It's that moment when you look in the mirror and say, Yep, I have thinning hair on top. But don't fret. Balding doesn't mean you're out of style.
In fact, with the right haircut, you can turn that thinning crown into a new, bold style of confidence.
Are you ready to embrace a sleek look, or want to manage what you've got left? You've come to the right place. From buzz cuts and short caesars to slicked-back fade haircuts for balding men, we've got you covered.
The 11 Best Hairstyles for Men Balding on Top: Styling Solutions for Thinning Hair
#1 Shave It All Off
Hiding thinning hair or your receding hairline may be the first thing you think about when you notice that balding crown in the mirror. Why not shave it all off instead?
If your hair loss is caused by male pattern baldness, like many of us, you're not alone. Welcome to the club!
Our club is growing daily, and there's no stopping it since 53% of males have male pattern baldness at ages 40 to 49. There's also no cure for pattern hair loss, so it's better not to waste your time and money on hair growth solutions.
Bald is always better than balding. Shaving your head turns back the clock and makes you look 5 to 10 years younger. On the flip side, bald on top with thick hair on the sides makes you look old and untidy. Here's a before and "after" of George Costanza to prove what we're saying.
Need more proof?
This study shows that bald men are seen as taller, more dominant, and more confident.
Maintenance Tips
Shave regularly to maintain a clean look
Use a high-quality razor or electric shaver for a smooth and comfortable shave
Moisturize after every shave and exfoliate regularly
Styling Advice
Wear the latest bald fashion clothes and shoes to accentuate your style
Add a stylish hat for a new look and sun protection and also to keep your bald head warm
Wearing glasses or sunglasses are good fashion pieces
Ready to shave?
You can go to your favorite barber or DIY. If you choose to shave at home, you need the best tool for the job: Freebird's FlexSeries Pro.
It's an upgrade to the best-selling FlexSeries classic, which has sold over a million units.
The Pro has upgrades like:
A travel lock
Quieter, adaptive motor (adjusts power depending on hair thickness)
A longer 90-minute battery
IPX7 waterproofing
Enhanced convex four-blade system with dynamic floating foils
Two-part blade system for easier cleaning
Larger hair collection chamber
Anti-slip coating and rubber grips
Three-level LED battery indicator
You'll also get free attachments worth $60:
Upgraded Precision Clipper
3, 5, 7mm Safety Guards
Advanced Nose & Ear Trimmer
Micro Cleaning Brush
Freebird offers free shipping, a 30-day shave trial, and a lifetime warranty.
#2 Shaved with a Beard
A shaved head paired with a beard is a bold, confident look that exudes masculinity. Without hair on top, you remove the contrast between thinning hair and baldness, creating a neat and smooth dome.
Adding a beard to the equation creates character and draws attention away from your receding hairline, balancing the overall look. Maintaining a smooth dome and a well-groomed beard is crucial to this look.
The Freebird BeardSeries Trimmer is an excellent tool to add to your arsenal if you plan to sport the bald and bearded look. You can use one tool to shave your head and groom your beard instead of two.
It has a powerful 5,200 RPM motor, sharp stainless steel blades, a 60-minute battery life, and a travel lock for grooming on the road.
Maintenance Tips
Trim your beard regularly for a polished appearance
Use beard oil to keep your beard soft and well-groomed
Shave your bald head every few days to maintain a clean-shaven head
Moisturize and exfoliate your head regularly.
Use a good razor, electric shaver, clipper, or trimmer for maintenance work on your balding areas and thick beard
Styling Advice
Consider the length of your beard. A longer beard or full beard can create balance to a shaved head but can make you look older
For more beard styles, click the link to read our comprehensive guide.
#3 The Buzz Cut
The Buzz Cut is a classic haircut that works exceptionally well for men with thinning hair, moderate hair loss, and a receding hairline. Jason Statham rocks this look, and it's no surprise why.
