Brave the Shave, part 2

Does it really matter what anyone else thinks?

My hair is silver grey, if you want to know.

Although I have a short style, there is around 4" length in the layers.

I think that losing that, and my eyebrow length fringe and going for around half an inch all over is a fairly dramatic step, but it would seem that for some that is perhaps not enough?

I have patches of eczema on my scalp, which I would prefer not to be too visible.

I don't think anyone doing this actually shaves their head, as in takes a razor to it, most would have a No 1 or No 2 so would look like Sinead O'Connor depending on hair colour. Someone with very dark hair would look like they still had hair but anyone who was a natural Blond or Grey would definitely look bald. I'm used to short hair and know it suits me but would still shy away from clippers, so You are brave or crackers whichever way you look at it because the bog brush look isn't at all flattering but you could get it styled afterwards.

No, I wouldn’t either.I have gone down the route of coffee and cake mornings ( a few years ago) it raises money without having to look like GI Jane.

Well if it's not actually considered a shave then it can't offend the people who didn't think it was a good idea. Personally I would not have my hair cut that short if I could avoid it and I think you're brave to consider it phoenix.

Sorry but clippers do not make it a shave. Anything longer than a No. 2 isn't a shave, no offence. A No.5 will look like a bog brush, so yeah that's brave but the point is it's still long enough to have cut again into a pixie style haircut, that's not so brave because unlike an actual shave where you're stuck with it till it grows out you won't be because you'll still be able to have a style.

I realise that sounds unkind and that is not what I meant.
Just wanted to say it really should be all or nothing.
Brave the shave should really mean that, not make a gesture.

Am I wrong in thinking a shave is a shave.
This is where I will admit there is no way I would do it, it would be a step too far for me, but if I did it would be a shave with foam and a razor or I would find some other way to support the charity.

Oh Shysal well done!

Only you can decide this matter Phoenix

I have been fortunate enough to win the GN competition for £500 worth of best summer reads. There are dozens of books on their way to me as I write. I have planned to use them to make some money for the Macmillan charity in some way after friends and family have had their pick. If I can get something sorted in time I will donate the proceeds via your effort.

Go for it phoenix! It will be a sacrifice for you but would be worthless if it wasn't.

KatyK and thank you for your supportive words.

phoenix You are braver than you realise. I am not looking for sympathy here but speaking as someone who has lost all of their hair through alopecia, I can honestly say this is a brave and wonderful thing to do. Your hair will grow back, mine never will. Before I lost mine, I had no idea of how devastating it would be. Your hair is part of your identity. I nearly lost my marriage through my distress. I would be very interested in your experience, and how it makes you feel, once you have done it.

Have just measured my hair, and apart from the bit at the back of my neck, and above my ears it is about 4" long, my fringe comes down to my eyebrows, so I think that going to a No. 5 does count as a shave, as it will be done with clippers.

Be interested to see what others think.

If it's going to raise money for cancer charities I think it odd that people would try to put you off but a No.5 is quite long and you'd be able to have it cut into a proper short style afterwards. Anything longer than a No.2 really isn't a shave. Mine wants cutting at the moment and it's not much longer than a 5.
It's your hair and you should do what you want.

Phoenix, I have read several of your posts about your hair, colouring mishaps etc, and can tell it means a lot to you. I think it would be a wonderful thing to do to raise money for such a deserving charity. (DH had palliative chemo a couple of years ago, not strong enough to make his remaining hair fall out. He thinks it is a brilliant way to raise money). Anyway, far better on your head than an all over shave for your cats!

Doodle bearing in mind that Macmillan ask us to upload before and after photos, I rather think not!

Just a thought phoenix (relating to my misunderstanding of what I thought you were planning to do in your part 1 post), if you wanted to do it with no chance of offending anyone, you could er..shave the other region! ?

phoenix I think the key point is why you are doing this. I think from your previous post your thoughts are to raise money to support people with cancer. Your intention is not to mock, ridicule or make light of others suffering but to help. That is a good and kind intention.
Everyone will have their own opinion, some for and some against. Not everyone with cancer loses their hair and many without cancer lose their hair too.
Whether you go ahead or not is your decision but I applauded your kindness in even thinking about doing it.

I haven't yet decided if the actual event is going to be public or private, if "public" it will be at work, rather than in a pub or other social place.

I expect I will decide on private, but will see what happens.

Just a shame that my hair isn't quite long enough to be donated (which is another option you get within the pack, it goes to make wigs for children who have lost their hair) but I don't expect many would want a wig made from silver/grey hair anyway!

Indeed it does Missadventure, we all react in different ways and I applaud Phoenix for what she is planning. The point my friend made was that she doesn't like the 'entertainment' aspect of it.

My daughter had no objections, so that goes to show that everyone is different.

This is a tricky one. A friend who lost her hair due to post breast cancer chemotherapy is very anti this 'brave the shave' event as she feels is trivialises the feelings and sensitivities of those who have lost their hair, but not by choice. However, if it raises money.....

I wouldn't want to risk offending anyone who had hair loss that wasn't their choice, so no, I wouldn't do it. You could donate the cost of the hair cut to the charity you wish to support, instead.