It’s common to experience hair changes as we age. Hormonal shifts that occur in perimenopause and menopause are often responsible for hair shedding and more thinness than you can remember dealing with in younger days. Additionally, genetic hair loss can also show up — your part may be wider all of a sudden or your hair can be sparse around the crown. You may have always had long hair, but are now noticing that the ends look thin, brittle, and your hair looks less healthy with more length.
A haircut is always a great idea — but you don’t have to crop your hair super short (unless you want to, of course). Small changes are sometimes all it takes to make a difference in your hair’s appearance. These three haircuts can draw attention to thinning hair and bald spots for women over 50 — but here are a few great haircuts you can try instead.
1. Overly Layered Shag
The shag enjoyed a major resurgence a few years ago and is holding strong as a popular haircut among so many women who love it for its casual-cool, funky vibe. The shag has a ton of layering — it’s what defines it. And all of that layering isn’t the best option if you have thinning hair with spareness on the scalp. It can make thin strands look less dense and even thinner. It’s a cool style, for sure, but not ideal unless you have medium to thick hair.
2. Lob With Minimal Layering
Instead of opting for an overly layered shag, try a collarbone-length lob with just a bit of layering to give your hair movement and body. Ask your stylist to keep the ends blunt and concentrate longer layers on top.
3. V-Shaped Ends
Hair that is cut so that it’s shorter on the sides and creates a V-shape at the back can look thinner. This cut, which is always popular, is great for giving straight hair a bit of an angled edge. But if you feel self-conscious about your hair’s density, it can call attention to thinness.
4. Blunt Ends
Where V-shaped ends can make your hair look thinner, a simple swap can create thickness and density: blunt ends. Blunt ends are clean, polished, and will help keep thin hair from looking stringy.
5. Heavy Bangs That Are Cut Straight Across
Bangs are a great idea for adding shape and style to your haircut, but heavy blunt bangs that are cut straight across take up too much hair from hair that is already thinning and lacks density. They can leave the rest of your hair looking too thin and unbalanced.
6. Side-Swept Bangs
Keep the bangs, but style them differently. Side-swept bangs are great because they give your hairstyle a dramatic sweeping effect, while simultaneously adding density to your crown. These bangs should link up with your other layers so that they look integrated.
