A Barbers Guide to Thinning Hair

9 hours ago

For most of us thinning, receding and even balding is inevitable in some capacity. It's difficult to navigate; what haircut should I get with a receding hairline? Or what's the best haircut for thin hair? How do I add volume to thin hair? With this guide and through the help of our barbers, we've put together some tricks of the trade to help you along the journey.

Getting Started

This guide is from an experts barbers perspective, we're going to provide you with some real life tips and advice on how to work with what you have and maybe even slow your thinning down. With this being said, if you're looking to go down the cosmetic/medicinal route, this guide isn't for you. We're experts at cutting & styling and it's this skillset we're going to draw from. Please read on below for expert tips from Marylebone store manager, Craig, who's cut hair all over the world - there's nothing they've not seen.

Widow's Peak / Receding Hairline

Where your hair is higher at the corners than it is at the front, think Jude Law or Harry Styles. Often this is the first step of male pattern baldness (though not always!)

For a thinner or receding hairline there are multiple ways to camouflage what's happening. The widow's peak will always appear denser than the receding areas because of the lack of, or diminishing, follicle growth. My guidance is always to reduce the thicker area to blend more with the density of the remaining hair on top; to not draw the eye to it. Also, lifting the length in this area will add volume and build a nest for the longer strands from the receding area to merge with.

Patchy

Your hair is thicker in some places and thinner in others, typically on the top of the head between the crown and fringe.

Most people tend to grow the flourishing hair longer to cover the lesser so. This can appear like a mass of hair or even a toupee. It can also create gapage and potentially be a flapper in the wind. Not a good look.

I would reduce everything to a shorter, thicker length that's even and straight cut on the ends. I'd then take the weight of the thicker areas a tad more textured on the ends, to balance out the density on the overall look. A sweep on the fringe generally lifts the look with a bit of volume.

Gradual thinning

What once was a lion's mane is beginning to lose its density, usually this happens on the top of the head - the temptation to comb over is rife. Unlike the two examples above the thinning here is uniform and across the entire head, typically the top.

With the above and also gradual thinning. The density of the sides and sometimes the back really gives the game away. Alot shorter with a clipper cut on the back and or sides really help to make the top appear thicker and fuller than it is. Sometimes a soft clipper number through the top against a harsher buzz length on the sides and back can really elevate your appearance, and knock some years off you too.

General Tips

Contrary to popular belief, longer isn't better when you're hair is thinning. In almost all cases the longer the hair, the more obvious the problem.

Hiding / disguising should be avoided, an expert barber can cut your hair so as to distract or balance your hair, this is always the best option.

Consider your products. Cheap hair products contain harsh ingredients which can aggravate your scalp and negatively affect your hair's health. Pay attention to the ingredients, you want products formulated with your hair's health in mind (like ours!).

The beach fix and the salt spray dried in can really pack a punch with minimal to no weight on the already thinner, flatter hair. Along with some nourishment to add.

Then to boost the suffering areas and strengthen what's left, use the thickening spray to treat and enhance the area. Take care of what's left and be kind to it.

You have a mature hairline, embrace it - no doubt you've earned it! With the help of some clean products and an expert barber your confidence will be reinvigorated. To shop the edit click here, to book in with Craig click here.