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Thinning hair and fallout can stem from a number of causes, but whether your hair loss is genetic or derivative of outside factors, you likely still want to find a solution that sparks new growth and preserves your existing strands. In the meantime, it can be useful to find a haircut that helps to flatter your complexion and reduce the appearance of thinning, masking any patches that reveal your scalp while allowing your hair to grow back healthier than before.
While simply a bandaid over the problem, pinpointing a cut that helps to minimize the visibility of your thinning hair can help boost your confidence so you can feel good in your skin and rock the beautiful hair you do have. We asked hair experts to let us in on the best tips for getting a haircut while suffering from hair fallout, and here’s what they had to say.
It’s first important to identify styles you should steer clear of when determining how to work with hair fallout. “When hair is thinning, a couple things are happening – not only is hair falling out, but the hair growing back in isn’t as strong or thick as it used to be. With thinning hair, as it gets longer and moves away from the base, it loses its body and elasticity,” explains Ricardo Dinis, Aveda Global Artistic Director, Hair Cutting. That being said, opting for a cut that has less length and more movement can help create the illusion of fuller bodied strands while strategically falling over particularly thin areas.
If you don’t feel inclined to do a full chop, a bob can create the same effect without sacrificing all of your length. “Look at shorter haircuts, like bobs and pixie cuts with very little layering to make the hair look fuller. Shorter hair helps to bring lift to the top of the hair because it’s not weighed down,” says Dinis. “At the same time, strategic layers can help to bring volume to the hair. If you’re looking for fullness at the top, create light layering in that area. Layers on the top of the hair will shrink up shorter after blow-drying and styling, which will give the illusion that it's fuller.”
Feeling more adventurous? A stylish pixie cut with layers that swirl along the top of your head can do wonders for hiding any balding spots while accentuating your facial features. “The swirl will be what hides hair loss, especially if you’re missing hair in the temples. This style is also easy to tease in spots without it becoming super-obvious that you’re missing hair,” explains hair expert Ghanima Abdullah.
With a shorter cut you will have more freedom to style your hair in a way which covers over thinning areas, while longer strands will often fall limp and instead emphasize the appearance of fallout. As for parting your hair, Abdullah suggests avoiding placing your part anywhere near the thinning area. “Even if you can’t get a cut right away, part your hair in an area where the hair is more abundant and move it over to where it is more sparse. Then use hairspray to hold it there.”
Just because you have thinner hair or sparse patches on your scalp doesn’t mean you can’t find a haircut that makes you feel like your best self. A shorter chop, whether it be a bob or the ever chic pixie cut is not only stylish for summer and practical for keeping your hair off of your face during the hottest of days, but it is also ideal for reducing the appearance of hair fallout so you can finally banish the self consciousness you may be suffering from when it comes to your strands. As you search for the best solution to spark healthy hair growth, a stylish chop should be in the cards for your next salon visit so you can claim the confidence you deserve.
