The Best Hairstyles for Men with a Receding Hairline

The Best Hairstyles for a Receding Hairline

Textured crop With the trendy textured crop, you leave the front of your hair long and layered while shortening the sides and back with a low or mid fade. Simply use some pomade, gel, or wax to brush your hair forward into tousled or messy waves. Why this style works: The longer hair on top adds volume and helps conceal any thinning areas along your hairline. This style is a good option if your hair recession is mild to moderate and you have thicker growth around your front and crown. It also looks especially great with textured, wavy, and curly hair.

High fade A high fade shortens the back and sides of your hair starting at your temples, leaving the hair at the top and crown of your head long. This gives you a youthful, trendy, and dramatic look and allows you to style your hair in all sorts of ways, from a slick-backed style to a faux hawk. For an even more dramatic look, opt for a bald fade. This trims your hair as close to your head as possible and can conceal your hairline better. Why this style works: The high fade at your temples helps blend and conceal your receding hairline. Leaving the top long allows you to cover up any thinning spots as needed. This style is a good option if you’re dealing with mild to moderate hair loss and your hair is growing nicely around the front and crown. This style looks great on all hair types.

Faux hawk With the edgy faux hawk, you crop the sides and back of your hair short while leaving the hair along the top and crown at the same long length. Simply opt for a low, mid, or high fade depending on the look you want. Then, use pomade or wax to style your hair upwards into bold spikes. Why this style works: The faux hawk draws attention away from your hairline while the cropped sides and back help conceal it. This style is a good option if you’re dealing with mild to moderate hair recession and your hair still grows thickly along the top. It’s suitable for straight, wavy, curly, and textured hair.

Buzz cut The buzz cut is a classic, low-maintenance style that trims your hair to a uniform stubble all across your head. It’s also a great cut to do yourself—just grab some quality clippers and opt for a #3, #2, or #1 guard. Why this style works: Trimming your hair to a short, uniform length makes your receding hairline less noticeable by blending the rest of your hair with your scalp. This style is a good option if your hairline recession is mild, moderate, or more advanced. This classic cut also looks great on all hair types and face shapes.

Caesar cut The Caesar cut is a trendy cut that’s on the rise. With this cut, you trim the hair at the front and crown of your head into short layers and add a short, blunt fringe. You can keep the sides and back shorter or opt for a more modern tapered fade. Then, comb your hair and fringe forward and keep it in place with pomade or wax. Why this style works: The slightly longer, brushed forward top helps hide any recession at the front of your head while the fringe and layers add dimension and volume. This style is a good option if you have mild to moderate hair recession and any hair type.

Short afro Let your hair grow out into an afro, trimming the top, crown, back, and sides to a uniform length. To style, lightly spray your hair with water to dampen it. Then, add in moisture by working oil (e.g., coconut, olive), shea butter, and/or leave-in conditioner into your scalp and ends. Use a wide tooth comb to detangle your hair and then go back through it with an afro pick. Why this style works: Letting curly, textured hair grow out adds volume and helps conceal thinning around your hairline and temples. This style is a good option if you’re dealing with mild to moderate hair recession and have textured hair.

Taper fade With the taper fade, you cut your hair short at your temples and gradually fade it into your neck down the sides and back of your head. You can opt for a low, mid, high, or bald fade, depending on the look you like. Then, keep the front and crown of your head shorter or longer depending on the styles you want to create. Why this style works: The tapered fade helps blend your receding hairline in with the rest of your hair. The longer top also takes focus away from your hairline. This style is a good option if you have mild to moderate hair recession. It also looks great on all hair types: textured, straight, curly, and wavy.

Crew cut For a timeless and low-maintenance cut, go for the crew cut. Simply trim the hair at the top of your head into a neat and uniform short length that tapers towards the back. Then, buzz the sides into a low fade. Use pomade or wax to style your hair, like into a brushed-up quiff or slicked back to the side. Why this style works: The fading at the sides helps hide any hair recession at the temples. The longer hair on top also helps draw attention away from thinning areas. This style is a good option if you have mild to moderate hairline recession and don’t want to deal with a lot of upkeep. It also looks great on all hair types.

French crop The French crop is a variation on the textured crop. With this cut, you leave the top and crown long and add a layered or choppy fringe, brushing the hair over your forehead. The sides and back are left short or trimmed into a fade for a trendy, modern look. Why this style works: Brushing the longer hair at the front helps hide any thinning along your hairline. Adding a messy, tousled fringe also helps hide recession and gives your hair more volume. This style is a good option if you’re experiencing mild to moderate hairline recession. It’s also great if your hair is textured, wavy, or curly.

