Thin Hairstyles For Men

Do you have thin or thinning hair and want to know the best men’s hairstyles for your hair type?

Well, you’re not alone. Having a receding hairline or thin hair is fairly common so there are tons of guys out there all looking to get the best hairstyles for thin hair.

Whether it’s a messy hairstyle that’s low effort or a wavy forward hairstyle that has some more shape and pattern to it, we have you covered in this article.

We’re going to list some of the most popular men’s hairstyles for guys with thinner hair. We’ll also cover some tips and tricks on managing thin hair.

What You Should Know About Thin Hair

First thing’s first, thin and thinning hair are not the same thing.

Thin or Fine Hair – This refers to the diameter of the hair follicles in which they are much thinner than those with thicker hair so the follicle itself has a thinner diameter which makes it seem like there is less hair on your head sometimes leaving patches when thin hair is cut shorter.

Thinning, Balding, or Hair Loss – This refers to the hair density or the concentration of follicles on your head. This means that it’s possible to have both thick hair and thinning hair. Alternatively, you can have a great density of thin/fine hair.

The key thing to remember is that you may have thin hair but it doesn’t mean you have thinning hair.

Barber

It’s important to let your barber know how you want your hair to be cut. If you’re going for a particular style then you may need your hair cut in a specific way. If you already have thin hair then you may want to ask your barber to steer clear of using thinning scissors, while these can add layers and more natural hair texture, they (as the name suggests) thin out your hair which can leave parts of your scalp visible when it comes to styling your hair.

Hair Products

If you have thin hair then using the right hair products is going to make all the difference when it comes to styling the best haircuts for your hair. It’s all too easy to misuse products and end up with stiff, brittle hair that also buckles after just 20 minutes and loses its shape.

The primary rule to consider – and you’ve probably heard it before – is to use only a small amount of product. Even using the recommended amount of some products can be too much and weigh your hair down.

Since your hair type is unique with very few having hair like you, you’ll need to try a bunch of different products and see what works for you. If you’re using the wrong type of product, your hair can look even thinner or you may cause long-lasting damage to the follicles if you use the wrong product too often.

The search for the right products can take some time and may end up costing you a lot but it’s worth the search because when you find the right product, you’ll never look back.

For some recommendations, check out our buyer’s guide on the best men’s hair styling products for thin hair.

Here’s a list of hair products and what kind of situation they’re best suited to:

Wax

You’ll want to use this if you have longer, curly, or wavy hair. Wax can be greasy and has thick viscosity but provides a solid hold. Wax will give you a high shine and a strong hold providing a wet but sleek look.

Pomade

Use this one if you have sense, coarse hair. Styling pomade has a matte finish and tends to be more clay-based giving you a drier, lived-in texture. I’d recommend using pomade for short to medium styles. It will help you achieve a low to a high shine with a firm hold.

Hairspray

Hair spray can be used with any hair type but should be considered as more of an afterthought and should be used as a finishing touch to keep everything where it should be. It will give a medium to a high shine, as well as a medium to strong hold.

Balm

This one is ideal for fine hair. Balm doesn’t have much weight to it and should be used to achieve a natural look. it will give you a medium shine and low to medium hold.

Paste

Hair paste is best used on medium to thick hair. It’s like a heavier cream with a decent amount of viscosity and tack. You’ll want to pick this if you’re seeking a finished but natural look for short- to medium-length haircuts. It provides medium shine and medium hold.

Cream

This is the one to go for if you have wavy or curly hair with some body. It’s especially effective for curly hair as it can set the curl without it getting frizzy giving a more finished look. Once applied you’ll have a light, low-shine, natural-looking hold.

Sea Salt Spray

This isn’t a commonly used product but you may want to try it if you have finer, long, or thick hair. It’s great at adding texture and giving dimension as well as more volume without looking too over the top.

Pompadour with Undercut

You may have heard of the pompadour but this lighter take on the classic cut works great with thin hair. All you need is a fade on the sides and back which makes the pomp the highlight of the style. It’s simple and sophisticated, perfect for any kind of guy.

Stylish Side Swept

Messy yet stylish is the best way to describe this one. It’s a fun cut that can be tamed or let loose so you can easily adapt it depending on how much time and effort you want to put into it. Hairstyles for men with thin hair usually focus on layering, but this style creates a fringe to offset the hair’s thinness. This style adds depth which is great for thin hair.

