You may very well have rocked a signature haircut for a long time, but for men experiencing hair loss with receding hairlines, a thinning crown, or wanting to hide thinning hair overall, it may be time to get a haircut to change your style to fit with your changing hair.
This isn’t always easy, and can be incredibly frustrating needing to change the way you style your hair for something that feels like is out of your control. Plus, some men don't want to, as there are often emotional attachments we have when it comes to our locks and choosing hairstyles that we feel suits our identity.
For some men who are balding or experience hair thinning, hair loss is gradual and might not be noticed until a significant amount has been lost [1], while in other cases it may be more drastic – and you may want to find out more about the best hairstyles for balding men.
We thought it is also important to note here that you don’t have to do anything to your hair if you are bald or losing it. You might want to embrace the natural changes and leave your tresses just as they are - and that is totally okay!
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so the best course of action may vary depending on your unique situation. Generally for best hairstyles when balding, it is advisable to keep your haircut shorter, as shorter styles can help to camouflage thinning areas and make the natural hair appear fuller. However, this doesn’t solve the issue. If anything, it aggravates it even more if the necessary steps to hide or treat balding concerns aren’t taken.
Some men who experience balding hair prefer to let it grow out a bit so they can style it in a way that covers up any balding area. Ultimately, there are plenty of options for men who are experiencing hair loss, and we're here to help you find hairstyles for balding men that suit you best.
Unfortunately not!
Short hair doesn’t prevent you from losing your hair[2], but by keeping your haircut short and cutting it often, you can keep the hair healthy. A frequent haircut can help get rid of split ends or clogged hair follicles that are linked to the causes of male pattern baldness [3].
A short haircut could be a great choice for men with thinning hair at the top of the head or a balding crown as shorter styles can help to camouflage thinning areas and make the hair appear fuller.
Additionally, short hair is typically one of the best haircuts as it is easier to manage and requires fewer styling products, which can help to reduce build-up on the scalp which further aggravates hair loss.
Hairstylist and grooming expert Joe Mills says in an interview with GQ magazine UK [4] that one of the best ways to make thin hair look thicker is to keep it short.
“Go for a buzz cut if you feel brave enough,” he says. “I would start at grade three and see how it looks, and then if you wanted to go shorter you have room to manoeuvre. “Keep the back of the hair and sides a grade lower to give your hair and head some shape and fade the hairline. If you want to completely buzz it off, this is something that is fairly easy to do at home with the right clipper set.”
When choosing haircuts for a balding crown, you should consider the following:
- 1. The type of hair loss you are experiencing: If you are losing a significant amount of hair, then your hairstyle might not make much difference. A hairdo that is easy to maintain will put less stress on your hair follicles.
- 2. Your personal style: Some bald men may prefer the classics. If you prefer a classic look, you might prefer a shorter style. If you prefer longer hair at the top, then you might want to look up the latest trends. Take into consideration facial hair too for what haircut you may be after.
- 3. The shape of your face: If you have a round face, a hairstyle that adds height to your crown and short hair on the sides may help to slim down your face. For those with oval face shapes, almost any haircut will look good.
- 4. Your lifestyle: If you are an active person or have a job that requires your hair to be out of your face, then you may want an easy to maintain haircut.
“If your hair is thinning at the crown you can always grow the top out and slick it back,” adds Mills in the same article. “Keep the back and sides short, with a scissor cut or clipped down to a fade haircut. This allows the top to look thicker and fuller."
“The key is to use a mousse on top of clean damp hair and blow dry it back. Once dry, I would apply a small amount of hair fibre on the thinning area and then use a light moulding cream to slick it back. You can also add some hairspray to hold it all in place.”
However, if your hair is generally thinning on top, then Mills suggests a short scissor chop.
“This is less brutal than a clipper cut and grows out softer” he adds. “Keep the back and sides shorter as this will allow the hair on top to look thicker.”
Read on below for our best haircuts for balding crown to help you style hair loss on the crown.
Having the length on top can help cover up a bald spot, especially if they aren’t too large, and long hair can also help make your head look fuller. There are a few reasons why having long hairstyles when going bald can be a good idea:
- 1. It can help in hiding balding, especially if the balding is just starting and the spots are not too large.
- 2. Long hair can help to make the head look fuller and more balanced. This can be a good option for men with frontal balding or on the side of the head.
- 3. Long hair can help men who want to camouflage the fact that they are losing hair. If the hair is thick and full, it can be harder to tell that a man is balding.
- 4. Finally, long hair can simply be a matter of personal preference. Some men feel more comfortable with a long haircut, while others like to experiment with longer hairstyles when balding.
If you opt to have slightly longer hair on top, you might want to make sure you aren’t damaging with styling tools. If you overuse hair styling tools that cause heat, such as hairdryers[5], curling tongs and hair straighteners, you could be causing damage to the hair causing it to fall out, and no haircut can help minimise this damage.