Locs with fade You don’t have to get rid of your locs if your hairline is receding. For a trendy and bold look, simply trim the sides and back of your hair into a low, mid, or high fade. Then, keep your locs on top of your head short. Why this style works: Adding a fade to the sides and back of your head helps disguise any hair recession. Short locs are also less heavy, which limits any potential hair loss from tension, and helps draw attention away from your hairline. This style is a good option if your hairline recession is mild to moderate and you have textured hair.

Straight hairline If your hairline is forming a widow’s peak or “M” shape, trim up your hairline so it forms a straight, even line. Simply use clippers to cut back the peak of your hairline so it’s in line with your temples. Why this style works: Trimming back your widow’s peak gives the illusion that your hairline is straight and isn’t receding. This style is a good option if you’re dealing with mild hairline recession and only need to trim the peak a small amount.

Long top with low fade The long top with low fade is a shaggier and less dramatic alternative to the high fade. With this style, you cut the front of your hair into mid to long layers. Then, you start the fade low around the nape of your neck. Why this style works: Leaving your hair long and layered on the top adds volume and movement while helping you hide hair loss along your hairline. This style is a good option if you have mild to moderate hairline recession and can grow your hair out along the top of your head. This style looks great with straight, wavy, curly hair, and textured hair.

Leo cut or mushroom cut The Leo or mushroom cut imitates Leonardo DiCaprio’s signature cut in the 90s. With this youthful and trendy cut, you trim the fringe and front of your hair into a long uniform length with light layers. Then, you keep the sides and back short and part your hair down the center. Why this style works: Adding a fringe and long layers helps you cover any thinning areas along your hairline. This style is a good option if you’re experiencing mild to moderate thinning. This style looks especially great on straight hair, though all hair types work with it.

Brushed up quiff With the brushed up quiff, you keep the hair at the top of your head long while trimming the sides and back short, whether that’s into a subtle or dramatic fade. Then, use pomade or wax to brush the hair at the front up and over your hairline and into a stylish quiff—depending on the look you like, make it sleek and clean or edgy and spikey. Why this style works: Styling the longer hair at the front into a quiff draws attention away from your hairline and adds volume. This style is a good option if you have mild to moderate thinning along your hairline and any hair type.

Wolf cut The wolf cut is an ultra-trendy style that gives you a tousled, shaggy look. You simply cut your hair to a mid to long length and add lots of choppy layers. Then, part your hair in the center and add face-framing curtain bangs. To style the cut, scrunch your hair with mousse or gel for a wavy, tousled look or straighten it for an edgier look. Why this style works: The choppy layers add volume and dimension while the curtain bangs help conceal thinning around your temples. This style is a good option if you’re dealing with mild to moderate hairline recession. This style looks great on straight, curly, and wavy hair.

Military or regulation cut If you’re looking for a classic and low-maintenance style, opt for the military cut. Simply trim the top of your hair to a neat and uniform mid-length and buzz the sides and back of your head. Use pomade or wax to style your hair into a clean side part or brush it up into a spikey quiff. Why this style works: Buzzing the sides of your head helps hide recession along your temples and hairline. Leaving your hair long on the top helps draw attention away from your hairline, too. This style is a good option if your hairline recession is mild to moderate and you want an easy-to-maintain style.

Flat top The flat top is a more dramatic alternative to the military cut. With this cut, you keep hair at the top of your head to a short, uniform length. Then, you add an undercut at your temples and buzz the sides and back of your head. Why this style works: Like the military cut, the buzzed sides help blend out any recession along your hairline. This style is a good option if the hairline recession you’re dealing with is mild to moderate. This style looks great on all hair types and textures.

Long fringe The long fringe cut simply involves growing out your fringe and brushing it over your forehead. Or, use styling products to brush it up into a sleek bouffant or spiky faux hawk. Why this style works: Brushing your fringe over your hairline helps cover up any recession and thinning spots. This style is a good option if your hairline recession is mild to moderate and you have straight, wavy, curly, or textured hair.

Layered mid-length cut To achieve this look, grow out your hair past your ears and add long, sleek layers or lots of short, choppy layers. Style your hair straight or use a texturizing spray to get a wavy, tousled look. Or, brush your hair up into a bun. Why this style works: Long, layered hair adds movement, dimension, and volume, helping to conceal your hairline. It also draws attention away from thinning areas. This style is a good option if the hairline recession you’re experiencing is mild to moderate and your hair still grows thickly on the top. This style looks great on straight, wavy, and curly hair.

