elsewhere, but then again I've known very few guys who have reported 100% success.
#7 by Sly Sox Guy on 21 Aug, 2013 08:15
Quote from: Bayou Sly on 21 Aug, 2013 06:44
As far as the alopecia, if a physician can't help, maybe a dermatologist can offer some suggestions and/or medication to help with the condition.

I have spoke to a couple dermatologists, the treatment I am on will be for 2 years. Most of them say that most of the damage will be permanent. But we won't know until I stop the meds. So only time will tell. Thanks Bayou!
#8 by xnewyawka on 21 Aug, 2013 14:16
Welcome to the forum Sox Guy. Hope all goes well with your treatment. Probably the best thing to do is keep it shaved smooth so you don't have to worry about patchiness. In time your scalp will even out in color, you'll get used to shaving, and get to keep the badass look.
Sounds like a win-win situation in my book!
#9 by g_bald on 22 Aug, 2013 11:20
Best of luck to you in your treatments and welcome to SBG Sox Guy!

I like the smooth look on you, you carry it very well. I'm still learning to cope with my smoothness as it is different even from just a short buzz cut.

I wish you improved health and that any damage is not permanent. One can hope!
#10 by wpruitt on 22 Aug, 2013 11:27
Welcome
#11 by Focus on 22 Aug, 2013 14:40
Thanks for sharing your story. Welcome here.