If you’re lucky you won’t start to go bald until later in life, however, many lads have to face this problem even in their twenties. So don’t be too quick to panic that you’re entering your golden years if you’re starting to thin out on top. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as going bald with grace, just choose a hairstyle that makes your receding hairline work for you.
RELATED: 15 Best Widow Peak Hairstyles for Men
RELATED: The Best Hairstyles for Men With Receding Hairline
1. Buzz Cutt
If the full shave is still a little intimidating, why not try the classic buzz cut? This is a simple and masculine hairstyle that looks great if your hair is beginning to thin around the crown and the hairline. It helps to minimize the appearance of a receding hairline or widow’s peak by drawing attention back to your face.
2. Crew Cut
The crew cut is one of the most popular hairstyles for men with or without a receding hairline. It works the same way as the buzz cut to draw attention away from your widow’s peak and back to your face. But with the crew cut, you get to retain more hair length up top. This is a great hairstyle for those going bald at younger ages or if you want to keep your hair a little longer.
3. Razor Shave
The razor shave is the ideal haircut if you have bald spots or patchy hair. While going the full shave may seem daunting, it looks far better than gradually losing your hair patch by patch. The razor shave will keep you looking clean-cut and distinguished while also maintaining a masculine style. Plus you’ll no longer have to bother doing your hair at all.
4. Ivy league
If you’re unfamiliar with the ivy league hairstyle, think Ryan Reynold’s collegiate cut, and yes, even Deadpool himself has a receding hairline. This dapper style is the perfect way to combat your creeping hairline but it is best for those of you who still have a bit of volume left throughout your mane.
5. Slicked Back
The slick back has become a popular hairstyle and is the go-to style for many men. It is a great way to draw attention away from your receding hairline. Just grab a comb and some product and slick your hair towards the back of your head from the front. Set with a little hairspray and be careful not to overdo it with the product to avoid the hair looking greasy.
6. Comb Over
The comb over hairstyle is excellent for men who are balding as they incorporate the receding hairline into the style, using it as the lowest point in your hair’s natural part. This gives the illusion that your hair is thicker and more weighty. Have your hair cut so that it is a little longer at the front. Style using a small amount of product, comb your hair back and to one side, and set with some hairspray.
7. Quiff with Taper Fade
There are a lot of styling opportunities when it comes to taper fade haircuts. The quiff, like the pompadour, works better with a little extra length on the top of the head. The quiff is a particularly attractive hairstyle and will make you appear younger as well as distinguished. This youthful look also works to detract from any signs of receding or thinning hair.
8. High and Tight
Like the buzz and crew cut, high and tight is another military-inspired haircut. This means it may not be the most versatile cut in terms of styling, but it is functional, easy to maintain, masculine, and will help to hide the signs of balding. High and tight cuts are cropped and faded to a very short length on the sides with a longer patch of hair left on the top. This draws attention away from the hairline and back to the longer hair. It also helps define facial features that distract from thinning hair.
9. Skin Fade with Short Hair
A skin fade with short hair is an edgy cut that allows you more control over styling and the overall look of your receding hairline. The shaved sides and tapered length provide a modern aesthetic, which makes you look younger. This cut also draws attention away from your hairline and to the longer hair at the top of your head.
10. Slick Back Combover
Slick back hairstyles are great for men with receding hairlines and widow’s peaks. Having your hair off your face helps define your facial features and makes you appear more chiseled. The slicked back comb over is sleek, sophisticated, modern, and is the ideal hairstyle to edge up a formal look.
11. Faux Hawk
A faux hawk is great to draw attention away from your receding hairline while also being a youthful and edgy hairstyle. Don’t go too crazy with the length though, keep it shortish at the top and achieve the height by spiking it up using a bit of product. Keep the hair neat at the sides, either in a fade or slicked back in one direction.
