Haircuts And Expert Styling Advice For Men With Thin Hair

The sad truth is that thin hair can do the most terrible things to a man’s confidence. Even the best-dressed, or the fittest of them all will feel the fear creep in as their much-loved hair slowly departs. The even sadder truth is that most of us will face thinning at some point as we age…

That’s why it’s well worth thinking about what kind of hairstyles might look good with thin hair and how best to look after fine or thinning hair well ahead of time. Lucky for you, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide backed by expert advice.

On top of that, we’ve also pulled together some of our favourite looks rolled out by the best-looking male celebs there are so that you can rock up to the barber with the perfect picture to show them and — even better — some pointers on how to help them get you there…

What To Ask Your Barber

As with any haircut, the best thing you can do is walk into your barber’s armed with images of what you want your hair to look like once it’s grown out. If you provide a visual reference your barber can help get you there. We’ve rounded some of the most popular long hairstyles for men, with an extended gallery at the bottom of the page.

Beyond this, the best thing you can do is ask for their advice. They’ll likely have years of experience matching the right haircut to the right man, and the same goes for those with thin hair too. Ask them what kind of cut they think would suit your face shape and go from there.

The most important part of this conversation is to be honest and open about your thinning hair but not let it become the cornerstone of your conversation. You are not your thin hair and should not be defined by it. Use it to your advantage and get the killer trim you deserve.

How Long Should My Thin Hair Be?

Ultimately, there’s no style or length to avoid per se. If you come out of the barbershop feeling like things don’t look quite right, that’s on your hairdresser, not your hair. However, there are a few things worth pointing out to make the choice a little easier…

However, there’s no denying that long hair is a hard thing for men with thin hair to pull off. Not only might you struggle to grow it in the first place, but if you can squeeze out the required length it can risk looking lank and unhealthy.

Fear not though: when it comes to short, medium, taper fade or curly cuts, the world is your oyster. You have literally thousands of options to choose from and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Just be ready to do the research and pick your favourite options. Tip: Scroll down.

Can I Make My Thin Hair Thicker?

You may think that your journey towards thinner hair is a largely irreversible one and, unless you’ve got the requisite funds to take a trip to Turkey for an appointment with Wayne Rooney’s doctor, you might just be right.

Or… you may not. As the science rapidly progresses, at-home options for battling thin hair are flooding the market. We recommend Forterro Shampoo which we reviewed in full earlier this year. Other products worth a go include Patricks Anti Hairloss Shampoo & Conditioner, Kérastase Densifique Homme Bodifying Shampoo for Men, and Baxter of California Daily Fortifying Shampoo.

Other than that, the best thing you can do is maintain a healthier lifestyle across the board. Lots of exercise and movement alongside a healthy balanced diet, good sleep, and a well-maintained supplements regime will give you the best possible chance of winning back some wig.

What The Experts Say

We asked Adam Walmsley, a hairdresser and salon owner with over 20 years of experience cutting men’s hair, all about thin hair for men:

When it comes to maintaining and styling thin hair:

• Understand this when it comes to shampoo: they are there a cleanser and their detergent is going to strip away natural oils. While this will be beneficial for people with fine hair because the oils in the hair naturally make the hair want to sit close to the head, you’ve got to be careful not to go for anything too severe. A good way you can counterbalance that with some conditioner.
• Over the day, a wax or strong clay will weigh the hair down and take the volume out so, counterintuitively, you want to use lighter products. Volumizing mooses and sea salt sprays will generate hold and a foundation that allows defining products to grab onto and set the hair in place.
• Alternatively, you could try an even lighter powdered wax or powdered wax sprays. A light spreading or a sprinkling of these across the hair will give it great definition and can be revitalised with a little handiwork throughout the day.

Our Curated List Of The Best Thin Hair Hairstyles

The Thin Down

While you can spend loads on hair volumising products and anti-hair loss pills, there actually are tried and tested hairstyles for men with thin hair, which will make your hair look normal, luscious even, and it’s all in the way it’s cut. But first, here are some things to stop doing if your hair is thinning. First up, accept it.

“Understand that balding happens to 80% of men,” says Jules Tognini, senior stylist at Togninis and Philips Shaving and Grooming ambassador.

And as for prevention? “My number one tip is don’t wash hair too often”, adds Jules. “A lot of hair products are filled with substances that can strip moisture in your hair and cause hair damage. Smoking is also another cause of hair loss. In fact, I believe 65% of men that smoke have a greater risk of hair loss.”

So, putting the thick back into thin hair again, here are the best hairstyles for men with thin hair, and you don’t have to shave it all off to get there, Bruce Willis.

Swept Back Pompadour

Starting to develop a monk-like bald patch at the crown of your head? Go for the swept back pompadour. “Flip your hair back,” says Jules. “With this style try keeping your fringe long.”

This creates height at the front and sees the hair sweep back towards the crown of the head. The visual trick is using the longer hair at the front to sweep over the thinning area at the back.

Best for: men who are thinning at the crown or back of the head.

How to get it: Product and styling adds volume to this look. Use a hair dryer to help guide your hair into place, especially if you’ve got an awkward hairline. Plus, the air builds height that makes hair appear fuller.

“Then use a generous amount of a styling paste to control the style and keep your bare spots secret. My tip is to avoid a wax and use a dry product instead, as greasy hair can make your balding spot look worse,” adds Jules.

Short & Textured Hair

Short and textured or messy, is another hairstyle for men with thin hair. The dishevelled nature makes it look like you have more hair on top, due to the extra volume. “The shortness will make your hair feel thicker,” adds Jules. “Sometimes if you try too hard to cover your balding spot it can make it look worse.”

Best for: men who have front head baldness, beyond a receding hairline.

How to get it: Use a texturising product like water-based pomade, rubbing a dab of product between palms, before working through the hair with fingers, messily of course, and you’re done. If you’ve got straight hair, then try spiking it a little, but go easy on the product, and avoid looking like a porcupine.

Fringe Or Parted Hair

Inspired by the Don Draper do, grow your hair longer on top and keep the sides and back short. The whole idea is to wear your hair forward.

“Any haircut that consists of hair swept forward or to the sides work perfectly well for men with thinning hair,” says Jules.

Best for: a receding hairline, and men seeking a more refined option with their thin hair.

How to get it:  Use a lightweight, medium hold product that won’t weight hair down, like a matte-finish, water-based pomade. Oil-based ones are, yes, oily looking, and are hard to wash out.

RELATED: Best Slicked Back Hairstyles For Men

Fade Hairstyles

An undercut and/or fade makes hair on top look more prominent and thicker, thanks to the contrasting short sides and back, so it’s perfect for gents starting to thin.

Best for: men who have still have some hair at the front, and who’s job means they can indulge in a more fashion-y hairstyle.

How to get it: grow your hair to a medium length on top and comb it across to the opposite side for maximum fullness. Add some volumising powder at the roots to add thickness and fullness making the hair follicles sit up near the scalp.

Ultimate Thin Hair Sin

As tempting as it is, there is one major thin hair sin to avoid. “Don’t do the comb over,” says Jules. “This is when the hair is grown long and combed over the bald area to minimise the evidence, obviously.”

And, think quick. As soon as you notice that you are balding, take action to prevent it from getting worse.

“For instance, try switching shampoos to an organic product that makes your hair look thicker,” concludes Jules.