It's easy to maintain and looks neat, making it perfect for those who want a no-fuss approach to grooming. A buzz cut is also a good "transition hairstyle" for those who want to shave it clean but still doubt whether shaving will look good on them.
Maintenance Tips
Aim for a trim every 2 to 4 weeks to keep your buzz cut looking neat
Moisturize your scalp regularly, especially if you experience dryness
Styling Advice
A buzz cut is low maintenance, but if you want to add some shine, use hair oil or a light pomade
Try out different guard lengths to see what hair length looks good on you
#4 Crew Cut
The Crew Cut is another fantastic option for men experiencing thinning hair and a receding hairline. You'll have slightly longer hair on top than a buzz cut. It frames the face nicely with some texture and volume in front. Sides can be tapered or faded for that polished and versatile haircut for casual and professional settings.
Maintenance Tips
Frequent trims (every one to two weeks) are needed to keep the shape of your crew cut and prevent split ends
Use a mild shampoo and conditioner to keep hair healthy without stripping of natural oils
Take hair vitamins and supplements for healthier hair
Styling Advice
Use a small amount of pomade or wax to add texture
For added lift, blow dry and use a round brush to style upwards
#5 Slicked Back and Fade Style
A slicked-back hairstyle with a fade haircut is a modern take that adds sophistication to your look. Faded sides with slicked-back hair create a sharp contrast, drawing away attention from your bald spots. It's perfect for those who want to maintain medium length while hiding thinning hair areas.
Maintenance Tips
Regular barber visits or DIY haircuts every 2 weeks are needed to maintain the contrast between the top and sides
Wash hair every other day to preserve natural oils
Get a scalp massage regularly to increase blood circulation to the scalp
Styling Advice
Use a gel, mousse, or pomade for added volume and a polished finish
Wear sunglasses and a leather jacket for a classic look
#6 Push Forward Crop
The Push-Forward Crop is another hairstyle if you have a receding hairline and lush locks at the back. This style keeps the hair short on the sides while leaving longer hair at the back styled forward.
This conceals bald spots while providing a trendy and youthful look. You can only get away with this if you're not yet in the advanced stages of hair loss. If you can see through the cropped hair, you must avoid it and opt for a buzz cut or clean-shaven head instead.
Maintenance Tips
Regular trims every three to four weeks help maintain the shape of your cut
Avoid heavy products that weigh down your thinning hair
Styling Advice
Apply a texturizing spray on damp hair to add volume
Use your fingers to push hair forward
#7 The Bro Flow
The Bro Flow is a long, wavy, and curly hairstyle that is a good choice for men with minimal thinning hair, wavy hair, and a receding hairline. Keeping longer, wavy, and curly hair can draw attention away from thinning areas by adding texture to bald spots. All you need to do is comb your hair backward (like slicked back style). Keep it well groomed with hair products that lock hairs in place.
Maintenance Tips
Regular trims every four to eight weeks are needed to keep sides clean and maintain the shape of your cut
Shampoo your hair to avoid dryness
Try products for thinning hair to add volume
Styling Advice
Apply mousse to enhance volume without weighing down hair
Stick to lightweight products to allow your natural hair texture to shine through
#8 Top Knot
Tying hair into a bun like a Top Knot is a trendy hairstyle that allows you to keep longer hair while covering a balding crown. Sides can be kept short or faded for contrast. If you look good with longer hair, this is a good style, as long as thinning is not yet that obvious.
If you have a significantly receding hairline, there are better styles than this; you'll look like someone with a power donut, which we'll discuss later.
Maintenance Tips
Keep sides trimmed every two to four weeks to remain fresh and well-defined
Use conditioner regularly to keep the top section healthy
A scalp massage with essential oils will help keep hair healthy
Styling Advice
Pick soft fabric hair ties to prevent hair damage
Use a styling cream before tying up to keep hold and prevent flyaways
#9 Short and Messy
A short and messy hairstyle is perfect for balding men with a receding hairline and looking for an effortless casual vibe. This style keeps hair short with some texture and movement. The "mess" creates an illusion of volume and fullness, which you can only pull off in the early stages of male pattern baldness.
