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I finally cut off all my hair. I grew it for 3.5 years, and enjoyed it long very much, but in the last few months I failed the 'two week test', twice. My hair was no longer fun, and it had begun to bother me.
I figured since I was no longer enjoying it, there was probably somebody who would benefit from my hair far more than I was, so I donated it to Locks of Love (they make hair pieces for kids with cancer who have lost their hair from treatment).
So now I am bald, and it feels weird. I've had 3 hairstyles for the past 15 years, shaved, growing out from shaved, and long. It's a vicious cycle. I can't say that I will be growing out right away, but I know someday I will be back among your ranks. Keep growing it guys, long hair rules, but also, don't be afraid to cut it if you want to.
Here is a link to a photo collage of "the day my hair died" enjoy!
http://www.tomledin.com/images/hair.jpg
kilgore
I did the same thing. From 1994-1998. Then cut it short for a while. Now I'm growing it again because I missed it. I can't wait to get to the length you HAD.
kilgore, don't feel bad about the comments.
I've shaved my head after having long hair as well, and it is a refreshing change of pace.
Plus, your hair will ALWAYS grow back, all it takes is time!
Now, if you decide to grow it out again, it'll be younger than your son this time around ;)
Thanks George! I'll always be a longhair, I just consider myself a longhair who experiences periods of short-hairedness ;)
kilgore
I definitely liked your pics better with you hair long. I think you look much older with your hair short.
That's funny, becaue I'm actually a lot younger now that I have cut off all that old hair.
My son is 2.5, and has never known me with short hair, it was weird to think that my hair was older than him.
kilgore
OMG!
Hey, I respect your decision and all, but after looking at those pics (and mine is about as long as yours was) I am all the more convinced that I'm keeping mine! Thanks for the reality check!
Brutal.
delta
Yea. I love wearing my hair long, but I like shorter styles, too. You can't have them all at once, but, hey-- hair grows. I've cut mine short or shorter several times. Now it's about 19". In '95 it was 2". In '93 it was 24" (which I decided was past my best-length limit).
My mistake was posting something I was excited about here. I have read this form for three years, and have tired to be supportive of everyone's decisions about their hair. In't that how it should be?
Mostly everyone here understands how much crap longhairs receive by people who just cannot stand people being different from themselves.
Longhairedman, you are no better than the redneck who lives behind me who often said, "You should cut your hair, you look like a girl."
Your words are different, but your point is the same, 'Do what I do, look like I look, think what I think'. So much for the 'Open-minded longhair' archetype.
To all the longhairs who understand that the whole idea of growing long hair is an exercise in taking control over your own appearance, and not letting society dictate how you should look, good luck, and keep on growing.
Kilgore, who is as proud of his sheared head as he was of his long hair.
It is your hair to do with as you please, of course. That is the
whole point. I think what you don't understand is that for really
dedicated longhairs it is painful to see long hair get chopped off.
Plus, of course, when you are in a minority it hurts to see your
numbers get smaller. This may be the reason for some of the comments
you got.
By posting a website you opened yourself to people giving you their honest opinion. My opinion is the same as longhairedmans. If you feel different, then accept the diversity on this board.
If you are searching for approval and compliments, don't expect others on this board to say it looks great after you cut it. I consider this is a place to discuss, not to blindingly support every readers personal choices.
Again, this is a personal opinion. Why come to a longhaired community seeking approval or compliments of buzzing your head?
Longhairedman gave his opinion. You have expressed yours. You like it buzzed, then all power to you. It is your right to paint it purple and pink if you want. But when you post a site with pictures comparing the different looks, don't expect others not to give their opinion.
I would think no one here would even think of denying you the right and freedom to control your appearance. But please do not restrict our feedom of speech by not allowing the free flow of our opinions. If we think you looked much better and much younger with your hair than without it, then accept it.
If your are proud then don't get all defensive when people don't agree with your observations.
So long everyone on the forum. It's been fun. Maybe I'll show up when my hair is long again.
take care,
kilgore
just because you cut your hair doesn't mean your experience with long hair is null- you can still dispense advice & support to anyone trying to grow theirs out.
having said that, my initial reaction to your post a few days ago was to scratch my head-- this is a forum for discussing & support of long hair on men. i applaud your decision if it is truly what you want- it's your hair... your freedom; your choice- but to celebrate the fact as you did here- furnishing a link to your before and after pics- and to take affense at some of the opinions expressed... consider the audience here... biased towards longer hair. no wonder there were opinions that you looked better with it long. i applaud that the people were at least civil in speaking their mind.
