Our guide to wearing the receding hairline and baldness
Written by Healthy Magazine | Healthy-Mag.com
Forgive the awful pun, but we couldn’t resist. The old saying goes, “you never know what you had until it’s gone” and it’s never more true than when we’re talking about hair. As younger men, we took our hair for granted. Heck, most of us probably tried to shave our heads once or twice. But now the years are catching up with you and that thick head of hair is looking decidedly thinner. Maybe it’s just about gone.
So, what do you do? Do you grow it out and hope to cover it up?
“I just tell guys to own it,” says old-fashioned barber Drew Danburry, who owns the Danburry Barber Shop in Provo, UT. “Don’t try and hide it and don’t let it shake your confidence. For the most part, it isn’t about the hair—it’s about confidence. And I think that a confident balding man is somewhat of a rare treasure.”
Drew Danburry is a singer-songwriter turned professional barber, who’s played live shows around the world and released records independently from 2002-2010. He opened his own shop in downtown Provo in 2011.
Danburry also says that the key to styling a receding hairline is to understand that “every type of receding hair line is different. You’ve got to do different things for different types of hair loss.”
The Horseshoe
Receding from the forehead but leaving a small island of near the front, the horseshoe can be a stately look. Our suggestion is to keep it short, probably no more than 1/2 an inch. Anymore and you’re endanger of looking like a mushroom. You can have your barber reduce bulkier areas or just buy a pair of clippers and do it yourself. As for styling, you don’t need to bother styling hair that short. Just make sure you hair is clean and conditioned.
The Sparse All Over
Much of what applies to “The Horseshoe” also applies to “The Sparse All Over.” There’s no use trying to hide it by growing out what you have left. Follow Danburry’s advice and just own it. A 1/2-inch is probably the right length, plus, it’s very easy to manage. Avoid using gels or creams that can make your hair clump. If you want to add some body, find a good low-shine or matte texturizing cream.
The Classic Recede
This one gives you a little more freedom because it’s not quite a drastic. Generally, this kind is characterized by developing the pockets on either side of your widow’s peak with your hair thinning in front. We suggest keeping your hair at about 2 inches long. You can wear it back or forward depending on your preference. If you wear it forward ask your barber to add some texture for a look that’s more natural and varied. Find yourself a good, low-shine putty for a clean-cut, slicked back look that ladies are sure to love.
The Spot
This one can be tricky, but there’s no reason to be ashamed of “The Spot.” The temptation is to try and grow the hair on top long to cover it up. You’re honestly better off keeping your hair around 3/4 of an inch and having your barber blend naturally from the bald spot into your longer hair. With the right product, like some hair goop, you can style it messy to minimize the appearance of the spot or wear it combed to the side for a classy look.