Managing the pink fog by growing hair.

[DTelia]

I found this link doing a search on ?growing my hair? (yeah, that?s my thing, and it?s finally happening this time w/some help of Covid. I have been close to this length before, but now I?m a good 10? on top...the sides are much shorter (a few inches) and need to catch up :-) )

Anyway, this post found here: https://www.crossdressers.com/forums/showthread.php?215839-Growing-out-hair&highlight=Long+hair.

Is suggesting that growing their hair has helped them manage the fog. I have noticed that this is true for me as well.

Why is this relevant? Well, when the fog is thick, my focus on more important matters isn?t...So that?s now my own motivation to keep going and the Mrs. wants me to keep it going. I still have to get thru some of the hard steps of ?what will friends/family say??, but the biggest one is what will my work think...I?m in sales, and will there be pressure to comply to a more conservative business look. I don?t think there?s ever been a time when longer hair (post the 1800?s) was acceptable for men/boys, etc. The ?man bun? has really helped and I hope the trend of ?do whatever you want? continues.

When we were younger, extreme hair-dos (especially for men) were not ok...It wasn?t long ago, when a ?Mo-hawk? or colored hair was for punks, but now you see kids wearing them to school..no big deal. Men w/buns would?ve been viewed as girly (but now in positive sense), but now the right look is even considered attractive by women. Really interesting.

Anyway, I?m hoping that all of that helps my cause! The longer hair being a deterrent or help to address the fog is a bonus. And the great thing is that when the hair is longer...you can quickly go into a more girly mode if needed.

Anyway, curious if others feel similarly...perhaps some underdress, etc to help manage.

[Krisi]

Beautiful, long hair, capable of being worn in a feminine style would be great, but as you mention, it can be a problem socially and in business for many of us. Suddenly growing your hair out after fifty years of having a more conventional hairstyle would raise eyebrows for sure.

On the other hand, maintaining a conventional hairstyle and wearing a different colored feminine wig when presenting as a woman has its up side. Maintenance is much easier, there are no social or business problems and most importantly, the different hair length and color can go a long way to concealing your identity in public. So, that's my choice.

[DTelia]

Beautiful, long hair, capable of being worn in a feminine style would be great, but as you mention, it can be a problem socially and in business for many of us. Suddenly growing your hair out after fifty years of having a more conventional hairstyle would raise eyebrows for sure.

Yep, I hear you...but I’m going for it...I think I can pull it off...I’m going to go for more of a layered look that I can swing both ways (male/female). I have a lot of hair, so I’m fortunate. The hardest thing is actually the wind. With out the wind, it would be so much easier.

The only thing to manage wind is a hat, or ponytail. I want to tuck it behind the ears soon..and may occasionally hold some in place with a strategically styled Bobby pin. If people ask, I’m gonna be brief and to the point. “I like longer hair, and have always wanted to try it.” The wife will defend me.

[ReineD]

A lot of guys have long hair. My SO has had back length hair for 40 years. He keeps it tied at the nape. He is in academia, and many of his non-CDer male peers also have long hair tied at the nape.

I took the liberty of conducting a Google image search so you can see for yourself:

https://www.google.com/search?q=men+with+long+hair&client=opera&hs=0PX&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwipmP_u0ovpAhVWZM0KHcgNAhUQ_AUoAXoECBMQA w&biw=778&bih=772

[DTelia]

A lot of guys have long hair. My SO has had back length hair for 40 years. He keeps it tied at the nape. He is in academia, and many of his non-CDer male peers also have long hair tied at the nape.

Right, and that helps...but still easier for someone in education, development, engineering, etc.

The main point of my post is also growing my hair to help w/pink fog and wondering if others see similar effects w/underdressing, etc

[Maid_Marion]

I've grown out my hair. It is long enough to get in my jacket zippers if I'm not careful. It is a a little thin like many GGs my age but thankfully no MPB.
I've been trimming off the split ends every now and then now that is long enough to do that.

Marion

[Teresa]

DTelia,
I don't have much choice at the moment letting my hair grow as my local hairdresser is closed during the lockdown . The problem is it would never look femme, the large patch that refuses to keep up will just be more noticable , the really annoying part is it makes it more difficult wearing a wig full time .

