While there are plenty of hairstyles out there that can conceal and tone down hair thinning, loss and fine locks, there are also ones that can hightlight the problem or draw attention to these aspects. Some cuts may point out a receding hairline, split ends, brittle tresses and other common issues without your noticing. We checked in with Ghanima Abdullah, hair expert and cosmetologist at The Right Hairstyles and Melissa Gilbert, aesthetician at Fantastic Services for tips regarding aging hair and what 3 styles might draw the eye to thin hair more than others. Read on for cuts to avoid, and suggestions for concealing these hair related problems instead.
1. Avoid a Blunt, Middle Parted Sleek Bob
While this style can frame certain face shapes very well, Abdullah warns that it can really emphasize thinning and aging hair. "A bob with a center part might have been your go-to hairstyle before, but maybe your part seems to be getting wider and wider," she says regarding hair loss. "If you're thinning in the crown of your head, a center part is going to draw attention to it." Abdullah continues, "This is because you're putting the part right in the same area."
Instead, Try A Deep Side Part
Side parts evoke not only Old Hollywood, timeless glam— they also provide instant volume to short hair. As Abdullah points out, "in this manner, you can move the hair from one side to the other, as you wish." The added hair going over, she says, as seen here on Charlize Theron, will increase volume in the area as well, especially if your hair is used to being parted down the center. "If you really prefer a center part, make a short one instead so that the hair in front goes to either side of your face," she advises. "Then the hair in the center can be brushed back. Any difference that you create when your hair is used to lying flat and completely to the sides will create volume and make a big difference," she says.
2. Rethink Very Long Hair
If you have long hair past your shoulders and continually notice significant hair loss, both experts note that your length might be drawing eyes to this problem. "t doesn't matter if you're thinning in the crown or at the temples, very long hair is going to draw attention to it," Abdullah explains. "This is because when people see long hair, they expect it to be long and full up top as well." Creating a contrast between very long hair and a thinning top, she says, just makes your thinning more noticeable. Gilbert adds that having long hair looks good to a certain point. "If it’s thin, too long hair will age you because it looks stringy," she says. "If you’re not someone who can spend time in front of the mirror every morning and make sure your hairstyle looks perfect, avoid a one-length, straight hairstyle." All in all, both experts note, long hair requires an immense amount of effort as it is, and adding hair loss to this might even be more stressful.
Try a Shorter Cut With Curtain Bangs For More Volume
Curtain bangs are a majorly trendy and timeless cut that experts note can bring volume to thinning hair and dissguise any balding spots. "Instead of creating contrast, try to balance your hairstyle," Abdullah says. She notes that you can still have longer hair, but it shouldn't go past the shoulder blades. "Hair that's a little shorter automatically looks younger. Then, if you decide to go with a new hair color and either adopt curtain bangs or a deep side part, your look has gotten even younger," she continues, adding "thinning won't be noticed hardly at all." If you do choose to add bangs, Gilbert says to go for a lighter, wispier effect like seen here on Alexa Chung. "In some cases, they can make you look younger, but beware of heavy bangs because they tend to close off the face and make your eyes appear smaller," she says. Trying light, eyebrow-grazing bangs can help determine the volume you need, as experts say.
3. Tight Ponytails, Half-Up, Half-Down or Other Styles That Reveal Receding Hairlines
While pulled-back hairstyles are certainly convenient, Abdullah notes that wearing your hair like this often can not only exacerbate hair thinning from pulling at the crown, but it can also show hair loss more than other styles. "Maybe you enjoy a top knot or a ponytail at the nape of the neck, but this will really show off thinning in the temple area or around the edges," she says, noting that parting the hair might help, but thinning in the area will still be noticed. Thinning in the temple or edges is one of the most difficult types of thinning to camouflage. "If you're experiencing thinning in this area, it's time to take stock of whatever you're doing that might be causing the issue," she continues. "Perhaps you're pulling your hair back too tightly and causing the hair follicles to suffer." If you're noticing this type of thinning, Abdullah says, it's best to see a doctor.
Solution: Visit A Doctor & Use Hair Serum
As hair loss is a common thing to experience as we age, you shouldn't have to feel insecure about it. Both experts recommend seeing a doctor for further treatment and advice, but in the meantime, you can use a hair regrowth serum with highly acclaimed ingredients such as rosemary oil, jojoba oil or castor oil. "If the issue appears to be genetic, try a hair loss shampoo or a hair growth serum," Abdullah says. "There is a lot of hype surrounding these types of products, but they actually do work when used consistently."
Gilbert concludes that in the meantime, you can always remember a few go-to tips when visiting a salon— you can always add more layers for instant volume, and going for a lighter dye color can soften the spots you might feel insecure about. "Thinning hair looks more voluminous with layers because they add texture and bounce," she says. "It makes your hairstyle look lighter and complementary. However, make sure you get the right kind of layers. If they are too short, it can make your hair look even thinner and give it a choppy quality." She continues, "Get hidden layers around your hair and avoid short ones around the crown. Hair color should complement your skin tone and not fight with it."
