Receding Hairline: 6 Ways to Disguise and Delay It

A receding hairline can feel like the beginning of the end, but it doesn't have to be. Don't let it affect your self-confidence. While you can't turn back the clock, you can delay the onset of hair fall and disguise it along the way.

A study titled “Male Androgenetic Alopecia” in the National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information states androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in men. It affects 30-50% of men by age 50. It can occur anywhere from the temples to the crown.

Some causes of a receding hairline include family history and hormonal changes. If you have a family history of baldness, it's inevitable. As you age, your hormones change, and your hairline may suffer along with it. The timing is also often similar throughout generations. So if your dad started to go bald in his 50s, you know when to prepare yourself for it.

Here are some tips and tricks to manage thinning hair and that dreaded receding hairline.

While it may not suit some face shapes, a side part often hides a receding hairline. It has one clear and distinct advantage: you can place a side part on the receding side and cover it up during any activity, even sports. It tones down the visual impact – even if the actual hairline stays in place.

Other hairstyles for balding men include shaping your hair at an angle that takes focus away from the hairline. Avoid spiky or straight-up hairstyles because they may emphasize your growing forehead – unless you’re at a point where you want to embrace it.

If you have thinning hair, you must get the right haircut. Keep your hair short, especially on the sides – it will match the top of your head more closely. If your haircut is even throughout your head, you'll notice the areas with less hair are lighter in color. Haircuts for men with thin hair include a shaved head for a neat look with no receding hairline in sight.

Your hairstyle and haircut can only do so much to hide a receding hairline. The hair products you use are even more crucial. Your hair can look sparse if you’re not using the correct hair products. Gel and pomade are best left unused if you have a receding hairline because they usually expose the scalp more. Try powder or matte wax for a natural-looking finish. 

Keep your scalp clean and aim to prevent hair loss by using CLEAR Cool Sport Menthol Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men. A study in the National Library of Medicine National Center for Biotechnology Information notes that healthy hair is a result of a healthy scalp.

Also, make sure to take care of the hair you do have. Try Dove Men+Care Strengthening Shampoo, which can help make hair visibly thicker and stronger.

Color makes a significant impact on how you are perceived: older, younger, taller, shorter. It also influences how your hairline is seen. Having a hair color that matches your skin tone or is close to it can diminish the visual impacts of a receding hairline or thinning hair. The closer your hair color is to your skin; the less the eyes will be able to identify thinning or receding areas. Think about bleaching your hair or dying it darker to match your skin tone.

Use Dove Men+Care Refreshing Clean Shampoo for clean, fresh hair after coloring. It deeply cleans and invigorates the hair.

Use tweezers to pluck your hairline and give it a consistent look. It will look smoother and less patchy. Be tactical in your efforts, especially if you have a widow's peak hairline. Clumps are often mixed in with sparser areas. Make sure that everything is plucked evenly and neatly. This can be made more even with a few plucks. You will create the illusion of a more natural hairline.

Many over-the-counter medications can help prevent hair loss and thus, a receding hairline. Most of them can be rubbed onto the scalp but beware of scalp irritation. Some pills claim hair growth but can reduce your sex drive and give you a higher risk of prostate cancer. Consult your physician before taking any pills.

The last and most extreme solution for a receding hairline is surgery. The procedure is called Hair Restoration Surgery. It includes transplanting parts of the scalp and hair follicles from the back of your head to the areas that need hair. It can often be a safe and healthy alternative when you are desperate to get thicker hair. Hair might even grow in its new location – as well as the area from which you got it.