10 Best Haircuts for a Balding Crown

Balding at the crown is a common concern for men worldwide. It’s often caused by male pattern baldness, a condition linked to genetics and hormones like dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Noticing you have balding hair can be really frustrating, but a well-chosen haircut can transform your appearance and help you embrace this change. Some of the best hairstyles can help you hide thinning hair or achieve a clean and polished look. Our guide explores the top haircuts you can try for a balding crown, with expert tips to help you make the best choices. It doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with mild thinning or significant hair loss, we can recommend a hairstyle that complements your look and lifestyle.

What is Crown Balding?

The crown is located at the top back of the head and is unfortunately a prime spot for early signs of hair thinning or balding. A balding crown is known as vertex balding – a hallmark of male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia. Over 50% of men experience hair thinning or balding by the age of 50, with the crown being a particularly noticeable area.

Hair loss at the crown occurs because the hormone DHT binds to hair follicles and shrinks them over time. This reduces hair density and can eventually lead to thin hair and bald spots. Even though the condition is largely genetic, a variety of lifestyle factors like poor diet, chronic stress and scalp health can speed up progression, leading many people to search for methods to treat hair loss.

There is a range of hair loss treatments available, but you shouldn’t underestimate the power of a strategic haircut for hiding thinning hair, a receding hairline or a bald crown. The best hairstyles can cleverly disguise these areas, and balance your overall appearance by highlighting your best features.

10 Best Haircuts for Thinning Crowns

Men with thinning hair have a range of haircut options that can help them hide a balding crown. Let’s take a look at some of the best hairstyles for balding men.

Buzz Cut

If you’ve got a bald spot, this hairstyle can help you minimise the contrast between thinning hair and fuller areas. The clean, masculine look of a buzz cut is a favourite among balding men. It’s a low-maintenance solution that hides thinning hair and makes your remaining hair appear thicker and healthier.

Textured Crop

Textured crops are stylish, practical options for men who are dealing with hair loss, especially around the crown. This cut keeps the hair short on the sides with a slightly longer top that adds texture. Layering techniques create a fuller appearance and hide thinning areas. It’s a low-maintenance style that’s versatile enough to suit most face shapes.

Comb Over

A popular choice for men dealing with receding hairlines or a thinning crown. The hair is kept longer on top and combed over to one side, which gives a smooth and polished appearance. You could also opt to pair the comb-over with a taper or fade on the sides for a more modern look while minimising thinning areas. Using a lightweight gel or wax with this haircut can help maintain its shape throughout the day.

Textured Crew Cut

Slightly longer than a buzz cut, the crew cut offers texture and volume. The short sides and slightly longer top balance overall hair appearance and subtly draw attention away from the balding areas. Crew cuts are great for a range of different face shapes, including oval, square, and round.

Taper Fade Haircut

The taper fade is a well-loved haircut that transitions from shorter sides to a slightly longer top. The gradual fade creates a sharp look that diverts attention away from thinning areas. This style pairs well with various hair types, angular or oval face shapes and adds a touch of sophistication to your appearance.

High Fade Haircut

The high fade haircut is high on the sides and blends into longer hair on top. The sharp contrast creates a neat and edgy appearance that works well for men who are looking to make a statement. If you prefer longer hair on top and want to hide bald spots on your crown, this is an ideal option.

Ivy League Haircut

Try combining the clean look of a crew cut with longer hair on top for a versatile look. The Ivy League style allows a subtle side parting or light styling to boost volume and conceal thinning areas. It’s a good choice for professional settings or casual outings as it’s a sophisticated and low-maintenance cut.

Shaved Head

If you’re ready to embrace hair loss, a shaved head makes a bold statement. Instead of worrying about losing hair and hiding thinning areas, many men find that taking the plunge and rocking a bald head actually suits them really well, especially with facial hair. Research shows that men with shaved heads are seen as strong and dominant, making this cut a confident choice for those who appreciate minimalism.

Faux Hawk

The faux hawk is an edgy style that creates the illusion of fuller, thicker hair by concentrating volume toward the center of the head. This cut features shorter sides and a tapered top that peaks in the middle. The faux hawk works well with styling products like pomade or wax to achieve the desired shape.

Pompadour Haircut

The pompadour can be adapted to suit men with a balding crown. By keeping the hair on top longer and styling it up and back, this cut creates the illusion of fullness. Sides are usually kept shorter to draw attention towards the top instead of thinning areas. A pompadour haircut works best for men with receding hairlines when it’s paired with a fade or taper on the sides.

Top Style Tips to Complement Your Haircut

The right haircut is only part of the solution to a balding crown. How you style your hair can impact your overall appearance, so here are some style tips to help you achieve the best look possible.

1. Maximize Volume: If you’ve gone for a longer-looking hairstyle, blow-dry at the roots and consider using volumizing products for thicker and fuller hair.
2. Experiment with Side Parts: A side part can help direct attention away from thinning areas and add an element of personal style.
3. Use Matte Styling Products: Shiny products can accentuate thinning hair, while matte styline products can create a more natural, fuller look.
4. Keep It Natural: Over-styling you hair can make thinning areas more noticeable. Instead you should aim for an understated look.

Exploring Hair Loss Treatments

While a great haircut can completely change up your look, it might be worth looking into hair loss treatments, especially if you’re experiencing severe hair loss from conditions like male pattern baldness.

Topical Treatments

Minoxidil is an FDA-approved treatment that is clinically proven to slow hair loss and promote regrowth. You can buy it over the counter as a topical solution or foam. It works by boosting blood flow to the hair follicles, which can encourage growth. You apply it directly to the scalp and it’s known to be particularly effective for crown thinning.

Oral Medications

Finasteride works by reducing DHT levels in the scalp. This is a prescription-only medication, so you’ll need to visit your GP. A range of clinical trials have shown that it’s effective in both slowing down hair loss and stimulating regrowth.

Hair Transplant

If you’re looking for a more permanent solution, a hair transplant could be a good idea. Hair transplants involve relocating healthy hair follicles from one area of the scalp to the thinning crown. They can provide natural-looking results, but can be expensive, especially when several rounds are required.

Specialised Treatment Plans

For a non-invasive long-term solution, hair loss treatment plans are the way forward. For example, the Hairy Hair subscription is a convenient and affordable way to treat hair loss from the comfort of home. It’s one daily pill that’s delivered straight to your door, with no clinic visits required. Hairy Hair is formulated with clinically tested ingredients that are clinically proven to fight the root cause of thinning and stimulate hair growth.

Final Thoughts

Balding at the crown may feel like a challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to reinvent your personal style. The right haircut can help you navigate hair loss with confidence. Also, pairing your chosen cut with effective hair loss treatments can increase your chances of achieving thicker, fuller hair.