Maintenance Tips
Trim every four weeks to prevent split ends and maintain the desired length
Use a mild shampoo to keep hair healthy
Styling Advice
Use fingers to mess up your hair instead of combing them neatly
#10 Short Caesar
The Short Caesar is a timeless hairstyle with short hair all around and a slight front fringe. It's a good hairstyle for balding men as it creates fullness in front, drawing away attention from thinning hair on top.
Maintenance Tips
A regular haircut every four weeks keeps the fringe looking sharp and maintains length all around
Use a gentle shampoo that won't dry your hair out
Styling Advice
Try a matte finish clay or pomade to style fringe without adding shine
Use fingers to push hair forward for a classic Caesar look
#11 Roger Sterling
For a clean and polished look, the Roger Sterling is an excellent hairstyle for balding men. It covers thinning hair or minor balding by cutting the hair tight on the sides and leaving longer hair on top that you comb into a side part.
Maintenance Tips
Schedule haircuts every four to six weeks to keep sides short and contrast the longer top
Moisturize your scalp regularly to prevent dry hair
Styling Advice
Use a pomade or gel for a slick back and parting to the sides
Use a fine-toothed comb to part hair smoothly. Start from the front and work towards the back
Finish with hairspray for extra hold, especially on windy days
4 Haircuts to Avoid if You're Balding on Top
#1 Power Donut
The power donut features a large bald spot on your crown and thick hair on the sides, which makes you look older and untidy. Although Danny DeVito, Ed Harris, Jack Nicholson, and Sean Connery sport the power donut, you don't look well groomed with this haircut. Shaving your head or buzzing it off is best for balding men instead of the power donut.
#2 Bald on Top with Long Hair
If you're in the late stages of male pattern baldness, a combover with long hair won't work. You'll only get embarrassed wearing this hairstyle, especially in windy weather. If you are in the early stages of male pattern baldness, you may be able to pull this off.
#3 Braided Locks
The same goes for braided locks; they only look fantastic with a full head of hair. If you are bald on top, the empty spaces stand out instead of evenly spaced braids. Tight hairstyles like this can make you lose more hair due to traction alopecia.
#4 Power Donut Combover
As if the power donut isn't a bad enough haircut already, you can level up the cringe with a power donut combover.
The Golden Rule of Haircuts for Balding Men
Here's a good rule of thumb on haircuts for balding men.
The shorter the hairstyle, the better. A short hairstyle looks neater and cleaner as it keeps the attention away from your balding crown. If you are in the late stages of pattern hair loss, shaving it all off, a buzz cut, a short hairstyle, or wearing a wig are your best choices.
Hair Care Tips for Men with Thinning Hair
Try to Avoid Heat Styling
Excessive heat from blow drying or heat styling tools can further damage thinning hair. Limit the use or avoid them altogether to take care of the locks you have left.
Avoid Tight Hairstyles
Wearing tight hats or tight hairstyles can cause hair loss. This is called traction alopecia or hair loss caused by repeated pulling on hair. Don't tie it too tight if you're considering the Top Knot hairstyle.
Get Regular Scalp Massages
Incorporating scalp massages into your grooming routine feels good and promotes blood flow to hair follicles. A study shows that scalp massage can increase hair thickness.
Take Hair Supplements
If you didn't know yet, some vitamins and supplements help keep our scalps healthy. Some of them are:
Vitamin C
Biotin
Omega 3
Iron
Protein
Collagen
Vitamin A
Vitamin B
Vitamin E
Zinc
Read our article on scalp vitamins and supplements for more information.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the right haircut when dealing with baldness on top can be challenging, but it doesn't have to be. You can embrace your unique look and boost your confidence with the right hairstyles.