12. Butch cut
The butch cut involves the hair being shaved so that it is all the same length. Generally, it is cut between 1⁄4 and 3⁄4 inches and follows the contour of the head. This style should make it so that your receding hairline is barely visible while creating a masculine and clean-cut look which is also super low maintenance.
13. Short and Messy
If you’re after a disheveled hairstyle to conceal your receding hairline, then a short and messy cut is for you. After showing, apply some pomade and dry your hair with a towel. This will create some natural texture for a messy, just rolled out of bed look.
14. Taper Fade with Short Pompadour
A taper fade involves taking the sides of your hair short and gradually fading them downwards into bare skin. You will want to keep some length on top and roll the hair back into a pompadour. This will soften the appearance of a receding hairline or widow’s peak.
15. Regulation Cut
The regulation cut is also a take on a traditional army hairstyle that became popular during the days of World War 2. The look involves the hair being very short at the sides, either tapered or shaven completely. The top of the hair is almost styled into a comb over but kept tighter. Much like many comb over styles, the regulation cut incorporates your hairline into the style using it as a feature of the hairs part.
16. Caesar Cut
The Caesar cut is one of the most classic and versatile men’s haircuts. It is cut to appear relatively the same length on the top, back, and sides, with the defining feature the short fringe. How the hair is styled can be excellent for concealing thinning, and the fringe will draw attention away from the top of the head and focus it on your facial features instead. If you still have some length and volume and the balding is more of a receding hairline, this gives you versatility with how you style the hair. The Caesar could be a great, low-maintenance option. It is a haircut that suits men of all ages and can be adapted to your hair texture and length preference.
17. Spiky Hair
Spiky hair is excellent for achieving texture and can give your hair volume. This approach to styling was popular in the 90s, but the modern version is more wearable. These days, spikes are less rigid and defined, instead creating hair that is messy and natural-looking. Spikes are great with short hair because long hair requires more hold and can be harder to style. This is a great way to do it if you want to wear your hair in a way that will detract from thinning hair or a receding hairline.
18. Short Afro
Embracing your curls by styling them in a short afro hairstyle is a fantastic choice. The afro symbolizes Blackness and should be worn with pride, but it is also a practical and effortlessly cool hairstyle. Short hair is beneficial for those who are balding and can make the hair loss less noticeable. The pro of a short afro is that it is easier to maintain and keep nourished than longer locks, but you still get the benefits of volume and texture. A short afro can feel fresh and modern and lend itself well to various settings.
19. Clean Shave
One way to eliminate any stress of balding and trying to disguise your hair loss is to shave it off entirely. A clean shave will create a masculine appearance and is ideal for those who want a no-fuss approach to grooming. Your hair will require no styling time. It can also look edgy and cool, and a bald head is often associated with confidence and power. You can opt for no facial hair or create a subtle contrast with fresh stubble on the chin. Before shaving off your hair, consider your head shape and whether there are any imperfections on the scalp, as these will be highlighted.
20. Short Curls
Curly hair is one of the most sought-after hair textures because it is full of movement. Keeping your curls short can make them easier to tame and groom but can also make the balding less noticeable. Short curls are great for softening the features and can be incredibly sexy. You may also wish to style them with a fade to give the hair structure and make the top appear fuller. Short curls can be styled in various ways and adapted to suit your preference; work with your barber to find the look that best complements your hair and face shape.
21. Buzz Cut and Line Up
One of the best ways to style thinning hair or a receding hairline is to keep it short. This creates less contrast and makes the hair loss less visible. The buzz cut is an excellent look for those who want a simple and masculine haircut, but it is a versatile style and can be worn in several ways. This includes pairing it with a lineup haircut, which makes an interesting statement at the hairline. For those who find their hairline is only starting to recede, this approach could disguise it. The line up can be adapted to suit your preference and complement your face shape. It can also be added to different hair textures and types, so work with your barber to find the best look for your balding.