[Davina Katherine]

Many years ago I had let my hair grow out. Now that COVID-19 has kept me away from the barbers so long, I'm thinking about letting it grow out again.

[Aka_Donna]

Caution, not everyone can wear long hair. I used to have a long pony tail, but had to give it up as it was excellerating fair loss and hair recession.

If you can, enjoy. It's fun and worth the extra maintenance.

[DTelia]

Caution, not everyone can wear long hair. I used to have a long pony tail, but had to give it up as it was excellerating fair loss and hair recession.

If you can, enjoy. It's fun and worth the extra maintenance.

Thank you for the reminder

[Pumped]

I work with a guy that has a full head of wavy hair that goes half way down his back. He wears it in a pony tail at work. He sees and deals with customers every day and as far as I know nobody has said anything about his hair other than some friendly jabs. I see guys wearing long hair from time to time, but not as ofter as the early 70's.

Depending on your employer there shouldn't be an issue. If you are more on the professional side of things as long as you take care of your hair and it is neat and somewhat styled, not just running free like a caveman I doubt anyone will say anything.

[Stephanie47]

I followed Reine's link. If a man is worried about being identified as a cross dresser I think there has to be more to the visual than longish hair. Just about all the men in the link have facial hair and rugged angular facial features. Some look rather disheveled. Over the years I've seen a lot of adult men with pony tails. The look is totally different than men with a stylized feminine look. Of course, on weekends with a clean shaven face and a can of hair spray the transformation can be rather striking. Where I live I do not see a generational divide on long haired men. Back in the 1960's long hair on men was a symbol of protest, being a hippie. Now, it seems rather ho hum, yawn!

With coronavirus everyone I know has hair growing wild. With male pattern baldness I'll have to stay with my longish grey wig which matches my sideburns.

[Dressing up]

I had a busy schedule last year. Both work and personal. I didn't fit in a hair cut the second half of 2019. By fall, a female friend complemented my fuller hair. I had always kept it fairly short. I decided to not get it cut for a while. By December, it was a bit unruly. I went to a stylist and told her that I like to present feminine on weekends and guy on workdays. She did not cut any length, just thinned a few of the hard to manage parts. I have not been back since, partly because of the shutdown but also, I do not need any cutting when I am trying to grow.
Now I can style a feminine look it's long haired guy look at will. I still want to grow some more but I am loving my look. It is a long process, over a year, so friends and coworker are not surprised. It definitely helps me feel like I want to feel. Therefore reducing the fog.

[Taylor186]

The main point of my post is also growing my hair to help w/pink fog and wondering if others see similar effects w/underdressing, etc

Yes, I use underdressing (panties daily) and always wear ankle-length leggings and/or sometimes tights and shorts to the gym to reduce the pink fog surge from being away from full dressing for a while. I also find visiting the forum here helps.

[MsEva]

My real hair is growing like crazy! Fortunately it is about the same shade (white) as my favorite wig. I was thinking about that idea as well. The top is about 4 -5 inches but the sides are about 2 inches. I think I would love to see it styled fem to see what I am working with.

[Jenny22]

My last haircut was early last month, and I'm past due, now. But, I'm going to let it continue to grow so maybe I can put curlers in it.

[DTelia]

I followed Reine's link. If a man is worried about being identified as a cross dresser I think there has to be more to the visual than longish hair. Just about all the men in the link have facial hair and rugged angular facial features. Some look rather disheveled. Over the years I've seen a lot of adult men with pony tails. The look is totally different than men with a stylized feminine look. Of course, on weekends with a clean shaven face and a can of hair spray the transformation can be rather striking. Where I live I do not see a generational divide on long haired men. Back in the 1960's long hair on men was a symbol of protest, being a hippie. Now, it seems rather ho hum, yawn!

I agree w/you....this isn’t about “being outed” for me...it’s about trying to remain professional and while some may think this is hypocritical, I am trying to raise a bunch of boys too...and I do think it’s important to learn to comply with society standards to some extent. Harder for them to get a job, if their hair is two feet long. Sure, if they keep it nice, why would it matter...it may not, but the world is cruel.

