Okay, so you’re going bald. Admitting it is the first step in overcoming it. Now we can move on to coping with loss and finding the best way to look good as you do it. As your hairline retreats on your scalp, you have a choice. Either you can clutch desperately at your youth and pretend you still have a full head of hair, or you can deal with it gracefully. We have you covered in our guide to the best men’s hairstyles for a receding hairline that will keep you looking youthful forever.
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1. Clean Shave
The ultimate way to look a receding hairline in the eyes and say ‘no’ is the clean shave. It’s a look that doesn’t work for everybody, and unfortunately, you will probably only learn whether or not you can pull it off once you’ve already taken the leap. But as long as the shape of your head complements your face and you can wear the bald look with confidence, this is a look that you just might be able to own. The clean shave works best with a full beard to bring a sense of balance to your otherwise hairless head.
2. Buzz
A slightly longer and less brutal option than the clean shave is the buzz cut. It’s the quintessential military-inspired haircut that is both sympathetic to thinning hair and easily taken care of. The buzz cut also offers the bonus of making your facial features look more defined. By drawing others’ eyes from the hairline down to your brow line, your face immediately appears more chiselled. Choose tapered sides for a more modern take on the traditional buzz cut.
3. Faux Hawk
It is a style that ebbs and flows in popularity, but the faux hawk is a useful haircut for the receding gentleman. By drawing attention to the centre of the hairline (and away from the temples) the faux hawk uses a receding hairline to its advantage. Don’t let the name put you off, the faux hawk can still be a short, subtle cut.
4. Comb Over
We’re not talking about a Prince Charles or, God forbid, Donald Trump haircut here. The comb over hairstyle is an incredibly popular style for men whether they’re balding or not. The comb over works well for balding brothers by using a receding hairline as the lowest point in your hair’s natural part line. This gives an artificial sense of weight to your hair.
5. Slicked Back
In a similar vein to the comb over, the short slicked back hairstyle is a neat and versatile look for men with a receding hairline. By keeping the cut short, you avoid giving too much weight to the top of your hair’s sides and drawing attention to the hairline.
6. Regulation Cut
Another haircut that draws its inspiration from the military, this one boasting more length. The regulation cut is a precise imagining of a longer-haired military cut. Combed over with a defined part, the regulation employs longer, scissor-cut sides to achieve a classic style. Much like alternative versions of the comb over, this style uses the hairline as a feature of the hair’s part.
7. Longer Hairstyle
If your hair is still reasonably thick but merely receding, you may be able to try a longer style. A longer hairstyle has the advantage of hiding the area above your temples most likely to be showing early signs of a receding hairline. A more unruly option, not every man can (or should) try the longer cut. Although with the right sense of style, a longer cut can shave years from your look.
8. Short Messy Hairstyle
For many gents, the longer look is not a viable option. That being said, keeping your hair short and neat may not be appealing to the renegade in you either. A short, textured hairstyle gives you the versatile option of a controlled length that can appear messy. Have your barber leave slightly more length toward your hairline, blow-dry to exaggerate both volume and the textured style.
9. High Fade
A more striking style for a receding hairline is the high fade haircut. By clipping the sides and tapering the length from the bottom up you can control the way in which your hairline is perceived. A higher fade will draw attention away from a receding hairline and toward your longer hair on top. The style is best suited to men with a hairline in its early stages of receding.
10. Blowout
The blowout hairstyle is fantastic for men with a receding hairline. The style is defined by the hair brushed up and back. This is a perfect look for achieving volume and can be styled as you wish, including a fade to give it more structure. Keeping the hair longer, which you need to do to achieve this look, does not hide your hairline, but it does shift the attention to the crown, making it appear fuller, thicker, and more voluminous. The blowout is created by using a blow-dryer on freshly-washed hair to style the hair up and backward. For hold, use pomade or gel and style the hair accordingly.
11. Brushed Forward Hair
Brushed forward hair is an ideal hairstyle for those who wish to conceal their receding hairline. The look is achieved by brushing the hair forward, usually to create a messy and deliberately undone aesthetic that adds volume to the front of the head. You can style the hair with a fade to add structure, making a polished appearance. This is an excellent look for all hair textures and will complement men of all ages.
12. Butch Cut
The butch cut is a classic short hairstyle for men. The length at the top, sides, and back of the head is kept relatively the same length, around a quarter inch. However, it can be adapted slightly to suit your preference; this includes experimenting with the length of the hair. It is a simple, masculine, and effortless haircut to style. You may feel that keeping the hair short is counterproductive when styling a receding hairline, but the goal with this cut is not to conceal it nor draw attention to it.
13. Comb Back
The comb back is achieved by brushing, or combing, the hair away from the hairline. It is a popular hairstyle for men of all ages, helping to achieve a sophisticated and polished appearance that lends itself well to all settings. For the best results, this hairstyle requires medium length, which helps create volume at the front of the hair and can be incredibly flattering. The voluminous crown will complement the receding hairline and draw attention away from it.
