Finding a flattering hairstyle for a receding hairline isn’t easy. But lots of hairstyles can work with temple hair loss — it’s all about choosing the right style based on how much hair you have left, your face shape, and the hairstyle you actually want.
Lots of people fear going bald. A YouGov survey found that 33% of men are “terrified” of losing their hair, rising to 55% of 18-34 year olds [1]. If you’re one of them (but you’re not yet ready to take the plunge and get a hair transplant) this article is for you.
From buzzcuts to bleach, short styles to longer looks, here are the top 23 hairstyles for receding hairlines (and four haircuts to avoid if you’re thinning at the temples).
Before you commit to a hairstyle overhaul, decide whether now’s the right time to take steps to stop your receding hairline getting worse. Plenty of treatments are proven to stop and even reverse balding without anyone knowing you’re using hair growth treatments. Even lifestyle changes can help. Here’s what you can do to stop a receding hairline:
Tired of trying to achieve the perfect combover every morning? Here are 23 of the best hairstyles for a male receding hairline, along with pro styling tips, advice from hair loss specialists, and the grooming products you need to achieve these looks.
A high fade helps your hairline blend into the rest of your hair, making any recession and temple hair loss less noticeable. Bald or skin fades achieve the best blend.
Reduce the appearance of a receding hairline at the top of the fade by applying Minoxidil on a daily basis. This works especially well for men in the early stages of hair loss, and can stop you losing any further hair.
What our hair loss specialist says:
“High fades and skin fades work well with a bit of hair loss round the hairline, as they’re designed to blend the hairline into the cut. But if you’re really losing a lot of hair through the temples, slick your hair forward rather than back to avoid exposing too much skin.”
Brushing your hair forward is a surefire way to hide thinning hair at your temples. It works best if you still have good density across your mid-scalp, but most men with early to mid-stage hair loss can wear this look well.
“Texturising your hair with salt spray or wax then brushing it forward is maybe the easiest way to hide a receding hairline. Naturally you need enough hair through the mid-scalp to do this, but if you can, this is a style that looks great on men of all ages.”
Men with naturally curly hair may find that mid-length hairstyles effectively hide their receding hairline. The curls fall around the face, disguising any thinning.
This style may not work as well for men with naturally straight or fine hair, as you won’t get as much natural coverage. Heat-free curlers can create this look artificially, but this is a high-maintenance option that requires a good bit of prep time each day.
“Tousled hair always looks good, even if you’re losing hair round your hairline. Adding volume with a cool hairdryer, salt spray, or light wax can help you hide hair loss along the temples. Just don’t let your hair get too long, as too much weight will drag it down and you’ll lose the volume you need to disguise thinning.”
Sometimes seen as a last resort, a buzzcut is actually a really strong look in itself (as many bald celebrities can attest — Dwayne Johnson, we’re looking at you). It’s also really easy to maintain at home. Experiment with different buzzcuts for a receding hairline to find the one that best suits you.
“Lots of men ultimately decide trying to hide their hairline is too much hassle. In these cases, a buzzcut is probably your best option (short of getting a hair transplant). It can take some getting used to, but a buzzcut is a rugged, masculine look that actually suits most men.”
A quiff is a bold look that can distract from any thinning or recession around your hairline. Men with more pronounced balding may prefer a softer quiff (left), while those with lighter hair loss through the temples can opt for a taller, bolder style (right).
“A quiff might feel counterintuitive, since you don’t want to reveal too much of your hairline. But it’s actually a pretty versatile haircut that can work even in more advanced stages of hair loss, as long as you have decent density across the rest of the scalp.”
A fringe is the ideal hairstyle for a receding hairline. It works with curly or straight hair textures, and hides any hair loss around your temples.
That said, you do need reasonably thick hair through the mid-scalp for a fringe to work. If you don’t have tons of density, opt for side-swept, airy, or curtain bangs rather than a blunt fringe.
“A fringe gives you loads of styling options even if you’re going bald, which is why they’re so popular. You can leave it floppy over your eyes, brush it up into a quiff, or sweep it sideways across your forehead. With a receding hairline, your options become a bit more limited, but a good stylist can cut in a great fringe that fits your needs.”
