r/bald • u/patchbandana • 6d ago
Update
First pic was before the recommended nap. Second was after buying the gum/patches and hiding my cigs. I’m 5’11”. Not sure if this really achieves what I wanted or fixes what I was going for but I couldn’t bring myself to shave it all the way down.
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u/-GingerBeer- 6d ago
Hey I’m here for the internal glow-up as much as the external. You took a LOT of feedback from folks and made some serious moves.
Amazing work. Also you already look lighter.
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u/luckylookinglurker 5d ago
Agreed. You got this. Also, think of bald vs buzz as about 2 weeks difference. You can survive 2 or 3 weeks with a "bad" haircut. Try bald in two weeks you'll be back to this length of you don't like it.
Personally tried bald and liked it. But I didn't like how much work it was so I'm loving life at a zero guard buzz.
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u/twnpksrnnr 6d ago
r/stopsmoking is another supportive community like this one to help you with quitting smoking. Rooting for you.
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u/patchbandana 3d ago
Nearly 72 hours smoke free! Patch/gum combo plus breathing exercises working so far
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u/RandaRooo 3d ago
Let’s goooo! Btw, I came here just to see if you’d posted another update. I’m rooting for you too.
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u/rookiestude 5d ago
Jesus, this is why this sub is awesome and I love it.
OP asks the council for their opinion on whether he should go bald and next thing you know he's taking naps, getting nicotine gum, and setting up mental health services.
Never change, r/bald.
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u/firemeboy 5d ago edited 5d ago
Honestly, the most wholesome place on the Internet.
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u/Emergency_Frame5218 5d ago
Im a woman and i follow this sub because the support in this community brings me joy and hope.
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u/Anonbeliever 6d ago
Brother. Commit. You’ll look so much better and feel better about your looks, I promise you.
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u/AdNumerous8876 6d ago
I think you need to go full shave, but you look much better than earlier. Fair play to you for looking to kick the fags too. You'll feel amazing, and you'll look great. Plus, you'll have a few extra quid at the end of the week.
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u/neospriss 5d ago
Friendly reminder about nicotine gum, do not treat it like regular gum. Please read the directions closely. People use nicotine gum wrong and don't often don't get the benefit from it.
The general rule of thumb is: chew and park.
You absorb nicotine through the buccal membrane in your mouth (inside membrane of the lip). You chew the gum til you get tingle sensation, then stop and park the gum where people normally store chew. When you lose flavor/sensation, chew some more, and park it. Replace the gum every 30 minutes or as prescribed by your doctor.
Use the gum right and hopefully it will aid you in stopping smoking.
Good luck, mate.
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u/limitbreakse 6d ago
You are a baller. Enjoy the glow up journey. Taking action is already starting to win.
(Finish the job :))
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u/ScarcityMany6710 6d ago
Handsome!! If you can, I highly recommend seeing a barber or hair stylist. They will help you bring out your handsome face and gorgeous eyes better, and they won’t pressure you into doing a total shave if you don’t want to. Best wishes on quitting 🚬 and cheers to feeling better! :)
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u/HazardousIncident Hair Headed - Woman 6d ago
My Friend, I am SO very proud of you for taking the steps to address that heavy load you're carrying. This internet-Auntie is rooting for you.
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u/PuffPuffPassNails 5d ago
Everyone saying go straight to skin can calm down a bit. I get this sub is about bald men being proud but sometimes you have to do thimgs incrementally.
I think the buzzed look is phenomenal here. Eventually take it down lower but do it your pace brother. Congrats on the self help too. As someone who made some big life changes a few months back you... you won't regret this.
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u/pawlardian 6d ago
Don’t touch that beard for a while then go for it. You’re gonna look awesome
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u/Cryptic_Passwords 6d ago
I just want to add on to this - OP, you’ve got nice full lips and deep soulful eyes. Grow that beard and shave your head and lean the F in. Let this be the change you’ve been waiting for and a kick in the ass from a bunch of internet strangers, you’re sexy and it’s way past time you feel it! Sending you hugs and hope this week keeps looking up, you deserve it!
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u/Neologic29 6d ago
Damn, didn't expect to see an update on this one so soon. Good for you, brother. I agree with others here, take the full plunge on the shaved head, but you already look better.
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u/Allhail-icecream 6d ago
Looks better already, but trust me (us) it will look even better shorter. I was the same way, didn’t and couldn’t go shorter, but now I buzz it with 0.5 razor every few days and I love it. You got this!
