Hello everyone. I'm 36, still have a full head of thick wavy hair and would like to grow it out. I haven't had a haircut for 1.5 months thus far. My question is: the pattern of hair on the back of my head goes down to a taper and at the very base of my neck a odd-looking "rat-tail" is forming. What should I do about this and the general scruffiness on the back of the neck?
Thanks
My question is: the pattern of hair on the back of my head goes down to a taper and at the very base of my neck a odd-looking "rat-tail" is forming. What should I do about this and the general scruffiness on the back of the neck?
Hi Chris,
3 years from now, when your hair will get caught repeatedly in your armpit and fall frequently into your soup, the above question will seem like a distant dream from a strange & foreign planet...
HOWEVER, all silly and smarty-pants answers from aging city cowboys aside, I actually DO understand your need to ask the above question, --- for beleive it or not, I at one time worried about those very same issues, when my hair was shorter (interesting that I worried more when shorter, than I do now)!
My advise is as follows:
Plan"A" - If at all possible, try to just "let your hair be" while it's growing out, --- and try not to worry or fret over the micro-chages, funny flips, "wings", curls, etc. that will pop up different everyday. The "awkward stage" is so named for a very valid reason: because it is indeed AWKWARD!!!
Plan "B" - If Plan A becomes unbearable, then by all means go in for a light trim and/or re-shaping; but try to find a very reputable hair stylist who will support you with your long hair goals (long hair specialists are usually well-worth paying a higher price for).
I've grown my hair out long twice: the first time from '91 - '99; the 2nd time after a devastating short haircut in Y2K. The first time I grew my hair out, I was very self-conscious, and unkowingly followed Plan "B". The 2nd time I grew my hair out, I was so anxious to see it return to long again, that I didn't give a Bugs Bunny what anybody thought, --- and got to my goal MUCH faster!!
But, it's totally your choice. Have fun starting your longhaired journey!
- Ken in San Francisco
Amen to cowboy =) but shaving off your neck hairs shouldnt be a big deal, I do it all the time =) soon you will reach a point where you wont be able to see your neck anyways =) hopefully =)
HI
Believe it or not,that taper at the base of your neck hair-line can be found on many men. Best seen dead center when the hair is short it looks to be a "V" shape. It is just natural to you, and as an added bonus, those that have this get a head-start of having a great Rat Tail if desired. In the end, all will even-itself up by itself, so fear yee not, you'll do just great. :-)
As for the "scruf" on the back of the neck, we all have that. Those hairs don't really amount to all that much. Some guys prefer to let them stay while others like to buzz (heavens, I have used that word)or shave them off as they prefer a more "clean-cut" look as a contrast against a Ponytail. The choice is yours.
Good luck to you in growing out your mane.