My hair would be to my lower back right now, if work/family weren’t factors. What I will mostly due is get it to a manageable bob that I can wear in both masculine and feminine styles. For me, wind is the biggest challenge. If possible, I’m not going make my hair “a thing” in public...I’ll try not to touch it or flick it out of my eyes all the time like a teenage skater...I’ll avoid accessories for the most part unless needed (like right now, I do where a ponytail/manbun when I work out). Again, wind is the tricky one. I can wear a hat sometimes (hate them though)...wind is an issue when hat doesn’t fit clothes. Anyway, details that may not matter.

- - - Updated - - -


Yes, I use underdressing (panties daily) and always wear ankle-length leggings and/or sometimes tights and shorts to the gym to reduce the pink fog surge from being away from full dressing for a while. I also find visiting the forum here helps.


Bingo. Thank you

[Rhonda Jean]

Long hair is a great crutch, which I leaned on for 50+ years. It happened that when I needed to cut it because of a job change... it was just time. I literally miss it all the time. Do not miss the opportunity to grow it long and indulge all the salons and elaborate hair styles you can possibly enjoy.

[BobbiKay]

My last haircut was a #2 comb on the clipper, I think that was 1/4 inch, I don't remember how long ago. I think it has been a couple of years, maybe more. It is now down to my nipples at the longest. The sides are catching up. I think it's reached terminal length. The other day I let my wife trim the ends a bit with the scissors to eliminate split ends.

I always have it in a ponytail when out and about. I haven't noticed any adverse reactions from customers, and I go into some pretty redneck areas.

If people ask, I tell them that I wanted to try long hair while I could still grow it. I've had a couple of women strangers give me unsolicited compliments on it!

[DTelia]

My last haircut was a #2 comb on the clipper, I think that was 1/4 inch, I don't remember how long ago. I think it has been a couple of years, maybe more. It is now down to my nipples at the longest. The sides are catching up. I think it's reached terminal length. The other day I let my wife trim the ends a bit with the scissors to eliminate split ends.

I always have it in a ponytail when out and about. I haven't noticed any adverse reactions from customers, and I go into some pretty redneck areas.

If people ask, I tell them that I wanted to try long hair while I could still grow it. I've had a couple of women strangers give me unsolicited compliments on it!

Good stuff...congrats.

I think the harder areas from a work standpoint are white collar business people. My two cents. I think it will get better over time due to younger people simply not caring and now even wearing longer hair, but those still of the X-generation are less tolerant. Honestly, I just need to not care what others think...but I have always cared on so many things....big step for me

[BTWimRobin]

I have super thick, curly hair. At my last haircut,three months ago, I discussed with the hair dresser some options for growing out my hair. I told her I wanted something that could go either way depending on my mode. She completely got what I meant. We discussed several options. I decided to go with my regular cut since I wanted to talk it over with my wife first. Since everything's been closed, it looks like I'm getting my wish.

Having longer hair will be just one more little tell which helps me manage my Pink Fog. It will fit in nicely with my longer nails, painted toes, slightly arched brows, reduced body hair and of course underdressing.

[April Rose]

When I retired I let my hair grow out, until it eventually reached to between my shoulders and my nipples. But I am bald on top, and I was starting to get even more fallout and breakage than usual, and my wife was giving me static. I finally threw in the towel. The MPB was really the killer, though. It made it an exercise in futility.

Ah, but how I miss the flowing locks of my youth.:straightface:

[Krea]

This is something that i would really love to do, but i'm not sure how well it would actually work. I have quite a bald patch at the back of my head. It would cover well with longer hair in a ponytail, which i would like, but it would look ropey in the many months until then.
I wanted to grow my hair long when i was a student, but to my shame i didn't dare coz my parents would have gone wild. Now i just don't care what they think, but it may be too late to do anything about it....

[Pumped]

I cut my hair a couple times a week, with the same razor I do my face. A little envious of those that can grow a full head of hair.

[April Rose]

Krea, sorry to disappoint, but my experience with really long hair has been that it exacerbates, rather than hides, bald spots.

