Five Haircuts for Balding Men

shiftframe • October 12, 2020

Losing your hair is completely natural, so there’s no shame in it. However, the way we experience hair loss can differ. Some men will lose nearly all their hair in their 20s. Others seemingly keep most of their hair past the age of 70. Regardless of when you experience hair loss, just know that you aren’t at a loss for hairstyles. Some hairstyles try to cover up your hair loss. However, these five styles will help you own it. Continue reading to find out the five best hairstyles to help you own your hair loss.

The Pompadour Fade: For Severe Recession at the Sides of the Crown

This haircut is for men who still have a majority of their hair but are experiencing extreme hair loss near the temples, creating a “widow’s peak” effect. You should ask for a high fade beginning with a one on the sides and back for this style. Try different lengths at the top to see what works best for you. Aim to leave one to two inches on the top for the best look. Adding some choppiness at the top and some height at the front give you increased texture and volume. Aim to wear your hair forward. 

To style this cut, use a pomade or clay styler. The pomade can be applied to towel-dried hair. Use a blow dryer and round brush to add volume. You can apply the clay styler to dry hair and coach back your hair with your fingers.

The Comb-Over: For Severe Hair Loss on the Crown

This haircut is ideal for men whose hair loss is mainly at the top of their heads. Ask your barber to leave at least 1.5 inches of hair at the top. This should be enough to form a part. The sides and back should be tapered. This will help blend into the top.

When it comes to styling this haircut, you should use something lightweight, such as a cream or paste. Try not to weigh the hair down. Apply the cream or paste to dry hair. You can either use a comb to comb it to the side or use your fingers for a more relaxed look.

The Textured High and Tight: For Uniform Thinning

This haircut is for those whose hair is thinning everywhere rather than receding. For this cut, ask for a medium-length side part with tapered sideburns. Consider it a messy high and tight. For this cut, follow the same part instructions as the comb-over. Just be sure to leave the hair up top twice as long.

To style this haircut, rub a minimal amount of cream or paste in your hands. Comb your hair back and part it to the side slightly. Then comb the hair up top to the side and use your fingers to fluff up the hair up top for added texture.

The Short Buzz with Tight Fade: For Thick-Textured But Still Thinning

This style is ideal for men with thick hair who are experiencing some thinning of hair density. For this style, it is best to aim for a barely-there, close cut. Simply ask your barber for a skin fade. Your barber will then need to utilize a razor for the back and sides, then fade to a zero or one up top.

This haircut requires minimal maintenance. A simple rinse and towel dry should do the trick. No products are necessary for this style. 

The Full Shave: For a Dying Field of Hair Follicles

This hairstyle is optimal regardless of how much hair you’ve lost. Growing out your beard or mustache can also offer a new look. For this cut, just ask your barber for a straight razor shave. 

This haircut doesn’t require any maintenance. You can even do it yourself at home. Just be sure to avoid cuts and irritation.

Another Option: Scalp Micropigmentation

While these haircuts and styles are great, there’s also another option. You can opt for scalp micropigmentation or SMP. This is essentially a scalp tattoo that gives the illusion of thicker hair. For this option, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. Contact us at SMP Ink for a free SMP consultation.

By Marvin Furrow • September 26, 2026
Can Scalp Micropigmentation Fix a Bad Hair Transplant? A hair transplant can be life-changing when it goes well. But sometimes the final result still leaves visible scars, thin areas, or uneven density. Scalp micropigmentation (SMP) can help improve the appearance of many hair transplant concerns by adding realistic pigment impressions that blend with your existing hair and reduce the contrast between the scalp and surrounding follicles. SMP does not regrow hair or physically repair a transplant. Instead, it can make certain problem areas look fuller, more balanced, and less noticeable. SMP for Low-Density Hair Transplants One of the most common concerns after a hair transplant is that the result still looks thin. Even when transplanted hair grows successfully, there may not be enough density to fully hide the scalp, especially under bright lighting or around the crown. SMP can be placed between existing hairs to reduce visible scalp and create the appearance of greater density. This is often called density SMP and can work well alongside both natural and transplanted hair. Can SMP Hide FUE and FUT Scars? Hair transplant procedures can leave different types of scarring. FUE procedures may leave small dot-like scars throughout the donor area, while FUT procedures can leave a more noticeable linear scar across the back of the scalp. SMP can help camouflage both by blending pigment into the surrounding area and reducing the contrast between scar tissue and the scalp. The scar itself does not disappear, but it can become much less noticeable, particularly with shorter hairstyles. Improving Uneven Donor Areas Some people are left with patchy or overharvested donor areas after a hair transplant. When too much scalp becomes visible between the remaining hairs, SMP can help create a more consistent appearance throughout the area. By adding follicle-like impressions where density is lacking, SMP can make the donor area look more balanced without another surgical procedure. Can SMP Improve an Unnatural Hairline? In some cases, yes. If the hairline looks thin , inconsistent, or lacks density, SMP can help soften the transition and create a fuller appearance. However, SMP cannot reposition transplanted hairs or change the direction they grow. If the issue is related to the placement of the grafts themselves, surgical correction may still be needed. SMP and Hair Transplants Can Work Together A hair transplant and SMP do two different things. A hair transplant adds real, growing hair. SMP helps create the appearance of additional density underneath and around that hair. For some people, using both treatments can create a more complete result than either one alone. SMP may also be used specifically to improve donor scars or areas where the scalp still shows through after a transplant. When SMP May Be a Good Option SMP may be worth considering if your hair transplant has left you with: Visible FUE scars An FUT strip scar Thin or low-density areas Patchy donor areas Visible scalp between transplanted hairs An uneven overall appearance The scalp should be fully healed before SMP is performed, particularly following a recent transplant. Hair Transplant SMP in Scottsdale, Arizona Every hair transplant result is different. At SMP INK AZ , we use scalp micropigmentation to help blend visible scars, improve the appearance of thinning areas, and create a more consistent look across the scalp. If you're unhappy with the appearance of a previous hair transplant, schedule a consultation with SMP INK AZ in Scottsdale to find out whether SMP can help improve your result.
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By Marvin Furrow • June 21, 2026
Considering SMP in Scottsdale? See why scalp micropigmentation is a low maintenance option for thinning hair, shaved styles, and summer confidence.