22. Brushed Back Hair and Fade
The brushed-back hairstyle is simple, defined by brushing the hair backward, away from the hairline. This is a great way to add volume and create fullness on the top of the head. If you are experiencing thinning at the crown, the brushed-back look can help to conceal it. Pairing this style with a fade is an excellent way to give the haircut structure and create a contrast. You can determine how dramatic you want your fade to be. However, the general concept is to gradually shorten the hair on the back and sides while leaving length on top. This can create the illusion of thicker, fuller hair on top.
23. Side Part
The side part is arguably the most flattering parting and looks great on most men. It is easier to wear than a middle part and more forgiving on those who do not have facial symmetry. The side part is also a great way to create a haircut that appears neat and polished and can highlight your features. With thinning hair, the parting will be the focus of your look rather than the hair at the crown. This is ideal if you have naturally textured hair, like wavy hair, because it has volume and movement.
24. High Skin Fade
For a modern and fresh hairstyle that is going to look and make you feel confident, you need to pair your hairstyle with a high skin fade. A skin fade reduces to skin level on the sides and back of the head, keeping length on top. This is one of the more dramatic faded styles and is noticeable, contrasting the hair on top and making it look fuller and thicker. It is a great way to give the hair structure and create a neat and polished appearance; while still giving you the freedom to experiment with your hair.
25. Short Quiff
The quiff is a voluminous hairstyle with volume at the crown, which is achieved by brushing the hair upward and backward. You may think a quiff with balding is an unlikely combination, but the right length and styling can be very flattering. You want to keep the quiff short to create only a slight volume. It can draw the eye to the front of the head instead of any thinning on the top or a receding hairline. The quiff is versatile and stylish and can be added to hair of various lengths and textures.
26. Brushed Forward Hair
Brushing the hair forward can make the hair at the crown appear fuller and help disguise patchiness and thinning. This is a simple way to style the hair and looks best when kept short to detract from a balding crown. The goal is to achieve slight volume but subtly and naturally. You can also pair the look with a faded hairstyle like a taper if you want to give it a modern finish.
27. Undercut
The undercut is defined by the back and sides being shaved, with length on top. It can be added to almost all haircuts. This style’s versatility makes it popular and excellent for creating a sharp and polished appearance, thus lending itself well to all occasions. An undercut can remove weight from thick hair but also create a contrast. For men with signs of balding, the difference in length between the crown and the back and sides can create the illusion of thickness on top of the head. To draw attention away from a receding hairline, you can wear it with a slick back. Or the comb over can be used for those who want to keep the length at the hairline. There are multiple options, making it easy to find the look that best suits your needs.
If you liked this article, check out the best men’s haircuts for all hair types and lengths!
Haircuts for Balding Men FAQs
What is the best haircut for balding?
Short styles that work with your receding hairline are the best for balding men. Opt for a simple buzzcut, high and tight, or crew cut if you want something low maintenance or are starting to go patchy. If your balding is more a receding hairline, but you've got length and volume still, there are more options. Choose styles like taper or skin fades with a pompadour or slicked back, an Ivy league, or a comb over parting with your widow's peak.
Are bald men attractive?
Bald men are indeed attractive. Research in Social Psychological and Personality Science has shown that bald men are perceived as being more dominant, masculine, and confident.
Can a bald man regrow hair?
There are some cases when bald men can regrow hair, but it depends on the hair follicle and the reason for balding. Causes of hair loss can include androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern balding. Other reasons include miniaturization, where the follicle shrinks and stress. Alopecia is permanent; however, miniaturization can be slowed, and stress hair fall can be fixed with proactive measures. If the follicle is intact, there is hope of reviving it with oral or topical medication or supplements. However, if the follicle is damaged, scarred, or has disappeared, unfortunately, you won't have any success.
Is it better to shave head when balding?
It's a very personal choice to shave your hair if you're experiencing hair loss. It takes a level of strength and confidence to embrace an inevitability that you don't want. However, once you make the leap, it can be liberating and look much better than holding onto something that doesn't want to stick around.
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