The biggest decision I've ever had to make. This month.

JPNor

Shared on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 12:34


 

Over the last few years, I occasionally see a photo of myself and more specifically my scalp and, more and more, I dislike what I see. My hair has been thinning since college but the last few years my hair has seen a recession not unlike that of our nation's economy. I have light hair and in direct sunlight it looks pretty bad.

Every time I see one of those pictures I contemplate shaving my head. In fact, a number of times I've said "one more hair cut then I opt for the Bruce Willis look." I always end up chickening out, cutting it very short, and then resenting myself when it starts to grow in on the sides more than the top.

The longer my hair gets on the sides/back, the more noticeable the thinning/receding top is. If I keep it short, it doesn't call attention to itself but it's still there and it's still noticeable. More importantly, I don't like it. Only two things have kept me from going full-shave:

1. Professionalism. People's opinions and how they perceive a shaved head tend to be mixed. I am a consultant and a sales person, and I frequently have to act as an authority in my field in front of large groups of people. If less people take me seriously because they believe a shaved head is unprofessional, that's a problem.

2. I simply have no idea how it will look. Bruce Willis and Vin Diesel pull it off, but it didn't really work for the kid from Powder.

I'd like to get your thoughts. Here is the picture that I saw that prompted me to write this:

Zoomed in at a higher resolution, it's worse. I'm fucking bald.

Comments

YEM's picture
Submitted by YEM on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 12:43
I think the more pressing issue here is that skin white t-shirt you're sporting :lol:
ImMrPete's picture
Submitted by ImMrPete on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 12:49
What about Piccard?
TANK's picture
Submitted by TANK on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 12:51
The professionalism hurdle is a big one to get over. Have you tried rogaine? You should try it for a few months and see if it can make a difference for you. If it doesn't work for you, then i'd say you should just make monthly trips to the barber. I don't think for professionalism sake you should shave your head.
Lunatik-ZX's picture
Submitted by Lunatik-ZX on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 13:22
shave it
H2Daddy's picture
Submitted by H2Daddy on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 13:26
I say shave it. I had long hair (shoulder length until 17 years ago when I started teaching. Started teaching in a small country community and I figured the long hair would not be accepted. I bought a hair clipper set from Walmart and with no guard on, I cut it all off. Every Saturday since then, I give myself a trim. Its not shaved slick but it is short enough. I have a full head of hair and I still keep it short and I think I look professional enough when I have to. I think how you dress is going to be noticed more than the hair. Just my opinion. Good luck.
omegamaximus75's picture
Submitted by omegamaximus75 on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 14:08
I agree with pete Do the picard... rock that shit like only a starfleet captain can!
NorthernPlato's picture
Submitted by NorthernPlato on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 15:03
Pete beat me to it. If you think shaved won't be professional enough for your field, then go for the Picard. But the Costanza's gotta be stopped in its tracks.
TDrag27's picture
Submitted by TDrag27 on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 16:19
Buzz it. It won't look unprofessional.
redeye's picture
Submitted by redeye on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 17:07
Off with it.
MTPathy's picture
Submitted by MTPathy on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 18:15
I shave my hair very short, and imo it looks much better then being bald on top with hair on the sides and back. confidence doesnt come from your hair, seriously get a tan start working out and jogging shave that head and be a sex machine.
Anonymous's picture
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 01:15
Thanks a lot for sharing. You have done a brilliant job. Your article is truly relevant to my study at this moment, and I am really happy I discovered your website. However, I would like to see more details about this topic. I'm going to keep coming back here.
Fish66's picture
Submitted by Fish66 on Sat, 08/21/2010 - 22:25
Shave, buzz or let whats left grow down to your ass. As long as its clean and looks "Kept" it shouldn't be a problem.
AngryJason's picture
Submitted by AngryJason on Sun, 08/22/2010 - 00:00
I say keep it, but keep it well manicured and tight. I'll be in the same boat sooner rather than later, and while there probably is some sort of liberating factor in the shave, I figure it would require much more upkeep than just keeping what you've got neatly trimmed.
Lbsutke's picture
Submitted by Lbsutke on Sun, 08/22/2010 - 09:59
shave it man.
Automan21k's picture
Submitted by Automan21k on Sun, 08/22/2010 - 10:50
My barber is a retired Marine, he only knows one hair cut, but he does it well....buzz cut has worked well for hiding my disappearing hair.

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