Experts of one study found that heat can cause more breakage on the roots than natural drying [5]. We recommend the best way to dry your longer hair do is let it dry naturally or use a hair dryer at a distance of 15cm.
Furthermore, brushing your hair too often is often associated with hair loss. And those with longer hair may need to brush it more often than those with shorter hair. One study found that reducing brushing frequencies may reduce the amount of hair shed in one go [6]. A wide-toothed comb can help detangle wet hair [7] and prevent damage, and this might also help reduce hair loss.
However, when it comes to haircuts and hairstyles for balding, it ultimately is up to the individual to decide what works best for them.
The best hairstyle for men depends on his individual hair type, the extent of hair loss, face shape, natural hair and personal style preferences. Explore the best hairstyle for balding men that suits you best below:
Haircut for balding at the crown of your head
- Short Cropped with High Fade Haircut: This haircut features short hair on top with a high fade on the sides, helping to disguise thin hair on your crown. It's one of the best haircuts for a balding crown area.
- Textured Crew Cut: A textured crew haircut is perfect for men with a thinning crown. It keeps the hair short on the sides while leaving slightly longer hair on top, creating the illusion of fuller hair on the crown.
- Buzz Cut: For men with significant balding at the crown, a buzz cut (or a shaved head) is a low-maintenance option that can help hide thinning hair. It's a great choice for men who want to keep it short and simple.
Haircut for Men with Receding Hairlines
- Slicked Back Undercut: This style features longer hair on top slicked back, with short hair on the sides. It's an excellent haircut for men with receding hairline who still have some length to work with.
- Ivy League Haircut: The Ivy League is a classic choice for men experiencing frontal balding. It keeps the sides short while leaving enough length on top to style forward, helping to camouflage a balding spot.
- Textured Fringe: A textured fringe can help by bringing forward hair while maintaining the style of the rest of your haircut. This style works well for younger men or those in the early stages of hair loss.
Haircuts for Older Men with Thinning Hair
- Short and Tapered: This classic cut keeps the hair short on the side and back, with slightly longer hair on top. It's a dignified look that works well for older men with thinning hair.
- Side Part with Taper: A side part with tapered sides can help create the illusion of fuller hair for older men with balding.
- Textured Crop: A textured crop is a versatile balding haircut for older men with thinning hair. It adds volume and can be styled in various ways to suit different face shapes and hair types.
Hairstyles for Men with Overall Thinning
- Messy Quiff: A messy quiff can add volume and texture, making thin hair appear fuller. It's a stylish choice for men who are balding but still have some hair to work with.
- Faux Hawk: A faux hawk can create the illusion of thicker hair by concentrating length and volume along the centre of the head. It's a bold choice for men who want to maintain a youthful appearance, and a great option in hairstyles for thinning hair.
- Textured Caesar Cut: This low-maintenance haircut works well for men with thinning hair all over, even thinning on the crown. The short, textured top can help disguise thinning while maintaining a stylish look.
You can find more ways to style thinning hair here.
Haircuts for Bald Spots
- Buzz Cut with Fade: A buzz cut with a fade is an excellent option for men with bald spots. The uniformly short length helps to blend any patchy areas.
- Slick Back with Taper: For men with small bald spots, a slick back with tapered sides can help cover the balding area while maintaining a polished look.
- Textured Crop with Fringe: A textured haircut with a fringe can help cover bald spots on the crown or front of the head. The added texture creates the illusion of fuller hair.
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If you’re having trouble deciding on a plan, our health practitioners can recommend the most effective way to treat your unique hair loss scenario. If all goes well, you can take out a subscription with Mosh. Your subscription fee will include the treatment, postage, pharmacy costs, your initial consultation, ongoing support from doctors, nurses and many other benefits.
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Is it better to keep hair short when balding?
Generally, keeping hair shorter when balding is advisable as it can help camouflage thinning areas and make the hair appear fuller. Shorter styles are also easier to manage and require fewer styling products, which can reduce buildup on the scalp and potentially aggravate hair loss. However, the best approach varies for each individual, and some may prefer longer styles to cover balding spots. Ultimately, the choice depends on personal preference and what works best for the individual.
What should I consider when choosing hairstyles for a balding crown?
When choosing hairstyles for a balding crown, consider the type of hair loss, your personal style, face shape, and lifestyle. For severe hair loss, a low-maintenance hairstyle that doesn't stress hair follicles may be best. Personal style influences whether you choose a classic shorter cut or a trendy longer style. Face shape matters; round faces benefit from added height, while oval faces suit most styles. Active lifestyles may require easy-to-style haircuts. Additionally, Mosh offers personalised hair loss treatments and support for various stages of hair loss.
Is long hair okay for men who are balding?
Long hair can be a good option for men who are balding for several reasons. It can cover up balding spots, make the head look fuller and more balanced, and camouflage hair loss if the hair is thick and full. Personal preference also plays a role, as some men feel more comfortable with long hair. Ultimately, the decision on how to style balding hair is up to the individual.