FuglyStick

I found a thread about going bald, but I started a new one so I could include a poll.

What's the opinion of shaving your head? Not close cut, not stubble, but bald as a cue ball?

I use to shave my head every summer. I went years without paying for a haircut. When spring rolled around, out came the razor, and I went bald all summer, until about September, then I let it grow until the next spring, when I shaved it all off again.

About 3 years ago, I just let my hair grow--and grow and grow, until it was 4-6 inches below my shoulders. I kinda liked it, but it required more maintenance than I like (none). So I was taking a transmission out of a car on Friday, and rolled the creeper over my hair, getting it wound up in a caster. Not wanting to stop what I was doing, I took out my pocket knife and cut it off, then got out the clippers and the razor and cut it all off later.
And I gotta say, it feels great; I'll probably go back to shaving my head in the summer from now on.

I've met a lot of women who LOVE a bald head--not just like it, it actually makes them weak in the knees. Some people think it's a little "extreme" looking though. I can see their point--I don't look as "approachable" with a bald head and a fu manchu. And some people just don't look right with a clean head. Some folks have funny lookin noggins without hair, and for some reason, African American men almost always look awesome with a shaved head, and a lot of white guys don't.

So, who here likes a clean head? And if you have or currently shave your nugget, leave a reply.

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Tully Mars

I don't really care if you're bald.

Me, I've only had mine shaved off in boot camp and once when my ship crossed the equator. Other then that I've always had hair. Not much maintenance, wash, comb back, drip dry... repeat the next morning.

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Grasshopper Green

I like bald men. I've known quite a few that look fantastic bald, and a select few not so much. Overall though...I like bald.

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Plan9

I shave my head, let it grow to fuzz and shave it again. I don't razor it to baby butt smooth.

I do it because it's cheap and because many have said I look more attractive without hair.

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Tully Mars

Beats being told you're better looking with a bag over your head. Not that I'd know.

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Savinkov

I'm gracefully bowing to the inevitability of male pattern baldness by having progressively shorter and shorter haircuts. I'm down to a quarter-inch and I really enjoy that length. Of course it's a bit alien having a "fuzzy" head but I'm getting acclimated to it. If I'm feeling daring I may shave it completely in time for summer. I must admit that I'm really curious what it will look like as well as feel like.

Thus far I've received many positive comments about my present haircut. This encourages me during what's sometimes been a stressful transition to reach this plateau. I've left behind "Phil Collins" territory long since and am looking at the signs ahead on this metaphoric drive which proclaim, "Captain Picard: Next 5 Exits". Make it so!

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biznatch

I tried it once out of boredom a couple years ago, and also because I was curious my whole life. It's not a good look for me, though. I have a strange bump on the top of my skull, smack in the middle. I don't think I'll be doing it again, but I do think it looks good on some people.

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Aurakles

Same for me. I'm also going to go bald one day, so I just "cut out the middle man."

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Charlatan

In time, I am sure my pate will shine through. Then my wife and I will be a matched set.

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NeoRete

I've been shaving for over 5 years now, partly out of necessity (was already balding), and partly because I liked the look. It usually gets a bit of attention when going out.

I'd definitely recomend the HeadBlade, nearly-cut free after you learn how to use it, and it only takes a minute or two in the shower in the morning.

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FuglyStick

I used to swear by the Mach 3, but this go around I had 2 blade disposables on hand. Took a couple of them the first go 'round, but one did the job fine earlier today.

Also, I shave every other day, to keep the scalp from getting irritated.

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mixedmedia

I like bald men. Shaved bald or balding, doesn't matter.
I'm especially fond of balding men who cut their hair very short without attempting to hide it by shaving completely or (worse) some sort of comb-over or even worse, some sort of hair transplant or toupee. I work for a company that provides these services for men, but frankly 99% of the time they look better to me without them.

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Martian

I think it really depends on the person.

I wore a number two buzzcut for years. I now have a ponytail. Long hair is a bit more maintenance, yeah, but it's not so bad. Shampoo, conditioner, mousse, brush and tie it back. The whole shebang takes maybe five minutes (not counting the soaping up/rinsing process that I'd have to do in the shower anyway) and it's good all day.