[Krea]

Yes, this is why i have doubts about it.:sad:

[Star01]

I don't have any social or business issues as I'm retired and did have long hair fifteen years ago. My issues now are that my hair is so thin on top of my head. It's getting longer now and the weight of the longer length makes it look like I have a really wide part. From a distance with a shorter haircut it doesn't look bad in guy mode but it's too thin to look feminine if I grow it out. My wife won't cut hair and all of the stylists are closed so another problem is that my shaggy hair would be hard to hide with my wig. Consequently, I'm managing the pink fog in the opposite way by being more meticulous about shaving body, legs, forearms and shaping eyebrows. I hope you can grow your hair without getting a hassle from anyone as you're right, it feels great to have long hair.

[Natalie5004]

I have been growing my hair for about a year now.
I do not think it helps me with pink fog. At times it might bring it on.
I do have some good experiences with it though. First, a female friend of ours (wife and myself) has grabbed and tugged in a playful manner and I liked that.
Second, my wife helps me style it with a good brushing and some hair spray. All are very enjoyable to me.

If anyone asks about the length, I tell them I am growing it to donate it to cancer patients to be made into a wig. It must be long though. I have more length to produce. It goes about to the middle of my shoulder blades. Front goes past my chin.

I wear ponytails, updo's and man buns all the time.

Natalie

[DTelia]

I don't have any social or business issues as I'm retired and did have long hair fifteen years ago. My issues now are that my hair is so thin on top of my head. It's getting longer now and the weight of the longer length makes it look like I have a really wide part. From a distance with a shorter haircut it doesn't look bad in guy mode but it's too thin to look feminine if I grow it out. My wife won't cut hair and all of the stylists are closed so another problem is that my shaggy hair would be hard to hide with my wig. Consequently, I'm managing the pink fog in the opposite way by being more meticulous about shaving body, legs, forearms and shaping eyebrows. I hope you can grow your hair without getting a hassle from anyone as you're right, it feels great to have long hair.

Thank you for the thoughtful post. As people age, I think it gets harder to sport long hair. My wife has had shampoo commercial like long hair for most of her life. It’s still beautiful, but it isn’t as thick...at some point, she will probably need to go shorter to look as pretty as ever...that’s life. My hair is thicker than hers, but as a dude...it’s also tricky in my opinion to look sharp as I get older w/longer hair. I’m grateful either way, and we’ll see how it goes. Thanks again!

[Asew]

I grew my hair out when I came out of the gender closet. The worst part is how it tries to look like a mullet until it is long enough in the front/top. Now that it is all one length for nearly a year now I love it. It definitely is part of my pink fog and love it when I have a good hair day. For me I am out so my hair being questioned is the least of my concerns when I am typically at a minimum wearing a jean skirt too.

[RacyRobin]

So, in 2011 I elected to let my hair grow. At the same time I shaved my life long mustache. This was all driven by the pink fog. Today my hair is 28 inches long and a shiny silver. Normal work days I have it in a 4 wrap pony tail. At home or out in public I just let it flow. None of my friends or long time acquaintances have said anything other than positive inputs. I may have lost a potential job due to my long hair, but my industry connections made up for it. And, yes, my hair is a key part of my fem self. It helps to balance the social needs to present as male.

[donnalee]

When I retired over 10 years ago, I grew my hair out to below my shoulder blades, which I loved. My hair had very little gray and was thick enough to look good when styled. Lately, my hair, always fine, became more so to the point of showing a lot of scalp and was becoming more troublesome to deal with, so I cut it short. Now with the barber shops and hairdressers closed, it's starting to grow out again.and I'm trying for a compromise as many women my age are doing. Hopefully, I'll find a happy medium.

[CrossKimmy]

I?ve worn my hair long most of my life and getting older has made it challenging to keep it up.

I?m managing my pink fog by shaving my legs and body.

[JenniferWhenCD]

After the, 2016 US election I stopped having my hair cut. It's now to the middle of my back with bangs that cover my forehead, which I can trim myself. When it started to get long I took cues from ggs as when to tie it up, normally in a high ponytail. My current boss calls me a hippie, which is fine with me. For me it's just fun to have and adds a touch of uniqueness to my life [unique unless you include all the gg with long hair ;) ].