Hair loss in men is common, with one in four men starting to lose hair before the age of 211.
If you’ve noticed your hairline receding, there are several hairstyles you can try tif you’re looking to minimise the impact of your hair loss, and maintain a preferred appearance2.
Take control of your hair loss by learning about the best haircuts for receding hair. We’ll highlight which hairstyles you could opt for depending on your hair type, and offer some helpful tips on how you can style it.
Finding the right receding hair haircut and style for you
There are a few things to consider before choosing a receding haircut, that can help you look and feel your best. These include:
Understanding your hair type
Understanding the texture of your hair can help you choose a hairstyle that works well for your natural hair type, rather than against it2. Based on curl pattern, there are four main types of hair texture3:
Type 1 (straight hair) – it’s recommended to avoid oils, heavy serums and butters; try dry shampoo instead3.
Type 2 (wavy hair) – you should look to boost volume and define curls3.
Type 3 (curly hair) – keep well moisturised3 and avoid brushing curls when they’re dry3.
Type 4 (coily hair) – this type requires gentle styling and lots of moisture3.
Avoiding ‘overstyling’
Avoid hairstyles and habits that put stress on your hair. For example, ‘overstyling’ with heated tools and chemical treatments can contribute to hair loss. Frequently adopting tight hairstyles that pull on the scalp, like man buns meanwhile, can also have a negative impact your hairline4.
Consider your face shape
When choosing a hairstyle, you should always consider your face shape. A style that complements your facial structure will not only look better, it can also help to highlight some of your best features – whether that be your eyes or jawline. There are a number of common face shapes:
Square – usually best suited to hairstyles that are cropped across the back, such as buzzcuts and French crops5.
Round – go for styles that add volume, such as tapers, side partings and choppy ‘bed head’ dos5.
Oval – opt for styles that keep most of the face visible, like slick backs, soft crops and subtle mod styles5.
Triangle – styles that add volume and height at the top are typically ideal. For example quiffs, pompadours and side parts5.
Oblong – go for styles that broaden the face shape, such as a classic scissor cut, Caesar style, or a shaggy, surfer haircut5.
Diamond – opt for a haircut that balances the shape of the face and softens the features. Fringes are great for this5.
Consult your barber
If you need some extra advice on how to style a receding hairline, your barber is the best person to consult. They should have a wealth of experience in styling different types and textures of hair, and they can take different factors into account to make the best recommendation for your haircut2.
Best hairstyles for receding hair
Just because your hair is receding doesn’t mean you have to give up styling it. There are a variety of ways to style a receding hairline to compliment your appearance. Here’s our recommendations of the best haircuts for receding hair:
Caeser cut
A Caesar cut, also known as a French crop, is a classic style that’s simple and fuss-free. It can help to hide a receding hairline, with the longer hair on top cut with short bangs to create a precise, structured look. The bangs help to cover thinning areas on the hairline, and you can create a fuller appearance by adding texture with some hair styling products6.
This haircut features fades on the sides to add a bit of contrast and depth, and the shorter sides will help to make your hairline less noticeable. If you prefer to hide your receding hairline completely by the temples, you could go for a skin fade or a longer fade if there’s still some hair there6.
The mullet
Ever heard of a 'business in the front, party in the back,' hairstyle? That’s exactly what a mullet is. Offering a mix of both modern and retro, this haircut works well for those with receding hairlines. The shorter cut at the front lines up nicely with the receding places, helping to make the hair loss less noticeable. Meanwhile, the long hair at the back adds a touch of density, presenting the look of fullness volume and. This contrast between the two layers can help to draw attention away from your receding hairline7.
Buzz cut
If you're more comfortable with your hairline and are less concerned with hiding it, you could opt for a buzz cut6. For this do, your barber will trim all your scalp hair a short length, ensuring it’s all even and uniform7. This simple style is often seen as a last resort for men with receding hairlines, but it’s actually a strong, masculine, and attractive look for many men. Think Channing Tatam and Michael B. Jordan, just to name a few who have donned the look. This style is easy to maintain, all you need is a pair of clippers – just be sure to trim your hair evenly, the last thing you want is a patchy buzz cut.
A level one or two buzz cut will reduce the contrast between your receding hairline and the rest of your hair7. It lets you confidently showcase the thinner hair instead of trying to disguise it7.
Crew cut
Offering a clean and polished look, a crew cut is another popular low-maintenance haircut for receding hair. Short on the sides and faintly longer on the top, this cut presents a fuller appearance and can conceal a receding hairline by decreasing the contrast between the long and short areas7.
Want to add some more volume to this cut? Ask your barber for a longer crew cut, and use some pomade or styling compound for extra lift and texture6.
Side part
Prefer not to trim your hair right down to the scalp? A side part is a great option. This hairstyle works well for men with receding hairlines as it adds definition to the hair and enhances volume. It helps to hide thin patches and draw attention away from your receding hairline. For this do, your barber will cut deep side parts and keep the sides short, leaving hair on top for you to comb over6.
