Creative hairstyles can be a great way to disguise hair loss, from shaving your hair short to slicking a fringe backwards over your crown, opting for gels and mousses to create a thicker, lifted look, or keeping the hair on top of your head a little longer with a crew cut.
Men and women waiting for a hair transplant or an alternative such as micropigmentation can experiment with styles that suit them, or let their hair grow out so they have more choices in how to style it.
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular options, how they work, and the benefits of strategic haircuts to help prevent baldness from affecting your confidence.
Styling Hair to Hide Hair Loss: Key Takeaways
- There is almost always a great way to style your hair, so it looks thicker and denser, and the massive range of pomades, gels, waxes and volumisers on the market ensures even elaborate styles stay put.
- For most men, the key is to focus on the areas they are most self-conscious about and to look for ways to control how hair moves to cover them.
- While styling is only temporary and isn’t a permanent alternative to a clinical intervention, it can make hair loss easier to live with in the interim.
How to Pick the Best Hair Style to Cover Different Types of Balding
There’s no universal way in which hair loss will show up, and the ideal styling may depend on where your balding is visible and the texture of your natural hair.
Below, you’ll find some common hair loss concerns and examples of the styles that other people have found beneficial.
| Hair Loss Issue | Possible Hair Styles |
| Widow’s peak or temple hair loss | Buzz cuts, often combined with beards or stubble to balance your facial features, work well. You can also opt for a short fringe, brushed forward. |
| Balding on the crown | Slicked back styles, comb backs, retro quiffs or a crew cut. Men can also experiment with top knots to hide this area. |
| Hair loss for men with curly hair | Textured, flowing hair can be styled in any direction to cover the area of hair loss. |
| Central hair loss | Change a brushed forward or backwards cut to a side parting, or style your hair upward to a point in a less aggressive form of a mohawk. |
| General thinning | A statement pompadour that adds volume and depth to your hair. |
Where Are the Most Common Areas for Men to See Balding?
Thousands of men have hair loss, and the crown and temples are by far the most common areas where balding first becomes apparent. The normal progression of male pattern baldness is to see:
- Slightly thinner hair to the temples and crown
- The hairline on the front of the face recedes gradually backwards
- Ongoing thinning on the crown
- Small bald spots appearing at the top of the head
This does, however, vary between individuals, and you’ll find a hairstyle for you regardless of where your hair loss is most visible.
Can I Style My Hair to Make Balding Less Obvious?
Yes, you can absolutely look at different cuts, styling products, and aesthetics that will draw attention away from hair loss, make it less apparent, or conceal the area of balding altogether.
The vast majority of men with hair loss are suffering from androgenetic alopecia, [1] a genetic condition, and while styling won’t solve the issue, it can make you feel more confident.
If, for example, you’re planning on a temple hair transplant but want to hide a receding hairline in the meantime, brushing your hair forward and setting it there is a quick, simple way to ensure you feel your best.
Which Hair Products Will I Need to Conceal Balding on My Crown?
Choosing products like thickening sprays, which make your hair appear denser; pigmented pomades that hide the white of your scalp from showing through; and even micropigmentation are temporary ways to make balding on the crown less visible.
You can also combine cosmetic products with medications like finasteride and minoxidil to boost the condition of remaining hair, encourage dormant follicles to grow, and improve the visual appearance of your hair. [2]
Leaving your hair longer between washes and using high-quality, nourishing products may also be beneficial, as plenty of second-day hairstyles work better when your hair isn’t too smooth and has a little more natural oil, making it more manageable.
Can a Clever Hair Cut Permanently Disguise Balding?
Unfortunately, not, because progressive hair loss will continue, and, for example, if you have a widow’s peak, this will become deeper and more prominent over time. There will probably come a point when styling isn’t enough to cover this.
There are, however, options to manage this, including a widow’s peak hair transplant and non-surgical interventions to promote hair growth, so you don’t necessarily need to settle for a receding hairline forever.
KSL Clinic’s Director of Surgical Services, Dr Matee, says, ‘It’s very common for men to feel self-conscious about balding, or to perceive that this has a dramatic impact on their appearance – but the outcomes of that aren’t to be underestimated.
Patients who find that hair loss is having a real effect on their self-esteem are always encouraged to consult a hair restoration practitioner who can offer trusted, genuine advice, whether or not they decide that a hair transplant is a route they wish to take.’
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Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Can I Style My Hair to Hide Balding?
This depends on the extent and location of hair loss, and how long your existing growth is – you might be able to conceal balding for months or years without anyone noticing.
Can Hair Styles Disguise Hair Loss Long Term?
No, unless you have a temporary cause of hair loss, continued balding will likely become more pronounced, and there will come a time when styling can’t hide the fact that your hair is becoming thinner or bald spots are developing.
How Long Can I Style My Hair to Hide Balding?
This depends on the extent and location of hair loss, and how long your existing growth is – you might be able to conceal balding for months or years without anyone noticing.
Can Hair Styles Disguise Hair Loss Long Term?
No, unless you have a temporary cause of hair loss, continued balding will likely become more pronounced, and there will come a time when styling can’t hide the fact that your hair is becoming thinner or bald spots are developing.
