new thread
Hi longhair-friends,
just want to introduce myself quickly. My name is Ralf, living in Berlin/Germany.
Having grown out my hair now for 3 years from buzzcut, I thought it would be appropriate to 1) thank MLHH for the "rules" of dealing with awkward stage and giving oneself several days to re-think before going to the barber...(would not have made it so far without those rules) and 2) posting a pic of my achievement so far.
When I was a teen and in my 20s I had longer than average hair most of the time. Metallica's James Hetfield from the "seek&destroy"-video of 1986 or so was my MAIN inspiration at that time, I just plainly loved this look...
Then came a time of starting into job (computer-sysadmin, my profession, which I dislike now, but that's another story) when I had them short for some years. After experimenting with several hairstyles some years ago, I decided I had enough of barbers and each time the feeling of uncertainty before entering the barber-shop what the new cut would look like after, and plainly cut all off with a razor. Looked not bad, but I wanted long hair once more in my lifetime!
That's where it started. And here I am now, 3 years later.
My goal is minimum midback, probably even longer.
Also depends how my hair will develop in future...have to fight with temple recession...*sigh*
But I just turned 40 and I'm aware that I will never have my teenie-like fullness of hair again.
However, I think it's still quite OK, and the best hairstyle for me (apart from a buzzcut which "hides" temple recession in some way). But mostly because I love long hair, I decided to continue to let it grow even further.
Thanx for reading and happy growing, MLHH-members :-)
Great looking hair. Be not dismayed by any recession of your hair, that's just normal. Your hair looks great, and I am jealous,for yours is longer than mine. But I am also hoping for at least, mid back.
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A hearty welcome to MLHH, Ralf. Your hair looks good to me. A little bit of receding at the temples does not always mean you will suffer from male pattern baldness. My hairline has been like this, for the past 52 years, since I was 5 years old. (see photo) My hair is over a meter in length. Do keep growing your hair for sure.
Scott
Welcome Ralf,
Your hair is looking great and I won't worry too much about a bit of receding hairline as it's fairly normal, and I too just turned 40 a few months ago. I am at a nearly similar length to yours after growing 29 months and yes the hair does thin with age. I think at 40 you know who you are and what you want and it's better to grow long hair now then leave it too late.
The MLHB is a wonderful online community - a great group of free thinking eccentrics and individuals here!
Cheers,
Duncan
Well, at least I know of 2 guitarists with similar problems. Bernemann of "Sodom" and Kai Hansen of "Gamma Ray". However, I think both of them look unique in their appearance and still absolutely OK.
Guess I still have a few years to go until my hair degrades to Devin Townsend's or Carl-Johan Grimmark's.
But if I could play guitar like those guys, maybe I would sacrifice my hair for that ability... Haha. :-)
Dallas Toler-Wade from the band Nile also comes to mind, although he just recently got rid of it all =)
It looks great, keep up the good work!
Maximum length, after washing.
Can't wait until they'll be 10, 20 or even 30 cm longer... :-)
OK, that's all for now. I think I'll post updates regularly when time allows me to. Maybe then also with alpine motives, as I like hiking in the bavarian alps a lot. And with upcoming august, it will be peak-season for high-mountain hiking in that area. Looking forward to that. :-)
That's great growth - looking good - enjoy the rest of the journey!
Hi Ralf, welcome to the mlhh as that was a great intro you wrote for us to read:)Sort of a summary of your longhair,shorthair,buzzcut,and back to longhair history.I have to disagree about a buzz not looking too bad.At least to me I just do NOT like that look but that's me.Anyway I think your hair looks great now even with the temple issue and growing it longer will only make it better.Certainly I hope you stick it out as I intend to:)Please do keep us posted on your progress and also take pics for sure!Especially during your hikes:)Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark,
thanks for your words.
I know you would disagree about the buzzcut part. I once read a post from you that said a buzzcut would make people look meaner.
I also believe that this is true in most cases, but for me personally it was a big relief after several mistreatments by barbers who were not able to cut an appropriate hairstyle for my character, to finally find something more suitable.
Agree though that this is not a way for everyone to start their journey to becoming a longhair. But if I had to choose between a buzzcut I like and some barber-cut hairstyle I hate most of the time, I'd go with choice No 1.