Undercut With an undercut, you keep the top long while shaving off the sides and back of your hair starting at the temples. This gives you lots of room to play with bold and dramatic styles up top. For instance, slick your hair back for a classy look or braid your hair back for a tough Viking-like vibe. Why this style works: The undercut helps hide recession along your temples while keeping your hair long on top draws away focus from thinning areas. This style is a good option if your hairline recession is mild to moderate and you have textured, straight, wavy, or curly hair.

Surfer cut The surfer cut is the perfect, low-maintenance cut for a tousled and carefree vibe. You simply trim your hair to a medium length and add lots of shaggy, face-framing layers. Why this style works: The long-length and choppy layers and volume and movement, helping to draw attention away from any hairline recession. This style is a good option if you’re dealing with mild to moderate recession and you have straight, wavy, or curly hair.

Slick back cut With a slicked back cut, you keep the hair at the top of your head long and trim the sides and back shorter. Then, use pomade, gel, or wax to brush your hair back and over the spots where you see recession—this might be back toward your crown or over to one side. Why this style works: Slicking back long hair helps you hide thinning spots while the shorter sides help them blend in. This style is a good option if your hairline recession is mild to moderate and you have any hair type.

Side part While middle parts might be the current trend, styling your hair with a side part helps cover up thinning on one side of your head. Simply use a comb to create a deep part on one side of your head and brush the rest of your hair over. Why this style works: A deep side part helps you cover and hide thinning along your hairline while adding volume and dimension. This style is a good option if you’re dealing with mild to moderate hairline recession and have any hair type.

Long layered cut For a more bold and dramatic look, grow out your hair to at least your shoulders. Then, cut in long layers or short, choppy ones. To style, straighten your hair, curl it, or spray it with a texturizing product for tousled waves. Why this style works: Long hair can draw focus away from your hairline. You can also style it to cover up any thinning areas, like forming a side part or slicking it back. This style is a good option if you have mild to moderate hairline recession and straight, wavy, or curly hair.

Mohawk For an edgier look, go for a mohawk by creating an undercut along your temples and shaving off the hair at the back and sides of your head. This leaves a narrow strip of hair on the top. Simply use hairspray and gel to spike your hair up into the classic look. Why this style works: Trimming off your hair along the sides conceals your receding hairline while the spiked hair on top draws attention away from it. This style is a good option if you have mild, moderate, or more advanced hairline recession. All hair types and textures can rock this look.

Pompadour The pompadour is a classic, retro style where you keep the hair along the front of your head and your crown long. Then, you add a low or mid fade along the sides and back. To style the pompadour, apply some pomade to your wet hair. Then, brush your hair back with a round brush while drying it with a hair dryer. Why this style works: Adding a fade around the temples helps make your receding hairline less noticeable. The pompadour itself adds volume around your hairline, helping to conceal any thinning areas, too. This style is a good option if you are dealing with mild to moderate hairline recession and have good hair coverage around your front and crown. It looks great on straight, wavy, curly, and textured hair.

Curtain hair The curtain hairstyle is a mid-length cut where you add layers to the top section of your hair and keep it slightly longer than the sides and back. Then, simply part your hair in the middle to achieve the laid-back, swoopy curtain look. Why this style works: The curtain fringe helps conceal thinning around your temples. The layered hair also adds volume and dimension and draws more attention to your face. This style is a good option if you have mild to moderate hairline recession and straight, wavy, or curly hair.

Combover with shave Opt for an edgy version of the combover by completely buzzing the side of your head that has the most recession. Then, keep the hair on the other side of your head long. Use a pomade or wax to brush up your hair and add volume. Then, sweep it over to the side. Why this style works: Buzzing one side of your head helps make your hairline recession less apparent. The voluminous combover also helps draw attention away from your hairline. This style is a good option if you’re experiencing mild to moderate hairline recession. It looks great if you have straight, wavy, or curly hair.

Bleached hair Bleaching any haircut you have is a great way to change up your look and make a bold statement. Foster also recommends playing around with different colors, like red or blue, to express your style and help draw attention away from your hairline. Why this style works: Bold, dramatic colors help distract from any recession or thinning you’re experiencing. And if you have a lighter skin tone, bleached hair can make your hairline less noticeable. This style is a good option if you have mild, moderate, or more advanced recession. It looks great on all hair types and styles.

