new thread
I've been seeing some posts lately about balding me and long hair. I am a recently retired executive, 62 years old with significant hair loss. I refuse to let this be a hindrance to my desire for long hair. I've also quit shaving. I will try to post a picture, but I'm unsure because I spurn technology. If it doesn't come through, I would welcome some help, either through the board or email. Please bear with my ignorance. I'm on my cellphone now because that's where the pictures reside. Thanks... Ray
I appreciate the photo and the comments, Ray, because it seems I am constantly evaluating whether my MPB is a hindrance to how I look with long hair. I know I have to settle this in my own mind and be happy, no matter what I decide to do. That, in and of itself, is enough of a challenge for me...
*** Thanks fitzgarce. I know that I'd look better with shorter, more conventional hair, however, I don't go by how I look, I care more about how I feel. I like my longer hair and feel empowered by wearing it this way. Thanks again...
Hi Harleymanray,
I am sorry, but I have to totally disagree with this statement! You look badass with your hair like it is! Please don't cut it!
Ted
Thanks Ted. I've been following your posts from the start. I've been praying for you from the start too. Hope you're doing well. Keep believing my friend...
Hi Harleymanray,
Well, I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for your concern! I appreciate your prayers so much and know they are helping me my friend! I must tell you I am doing better every day and feeling wonderful! Heck, yesterday I was able to wear my old comfortable jeans again! Before the surgery they were tight because of the oversized kidney. I am once again a happy guy! And with friends like you and the MLHH guys pulling for me, how could I ever stop believing? Welcome to the board and please be well my friend!
Ted
Ted.... you are such an inspiration to me. Thank you! My story is coming soon.
This is very nice to hear Ray! You are more than welcome! I anxiously await your story my friend!
Ted
I am glad for you that you are free from that concern of caring how you look... Personally, when I see someone with long hair, I generally like it. I don't like short hair, buzz cuts, etc. but I try to honor anyone's choices. For me, though, I do care how I look and if I like how I look, I feel better about myself. You obviously feel confident and even though you say you don't care how you look, you must feel good anyway. I think you look good from the back. I want to feel I look good, too.
You have done very well going from this little photo. I know someone near my home, about the same age as you, who has the same amount of baldness but good hair on the back of his head. He has a nice little ponytail. He's a wiry little fellow, works as a builder and carries it well.
This can be you way to brave nature and assert your independence and desire to be different from the shorthairs. Go for it and live it to the full. I agree with you that a beard could be an excellent complement to your tail.
Best of luck,
Anthony
* * *
My blog
Wow!!! that is a small picture! It's my first time posting a pic and I don't quite know how to enlarge it.
Anyway Anthony, I appreciate your comments. By the way, your hair is phenomenal. Such fullness and great color. I hope that you don't succumb to pressures from the church and your wife. My wife has finally accepted the fact that I will have long hair. She even braids it for me from time to time. Keep it growing...
Hello Ray and welcome to MLHH!
I must say I like your picture!
I am thinning on top and I am still "growing it out 'till it falls out!" (completely)
I also stopped trimming my beard at the bottom last year, it is now 4" past my chin.. Best wishes and keep growin!
The Spaf Man
Thanks Spaf Man. I think your hair and beard are great.Don't change a thing....
Will try to post picture with braid.....
I love the braid, looks good!!
Tes
Thanks for the kind words Tes.....
I love it. I've noticed in recent months alot of guys with bald spots still growing their hair long.
Thanks Long Hair. I've always admired the length of your hair... Ray
Thank you.
Ray, I love it!
It looks fantastic!
Fitz
Thanks fitz... I appreciate your comments.
Simply awesome Ray! Thanks for posting this pic!
Ted
Since Ken in SF doesn't like back shots. This on is for you my friend...
This a great pic Ray! Your beard is nothing less than superb! Please keep up the great work my friend!
Ted
Thanks Ted. My wife and I drove to Chillocothe ,OH today looking for an amish man that creates boat covers. My boat cover was destroyed last winter in a severe snow storm. When we found him, I commented on his beard which was approx. 4 inches longer than mine. I asked "how long did it take to grow such a magnificent beard ?".He told me that he had been growing for 32 years without a trim. He then asked how long I had been growing. I told him 21 months. I guess my ZZ Top dreams are gone. Oh well... such is life... Oh.... He then suggested that I shave my mustache and trim below the lower lip to be more "amish like". I said "no thanks"... Nice guy though....
Harley, I think that at the end of the day, the only one who should really like your hair, is YOU.
If your hair gives you pelasure, a sense of accomplishment, empowerment, or just plain aesthetical pleasure, why not keep doing whatever you want to do with it?
God knows I've had my hair in all forms, shapes and sizes, and I would always try new things to see how I feel about it.
If you'll listen to others, or be too subconscious about it, you will never go!
I say let if flow, my friend!
