Hair loss is a condition that affects men of all ages and has numerous causes, including genetics. Fortunately, the death of hair follicles does not necessarily mean the death of style. Here we review—from the early stages of hair loss to the more advanced ones—the top 10 hairstyles for thinning hair.
Shag
Type of hair loss it's good for: Early receding hairline.
At the very early stages of hair thinning, when you see no reason to commit to a short cut, consider a style that involves shaggy layers. You'll want to ask your barber for a cut that’s long in front, that falls over your forehead and has a medium length all over. At home, use your fingers to tousle your layers with a bit of gel or lightweight styling cream. By drawing attention to your cool, just-rolled-out-of-bed look, longer hair combined with slightly disheveled layers is a smart trick to mask the early stages of balding.
Short and tapered all over
Type of hair loss it's good for: Thinning on top.
If you've noticed that your forehead has started to become more prominent but that you still have plenty of hair, ask your barber for a cut that's short all over and slightly tapered in back and on the sides. Next, invest in some hair paste and apply a minute amount to towel-dried hair, making sure to distribute the product evenly throughout. Finally, use your fingers to make only the hair on top of your head a bit messy, leaving your sides and the back looking proper. This style works to minimize hair loss because its rough texture gives hair extra volume, leading to the perception that you have more.
Long front
Type of hair loss it's good for: Early receding hairline.
If your hair is thinning at a slow pace and you still have a reasonably full mane, grow out the hair on top of your head. Once this hair is longer than the hair on the back and sides of your head, you can brush your hair forward, using a little gel to keep everything in place. In addition to helping you hide an expanding forehead, this style is simple and won't make you seem like you're trying too hard.
Slicked back
Type of hair loss it's good for: Bald spots near the back of the head.
When your hair is still relatively thick apart for minor receding in a spot or two, try wearing it slicked back. To do so, you'll need to grow the front of your hair long enough so that when you slick it back, it will effectively mask a bald spot. Use a little bit of product to increase volume, keep your hair in place and further conceal hair loss. Just remember that slicking your hair back results in an old-school debonair look, but slicking your hair to the side puts you firmly in comb-over territory.
Faux faux hawk
Type of hair loss it's good for: Hair loss around the temples.
Though the faux hawk may bring weird images to mind, a modified, toned-down version (a faux faux hawk, if you will) is actually a clever way to divert attention from hair loss near the temples. Begin by asking your barber for a short, choppy cut that will work with your shifting natural hair line. Then, apply a dab of gel to your hair and use your fingers to haphazardly move hair toward the center of your head, making sure to keep everything nice and messy in order to make your hair loss less evident.
Short and spiked
Type of hair loss it's good for: All-over thinning.
For hair that is thinning all over, rather than in a specific location, an ideal hairstyle is one that is short and spiked. It's easy to achieve with a little hair gel, and the increased volume means you'll appear to have a fuller head of hair. Also, because this edgy style creates space between your locks and distracts the eye, it places the focus on where your hair is, rather than where it’s not.
Short crew cut
Type of hair loss it's good for: Receding at the temples or the crown.
When it comes time to switch to a shorter cut in order to minimize the appearance of thinning hair, go with a crew cut. Not only is it timelessly stylish and suitable for any age or face shape, but, by blending the thinner portions of your hair with thicker ones, this style creates the illusion of a fuller head of hair. This cut works best when not much is required to blend in bald spots.
Buzz cut
Type of hair loss it's good for: Early bald spots.
The buzz cut has at least three advantages for men with thinning hair. First, less hair on your head makes hair loss less obvious. Second, this style is a classic that works in any professional or social environment. For example, with a polished suit, this cut is sharp and sophisticated. On the other hand, with a distressed denim and a hoodie, the buzz cut has an edgy, urban appeal. Finally, it's extremely low maintenance, so you can toss out most of your hair-styling products.
Modified Caesar cut
Type of hair loss it's good for: Advanced temple hair loss.
The rule of thumb to follow for hair loss in general is that, as bald spots become more obvious, your hair should become shorter. If you've reached a stage at which you have virtually no hair in your temple region but some remains on your crown and you don't want to go hairless yet, work with what you've got. The solution is to request a cut that's clipper-short without being a buzz cut and to use the smallest amount of gel or pomade to finger brush your hair forward. The result will reduce the appearance of thinning on top of your head and will lend a distinguished air to men with salt-and-pepper locks.
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More from AskMen.com:
Embrace Your Baldness In 5 Steps
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Clean shaven
Type of hair loss it's good for: Advanced hair loss.
When you've reached the point of no return, shaving off all your remaining hair is a great option. In fact, if you have an even and pleasingly shaped skull, a hair-free style could be one of the best moves you'll ever make. It takes a significant amount of confidence to go completely bald, which will translate into an air of authority in your professional life and serious sex appeal when it comes to women.
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