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Feel confident in these stunning hairstyles
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Losing your hair can be a hard experience, but it’s also an opportunity to try new things and experiment with new styles. Even if your hair is very sparse on top, you can rock styles that work with the shape of your head, or use some crafty covering to fake full bodied locks. Short hair gives you more volume and lift, while long hair can be used to completely cover areas around it. Keep reading to find the best styles for your hair, plus some reasons why your crown might be thinning and how to combat it.
This article is based on an interview with Matt King, Director of Education at Fox and Jane Salon Group. Check out the full interview here.
Things You Should Know
- Short haircuts, like pixies, enhance the natural volume of your hair while drawing attention to your face.
- If you have long hair, styles like buns, loose braids, and ponytails can be used to fully cover thinning and bald areas.
- Natural curls can be shaped around thinning areas to give the impression of a full head of hair.
Steps
Section 1 of 2:
Best Hairstyles For Thinning Hair on Crown
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Bob The bob is a tried and true style for thinning hair—it relies on the shape of your head for the look and uses your hair’s natural volume. Use a root lifting spray to add extra volume, and ask your stylist for blunt layers in the front to round out the shape.
- The classic bob is chin length, but you can also ask for a long bob (a lob) or a mid length bob. If your hair is very thin on top, consider getting a shorter cut—less weight means more body.
- If you want to keep your hair longer, try an inverted, asymmetrical, or layered bob. Inverted and asymmetrical bobs are longer in the front and shorter in the back (volumizing your roots), and the piecey-ness of the layered bob gives your hair dimension.
- Curl your hair with hot rollers or a curling iron to get even more volume.
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Short, natural curls If you have natural hair, it can be very easy to cover a thinning spot, as long as the hair around it is long enough to comb over. Get your hair completely wet, but not dripping, then work in a little bit of leave in conditioner and detangler until your hair is totally moisturized. Use a comb to gently move your hair over the balding area, then rub a soft bristled brush all over your hair to enhance your curls. [1] X Research source
- If you use relaxing products on your hair, consider stopping while experiencing hair loss. Textured hair is much easier to move around and use for covering spots, plus, relaxers can harm your scalp and contribute to hair loss.
- This method can work with longer hair, too, but shorter hair gives you more body.
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Short, natural curls with a side part For a little extra definition, follow the same moisturizing routine as the previous style, but stop before using the bristle brush. Once you comb your hair over any thinning areas, make a side part. Use several duckbill clips to clip down the sides of the part while it dries. [2] X Research source
- After you put in the clips, use the bristle brush to bring out your curls like in the step above.
- This style works best on short hair, about 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm).
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Blunt cut Like the bob, the blunt cut is a short, face framing style that adds volume to your hair both vertically and horizontally. Cut your hair all in one layer, somewhere between your shoulders and chin. After you wash your hair, spritz it with a salt spray and blow it dry to give it a lot of volume.
- Once again, the shorter the cut, the easier it is to lift your roots.
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Buzz cut It may feel a little dramatic, but a sleek buzz can be a striking(ly beautiful!) look that practically anyone can pull off. Shave your whole head with a #2 guard on your clippers to draw attention to your face. [3] X Research source For more drama, give yourself a fade by shaving your sides with a #1 guard, then flicking the clippers up at the long edges to blend them. [4] X Research source
- If you’re fading your hair, change the clipper setting to “short” when buzzing your sides, then switch it to “long” when blending the edges.
- The platinum blonde buzz is an ultra popular, fun style to try—one of the best parts about short hair is that it’s easy to change—just keep in mind that bleaching your hair can sometimes make thinning more pronounced.
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Twist outs If your natural hair is long enough for twists, try twist outs! Start with freshly washed hair, then add leave in conditioner. Twist your hair in a 2 or 3 strand twist or flat twist, making the twists run across the top and straight up the sides. [5] X Research source Wear the twists overnight, then take them out and shape your hair over any thinning area.
- Flat twists are more difficult than regular twist outs (where you just twist pieces of your hair around each other), but they give you more definition at the roots.
- To do a flat twist section your hair and gently pull it taut, then detangle with a wet brush . Start at the front of the section, and grab two little strands. Twist the bottom one towards your face, then twist it up and over the top strand. Gather a little more hair in the new bottom strand, then repeat the process. Keep adding more hair and moving back until you’re no longer working on your scalp, then just keep twisting your hair over itself without picking up new strands. [6] X Research source
- For more defined curls, twist your hair when it’s wet or damp. For less intense curls, twist your hair dry.
- Flat twists are more difficult than regular twist outs (where you just twist pieces of your hair around each other), but they give you more definition at the roots.