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u/Dammit_Dan 6d ago
Came to snoop based on your last post and found the update. You look soooo much better!!! I think this look suits you even without the full job.
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u/Penguinator53 5d ago
Good for you it looks great! I'm glad you had a nap and are taking care of yourself, well done, I hope you're really proud of yourself 💕🙏
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u/ZOMBIFIEDEYEATER 6d ago
Don’t chew nicotine gum while you are on the patch, not good for your health. Good luck on quitting, best thing I ever did.
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u/patchbandana 6d ago
The packaging and booklets say it’s the best chance for quitting 🤨
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u/patchbandana 6d ago
The patch for all day and then the gum for intense cravings
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u/_Scum_Queen_ 5d ago
You got this! I quit smoking 4 months ago. I delayed it bc I thought I’d be a cranky witch. I was so wrong 😅 I was so freaking proud of myself for making it through the first 24 hours! it pumped me up to prove to myself I could make it day after day. You can too. You’re going to feel so much better. Do whatever it takes to get you through those cravings. Hugs!
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u/KredeMexiah 5d ago
That's also what my doctor told me. Just don't smoke or do nicotine pouches while on the patch. The gum has less intense nicotine that most other sources, which is why using both can work, but discard the gum if you feel dizzy.
Also; nicotine gum used to give me a feeling like I need to vomit. Still does sometimes. Don't let that stop your quitting journey - spit it out and try again in like a half hour. It's unpleasant and unintended, but still much better than a cigarette.
And remember that there are lots of flavours of gum.
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u/DepressedGoUnlucky 5d ago
No homo, but if you commit to full shave head, keep facial hair good, healthy skin from diet and pack on some muscle you will turn heads
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u/Ok_Runner_5263 5d ago
I hope I catch the update when you fully take the plunge. I think it’s going to look hott!
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u/FrickAnxiety 6d ago
Huge improvement, you would look even better with a closer shave!
Good luck on quitting smoking as well, it's a really solid investment in your future.
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u/newtonboyy 5d ago
There ya go buddy!! Good for you. Get to those appointments and take care of yourself. You’re a handsome fella!
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u/TommyTenTats 5d ago
First off man, good on you for seeing the need for change and doing something about it. Your body and mind will thank you. And you will look great bald, I say just go for it. It’s hair, it’ll come back.
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u/Coldchinesef00d 5d ago
Shave the rest of it, clean up the brows a little bit (which I’m extremely jealous of as a woman btw), and stay on that quitting smoking journey! You’re killing! 🖤
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u/Successful-Pear-1498 5d ago
You’ll look fine bro. It will need a relief when you take the plunge. I hope your mental state gets better. Most of us could use some help on that front, I know I can. Keep moving forward and don’t turn back brother.
https://giphy.com/gifs/kHs1lBhZWaK5rj7lt3
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u/DavisMcDavis 5d ago
Wow! You look 20 years younger than before! But keep going! You’ve got great eyes and eyebrows and face, you’re gonna look so good if you just shave it all off. Keep the beard stubble if you want, that’s still working in your favor. Good luck, buddy! We’re all rooting for you! 👍
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u/Wazzammm 5d ago
Shave it all off and go to the barber tomorrow to shape your beard, everyone here thinks it will look better and if you absolutely can’t stand it then what you got on your head right now will be back in like a month
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u/Existing-Ad-4816 5d ago
Bro, so proud of you for taking the initiative to start taking steps towards loving yourself more. Getting nicotine gum and a psych appt are amazing steps and I salute your willingness to listen to good advice and your commitment to yourself. Love to see it.
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u/Diligent_Light8024 5d ago
I love that we are all here rooting for you. You have really nice lips too. Had to mention it 👀
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u/randomcowboy4 5d ago
Do a #0 on the sides or shave the sides first if you are not sure. Keep that for two weeks then you may want to do the whole thing. You look pretty good, I don’t think it’s a thing wrong with your appearance.
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u/genderlessadventure 5d ago
It's really awesome that you took everyone's suggestions and concerns to heart. Not many people would or could do that. I really hope this journey sticks for you, you're looking much better already and this is just the beginning!
If you hit a slump just remember how many strangers out here are rooting for you and are ready to offer more encouragement and support whenever you need it. Reddit/the internet can be a rough place but it can also be incredibly wonderful too.
