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PaperclipPerfector  3mo ago (text post)   1892 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for August 3, 2025

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

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Have any other middle-aged dudes grown out their hair? How did you keep from going insane?

I'm over a year into growing it out and it's long enough to pull into a ponytail. However, I don't want traction alopecia, so it can't be in a ponytail all the time, and it drives me crazy when it's loose and I can feel the weight against my neck (I have very coarse hair that is also very thick [such a burden for a man in his 40s, I know]). Taking care of it is one thing, but always feeling it is another. Perhaps I have too much 'tism for long hair.

Princess Leia buns. It’s the only way.

Bro, I've worn my hair in a ponytail nearly every day for the last 20-odd years, and never had an issue with traction alopecia. Just don't pull it super-tight and you'll be fine.

I grew out my hair during COVID when I turned 30. So I wasn't middle-aged, but I wasn't a young college kid either.

There really is no way to keep from going insane. You kind of just have to commit to feeling ugly and unkempt for around 12 months, after which, hopefully, you'll be able to sort of pull your hair back into a ponytail.

It worked out OK for me since I was able to grow my hair out while working from home during COVID, but I recall going on a business trip when my hair was around 5 to 6 inches long and people definitely commented on my "salad bowl" look. Not my favorite work trip.

Additionally, you're right about maintaining long hair being a complete pain in the ass. I still have long hair, but I will likely cut it once I get married. I met my partner after growing my hair out and she has pressured me to keep it long until we tie the knot (wedding photos, I suppose). Considering I haven't even proposed to her yet, I'm likely stuck with my long hair for at least another year.

I haven't had a haircut since October and have had lots of compliments. It looks fine, so I don't get the salad bowl comment. If I've recently showered with shampoo, it gets in my face, but by the end of the day, it accumulates enough grease to stay out of my eyes after repeatedly brushing it back.

Nice.

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