The beard trend isn’t going anywhere, and it’s a great way to detract from hair loss on your head. Experiment with different beard styles and hair lengths to find what suits you — some men prefer a shaggier style with tousled hair and a long beard, while others opt for a neat bald bearded look.
Pro tip: If your beard is patchy or thin, Minoxidil can help stimulate beard growth.
“A little known fact about beards: the hormone that causes male pattern baldness actually helps with beard growth. So even if your hairline is receding, you might be able to grow a fantastic beard. And if you’re considering hair growth therapies, steer clear of Finasteride, which can hinder beard growth — instead, try PRP hair treatment or Minoxidil.”
Hairpieces have come a long way since the classic toupée. Modern hair systems can look indistinguishable from your natural hair, helping you achieve any style you want.
Wigs do need a lot of upkeep: you’ll need to wash them carefully and replace them semi-often for hygiene and aesthetic reasons. So choosing a hair system can be expensive and inconvenient. For this reason, many men instead look to hair transplants for permanent, hassle-free hair restoration.
“Hair systems and wigs for men have become far more natural-looking in recent years, so it’s clear why they’re experiencing a resurgence. The only downsides are you can’t wear them in every situation (for example, swimming and exercise), they’re not permanent, and they do need a lot of maintenance. But if you’re happy to commit to this, investing in a good hair system can give you far more styling options.”
A mini pompadour is a great haircut for a receding hairline in men with light temple hair loss and substantial density through the mid-scalp and crown. Volume and lift detracts from frontal balding (and a dapper outfit will do the rest).
“Pompadours are popular right now, but they’re probably not a style for the ages. If you like this look, make the most of it while your hair is still relatively full. When your hair starts to thin, consider transitioning to a regulation cut or brushed up quiff to avoid the potential combover effect.”
The side-swept regulation cut is a modern favourite. It’s easy to style on a daily basis, and looks great with or without a beard. You’ll need good hair density across your mid-scalp to wear this look well.
“The regulation cut is a fuss-free hairstyle that works for even more advanced receding hairlines. The more your hairline is receding, the shorter your hair should be. Long hair with advanced recession highlights the contrast between the thin and thick areas of your hair.”
Having Afro-textured hair gives you the option to cut in a new hairline altogether. Shaving your hairline back a few extra millimetres can make any recession almost unnoticeable.
Adjusting your hairline then gives you tons more styling options. Buzz your hair for a low-maintenance look, or opt for a scissor fade to leave more length through the back and sides of your hair.
“Cutting in a new, higher hairline is an easy way to deal with a receding hairline. But we would recommend leaving it to a professional barber rather than doing it yourself — it’s hard to get a straight and natural DIY hairline. Mistakes will likely mean razing your hairline back shorter than you intended.”
Shaving down the sides of your hair with a stylish undercut can disguise your receding hairline, while a thick, tousled crop on top is the ideal distraction. You’ll need good coverage across the crown and mid-scalp to pull off this look.
“Mohawks aren’t for everyone, but if they suit your style they can work really well if your hairline is receding. They’re bold, dramatic, and a great way to divert the eye from any balding round your forehead. Plus you can make it totally your own by playing with different lengths, textures, and undercuts.”
The high and tight (sometimes known as a military cut) is a simple, classic style. As it’s a very short haircut, you don’t have many daily styling options, but a careful cut from a skilled barber can disguise a receding hairline. Plus, this shorter cut can be a good segue from long or mid-length hair to a buzzcut.
“We often see this haircut in men who are on the cusp of buzzing off their hair, but are seeking some last-ditch solutions for their hair loss. Luckily, we can almost always help them regrow their hair with noninvasive procedures like PRP and low-level laser therapy. But the high and tight is a solid style for anyone in the process of a regrowth treatment.”
Slicked back styles are popular right now. They look particularly good on men with a widow’s peak, but can also suit those with light or limited hair loss through the temples. Men with more hair loss on one side can also benefit from a side-parted slicked back hairstyle.
