Trust a barber who’s been in the game for 20 years when I say that short haircuts are the best haircuts for receding hairlines and thinning.
Today, I’m going to point you toward some specific cuts, but I want to start by addressing mistakes and misconceptions and talking about positive mindset.
That long hair is not fooling anybody.
Receding hairlines are still going to show with long hair. In fact, long cuts put a spotlight on receding hairlines. Long hairs tends to flatten, too, so thinning is going to stand out.
Embrace what you’ve got.
If your hairline has receded past a certain point, there’s no hiding it. The old “grow it and forget it” method? Not going to work.
Adjust your mindset.
You’re a man, right? You’ve done it and seen it and don’t have time for childishness—that’s what a receding hairline says, and it’s a desirable thing in a lot of ways. Youth is cool, but it isn’t that cool.
Whether you want to keep your current cut with a few modifications or get a new cut, there’s no shame either way. Just keep that mindset.
Short hair holds shape and volume for tapers, quiffs, and old-school waves.
Short wins, even if you’re still liking a tapered cut with a wave or quiff. My advice is simple: tell your barber you want it short with as much volume and contrast as possible.
Here’s my take on short hair:
- Looks fuller and thicker
- Frames your face with strong lines
- Brings out contrast, which is good.
All you need to do is tell us the destination, and we’ll get you there.
Here’s how to put receding hairlines to work.
A line is a line, receding or not. When a new guy sits down in the chair, the first thing I’m looking for are the lines.
If I see a receding hairline, I’m going to do a cut and edge-up that plays to a gentlemen’s strengths and frames his face up nicely. To do that, I’m going to take away some hair and leave some hair.
George’s best haircuts for receding hairlines.
1. Buzz cut
A buzz cut — short and uniform across your whole head — minimizes the appearance of a receding hairline by reducing the contrast between thinning areas and the rest of your hair.
2. Crew cut
The crew cut gives you short hair on the sides and back, with slightly longer hair on top. The extra hair on top, compared to the buzz, can be a good option if you want to style it to make hair loss at the temples less obvious.
3. Skin fade
Really most of the shorter fades will work (check out my previous post for other options). The skin fade tapers on the sides and back, blending short faded hair into the skin. It’ll add definition to your hair and blend thinning areas.
Add some pomade and hair thickener in the morning and maybe in the afternoon for consistency.
Get scientific with your hair care routine.
Maintenance is everything.
Schedule regular haircuts with your barber. Depending on how short you’ve decided to go with, you may need a trim every 4 to 6 weeks.
Rethink your shampoo and conditioner choices.
I recommend you go with a sulfate-free shampoo, which won’t strip your hair of its natural oils. And choose a lightweight conditioner designed for thin hair, which won’t make your hair feel greasy.
Comb and brush to prevent breakage.
It’s best to comb your hair right after you’ve washed it when it’s still wet. Use a wide-tooth comb, starting from the ends and working your way up to prevent breakage.
Consider volumizing hair products.
Okay, this one’s optional, but one way to add volume is by using mousses or sprays designed for thinning hair. They’ll give you texture and lift.
Use pomade.
A nice, short cut or fade is the best haircut for receding hairlines. It’s up to you to keep your cut looking good, and pomade is the answer.
Visit a barbershop for gentlemen.
Come in, sit down, relax, get a cut, and leave looking and feeling good. Book an appointment today.
– George
