Hairstyles for Men With Thin Hair

Hairstyles for men with thin hair present a challenge, but the bigger dilemma is how to keep thinning hair from negatively affecting your self-image. To keep feeling like yourself, even as your hairline changes, you need not only a hairstyle that works for you, but also to understand that thinning hair doesn't mean you can't look vibrant and youthful.

Identification

The first--and too often, the last--refuge sought by men with thinning hair is the comb-over. If you spray your hair in place to disguise thin spots, or check your hair frequently to be sure your scalp is not showing, you're in danger of falling prey to the insidious comb-over. Though you may not realize it, worrying about your hair is socially inhibiting. And unfortunately, even the best comb-over efforts are futile: People are generally not fooled by an elaborate arrangement of thinning strands. Ultimately, if you face your thin-hair problem head-on, you'll look more youthful.

Prevention/Solution

Many times, a visible scalp is not the real villain in the saga of thin hair. The true culprit is the fact that your disappearing hair makes makes your face look different. Your hero in this case is a professional hairstylist. Seek out a stylist who will be honest with you about which styles complement the shape of your face and head, and which do not. If you aren't comfortable asking other men for hairstylist leads, ask women instead.

Function

If your hair is just beginning to thin, close-cut styles will add fullness, since shorter hair is not weighed down by its own length. Use hairstyling products formulated to add volume to fine or thin hair. Avoid moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. Also, more product does not produce more volume. Instead, it makes hairs clump together and weighs hair down. So use a minimal amount of styling gel, mousse or spray.

Effects

When you have patches that are completely bald, especially on the back of the head, choose a hairstyle that minimizes contrast between your hair and your scalp. The buzz cut and crew cut, and their contemporary variations, are ideal. Though they allow a little scalp to show through, this creates continuity, and an illusion of denser hair growth over the entire head. Also, lighter hair color de-emphasizes the contrast between hair and scalp. So if you've got some gray, consider keeping it.

Considerations

If your thin hair seems beyond redemption, think about going completely bald. Baldness does not signal that you're over the hill or out of the game. Bald is hot, and not just for today. The smooth-scalp look has been turning women's heads since before Yul Brynner. Michael Jordon, Bruce Willis, Damon Wayans, Samuel L. Jackson, Andre Agassi and too many others to name continue the talented, athletic, successful, macho, sexy and bald tradition.

Resources

• Men's Health: Into Thin Hair
• I'm Too Sexy for My Hair: Bald R Us Hall of Fame