“We see lots of men who want to achieve this style, and it’s not off the table if you have a slightly receding hairline. It doesn’t always work for more advanced balding, though. Use proven treatments to stop any further hair loss and make sure you can maintain your slicked back hairstyle.”
Bleaching your hair is a bold move, but it will detract from your hairline. If you have a lighter skin tone, it can also make your hair appear less visible. On the flip side, this hairstyle will stand out more against darker skin tones.
“More men are using bleach these days, which is part and parcel of the trend towards experimentation in male grooming. It has its place, but anyone considering bleach should know it can do real damage to your hair, especially if you leave it on too long, don’t patch test, or combine it with chemical hair treatments.”
The Caesar cut or French crop is ideal for those seeking a simple, fuss-free look to hide slight hairline recession. A classic Caesar has a very short fringe (think Mark Zuckerberg) but it’s more modern and elegant to grow the fringe a little longer — this is ideal for those with receding hairlines, too.
“A French crop is a clever way to get a hairstyle that’s both on-trend and good for hiding thinning. Traditionally these cuts use a light fade, but a sharper undercut can give you a more modern look. Either way, this hairstyle works for even more advanced hairline thinning.”
This daring style brings out your warrior spirit and completely detracts from the shape of your hairline. It is rugged, dynamic and particularly impressive when worn with a full beard. Accessorise your undercut with beads and braids, or keep it simple.
The best part of this style is that it’s possible with many types of frontal and crown thinning as long as you have good length through the mid-scalp. If you have thin hair across the scalp these hairstyles may help.
“I’ve seen many men opt for a Viking-style cut when they start losing their hair, especially if they’ve worn their hair long for years. It’s a unique style that’s not for everyone, but really works on certain people.”
Halfway between a mullet and a Beatles-style mop top, the wolf cut is a unique hairstyle for those seeking an alternative haircut for a receding hairline. Style it with a centre parting and curtain bangs to effectively mask an uneven hairline or temple hair loss.
“The wolf cut is popular in many Asian countries, and is starting to gain ground in Europe too, particularly among younger men. It’s a bit of a throwback look, but the choppy styling means you can experiment with different cuts and textures until you achieve the look you want.”
The crew cut is a timeless hairstyle — neat, tidy, and easy to maintain, it’s no wonder it’s been a classic for decades. To make it suitable for a receding hairline, ask your barber to leave a little more length on top. This will allow you to brush or style the hair over the temples, hiding any excessive recession.
“Traditional crew cuts aren’t great if you have a receding hairline, as the hair is too short to disguise much of your hair loss. But a longer crew cut can definitely work — you just might need to spend a few extra minutes styling it in the morning, rather than heading straight out the door.”
Not ready to commit to a mohawk? Stylish, alternative, and rebellious, a faux hawk could be the answer. This style can cover up any frontal recession, while drawing attention away from the hairline towards the volume along the top. Keep the sides long for more styling options, or shave them down for an edgier look.
“Faux hawks are very popular with men in the early days of hair loss. They can hide light thinning virtually anywhere on the scalp, as long as you still have decent density and length to play with. It’s a statement hairstyle that’s guaranteed to catch people’s attention.”
Undercuts are on-trend right now, especially among younger men with an alternative style. Shaving half your head and combing over the remaining mid-length hair will give you a daring, rebellious look. This is also a great transitional option if you’ve traditionally worn longer hair and you want to move to a shorter cut due to your receding hairline.
“This cut isn’t your everyman look, but it can suit men with a certain style. The key is to maintain healthy hair so it looks glossy and thick, detracting from your hairline on one side and concealing it on the other. Use a good conditioner and avoid too much heat styling to keep your hair healthy.”
A mid-length cut with a centre parting and a curtain fringe can soften your look and fully cover your temples. This works best with textured, layered, or messy hair. If you’re concerned this style is too delicate, balance your longer scalp hair with a beard or stubble.
“Side partings tend to be favoured over centre partings when you’re receding. But in this case, the fringe helps to mask recession, so you can get away with a more balanced hair part. Just be aware that a light breeze could expose some of that frontal thinning.”
Many men look distinguished without trying to hide their receding hairline. Embrace the recession with an unfussy trim similar to Jude Law.
