It doesn’t always happen at the same age for women, but many of us experience hair changes at some point in our adult lives. It may happen during stressful times, when our hair can become thinner and start shedding. Often times perimenopause and menopause cause hair transitions like dryness, a change in texture, and less dense hair (sometimes even extreme sparseness near the scalp).
All of these changes can make it more difficult to find a haircut and hairstyle that work well. But that’s why we turn to the experts in our time of hair need (both dermatologists and hair experts). Hair pro Justin Hickox is a fan of medium-length cuts — we love them, too. A medium cut that sits around the shoulder can give your hair volume and reduce straggly ends that can make hair look thinner. But, as Hickox explains, mistakes can be made with any haircut, include the medium length ones, and when they do, they can make your hair look thinner, finer, and out of shape:
Here are five medium-length haircuts to avoid in 2025 if you’re over 50 and what to try instead.
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1. Overly Layered at the Bottom
Tell your stylist not to go overboard with layering, especially at the bottom of your hair. If you hair is already fine or thin, lots of layers can make it look wispy and thinner. Stick to strategic layers that add volume and movement, but don’t compromise the strong line of your hair.
2. Cutting Front Layers Too Far Back
Cutting front layers too far back on your head can lead to an uneven, unblended shape. It can even create something of a “helmet” head shape on medium hair, which likely is not the look you’re after. Your shortest layer should always connect to your other layers and blend in seamlessly with the rest of your hair.
3. Thick Blunt Bangs
Bangs can be confusing. We often hear how they can soften a mature face and add density where sparseness may exist on the scalp. But if your bangs are too square and thick, they can create a harsher look and pull too much hair from the back, leaving your hair looking thinner. Work with your stylist to find a softer bangs style that works or you.
4. Blunt Ends On Too-Long Hair
A medium cut that’s above the shoulder can look chic with blunt ends — and they may even help make thin hair look thicker. But if your hair grows too much past your shoulder and the ends and top lack layering, it can have the opposite effect and fall flat.
5. Triangle Shape
The triangle-shape is hair that is shorter in the front and longer in the back, ending in a pointy triangle. This style can work for medium-to-thick hair, especially hair with waves and curls. But if your hair is on the thinner side, traditional long layers may look more flattering.