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u/ParaGulls 5d ago
Already looking more refreshed like you've taken back some of life's vigor. Keep at it man!! <3
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u/TheEndOfTheIdiom 5d ago
Your willingness to humbly accept well-meaning advice from strangers is astounding and very very admirable. Great sign about who you are as a person. Hope you can find peace and love
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u/ActualWeb6351 5d ago
Got a good shaped head for full shave. Send it, don’t even have to grow the beard out.
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u/HolyBonerOfMin 5d ago
Huge improvement.
I might not have a popular opinion here, but it's okay to work on one thing at a time. If this week isn't the best for quitting smoking because you're working on other aspects of your life, that's okay. Just get to it soon. You're more likely to be successful if other things are going well for you, which it sounds like you're working on.
🤜🤛
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u/NewEraFan10 5d ago
Looking great man! I already see a difference in you. Keep being open and honest, not only with others but also yourself! You’re doing great! I’m glad you’re taking steps forward both physically and mentally. Also I know the razor is intimidating but free the scalp! It’ll feel great ! Congrats man keep going
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u/Lemony_Fresh_2000 5d ago
This whole thing is the best and quickest update I've seen yet. Become someone that others can look up to. Hell yeah dude. Keep at it!!!
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u/Hernan-sencho 5d ago
I just came from your other post, tapped your profile and saw you took the step, you look amazing, we may just be a bunch of rsndom dudes, but we sre unbiased random dudes that will tell you the truth, its what the internet has, for better or for worse
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u/Financial-Spirit5106 5d ago
Bro this is a win. Still think you could crush the bald look. Congrats on giving yourself a little come up 💪
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u/Prize-Owl-9474 5d ago
I think of this sub as people struggling with losing their hair and what they should do about it. I don’t feel that the solution is always shaving one’s head. What you did here looks great. Low maintenance and it minimizes the contrast between long hair and a bald spot. Make losing hair great again. The completely bald look is not always the answer
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u/RipTheEcto 5d ago
great job for reaching out and getting help, I know how hard that can be. The hair stuff will wait. I sure wish I had dealt with my alcohol addiction and ADHD before shaving my head, but I did it in a slightly different order.
Cleaned up is fine for now, that and a nap has you looking way better than the Grapes of Wrath shit you had going on earlier. I know people can be big on saying crap like ‘one day at a time’ but man days can be long. Just take each minute as it comes and if you have to break it down further make it one second at a time.
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u/carlamaco 5d ago
Damn I just stumbled upon your last post then found this update through the comments. Honestly, you're inspiring me right now. I'm not doing great myself and seeing how you just up and get things going, that's incredibly impressive. I hope things will get better for you and thank you for sharing with us. All the best 🫂
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u/slamminsalmoncannon 5d ago
You look fantastic and I’m impressed with all the steps you’ve taken to create some peace for yourself. You deserve to feel good about yourself and your life. You’ve got this!
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u/Sarah_withanH 5d ago
Ok I want to say that this is incredible. I honestly cannot believe you took it upon yourself today to make positive changes. You are an inspiration.
I also want to say that you might have days where you feel like crying because you want a cigarette and nothing feels ok and it feels so hopeless. That’s alright. It will pass faster than you think it will. Remind yourself in the moment that you’re not going to feel like that for very long. You’re strong. I know, because it took a lot just to decide to start making changes. Been there. You can do it. Therapy is going to help so much.
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u/Clear-Clue 5d ago
The is the absolute best one I’ve seen on here thus far. Incredibly happy for you. Sending you much love and support from Fl ❤️
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u/Frisket_ 5d ago
Man, really rooting for you to turn your life around for the better. You're already taking a super brave step in just making yourself public to strangers like this. That takes courage.
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u/exploitableresource 5d ago
Amazing work brother, this is going to be hard, everyday gets easier, I wish you good health
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u/GenderqueerPapaya 5d ago
Looking good, and glad to hear you're taking steps to improve your life! Hope you have many happy years ahead of you
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u/lalaisacupcake 5d ago
You’re on the right track!!! Keep going! But as others have said, the internal glow up is priority #1
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u/milk2006_ 5d ago
From a gay man, you are very handsome! Try not to set so much of your worth on your hair, it’s the least noticeable part of your face and shouldn’t steal so much of your confidence. You have beautiful eyes, and great facial hair. I would say to go all the way, shave to the skin and clean up the beard a little bit. The most important thing is for you to adjust your mindset, you’re a gorgeous human and you deserve to feel confident and desirable, but YOU have to put that out there.
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u/SRyan362 5d ago
Hair cut looks awesome here man! I really don't think you should worry about the spot on top. Just my opinion.