Some guys can really pull off bald. Others really can't.

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snowy

Captain Picard is hot. He fueled many of my adolescent fantasies.

Bald is usually sexy. If a guy is too young and too pale, it doesn't always work; he ends up looking like a cancer patient.

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PonyPotato

Well, when I was previously dating the man I'm seeing now, he shaved his head. Not completely bald, but as tight as you could get with clippers (I think a #30 blade?).

I personally think he looks much better with the hair he has now, but I'd take him either way. He's quite studly, and he admits that having hair makes wearing helmets and hats a bit more comfortable.. and he's less likely to get scalp sunburn/peeling during the summer.

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lostgirl

I voted I don't care, because I have found some bald men to be attractive. (Yes, Patric Stewart is one of them)

I have always had a thing for guys with long hair though.

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Bear Cub

Never. I need to cling on to my youth somehow.

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Jimellow

I don't trust the shape of my skull enough to go fully bald.

I've had my hair shaved very short, but never bald. I recently grew it out long enough to be able to see my bangs when I tilted my head down and looked up... Then I got it shaved.

It's one of those things where the first time seems a bit intimidating (in terms of the reactions of others), but after that it seems it would quickly become the norm.

How often did you have to shave your head to keep it bald? I'm using a single bladed double-edged razor ala 1970 on my face, and it would be nice to be able use it on my head as well. Is that feasible, or do you need one of the six bladed monsters they're selling lately to avoid nicks and cuts?

This thread has made me intrigued to the point where I may try it in the near future. The nice thing about hair is that it grows back and this results in a nice opportunity to try new things out every few months.

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Xerxys

The thought of cutting my hair or anyone elses makes me shake.

This has resulted in me shedding like a dog. I have a ponytail after the depression of the dictatorship periods of high school. It's awesome!!!

FuglyStick

I like every other day. Everyday seems to irritate my scalp, although people will be different. And two days between shaving doesn't really leave room for any hair to grow; you can feel it, but you can't really see it.

For the first shave do it on the weekend. Your scalp will be red and blotchy for a couple of days, but will clear up quickly as air gets to your scalp. If you shave on Friday night or Saturday morning, by Monday morning your scalp will be well on the road to being adjusted.

I would use a razor with at least two blades, preferably three. That depends on how thick your hair is though. Thinner hair is obviously easier to shave than thicker.

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SabrinaFair

Two words--Billy Zane. And a picture that's worth a thousand....
billy_zane_4.jpg

Yes, bald is beautiful. Some men pull of the hairless look VERY well. I have a couple of friends among them. Skin care is key, as I've learned from them. My friend Jamiel takes about half an hour to shave his head each morning, and has a very fastidious ritual of cleansers and moisturizers. Another shaved friend has warned about sunscreen use. Peeling skin is not a good look, especially on one's scalp. With proper maintenance, it's a very clean and sexy look.

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FuglyStick

I had a pretty respectable ponytail myself, but I don't miss it. Probably because I've shaved my head before.

---------- Post added at 10:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:40 PM ----------

I don't moisturize and such, but I'm behind the "be careful of the sun" sentiment 100%. Sun burned scalp is no fun. But I wear a hat most of the time anyway.

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SSJTWIZTA

it doesn't matter to me at all. half the time im bald as shit, the other half im a hippy. right now im pulling hippy hair for Locks of Love.

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Reese

I have freckles and a pale, young, wide face. None of those attributes really go together with baldness. I'm like SSJTWIZTA, I usually use the clippers with the half inch attachment then let it grow to 10-15 inches. Lately though I've been keeping it really short because it's less maintenance and it's easier for me to get to sleep without hair all up in my face.

If I could pull it off, I'd definitely go shaved head. Friends and family would get on me for losing my red hair but whatever.

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CinnamonGirl

I voted no... bald looks awesome on some people, it's true (Patrick Stewart has been mentioned a few times.) When it comes to DATING, though... I'm a huge fan of running my fingers through a guy's hair, and if he's bald, that's kinda hard to do.

