Hey guys,

Long story short, I am a 20 year old with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and my new obsession has been my hair. My hairline has always been crap. I never really thought much about balding and just sort of figured "hey this is how my hair is". Recently a round spot receded at the front of my hairline and that all changed. If you have or know someone with OCD you are probably aware of how much it sucks with this sort of thing...

My obsessions revolved around a fear of the spot growing and taking over. That I wouldn't look sly like you guys and that women would look the other way. Rationally, both grandparents had a full head of hair, bad hairlines run in my family, tugging at my hair rarely pulls one loose (besides while showering), and hair stylists still offer to thin my hair. None of that helps.

The bottom line is the only way to conquer a fear is to face it, and as soon as my relatives leave on Christmas night I'm going to become sly. I'm afraid of what I'm going to find under this hair. My head is really long and narrow, and my eyebrows are are probably going to become even more prominent. Which is why I'm waiting until after my relatives leave on Christmas.

So, I figured I'd ask you guys what was it like when you first looked at your newly shaved head? And was it better/worse than you expected? Or if you have any advice for me.

Oh, and attached are two pictures. One of my current hair (I had to draw some slyness in, due to my lack thereof) and the dot that receded.

Sorry for the long post.
This is all pretty embarrassing for me.

Hiya willBslyoncemore,
things might seem kind of silly, but I struggle with this sort of thing a lot. I have had some unrelated incidents that in comparison make this seem like the farthest thing from silly. So, just bare with me here. I'm hoping after I see shaving it all off isn't so bad I will bury this all.

So, I figured I'd ask you guys what was it like when you first looked at your newly shaved head? And was it better/worse than you expected? Or if you have any advice for me.

I tried to lower the shock value by clipping my hair with different numbers.  First I buzzed with a #3, then I looked at myself for a minute.  After that I went to a #2,  then a #1,  then no guard, and finally I used a razor.  Its strange but even from no guard to using a razor blade makes a big difference.  But my shock value wasn't extreme, I just looked at my new bald head and that was it.  What I really was afraid of was walking out of my bathroom and showing my mom and brother.  They didn't know I was going to shave my head.  When my mom saw me bald she yelled, "OMG YOU SHAVED YOUR HEAD!"  but she said it with a smile on her face and it wasn't that big of a deal to her.  My brother chuckled when he saw me, but thats because he is a douche bag.  Anyways, the family members on my dad's side gave me trouble about my new look.  They hated it... so, if you do take the plunge, prepare to get negative reactions.  I even had some coworkers call me a skinhead (they were joking with me, but it still hurt).

Anyways, we can't tell you if you will look good or not with no hair because you have too much hair on your head!  Try buzzing your head and we will be able to give you an opinion on it.  I see no problem with your hair and hairline and you are a good looking guy.

I really appreciate you taking the time to fill me in.

That sounds like a good piece of advice rather than just diving in and cutting it all off.
We'll see if I chicken out and end up with some sort of buzz.
I'll be sure to post whatever ends up going down.

My mom is aware of this whole ordeal and I talked her into it. She wants me to see my GP first though, to see what he says about my hair since she's convinces the spot is from my cowlick. I am expecting a lot of negative feedback after its shaved, which will be a trial of my self-confidence...but hey, what doesn't kill me will only make me stronger...I hope?

Thanks again!

I think going sly is a bit extreme in your situation.  Since you have dark hair, I think a buzz will look really good on you.



Its nice, clean, and you won't have to worry about burning your scalp or getting color on your head.  I would cut it down to this length first and then go bald if you're still unhappy.

Welcome Ray,
I gotta say your artwork on the first pic cracks me up 
Look, Sly is not about being bald, its about being confident in who you are and your appearance.
If your only worry is the small area in the front you can cover that with bangs,,, just a thought.
But, There are a few BBC (Bald By Choice) guys here that can grow their hair back anytime. Its a decision only you can make, but if your compulsing over it then I would say to definitely change it.
I would go the clipper route and then see how you like it. Bald will still give you a different look from just clippered, so just make the decision once you get there.
Keep us posted and good luck. 

Welcome to the Forum Rey!

Does anybody else think that it's kind of ironic that Rey is getting the most advice from one of our biggest "obsessors"?

Go with what you think is best for you, but looking at the pictures, it don't look like (to me now) that you have too much of a hair problem. You can always grow it out again if you don't like it. 

Thanks for all of the support and suggestions guys.
You're a great bunch.

I just got back from the doctors (for a physical) and, well, he says I have mpb 
I thought I'd handle this better, but I'm actually really upset.
My head forehead is just too large to go bald...

I'm really scared about all of this. I mean, I know its just hair and that it doesn't define who I am...but I am afraid of what this means for future relationships. I am just recovering from a few years of agoraphobia, and I feel like I'm finally able to put myself out there - but now this pops up and halts things even more.

Tomorrow I'm going to buzz things down and see what happens...

Sorry for all of the moaning.

Women are much less shallow than we are.  Just be confident (fake it if you got to), friendly,  a fun/positive person to be around, and ultimately have some goals in life and they will like you a lot.