“It can be comforting to know that lots of men — Jude Law, Marlon Brando, Will Arnett, to name a few — carry off a receding hairline without any special styling. But it’s also very normal to have a negative reaction to losing your hair and want to do something about it. ”
Here are four no-go hairstyles for men with a receding hairline.
The combover isn’t seen much these days, and for good reason. If your hair is thinning along your hairline or mid-scalp, a combover can make it much more obvious.
That’s why slicked back and side-swept styles require good density across the scalp, even if you have hair loss around your temples.
“Avoid the combover at all costs. End of story. If your hair is so thin that a combover feels like your only option, you’re best off buzzing off your hair, or speaking to a hair transplant surgeon to discover your hair restoration options.”
High pompadour styles are on-trend, but they draw a lot of attention to the hairline — especially if it’s receding. You need a lot of hair for this style, so those with thinner frontal coverage may find a pompadour hard to pull off.
“Mini pompadours work well if you have minimal recession, but larger pompadours just attract attention to the hair loss round your forehead. Steer clear of dramatic bouffant pompadours if you have a receding hairline.”
Man buns and tight updos can tug at the hair follicles and damage them. So if you want to make your existing hair last as long as possible, treat your follicles with care and avoid tying your hair back too tightly.
“Tight hairstyles cause traction alopecia, which makes your hairline recede more quickly. If you want to wear your hair in a ponytail or bun, tie it loosely and let your hair down when you get home.”
Dreadlocks put repeated stress and strain on the hair follicles, causing further hair loss. The longer and heavier your hair, the more your follicles are likely to be affected. This can impact hair across the scalp, not just at the hairline.
“Dreadlocks, braids, and other protective styles for textured hair are major causes of traction alopecia. Try styles that are tied to the hair shaft rather than the root to minimise the tension on your follicles and reduce the risk of hair loss.”
Here are some helpful tips about what to do and what to avoid in order to achieve the best results when styling your haircut for a receding hairline.
Choosing the right hairstyle for your receding hairline is important if you’re self-conscious about your temple hair loss. But in addition to medical therapies that stop hair loss and even promote regrowth, you can mask your frontal hair thinning with these options:
Tired of hiding your hairline behind careful styling? At the Wimpole Clinic, we specialise in helping men of all ages tackle their receding hairline. Our trichology team can prescribe a variety of on- and off-label treatments for hair loss, from first-line therapies like Finasteride to surgical interventions like FUE and FUT transplants.
Book a free consultation with our team for a friendly, no-obligation conversation about how we can help with your hair loss.
Not ready to book just yet? Find out more about the difference between FUE vs FUT hair transplantation and how each type of surgery can transform your hairline.
Seeing all these hairstyles for a receding hairline may have inspired you, but it may have also left you with some unanswered questions. You might find the insight you need by reading the answers to these frequently asked questions:
You can wear any hairstyle that makes you feel comfortable, even if your hairline is no longer what it used to be. However, while there are many good options for short and medium hair, not many long haircuts go well with frontal thinning.
Something about the abundance of the long strands makes the scarcity of your temple and hairline area stand out. If you must wear long hair, you may want to try a side-swept or asymmetrical style.
If your male pattern baldness is left untreated, your hairline will likely recede further, and you may also develop a bald spot on the crown. This means you may need to change your hairstyle again and have fewer options to choose from.
However, seeing a hair doctor and following their recommendations can help curb your hair loss and even achieve regrowth.
While you are free to curl your hair if you are so inclined, choosing a style that compliments your natural hair texture is best. It is easier to maintain and has a more natural look.
A layered haircut can give you additional texture if your hair feels too straight. However, if you do choose to curl your hair, it is a good idea to use a heat-free technique, as heat-damaged hair can be difficult to fix.
In many cases, a well-trimmed and carefully groomed beard will indeed help balance your look and draw attention away from your hairline. However, there is no general rule to this.
If you enjoy wearing facial hair and are able to grow a beard, then you can, by all means, give it a try. Any style from stubble to a Garibaldi may work, as long as it fits the shape of your face and the haircut you have chosen.
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