14. Crew Cut
The crew cut is a classic short hairstyle for men. It is short, simple, and effortless to style. The appeal of the crew cut is that it is low maintenance and can be worn by men of all ages. It complements all hair types and textures and is ideal for a receding hairline as the shape of the cut is flattering. It is also not a statement look, and the appeal is the classic and masculine finish, which will not demand attention and therefore shift the focus away from your hairline.
15. Ivy League
The Ivy League is yet another popular short hairstyle for men. It creates an effortlessly cool look that feels masculine and sophisticated. The cut is longer on the top of the head with the sides and back kept short and the sides often tapered. It can be personalized to suit your preference and adjusted to compliment your hair texture and length. The Ivy League will not conceal the receding hairline, but it will flatter it and create balance.
16. Messy Fringe
A messy fringe is ideal for those who want to hide their receding hairline, and depending on the length of the fringe and the way you style, it can conceal the temples. Focusing more hair and length at the front of the face can create a balance with the hairline. The fringe and the deliberately undone appearance are also appealing, creating a relaxed aesthetic that works best with naturally textured hair. It will also complement the features, drawing attention to the eyes and the jawline.
17. Quiff
The quiff is a great addition to any hairstyle and can be worn by men of all ages. The appeal of the quiff for those with a receding hairline is that it can draw the eye away from the hairline and onto the front of the crown, making it appear more voluminous and giving the illusion of thicker hair. The quiff is brushed upward and backward and is incredibly versatile. It can be achieved with all hair textures, but you need to retain some length on the top of the head to style the quiff.
18. Same Length All Over
The same-length all-over haircut is one of the simplest and most effortlessly cool looks for any man. As the name suggests, the hair is kept the same length on the top, back, and sides and looks best when short. It can complement all hair textures and most face shapes and is an excellent way to ensure the hair is manageable and quick to style. There is nothing remarkable about this haircut as there are no standout features, but that is the appeal. Your receding hairline will not be the focus of the haircut, and the hair will feel balanced.
19. Short Textured Hair
Textured hair is fantastic when short, making even the most simple hairstyle appear visually interesting. The texture also draws the eye away from the receding hairline, focusing on the hair itself, which can be flattering. How you style your hair depends on your preference, but you can taper the sides or opt for a fade to give it a more polished finish. This will create a slight contrast between the top of the head and the back and sides, making the hair appear more voluminous and full.
20. Undercut
The undercut is an edgy and cool addition to any haircut. It is achieved by retaining length on the top and pairing it with a back and sides that are the same length and kept short; often buzz cut or shaved entirely. This is an excellent way to give the hair structure and is ideal for thick or curly hair as it can remove bulk and weight from the hair. It will also create a contrast between the hair on the top and the back and sides and can make it appear thicker and fuller. The undercut will be the focus of your haircut, drawing the attention away from the hairline.
If you liked this article, check out the best men’s haircuts that are trending this year!
Receeding Hairline Hairstyle FAQs
What is a receding hairline?
A receding hairline is a form of baldness, often due to androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern balding. It tends to be hereditary, passed down between generations. It sees hair loss around the front of your hair, often starting near the temples, which can worsen over time.
Is my hairline receding?
There are a few key indicators that your hairline is receding. If you start shedding a lot more hair than usual, this is usually the first sign that changes are happening. Shifts in how your hair behaves can also indicate a receding hairline, for example, if a cowlick is suddenly no longer causing you grief. Next, an uneven hairline is also a sign, as it often starts that way before forming a distinct M shape. Lastly, comparing older pictures of yourself will also show if you're starting to lose your hair. Because it's often genetic, you can look at your older male relatives or siblings to see what their hair is doing. If every man at the family reunion has a receding hairline, likely, you will too.
How to fix a receding hairline?
The first step is to identify why your hair is receding. It could be any number of causes, including androgenetic alopecia, also known as male pattern balding, stress, poor diet and lifestyle, a medical condition, or medication. Once you know, you'll be able to make corrective decisions. Options can include an improved diet, incorporating more protein, Omega 3, and vitamin C, as well as increasing your hydration and exercise. If that's not sufficient, hair growth products such as Nioxin and Rogaine are excellent options. As a last resort, hair transplants are a surgical option that moves hair follicles from one part of your scalp to the receding area.
Can receding hairline grow back?
As long as the follicles are intact, there is hope of reviving your locks. However, if the follicle is damaged, scarred, or has disappeared, unfortunately, you won't have much success. The most effective methods for regrowing hair are using hair growth products such as Nioxin and Rogaine. If that's not working, you can choose to try hair transplants, a surgical option that moves hair follicles from one part of your scalp to the thinning area.
Does Rogaine work for receding hairline?
If the follicles along your hairline are still intact, Rogaine, also known as minoxidil, can work. The key is consistent use. It works by stimulating blood flow to the scalp, ensuring the area is getting sufficient nutrients. Just remember that results can vary, and it may not work for everyone.
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