Faux hawk
If you’re not quite ready to commit to a mohawk, a faux hawk is another great option for men with receding hairlines looking for a bit of an edge. To achieve this style, your barber will keep the sides of your hair short, but leave longer hair on top, creating a peak in the centre. This cut allows you to embrace your ‘widow's peak’ and even use it to your advantage. It also helps to conceal frontal recession and draws attention away from the receding hairline, while highlighting the volume at the top. You can keep the sides long to have more styling options or opt to shave them down for an edgier look6.
Textured crop
Another popular option for men exploring how to style their receding hairline, a textured crop is a classic short-back-and-sides hairstyle. Ideal for men with thinning hair, this do helps to add volume and hide thinning spots. For best results, your stylist should use a razor or texturising shears to create a more authentic look. For those with naturally curly or wavy hair, this haircut can work particularly well as the texture enables more volume and movement6.
The fade
For this receding hair haircut, the sides and back of the hair are cut very short and tapered upwards. On the top of the head, the hair is left slightly longer for extra depth and dimension. Fade haircuts help to remove attention from the receding hairline and create a sharp, well-groomed look7.
The fringe
In some cases, you can cover up your receding hair with a simple fringe. Suitable for most hair types, curly or straight, it can help to hide hair loss around the temple area. Normally go for a short fringe? Try growing it out or ask your stylist to cut it longer. Bear in mind that you do need to have reasonably thick hair in the mid-scalp region for a fringe to work. If you don’t have tons of density, you could try side-swept curtain bangs instead of a blunt fringe2.
Widow's peak hairstyle
A widow’s peak can come in handy for some types of hair loss. If styled correctly, the triangular point in the middle of your hairline can create the illusion of fuller and thicker hair6.
Undercut hairstyle
Last but certainly not least, an ‘undercut’ is another great hairstyle choice for men with receding hair. This hairdo involves shaving the sides and back of the head, while the top section is left longer. The contrast between these areas helps to draw attention away from the thinning parts of your hair6.
Hairstyles to avoid for men with a receding hairline
If your hair is receding, there are some hairstyles you should probably steer clear from. For a more confident you, we recommended you avoid the following hairdos.
Combover
A combover is a no-no if your hair is thinning along your hairline or mid-scalp. This hairstyle can make the thinning a lot more obvious. You need decent density across your scalp for slicked back and side-swept styles, so if you don’t, we suggest staying away from combovers and similar styles2.
Tight styles
Styles such as man buns and tight updos can tug at hair follicles and cause damage. Pulling your hair back can also highlight, and further damage, your receding hairline. It can also result in ‘traction alopecia’, which can make the receding process even quicker. Men with receding hairlines should either avoid tight hairdos altogether or ensure that ponytails or buns are tied loosely2.
High pompadour
High pompadour styles can draw attention to a receding hairline — so best to avoid it. A lot of hair is needed to pull of this hairstyle, so if you have thin frontal coverage, it might not be the best option for you as it can draw attention to hair loss around your forehead2.
Dreadlocks
Dreadlocks can put stress and strain on your hair follicles and cause even more hair loss. The longer and heavier your dreads, the more the damage caused to your follicles. The hairstyle can also hinder the hair around the scalp, as well as the hairline. Although a stylish protective style, dreadlocks can cause traction alopecia and contribute to hair loss2.
How to style a receding hairline in other ways
With the right styling, men with receding hairlines can still look good in the hair department. Here are some top tips for styling around your receding hairline:
Grow out your facial hair
- It’s not just the hair on the top of your head that counts. Growing a beard can create the illusion of a stronger jawline, helping to balance the look of receding hair. If you do lose your hair entirely, a well-groomed beard can also complement a bald head nicely – think Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson or Common6.
Consider using wigs and hair systems
You can use hair pieces or human hair wigs to add more volume to your hair and reduce the appearance of a receding hairline. You can also wear a hair system for up to six weeks. Bear in mind that wigs require quite a bit of upkeep – they need to be washed carefully and semi-often to maintain hygiene and aesthetics. Hair systems can be expensive to purchase and maintain too2.
Use hair growth treatments
There are a number of specialised products on the market formulated to help men with receding hairlines. Regaine® products are specifically designed to help men combat hereditary hair loss. Recommended products for receding hair in men include:
Haircuts for receding hair FAQs
Cutting your hair can be a suitable option if your hair is receding. You can opt for a short cut, fade or go completely bald – the choice is yours. Alternatively, you could go for a hairstyle that could conceal your thinning hair, such as a side part or mullet.
You can pull off a receding hairline by finding a hairstyle that suits you, your hair type and the level to which your hair is receding2. Try your best to accept your receding hairline as a starting point. Then you’ll be better able to find a suitable solution.
In most cases, if your hair is receding because of male pattern baldness, ageing or other genetic conditions, it won't regrow naturally8. To help your hair grow back, you can use treatments such as REGAINE®’s range of helpful products however.