Can someone please give me an Amen here! Great post, Raul!
Ted
I'll give Ted an Amen and Raul a thank You. I appreciate your comment Raul. If I had your looks and features, I'd have probably been more successful. You seem to be a great guy. I appreciate your friendship. Keep "hangin in" and keep experimenting.... (not too much though...)....
Promise to not experiment too much with the hair, hehehe :D
Hi!
Good luck with your hair. I have had MPB for many years, but decided that I didn't want to join those who pretended in those circumstances that they had never wanted long hair. So in about 6 weeks it will be 20 years since my last trim. I have enough hair for a worthwhile ponytail, which I wear for at least part of every day. I like the feeling of long hair, even though I will never have the amount of hair I would ideally choose. But it's my choice - don't let anybody tell you what would "look better". It is what feels right for you that matters.
It is what feels right for you that matters.
And that is what I am struggling with - to come to terms with if it feels right to me. I want the thicker hair that I had as a young man... It's gone and will never return. I am growing my hair long but feel it doesn't look good. I know this is rubbing people the wrong way on this forum - but it is something I am dealing with. I admire anybody with thinning hair that has the confidence in the way they look and feel with their hair grown long...
Bravo!
BTE and Fitzgarce.... Thank you for your responses. I have a brother, 18 months younger than I. For years, people thought that we were twins. We decided approx. twelve years ago that we would shave our heads. our hair kept getting shorter and shorter until 2005. I got a really short haircut shortly before we left for our coastal vacation. When we returned... my brother had shaved his head. When we saw each other, he asked "are you gonna shave you head now"? I looked at him... seeing myself in a way... and I said NO! I've been "toying" with long hair since. Fitzgarce.... I know a little about how you feel. Your Avitar looks good....but...don't let others dictate how you look. Satisfy yourself. Really... I don't say this often... but I think I know (at least a little bit) how you feel... Stay strong my friend...
Thanks for your responses. Hair is all about personal choice. Your hair, your choice.
MPB inevitably robs you of the thickness and luxuriance of youth. But how you feel is as important as how you look. I know that I feel happy knowing that my hair is longer than average, even though it is is neither as long nor as thick as I would wish. It feels long enough to be worthwhile, and in addition, not cutting it delays the time when it loses its colour!
If you aren't sure how you feel, try to discard ideas of what is expected of you and concentrate on how you feel in yourself. Hopefully that will help to come to the right decision for you.
Good luck and keep the board posted.
Well said my friend.....
It appears like you are getting the hang of it. I to am getting up to speed on the newest phones and I finally figured out that if you don't turn the phone sideways when taking pictures, the pictures will come out sideways. As for hair farming while being follically challenged, its good to know that the 'nuclear option' (while very popular) isn't the only option.
Runningball... I think you have great hair. (wish I had your length). Keep growing and thanks for you comments...
Hi Ray,
First of all, welcome to the board! I really like the way your hair looks here! The color is just amazing! I agree with you that you should work with what you have! In my opinion, long hair is long hair. Sometimes I think people are too self-conscious about our appearance. I am certainly happy to see you are enjoying growing your hair though! Please keep it growing my friend!
Ted
Thanks Ted...
It may be supportive to look at the page at the link below. It was created by a committee of longhairs at a site that requires you be a longhair to join. This requirement of the site led to the need to define just "what makes you a longhair".
Definition of 'Longhair'
thanks, Bill, for showing the definition of "what makes you a longhair". I am not a long hair yet... and I greatly appreciate the drawings and the openness to what is happening on top...
Fitz
Bill...Glad you responded. I first became aware of MLHH after reading your article "On being a longhair" . I looked at your site and gained a deep respect for you. You articulate yourself very well. I could tell that you were very educated and knowledgeable about the subject. Thanks again my friend....
Thanks for your kind words. The source of those pages was posts on MLHH. The pages were written up to answer questions that get asked a lot, so people would not have to ask them over and over here. You could say it was a speed course for those who didn't want to wait to learn what we had learned over a long time here.
It was put together over ten years ago, but human hair and human nature don't really change, so guys still find it helpful. My web logs show a lot of people come searching for it. So I have left it there.
Bill
On Being a Longhair
Hi Ray,
I started the post. Awesome to see you here! And awesome support for all of you guys.
Steve
Steve.... You are part of the reason I decided to come out of "lurkingdom". You are a nice loloking man. In 2004, my Dad was put on hospice. He ordered a 1947 Farmall tractor (sight unseen) and had it shipped to his house. I said "Dad.... are you losing your mind too?" He said, and I'll never forget this " No son... I always wanted one but I never bought one. If you ever want something, you'd better do it while you can." Be true to yourself, my friend, and do what you want. Ray
Hi Ray,
Awesome story. Glad I helped. You have a bit of a head start on me.
Steve
But we all have a starting point. Begin....my friend...