You've got many options, from the clean and polished vibe of a Roger Sterling to the clean and easy maintenance buzz cut. The key is to select a stylish haircut that complements your features and reflects your personality.
Remember, if you have significant hair loss, shaving it all off or opting for a shorter hairstyle is the best option. Never consider combovers or long hairstyles if you're in the late stages of the Norwood scale. You don't want to highlight thinning hair rather than conceal them.
Lastly, adding a well-groomed full beard and sporting stylish hats, glasses, and sunglasses can surely add to your overall look.
FAQs
Can a Buzz Cut Help with Balding on Top?
Yes, it can! A buzz cut is one of our recommended haircuts for balding men with thinning hair. Keeping hair short and uniform all around minimizes the contrast between thinning areas and remaining hair.
The buzz creates a clean and cohesive look for a bald head, enhancing your overall appearance. It's low maintenance. A quick trim every few weeks keeps it looking sharp. Adding facial hair to complement your buzz is also a good option. If you're hesitant about going completely bald, a buzz cut is a good transition cut that lets you know if you want to continue with complete bald.
Can a Fade Haircut Complement a Balding Top?
Yes, a faded haircut can be an excellent choice for balding men with a balding crown. The gradual transition from short sides to longer hair on top creates a seamless look that draws attention away from thinning areas. Fades can be tailored to suit your style—whether you prefer a high, mid, or low fade—allowing you to maintain some length on top while keeping the sides neat. This style not only looks modern and stylish but also helps balance out the overall appearance, giving you a polished look that works for both casual and formal settings.
Are There Longer Hairstyles That Work for Balding Men?
While shorter hairstyles are generally more flattering for balding men, longer hairstyles can work if styled correctly. The Bro Flow and Slicked Back styles are examples of cuts that can add volume and texture, which helps distract from thinning areas on top.
The key is to ensure that the longer sections are styled to complement your features without drawing attention to bald spots. Remember to keep it well-groomed and avoid overly long styles that can create an unbalanced look. Avoid long hairstyles if you're in the late stages of hair loss.
Do Barbers Have Special Techniques for Cutting Hair for Balding Men?
Yes, barbers have seen it all and use specific techniques when cutting hair for men experiencing baldness. They may use texturizing methods to create volume in areas where hair is thinning or employ strategic layering to blend the remaining hair seamlessly with bald spots. A skilled barber will assess your hair type and scalp condition before recommending the best cut. They can also provide valuable advice on maintaining your hairstyle as your hair changes over time.
What Should Men with a Receding Hairline Avoid When Choosing a Haircut?
Men with balding hair and a receding hairline should steer clear of certain hairstyles that can magnify the appearance of thinning hair. Avoid long hairstyles that draw attention to bald spots, such as long bangs or ponytails and combovers.
Combover styles are also a no-no; they often look forced and can highlight areas of concern instead of concealing them. Instead, opt for shorter styles like buzz cuts or crew cuts that create balance and minimize the contrast between bald areas and remaining hair.
Better yet, shave it all off!
Can Facial Hair Balance Out the Look for Men Balding on Top?
Absolutely! Facial hair can be an excellent way to balance out your look if you're balding on top. A well-groomed beard or mustache draws attention away from thinning hair and adds character to your overall appearance. Facial hair creates visual interest and helps frame your face, making it feel fuller. Just be sure to maintain your facial hair regularly; a scruffy beard might detract from the polished look you're aiming for.
How Often Should I Trim My Hair if I'm Balding?
For men with thinning hair or balding hair, regular trims are essential to keep your hairstyle looking sharp. Generally, aim for a haircut every 4-6 weeks if you're maintaining shorter styles like buzz cuts or crew cuts. This helps prevent split ends and keeps your look fresh. If you're growing out longer styles, consider trimming every 8-12 weeks to maintain shape without sacrificing length too quickly. Ultimately, staying on top of regular trims will help you manage any changes in your hair while ensuring you always look your best.
