A question about shaving your head, and if I can pull it off.
 

For anyone that hasn't read my "Going Bald" thread I'll just give a quick recap.

I've just turned 35 and decided to cut my hair a tad shorter than I usually do. In doing so, I found out that the top of my hair around the crown was dramatically thinning out. It has happened within the past six months, and I know this, because the last time I cut my hair this short was then, and I had a full head of hair then.

I don't seem to be losing hair. I don't find lots of my hair left everywhere, and that includes when I'm in the shower.

My friends have basically told me that I'm overreacting and that it's not noticeable, unless I point it out. To me, it's noticeable, because it's my hair and I know what it looks like.

My doctor think it may be cause by stress ( I work in childcare, so of course I have stress ) and prescribed Propecia for the next six months. At the end of the six months we'll see what happens and go from there. I don't really trust his opinion on the matter though, because he's more of a "yes" man. I'm going to set up an appointment with a dermatoligist to get some tests done, just to ease my mind.

Now that I got the history out of the way... the real question.

I've basically have accepted the fact that I'm probably going bald. I've always told myself that if it ever happens to me... I'm just going to shave it all off.

Here's the situation. A friend of mine gave me her honest opinion and told me that I'm not going to look good, because of two reasons.

1 - I'm under 6 feet in height. I'm short... about 5'5".

2 - I'm under 200 pounds. I'm about 130 give or take.

Her arguement is that if you're not a Vin Diesel type of person, that you're not going to look good completely bald.

I'm not going to be able to get up to six feet in height and would never try to do so. I don't mind being short... kind of like it actually. People consider me the underdog everytime and I like that. Nothing like the shock on people's faces when I pull the upset in whatever it is.

I'm also the type of person that has such a high metabolism, that I can't gain weight. I've tried working out every day to build myself up, with the proper eating like a horse, and still can't do it.

My question.... can a short, average body, guy pull off being completely bald?

Sure. It's mostly about attitude and how you perceive yourself. I'm like you, if I go bald, I'm pulling a full shave. I've had my head completely shaved bald for about six - seven months once, and at first it looked odd, and then you grow into it. Not everyone has to be Stone Cold to be bald. The worst that happens is you shave it, keep it for a few weeks and decide it doesn't work for you. Then you grow back out your monk's tonsure, and go on with life. Another suggestion : if you can, shave in the shower.

I think it's more about facial and cranial structure than height and build. Do you really want to look like Vin Douchebagel anyway? ;) I used to do it during my late teens and liked it, but eventually it became a chore and I disliked knicking my head. I'm reminded of my barber's words of wisdom: we can take it off, but putting it back on is the hard part. Why not wait to see what the dermatologist says?

Yeah, I don't think it is about size at all. It all comes down to how your face looks. Hair hides parts of the face and scalp. If you have a "pretty" face then you will look fine. Even if you don't it probably won't be something you will regret.

edit: Its kind of a different story but a female friend of mine shaved her head, and it looked really good. She has a pretty face so she was able to pull it off. My only problem was she looked just like my mom did when she was going through Chemo. It took a while to get used to.

I'm not over 6', nor am I over 200 lbs, and I have had shaved head off and on for the past five years. Being able to pull off a shaved head is more about the shape of your head than anything else. If you have a square cranium, then you're out of luck. I'm lucky, I've had people tell me that I have a perfectly shaped head for shaving (I don't know who comes up with these things...)

I've also found that I think guys look best (at least, white guys) if they have a gotee to offset the bald head. I don't like the way I look when I have a bald head and a bald face. I think the beard lengthens the face and draws attention away from the top of your head.

I say go for it and see what you think. Confidence is important. Of course, so is a good razor and good shaving gel. Whenever I shave my head I immediately splash on some aftershave and then about 30 minutes later use some lotion, since my head will be dry. If I don't use the aftershave first, then I find the lotion causes my head to itch.

Good luck!

If you do shave your head, I understand that the HeadBlade is the way to go.

I'm trying to make the decision. It's really tough... I've had great hair for most of my life, and to be honest I'll probably have at least one or two more years, if I leave it alone.

At this point it's more about doing something different, than to hide the fact that I'm going bald. I actually used photoshop, and created a bald picture of what I may look like, but there is still the variable of the actual shape of my head.

