The Best Haircuts for Thinning Hair in 2024
The right haircut can make thinning hair look significantly better. Here are the cuts that actually work — and the ones that make it worse.
The right haircut is the most immediately impactful thing you can do for thinning hair. It costs a fraction of any treatment, works instantly, and makes a real visible difference. Here’s what actually works.
The Core Principle: Work With It, Not Against It
The most common mistake men make is trying to hide thinning hair with length. Long hair on top to cover a bald spot, a comb-over, growing it out to create volume — these strategies almost always make the situation more obvious, not less.
The counterintuitive truth: shorter hair typically looks better with thinning. When all your hair is a similar length, the contrast between thicker and thinner areas is minimised.
Cuts That Work
The Buzz Cut
The cleanest solution. Takes the contrast between thinning areas and thicker areas completely off the table. Works best for men with a good head shape, but honestly most men look fine with a buzz cut — you’ve just been told otherwise.
Works for: All types of thinning. Especially good for diffuse thinning and those near the point of embracing a shaved head.
Guard length: 1-3 for a tight buzz, 3-4 for a slightly softer look.
The Short Textured Crop
Short on the sides, slightly longer on top with texture. The texture is key — it creates the illusion of density by breaking up flat, thin hair into something that looks fuller.
Ask your barber for: “Short back and sides, textured crop on top, scissor-cut not clippered.”
Works for: Moderate thinning, early-stage recession, crown thinning.
The Skin Fade with Short Top
A skin or high fade on the sides with a short top. The fade draws the eye to the sides and creates a structured shape rather than letting thin hair hang loosely.
Works for: Receding hairlines. The fade creates definition that a soft, natural hairline lacks.
The French Crop
Heavier on the fringe with shorter sides. Works particularly well for men with a receding hairline by bringing hair forward rather than backward.
Works for: Receding temples, M-shaped recession.
Cuts to Avoid
The comb-over — Still happening in 2024. Everyone can see the scalp. It just draws more attention to it.
Long on top to cover — Heavy, flat hair pressed down against your scalp looks thinner, not thicker. Avoid.
The side part with thinning on top — A deep side part with long hair swept to one side accentuates exactly what you’re trying to hide.
Anything that requires extensive styling — The more effort, the more obviously it looks like effort. Keep it simple.
Styling Products That Help
Matte clay or paste — Creates texture and separation without looking wet or flat. Good for short textured cuts. Avoid gel, which looks wet and heavy.
Volumising spray — Apply to roots before blow-drying to add lift. Works well with longer short styles.
Dry shampoo — Adds grit and texture while absorbing excess oil, which weighs hair down.
What to avoid: Heavy pomades, thick waxes, anything that makes hair look shiny and flat.
The Barber Conversation
Tell your barber the truth. “I’ve got thinning at the crown” or “My hairline is receding” is useful information. A good barber works with this regularly and will make better decisions if you’re honest.
A good barber will also tell you what suits your face shape and head, not just follow your instruction. Let them.
The Final Word
The best haircut for thinning hair is one that creates structure, minimises contrast between thick and thin areas, and doesn’t require you to style it carefully every day to make it work. In most cases, that means shorter on top than you’re currently wearing it.
Try a shorter textured cut. Most men are surprised how much better it looks.