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Top knot If your hair is long enough, piling it up in a top knot is a great way to cover a thinning area or bald spot. Brush the front of your hair back and apply a gel or holding spray to keep it in place. Sweep the rest of your hair up to the crown of your head, then gently twist and wrap until it’s completely coiled. Tuck the ends into the knot, and tie it with 2 hair ties. [7] X Research source
- To add more volume at the top, don’t tie the ends of your hair into the bun.
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Flipped side part To get a lot of body, spray volumizing spray into your hair, then blow it dry, focusing on the roots. Start on one side of your head and gently lift and back comb sections of your hair. Once you’ve moved all the way across your head, flip your hair back over to the side you started on, and fix it with hairspray .
- To get the extra deep part, start (and make the part) on the outside edge of your crown.
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Long pixie cut Pixie cuts are cute, relatively effortless styles that can effectively hide thinning hair with some clever cutting. Buzz your sides or cut them very short, and keep the hair on top long enough to comb back over the thinning area. If you want to enhance the volume of your hair, use a texture powder or hairspray.
- Another pixie-like hairstyle is the caesar cut. It’s short on the sides and top with slight, wispy bangs. If your hair isn’t thinning too much, simply grow it long enough to comb over the area.
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Loose french braid Starting at the front of your hairline, take three sections of hair and braid them, adding pieces of hair to the sections as you move back. Once you’ve finished and tied your braid, gently pull on pieces of it to add body and volume. Fully pull out the pieces of hair that frame your face. [8] X Research source
- Braid your hair by starting with three small sections at the top. Take the right section and put it under the middle, then take the left section and put it under the new middle (old right section). Keep repeating this pattern, picking up more hair with each crossing under, until all your hair is braided.
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Box braids Box braids are protective and gentle enough on your head for thinning hair. Buy lightweight hair if you need extensions, and ask your stylist for small, feathered braids. If your braids are too heavy they can pull on your scalp and make thinning worse. [9] X Research source
- If you have a large, very thin patch, consider asking your stylist to braid cornrows over the area, then weave extensions into the braid. If you feel excessive tightness or pain, take them out.
- Do your research before going to a stylist—look for someone who has a lot of experience with thinning hair, since too tight braids can cause traction alopecia (a kind of hair loss). [10] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
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Half up, half down One of the easiest ways to hide crown thinning and bald spots is with the half up half down . [11] X Research source Gather about two thirds of your hair from the top and sides, then hold it together right above your crown. Tie it with a hair tie and you’re all done. Since it’s directly over the spot, it completely covers it.
- You can also add a little twist by putting your hair up with a claw clip or pulling it into a bun.
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French twist Gather your hair into a low ponytail, then take the free end of your hair with your right hand and twist it counterclockwise. Pull the hair up, then use your left hand to smooth loose hair up and over the twist. Keep twisting counter clockwise until barely any hair comes above your head, then secure it with a claw clip. Leave the ends out for more volume on top. [12] X Research source
- Take out any face framing pieces of hair before twisting your hair .
- Hairstyles that use clips instead of hair ties are gentle on the scalp while stilling covering up any thinning areas.
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Updo with a clip Start this hairstyle by pulling your hair into a low pony with your right hand. Take the ends with your left hand and twist them twice. Pull the ends up along the back of your head, then secure the middle with a claw clip. Twist the top of your hair one or two more times, then curl it around itself and tuck the ends under the clip with bobby pins. [13] X Research source
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Double high ponytail Brush back from your hairline and up from the nape of your neck, then tie your ponytail just above the spot you’re trying to cover. Undo one loop of your hair tie, split your hair into a top and bottom section, then retie just the bottom section. Gently pull on your hair to tighten it, then flip the top section down and tighten that, too. [14] X Research source
- Be very careful while putting your hair in a ponytail. Hairstyles that pull too tightly can lead to hair loss around the temples as well as the crown. [15] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- Vary your hairstyles to help reduce strain on your hair follicles. If you wear a high pony one day, try totally slicked back hair the next, for example. [16] X Research source
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Crimped roots Crimping your hair is a great way to add volume without products. Style your hair and part it where you want, then take one side of your hair and flip it over the part. Take a small strand and crimp it up near the root, then put another small strand over it. [17] X Research source Keep alternating crimped and non crimped strands, and stop 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) from your part.
- The goal of this style is to add volume without showing the actual crimped hair. Don’t crimp the hair framing your face, and leave enough hair behind at the part to totally cover all the underlying sections.
- Use a heat protection spray beforehand to prevent any damage to your locks and a mini crimper to get right at the root.
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Slicked back hair This style is perfect for long hair, just dip a dressing brush in gel, then slick your hair back and over the thinning area. [18] X Research source Spritz a little hairspray over everything to hold it in place.
- For extra hold, use bobby pins to secure your hair behind your ears.