Clean shave The clean shave is a timeless and manly cut that’s also the easiest to maintain. Simply remove the guard from your clippers to trim your hair to the skin. Then, lather your head with shaving cream and go over it with a clean razor to achieve an ultra-smooth look. Styling tip: Foster says the best way to rock a clean shave is to feel confident. For instance, grow a beard and keep it neat and trimmed to draw your focus there. Or, accessorize with earrings, nose rings, or other facial jewelry. Why this style works: Opting for a clean shave completely gets rid of any hairline recession, leaving you worry-free about having to hide it. This style is a good option if you’re dealing with mild, moderate, or more advanced hairline recession.

Ways to Maintain and Promote Hair Growth

Shampoo and condition your hair with moisturizing products. Foster says the best way to improve your overall hair health is to “make sure that the scalp is healthy” and to keep the hair on your head “properly moisturized.” She recommends washing your hair regularly, or whenever it is dirty, with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Reduce potential damage by gently patting or scrunching your hair with a microfiber towel and letting it air dry. When using a hair dryer, apply a heat protectant and use the lowest heat setting. Note: Hair loss in men is most commonly due to genetics and aging. Consult your general practitioner or dermatologist to find out why you might be losing hair and what you can do to help it regrow. While some of these tips can help prevent greater hair loss and maintain your current hair growth, they might not promote dramatic regrowth.

Eat a balanced diet of veggies, healthy fats, protein, and iron. Foster says having a healthy diet is key to maintaining healthy hair. She recommends eating more “green leafy vegetables” and drinking plenty of water “to make sure the scalp is healthy.” Eating a balanced diet of healthy fats, protein, and foods rich in iron, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin D also helps improve your hair health. For instance, foods like olive oil, avocados, poultry, salmon, tuna, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes, nuts, and eggs help boost hair health.

Massage your scalp with essential oils. Foster recommends “massaging…the scalp” to help “increase blood circulation” and stimulate new hair growth. Because rosemary oil and black seed oil can help promote hair growth, she suggests mixing either oil with a carrier oil like olive or almond oil and applying the mixture to your scalp when you massage it. To massage your scalp, gently rub your fingertips in small circles across your head for 4 to 5 minutes. Feel free to repeat this once per day.

Avoid heat, heavy products, and tight hairstyles. To prevent hair loss, Foster says to stay away from “excessive heat” when using styling products, as well as “overexposure [to the] sun.” She also recommends using products sparingly, as “heavy use of products” that contain “sulfate” or “parabens” can damage your hair. Foster says “tension around sensitive areas, which are the edges of the head” and at “the nape at the back” can also lead to hair loss, so avoid “a lot of pulling, tight ponytails,” and “tight styles.” Instead of using heavy products, use styling products made for a light hold. If you need to put your hair up or want to style it in a braid, keep your hair as loose as possible to minimize damage.

Take care of yourself to reduce stress. Foster affirms that stress is another common cause of hair loss. If you’re currently under a lot of stress, getting it under control can potentially help your hair grow back. To help reduce stress, get 7 to 9 hours of sleep, eat well, get a bit of exercise each day, and spend time with your friends or family. Try relaxing activities too, like meditating, doing yoga, or taking up a creative hobby.

Wear hairpieces, wigs, or hats. Wearing a hairpiece or wig is a great solution to help you feel confident. For a more temporary solution, hats like baseball caps, beanies, and bucket hats are a great way to cover up thinning areas.

Use a hair growth medication like minoxidil. There are several topical medications that can help reverse male pattern balding. Foster recommends visiting your “dermatologist to determine the type of hair loss that you have” and then asking them if a medication like minoxidil (Rogaine) or finasteride (Propecia) is right for you.

Get scalp pigmentation. To give you the appearance of having thicker hair, Foster suggests getting “scalp pigmentation or micro-scalp pigmentation.” During the process, “hairline strokes…are drawn in the areas of hair loss” with a needle and pigment, similar to getting a tattoo. Scalp pigmentation is considered non-invasive and doesn’t require any downtime.

Try low laser light therapy. Laser therapy is another non-invasive procedure that Foster recommends. She says a laser light penetrates “into the scalp to regenerate and stimulate the follicle or the hair root” and “restart it.” To see results, you typically need to receive several treatments per week over several months.

Consult your doctor about getting a hair transplant. If medications or non-invasive treatments aren’t leading to hair growth, your doctor might recommend getting a hair transplant. Foster says that during this procedure, a surgeon “takes active follicles and roots from one section of the hair and transplants it into the dormant section” to “see if that will help restart that area.” Getting a hair transplant is an invasive procedure that requires anesthesia. It might also take several procedures to get the transplanted follicles to grow.