However, in any event best choice is No 3, growing out one's hair. :-)
Best wishes,
Ralf
(Pic for comparison, 3 years ago. Disregard plaster, fell off my bike. Ouch.)
Hey Ralf,
Now that picture is scary!LOL.Sorry just joking as you look like a very pleasant fellow:)You have a very good memory to recall I made that comment which I admit saying here.In my eyes a shaved head just doesn't appeal to me especially on Caucasians.Some races though, it doesn't look that bad on for whatever reason.Still longish or longhair to me is the way to go:)
It seems to me when guys go to barbers for some new kind of cut they may bring in a picture as an example.Maybe some model from a GQ mag or something similar.Otherwise just trying to verbally describe a hairstyle could give you mixed results or a total disaster.Best if you are going long again do it while you are still relatively young which you are.That's why I have always had longhair even in spite of a job since I won't wait till I retire to start growing out.No way.Longhair won't hurt anyone so I'll go to work with it:)At my age I can care less what someone thinks of my appearance.All I know is I like what I see in the mirror...case closed.Have a great day my friend.Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark,
the pic would have been really REALLY scary if you also had seen my upper body, too on it, because my collarbone got fractured once and my right arm twice.
As a consequence I had a few days off with lots of time to shoot some scary photos. :-)
But I'm a bike enthusiast, and this was not my first bike related accident. But I don't mind. I get older and more experienced everyday so the months and years between the accidents get more and more. :-)
Concerning the buzzcut, I don't miss it anymore once I got past the awkward stage and could start enjoying several advantages of long hair:
-at least 2 hairstyles to choose from. Loose / ponytail
-no more need for styling-gel etc.
-save energy cost: can turn down heating now 2-3 °C in winter.
-No more ventilator necessary to shuffle warm air down from the ceiling.
Agree with you best time to grow out is when younger, especially considering the time it takes for a real cool mane. Say 5 years or even longer.
However, let's be serious: there are certain employers, who simply won't hire you with long hair. So being longhaired might also be a decision to be willing to deal with some additional difficulties that joe average doesn't have.
But in the end I believe I'll be stronger if I'm able to overcome these and rather be true to myself than just doing what society thinks should be mainstream.
Probably one of the big advantages of my business (sysadmin, IT) is that longhair seems not to be this much of a problem. But e.g. looking for a job as e.g. a clark - glad I don't have to...
Have a great week Mark.
Best wishes.
Welcome to the board Ralf!
You've grown a great looking head of hair over the past few years. Nice color, too.
As others have mentioned, the "temple" pattern is nothing to worry about.
- Oren
Thank You for sharing your story with us and for the support of the MLHH....it is ever so gratifying to here that our community is helping.
Welcome and we look forward to hearing and seeing more.
WWT (Walter White Tail)
Hi Ralf,
Welcome to the hyperboard, and thank you for sharing your background and photos with us. You have grown a great head of curly hair, and by all means, keep it growing. Don't worry about the yemple recession, since almost all of us have it as we grow a little older, and I have some slight recession myself as well (I will be 57 in 2 weeks)
Welcome aboard,
David
Welcome Ralf! Don't worry about a receding hair line, it's how you feel inside that's important. I have a balding crown that my wife asks if I'm trying to hide by growing long hair. I tell her growing long hair has nothing to do with hide anything or trying to relive my youth. Long hair makes me feel good about myself and life.
Bruce
Couldn't have said it any better myself, Bruce!
And to Ralf: I have a receding hairline in front, too; so no worries -- just let it grow grow grow anyway... You'll be a happier (and hippier) man because of it!
- Ken
As stated in my first post, MLHH has been really helpful through my 3 years of growing. Regular updates of all you longhairs here were a true inspiration in times when my view in the mirror tried to convince me to better go to the barber at once.
So I also believe that here on MLHH there are several lurkers from all over the world hanging around like I once did, all trying to get past the awkward stage. If anybody of them reads this: hang on, you WILL be rewarded for your patience! :-)
Personally, I'll continue on my way. I always wore ponytail, when leaving the house. At the moment, I'm beginning to do just the opposite: always wear them open whenever possible, ponytail only @home. Just to get used to it, because a lot more people look at you when letting the hairs fly free. Kind of weird feeling, but I want to get used to it.
So thanks at all for your feedback again, and read you soon here on MLHH.
Ralf