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Bouncy blowout Add a little mousse to the top section of your wet hair and a little styling cream on the ends. Blow out your hair from back to front, and curl it over a large, round brush . [19] X Research source Rub a hair texturizer into your hands and run them through your hair, starting half an inch (1.27 cm) from the root, then keep everything in place with some hairspray.
- Pull the brush up and forward while blowing out the top to give your roots more volume.
- Concentrate the majority of the mousse on the top of your head near the crown, since that’s where you want the most hold, and add a very small amount of styling cream to the ends, since too much can weigh down your hair.
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Section 2 of 2:
Causes and Prevention of Hair Loss
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Genetics are the most common cause of hair loss. No matter your gender, if you’re losing hair there’s a decent chance you’re suffering from a hereditary condition. This kind of hair loss is polygenic, which means several genes affect the condition. [20] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Female pattern hair loss is marked by widening parts and thinning crowns. [21] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- Male pattern hair loss starts with a receding hairline, which is then met with a thinning or balding spot on the crown. [22] X Research source
- Genetic hair loss can’t be prevented, but it can be topically treated with products like Rogaine
, and orally treated with finasteride, spironolactone, and oral minoxidil. [23]
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Trustworthy Source
American Academy of Dermatology
Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists
Go to source
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to a doctor before taking any medications for hair loss.
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Stress is the leading cause of rapid hair loss. Telogen effluvium is a stress reaction that causes hair follicles to go into the telogen, or shedding, stage. [24] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Luckily, this kind of hair loss is almost always reversible. Seek professional help to get through your stressful situation, and sleep at least eight hours a night to give your body the rest it needs.
- Your body starts shedding hair about three months after a stressful event. If you start finding hairs with white bulbs on the bottom (that indicates its in telogen stage) but don’t have anything immediately stressful happening, think back to what was going on in your life three months ago. [25] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Speaking to a therapist or trusted friend can unload some of the stress your body is carrying.
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Too-tight hair styles can contribute to hair loss. Tight braids, cornrows, buns, and ponytails pull on your hair, especially at the temples and hairline. Adding weight to your locks with weaves or extensions or dreading your hair can also pull on the follicle and break your strands. [26] X Trustworthy Source American Academy of Dermatology Professional organization made of over 20,000 certified dermatologists Go to source
- Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), also known as “hot comb” alopecia, is a scarring alopecia caused not only by too tight hairstyles, but also by excessive heat and relaxing products. [27] X Research source
- If you notice a lot of broken strands whenever you take out your ponytail or braids, consider switching to a looser style. For example, try box braids instead of cornrows, or a loose french braid instead of tight pleats.
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Your hair can start thinning as you age and your hormones change. As you get older, sometimes your hair follicles just stop making hair. The natural progression of testosterone in the body causes male pattern baldness. [28] X Trustworthy Source MedlinePlus Collection of medical information sourced from the US National Library of Medicine Go to source When people with ovaries stop producing estrogen (menopause) this can cause balding, too. [29] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Taking testosterone for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can cause thinning hair and balding.
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Malnutrition and malabsorption can also affect hair loss. Nutrient deficiencies and certain medications can cause your hair to start falling out. Protein is one of the most important things to eat for hair growth, as well as iron, omega-3s, zinc, and vitamins A, B6, B7, B12, C, and D. [30] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
- Incorporate foods like almonds, dark leafy greens, beans, fish, eggs, citrus, pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, lean red meat, and oysters into your diet. [31]
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Research source
Eat healthfully without trying crash diets that could leave you more nutrient depleted than when you started. Restrictive dieting can also stress your body out and cause telogen effluvium.
- The Mediterranean diet (despite having “diet” in the name), is a nonrestrictive way of eating that heavily incorporates the nutrients needed for healthy hair.
Jen Atkin, Celebrity HairstylistSupplements can nourish your hair. "I’m constantly asked about hair loss, thinning hair, and sensitive scalp. Taking supplements is probably the advice I give the most. Your beauty routine needs to start from within—popping vitamins to ensure scalp health allows hair to grow in faster, thicker and healthier."
- Incorporate foods like almonds, dark leafy greens, beans, fish, eggs, citrus, pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, lean red meat, and oysters into your diet. [31]
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Research source
Eat healthfully without trying crash diets that could leave you more nutrient depleted than when you started. Restrictive dieting can also stress your body out and cause telogen effluvium.
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References
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- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5308812/
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/types/female-pattern
- ↑ https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/male-pattern-baldness
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/news/finding-the-right-treatments-for-genetic-hair-loss
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24486-telogen-effluvium
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24486-telogen-effluvium
- ↑ https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/causes/hairstyles
- ↑ https://www.dermcoll.edu.au/atoz/central-centrifugal-cicatricial-alopecia-ccca/
- ↑ https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004005.htm
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4828511/
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24486-telogen-effluvium
- ↑ https://health.usnews.com/wellness/food/slideshows/best-foods-for-hair-growth?onepage
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