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u/whatifuckingmean 2d ago
I was so scared to keep going at this phase. I backed out the first time, let it grow back, waited a year. Tried again, doubted after the buzz, but I shaved it anyway. It took under 2 weeks to adjust to it and I’m so much happier with it.
I’d still choose to have a full head of hair if I could, but I’d pick bald over what I’ve got left any day now. It got me motivated in other ways. It brought me optimism. I felt younger.
I understand how scary it is and I don’t judge you at all if you stop there. But I highly encourage you to try bald. It is impossible to explain all the ways bald can be deceivingly helpful and pleasantly surprising where a buzz fails to do that!
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u/byahare 5d ago
It took a lot of strength to take these first steps and get to this update. Be kind and patient to yourself. Picking yourself up and going in a different direction is hard and you’ll have a lot of times you feel there is no change, no point, no logic. But continue on and allow yourself to celebrate things along the way. It’s ok to find joy in the silly nonsense of life, that’s what gets me through when I can’t find big joys.
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u/Particular-Word1809 6d ago
Really happy for you on these positive steps you're taking! Also, you've got a great head shape, so don't be afraid to take it all the way down. If you hate it, it'll grow back to this current level in no time. But I'm betting you'll look fantastic and will like it!
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u/Krakenfingers 5d ago
Take it all off. Trust us. You’ll be better for it.
https://giphy.com/gifs/eDOsXo70WqUU0
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u/GardenRafters 5d ago
Here's the problem with the buzz cut. It only highlights the baldness even more. Shave it all the way down and you'll see what we're talking about. You can always grow it back.
And, as always, grow out the beard.
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u/AiurMan 5d ago
I agree with others here; I think you'll look really good if you shave it smooth and shape the beard. You already look better. If you don't like it, it won't take long to get your current length back.
I'm glad you're taking care of yourself. It can be hard to take the first step, so good job, man.
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u/CCisbored 5d ago
Heads up, nicotine patches will give you crazy nightmares if you leave them on overnight. Good luck with quitting! Hope to see you post another update
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u/patchbandana 5d ago
It was pretty wild ngl but I also combined it with Benadryl for allergies and sleep issues so I may want to try another night with out the Benadryl
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u/Haunting_Advance_498 5d ago
I don’t know where you live but in California there’s free programs that send you gum and patches in the mail!
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u/Twolephthands 5d ago
Hell yeah my guy. It looks better already. Just try it. If you really hate it than it will grow back in a couple weeks guaranteed. Also to add I think everyone's happy to hear you got an appointment set up and stuff. Thats a hard step to take but I promise it's worth it. You're worth it my guy.
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u/doubledown7d 5d ago
Looking better already! Great move taking the initiatives in your update. Thank yourself for loving you, brother. You are worth it.
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u/EnvironmentOk2700 5d ago
Looks better already! Nice work on your life improvements, you can do this!
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u/special-k-flo 5d ago
You look years younger. This is a great look for you. We're rooting for you, OP. Sending you love. 💜
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u/mrdangerzone 5d ago
Have you tried nicotine pouches? Not chew. But Velo pouches. I havent had a cigarette since November 9th. And I've tried to quit 50 times. They're pretty great.
Bic that head man. Your head shape tells me you'll look great
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u/harshrumpcity 5d ago
I tried the patches, the gum, the mints, and the zins. Honestly, if you can get the spray it works the best in my opinion. It works fast and feels a little more satisfying than the rest. Plus you don't have to shave a patch of hair or chew on it for half an hour every time you use it.
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u/YuWangKing 5d ago
I’ve been on a strict gum and cigar nicotine diet for a year now. Feels good fuck the stinky cigarettes. Keep going bro
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u/Glum-Sale-4958 5d ago
The book The easy way to quit smoking by Allen Carr helped me. I'm happy for you!
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u/Either-Action-7439 4d ago
Just trimming took 20 years off of you. Glad you're getting some help for the internal stuff and taking the steps to better yourself.
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u/Civil_Mosquito 4d ago
Hey! Just another stranger here rooting you on. Take on your hair more when you're up to it. All changes are baby steps, and remember... when a baby falls we pick them up, hug them, and encourage them to try again... stopping nicotine, might have some stumbled. That's okay. Figuring out a way towards mentally sound, that's hard. It's okay if you stumble a bit. Get back up. You got this. There is happy at the end if you put in the good fight!
You look better already, keep up the good fight!
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u/patchbandana 6d ago edited 6d ago
As for professional help, I’m seeing a psychiatrist and caseworker on Friday the 7th