I agree and have heard the same comment myself several times over the years. I have had a shaved head for the past 9 years or so aside from the times like now when I am lazy and it grows out for several weeks until I finally get sick of it again. I did keep it clean for my nearly my entire time in the military but it has gone through very brief cycles like now since then.
The closest I can go to 'clean shaven' is a moustache, but I usually prefer the 'clean head with goatee or full beard' look.

You really get used to the shaved look. The ladies love the feel of a freshly shaved head from what I have found going through college. As far as pulling it off, if you like it keep it and who cares. If not grow back what you got and go on. I am in a grow back phase right now but I am strongly leaning towards shaving it down again. It works just try it and for sure shave it in the shower!!!

you don't have to look like a NBA star or like Vin Deisel, look at this guy, most women can agree that he looks good.
http://www.kryptonsite.com/lexleft.jpg

If you're worried about it, use electric clippers. See if you like the look.

I've shaved my head a few times, but now I don't even bother. I just take the clippers and do a buzz and leave it at that.

Of course, the shaving cream always turned a bit pink until I'd shaved off all the skin tags and other growths. :)

But is the head not extemely White when you shave all the hair away... and how long is there going till it get the same color as youer face...

Oh yea there was this kid in high school who would always shave his head and he was so darn hot I wanted to jump his bones and then he grew his hair back once and he was not as cute.
Why dont you put your picture in here then have some one photo shop it to see what you would look like, or get one of those things to make you look bald.

The shape of your head or whatever scars or anything you may have is what is going to determine if you look good or not. Weight/size has nothing to do with it. That's only if you want to look like a real badass. ;)
I am 155lbs and 5'8" and I have been shaving my head since i was in my mid twenties. I started off with a real short buzz and just recently started shaving it clean. I let it grow all week, usually shaving on the weekend in the shower. If you are that worried about your physical size, then start lifting some weights and bulk up a little bit. Oh, and I'm 30 btw.

I don't shave my head completely, but it's buzzed pretty short. It looked really weird at first but now I'm used to it. I say try.....if you just can't get used to it and hate it you can always grow it back.

She is all wrong. I am 26 and am going very bald. I have been shaving my head for over a year now and all the girls love it (to the chagrin of my wife). All of the women I know have told me I look way better with a cue ball than with wispy shit hanging from my head. It is about confidence really. If you feel good with a shinny head then all the girls will too. Women smell weakness like a dog smells fear.

Good idea about bulking up, but I've tried it before, and it didn't work. I ate like a horse, drank lots of protein supplements, and was lifting 3/4 days a week. Still didn't seem to be gaining anything, but that might have been, because I wasn't lifting on more days. My metabolism is really, really, fast.

It works for Moby, and he certainly doesn't meet your criteria.

Personally, I think you're too concerned with what the ladies think. When I started losing my hair for good, I shaved it all off. That was about 3 years ago, I'm turning 27 next month. Have not regretted it, not once.

So, Coll Storm... did you decide to do it?

Inquiring minds want to see pics! Before, during, and afters!

Heck, even if you don't look "better" (in your opinion), at least it's something fun to do.

Coll Storm, that is a tough question. However, I suspect you wouldn't want to pull it off. Using a razor and/or shears is generally the best way to remove hair.

Pulling hair out by its roots hurts. It does leave you clean-shaven for longer, however!

I wonder if wax would work on a head?

I'm 22 and having a shaved head is the best type of haircut IMO.

It's low maintenance, cool (in the summer), and cuts morning preparation anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes. :)

I used to get 1.5/2 "clipper" sized shaves, but I recently went down to 1. Ideally, the hair would stay that short, but it grows back, so I try and go shorter and shorter.

People you know will likely have comments when you get a really short haircut. My mom says I look like a cancer patient, and my friend calls me a skinhead, but it's all in jest.

You don't need to be tall and jacked to look good with a buzz cut or bald head. Some people look better with long hair, some with short, and some with none.

I have always been a fan of short hair, as it is just easier, and I like the look. People around me (or anyone) will notice a change in haircut, but with time they will get used to it. They may drag it out a little to be overly dramatic, but it's your head and hair, so you should have the final decision.

I recommend going to a barber and having him use a higher numbered clipper size, and then work his way down so you can see how the different levels of shortness look. If you want to go bald, they can accomodate that also.

And lastly, if it doesn't work out and you don't like the look, hair grows back, so it's not a huge deal.

Take care.

I must say that, I appreciate all the responses to my post.

I'll tell you the whole situation in a nutshell. I work with children, as my full-time job. I work as a Kindergarten teacher, and with older kids later on in an after-school program. To be honest with you, I could care less what my friend thinks, because it seems she's the type that if she's not correct, than nobody is.