I thik people are being to harsh on you! They might decide to cut their hair oneday and I am sure they wouldn't want people judging them. I almost cut mine short 1.5 years ago. I would have regreted it, because I regreted just having 7 inches cut off. You have a lot guts to cut it. Also, you seem to be happy with the choice. That is what is most important! If you get tired of it short, you could always grow it back again!
Darrin
Thanks Darrin, you are a gentleman, and a scholar!
cheers,
Kilgore
Your have very nice hair. It looks very healthy and well taken care of. You look great long and short. Wish I could have helped with the cut. All in all, enjoy your hair while you got it.
cheers,
ck
I visit this site, and also short hair sites. What can I say? I just happen to like mens' hair!
I think you did a very admirable thing in donating your hair to Locks of Love. One (sadly, ill) little girl will be absolutely thrilled to be wearing your (very well cared for) hair in the near future!
There was bound to be some who thought you made a mistake. This IS a long hair board, afterall. I don't think you made a mistake in the least! You wanted to cut your hair, so you did. Good for you. I am not suggesting everyone should do what you did; merely that people SHOULD do what they want with THEIR hair. Since you went from VERY long hair to very short hair, I personally think you should have gone all the way, and shaved your hair to nothing! That would have been cool. VERY long to absolutely nothing! I also happen to like extremes in hairstyles! {grin}
I think you should make some math calculations respective locks of love. I guess in the last years they have gathered between 30000 - 50000 (it also can be much more) ponytails and are very proud of this few 100 wigs they have produced, and they even get money for delivering it.
This numbers result from reading their website and from news paper articles and also individual replies about questions.
I don't know how much money donations they got.
I think it was one of the contributions to allow their directors having a pleasant life. The probability that your hair will be used for it's donated purpose is less than 1%. Lol admits that they are selling hair for covering their costs.
I personally have a hair length similar like yours (before the cut) and I enjoy it.
wolfgang
You're right, he should have just thrown his hair away.
Considering they are a not for profit Organization, they must have ENORMOUS operating costs to to be covered by selling all that hair. I think you should back up your claims, because if they are not true they are libelous. And if in the off chance your claims are true, instead of making people feel bad for trying to do something good, why not offer an alternative.
Frank Lee
Dallas Tx.
After my opinion it is evident that lol is wasting a lot of hair and I feel bad if I hear this appreciation for an organization where no one knows definitely what they are doing with all the hair.
I don't think that the hair cut of this topic was intended by lol, I couldn't extract this from the comment, but I heard appreciation for the benefit, and this without any opposition can give aditional motivation for hair cuts. But why?
There exist large amounts of wigs and extensions and tons of cut hair that falls down every day. And for this few hundred wigs, they are able to produce over several years, it would be more as enough to use this hair. It is also not clear if the wigs are really needed. But it is a fact that a lot of hair cut pressure occurs against long hairs, especially girls and women, to denote it. I also heard that women are insulted because they don't have denoted their hair and I see no sense in this donating events in American TV. I think this shows are often used to make the long hairs ridiculous, and they often justify their existence with lol.
You ask for an alternative, I know that people insite the long hair community have spend money for helping.
The American cancer society needs people who have time and they are not asking for wigs.
I think society don't needs an organization who is gathering ten thousands of ponytails that could be used to enjoy people who like long hair, only to satisfy benefit feelings, without beeing able to use the donations effective for its purpose and without giving precise informations what happens with all the cut hair, and how much hair is really needed, and without using all the hair which is already available.
The focus of this donation activities is already a minority and touches often people who like long hair and noone takes care about the people who have donated the hair.
But what can I do? I am not a citizen of the United States and just contribute my thoughts, hearing a lot of discussions about this theme on different websites.
I think my conclusions are based on rationality and on my personally preference for long hair, that is attached to human beings.
I live in Bavaria, Germany.
wolfgang
I know this is an old-ish thread,m but I've only just noticed it.
For what it's worth, I think you look great with short hair. Whatever LOL do with you (wonderful) locks, you made the decision for two god reasons 1) You were finding your long hair a drag and 2) You wanted to help someone less fortunate than yourself.
You stand head and shoulders above some of the deeply sad people who have chosen to comment negatively.
Good luck to you, man.
Saul
>two god reasons
That should have read 'good' of course!