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little_tippler

I'd say there's some men who bald suits quite nicely. But I like to run my hands through hair so I had to vote no for now. Who knows, some day I might fall for a bald or balding guy. If the guy is already balding, then I think that a close cut is attractive. Guys who try to hide it look silly. It's not whether they're bald or not that gets me anyway.

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Mister Coaster

I shaved my head in the summer of '95, and kept it shaved (razored it every 3 days) for the whole summer. It was a big change, and being pasty Irish white, I got a lot of strange looks from others. I guess people thought I was a skinhead. Also had a strange divot on the top and back of my head, tough to shave around. The worst part was how quickly I went through razor blades, not cheap.

Not long after that I let it grow out, and had long hair for about 12 years. (could do a great Cowardly Lion impression) I just recently got it cut to a "regular" haircut. My hair is thinning on top, but no bald spot yet. I might shave my head again on a dare or something, but I think it would freak out my daughter too much.

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nomcat

Same for me, more for convenience. Also I ride my motorbike every day and hate helmet hair!

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highthief

Currently spear-bald and looking good!

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Leto

Kinda like Richie Cunningham?

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Jimellow

If I were to use a single blade, would the downside be I'd likely have to go over the same area multiple times, or is there more risk of nicks and cuts when shaving the scalp?

The reason I'm so curious about using a single blade is that the old double-edged single blades last a very long time, and are cheap, whereas the newer multi-blade razor replacements are expensive and don't last long, especially for large areas, like one's head.

I have a beard trimmer that I suspect I could use to get the hair to a very short buzz cut, and from there I could use the razor.

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Cervantes

I can honestly say I love being bald, been doing the cueball look for the last five years or so.

I agree fully that I would get really annoyed very quickly if I let it grow out again. All that maintenance you have to put into it is a waste of time as far as I am concerned.

I was a bit curious about how I would think about women who were completely bald a while back and did a search of bald women on google, then I found a picture of Persis Khambatta when she did the Lt. Ilia character in "Star Trek the motion picture" and I was done for it. Some women look awesome with their heads shaved.

Just too bad it's been associated with nervous breakdowns among females nowadays, I blame Britney...

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Charlatan

Stop hating Britney. Can't you just leave her alone!!!!!

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Psycho Dad

I shave every year by Easter and start growing it back by Labor Day. I'm behind schedule this year, but expect to buzz tonight or tomorrow and shave by the weekend.

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FuglyStick

Single blade would probably be fine, if it's nice and sharp, a necessity for shaving your scalp, as it's much less forgiving than your face. And don't let it go too long if you're going to keep it shaved--you don't want to cut more than a 5 o'clock shadow.

---------- Post added at 08:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:04 PM ----------

We hates her, Precious, we hates her!


(BTW, the Gollum combover is bad, very very bad)

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World's King

I'm a big fan of being bald.


I'm too lazy to have hair.

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Plan9

Hah, I would pay money to see you sporting a 90210 haircut complete w/ those shovel sideburns.

I'm kinda partial to chicks with short hair or buzz cuts. It makes sex a lot easier.

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NeoRete

Definitely would recommend getting the hair trimmed as close as you can at first like FuglyStick mentioned, even 2 or 3 days growth makes a big difference than shaving daily for me.

You're right about the older double-blades lasting much longer. Tried a Mach 3 and ended up shredding the blade after a few days. The HeadBlade I mentioned earlier (swear I'm just a satisfied customer) has an adapter for Gillette Atra blades. Picked up a 10-pack of generic blades yesterday for less than $5, each one usually lasts 3-4 weeks with nearly daily shaving.

It definitely bears repeating about sunscreen, I managed to find unscented lotion with SPF 15 that works well, and gives a decent sheen to complete the look.

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World's King

Here ya go Cromp... Yes, it's actually me.

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Xerxys

WTF!! Why in heavens name do you shave? Hair is so volatile ... so many things can be done to it. Shaving is like err... a cop out.