My main concern was with doing such a drastic change, in such a short amount of time, but I believe that my solution was appropriate. When I first found out, about a month ago that I was balding, I decided to shave it all off.

I didn't want to startle the children, so I cut it down to about an inch. Two weeks later, and I used the number three guard. Two weeks after that, and I used the number two guard. I just used the number one guard last Friday.

So, next Friday I'm going to use the buzzer, and shave it down to nothing. I got my mothers reaction, and she said "you look good with your hair that short, I can't imagine that you'll look bad bald, because you're basically at that point already."

It made sense to me, and decided that I'm going to do it. Next Friday, May 7th... I'll be completely bald.

Oh, it also helps that a cute girl that I know suggested that I do so, cause she said that I'll look good. :)

I bet the kids (and the girl) will LOVE it, Coll Storm! Good for you.

:thumbsup:

oh, and post some pics in Tilted Portraits, or right here!

For a bout the first week you will get a comment from like everyone. Some people asking you why you did it, some saying it looks good, some saying it looks bad. But just forget about what ANYONE thinks. After the first initial stage everyone will be used to it, and not even talk about it. Shaving my head bald was probably the best haircut I ever had. Showers are easy, theres never hair in your face. Drawbacks are that you head will burn, and possibly get cold. But just do it, it will look good.

Before you cut it down to nothing, take a picture. If you're shy, maybe a forehead-up one. The folks here at TFP know their stuff, and will be able to give you any pertinent advice.

When I shaved my head it looked a bit weird at first, and I definitely needed some lotion to keep my scalp from drying out. I got a lot of skinhead jokes when i had it. Then again, I've also never had more women want to either touch or kiss my head. I'm not sure what everyone at work thought (most people seemed to like it, though I'm sure some didn't, for business reasons or otherwise) but the president did tell me that I had balls for doing it. He said he would never have the guts to shave his head. Not bad, right?

I went through with it a couple days ago:

<img src=http://img56.photobucket.com/albums/v172/jasmar/tfppic.jpg>

I did it on Friday, and can't believe how fast the stubble has grown in. On Monday, I noticed that major stubble had already grown. I'm probably going to have a shaving night, every Friday.

I would post a picture, but don't have a means to do so right now. Maybe in the future.

I've gotten many comments. Everyone has payed me a compliment, except for my ex-friend/boss ( who the hell cares what she thinks ) and another girl that I know, but everyone else has given me positive reviews.

Most guys that I've talked to are in envy, cause they would love to have the same thing, but don't think they can pull it off. Some of the girls that I know... well... it's true. They love to feel up a bald mans head. :)

good work, Coll Storm. Can't wait to see those pics, when you get 'em.

And Jasmar, that looks pretty sweet, too. You have a nice, round dome, which makes it look even better.

I love having my head shaved. I did it last september on a whim and loved it. I did have to grow a goatee though. Both the head and face clean shaven was just too plain. It needed something to balance it out.

Short, not bald!
 

I started thinning on my upper forehead, after years of a long ponytail. I shaved it off - liberating. Not bald, just really short.

Luckily, my head is not funny-shaped, but I have a high metabolism like you and look fine.

Stressing about hair makes you lose more of it - I have found this to be true for me, anyway.

Oh - some girls/women like short-haired men, so you have a whole new look to explore. That's cool, too.

BTW, your pic looks pretty good...

Its great, if you can pull it off
 

I shaved my head for a while and loved it. Low MX, faster prep time in the morning, impossible to screw up. Once I had it shaved, I just used my electric razor every few days to keep it clean. Unfortunately, my skull is large, lumpy, and ugly. So I grew it back. My wife has seen the pictures and threatens divorce if I do it again. After a few pay raises, when I can afford that, I might consider going back to the clean look.:D If you like it, stick with it, if not, its only hair.

Heh, one of my suite mates had relatively long hair, and on a bet, I had the pleasure of shaving it for him. He would shave his head, if another suite mate sucked on a third suite mates nipple for 5 seconds. Well, they both kept their word, and I think that he was the only one who really thought he looked goofy for a few days.

Just go for it, it's only hair.

Well, like I said... It's already done. It's funny, but I shaved it last week, and one week later I had to shave it again, cause of how fast my hair grew during that one week.

Just came out of the shower about an hour ago, and I'm a baldie once again!

Thats they way to do it. See now if you dont like it, it will be back in like a week