Ivy League Haircut

If you’re a fan of the smart, short Ivy League look rocked by celebs like Ryan Gosling with his thin blonde hair, then you may like this trim. Cut close to the head, the style looks full, and the skin fade on the sides helps the hair on top stand out. This one is great because you don’t need longer hair or overpriced styling products to rock it.

Grown Out With Beard

Actors like Matthew McConaughey wear their slightly receding hairline with pride and have shown guys all over that you can still look good with one. Simply slap on a bit of product to slick back the top while keeping the ends and the beard full. Brushing out products like hairspray stops them from looking too rigid while still upholding some form of style. he says. Having looser, slightly messy hairstyles can look leaps and bounds better than styles with more order and refinement to them.

Buzz Cut

For thinning hair, a buzz cut with clippers using a number two blade all over is a great call and saves you all the hassle of expertly managing every strand into the perfect style. Plus, adding a beard to the look proves for a rugged and masculine look. This is a good option for a man with thinning hair and those who can grow great facial hair. Check out our article on how to shave your head.

Skin Fade

The skin fade has become increasingly popular in recent years and they make a great addition to many other hairstyles. You’ll want long, full hair on top and fade on the sides to highlight the style you adopt on top. If you want an extra bit of style, ask your barber to shave in a hard part too. If you want help with getting the fade then take a look at our article on how to cut your own hair with clippers: fade. Here are the three fade types:

Low Fade

One of the best things about fade haircuts is that they can easily be tailored to suit your tastes meaning there’s room to experiment which is always fin when styling your hair. For example, if you want a look that’s understated yet still utterly stylish, the low fade haircut makes an excellent choice.

Mid Skin Fade

For a standard fade look, we’d say to go for a mid-fade cut. Transitioning from long to short around the temples, this haircut appears stylish and smart.

High Fade

Featuring sides that quickly taper from long to short, the high fade is a striking and stylish look. This is probably the most difficult of the three as doing it wrong will be very noticeable and hard to amend so seek a barber’s help.

Hair Growth and Thinning Hair

Thinning hair is a result of hair growth is slowed or halted. Below are the stages of hair growth and how certain factors can affect it, leading to thinning hair.

Stages of Hair Growth

1. Anagen – Every hair root contains cells of protein and as blood circulates around the body, it delivers oxygen and nutrients to these protein cells, which is required for them to multiply. As the protein cells multiply, they build new hair, which pushes up through the skin.
2. Catagen – As this new hair grows out of the skin, it passes an oil gland that lubricates the hair with natural oils that it needs to stay soft.
3. Telogen – There’s a resting phase after this in which hair will sit for a while.
4. Exogen – The hair is already dead once it’s long enough to push through the skin. As new hair grows underneath, it pushes the dead hair out of the skin which is what causes hairs to fall out and shed

Factors Affecting Hair Growth

Age – Hair grows fastest between the ages of 15 and 30 but slows down after this. Some follicles stop working altogether as people get older which is what leads to hair loss and receding hairlines.

Genetics – A person’s genes will dictate how quickly their hair will grow which is why things such as male pattern baldness, thinning hair, and being hairy can run in families.

Nutrition – Good nutrition is essential for the growth and maintenance of healthy hair.

Sex – Male hair grows faster than female hair and in more areas of the body.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does thin hair mean balding?

Unlike widespread hair loss, thinning hair doesn’t necessarily cause baldness. It does, however, give the appearance of sparser spots of hair on your head. Thinning hair typically happens gradually, which means you have time to pinpoint the causes and figure out the best treatment measures.

Should I cut my hair if it’s thinning?

You may not think it but with thinning hair, it’s important to make sure you get your hair cut regularly as thinning hair can get out of shape more quickly, making it look more explicit in its appearance or lack of.

Can thin hair become thick again?

Whilst thinning hair caused by Male Pattern Baldness will not ‘get thicker’ again, at least on its own. Normal hair growth can resume without intervention so the hair should return to its previous density within approximately six months.

How often should you wash fine hair?

You should shampoo at least three to four times a week, while only using conditioner once to twice a week. Try not to rub too much on your scalp while doing this too, instead, focus on the ends of the strands rather than the roots.

What does thinning hair look like?

One sign of thinning hair is the way it starts to fall out, specifically if it is starting to fall out in clumps. you may notice that as you run your fingers through your hair, clumps, instead of strands, are coming out. Additionally, you may notice this in the shower or when you brush your hair.