Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most common cause of hair loss in men, and two-thirds of men will have some hair loss by age 35. 

Unfortunately, despite how common male pattern baldness is, many men still find their receding hairline embarrassing, and it can cause a real loss of confidence. So how can you stand tall when hair loss leaves you in a slump? Smarter styling can make going bald a fashion-forward look that all your peers will envy.

Style Around The Thinning

Different types of hair loss present in different ways, but in male pattern baldness, we typically see hair thinning on the top of the head and a receding hairline, while the sides remain full. To make the thinning less obvious, though, consider cutting your hair so that the sides and back are extra short and taper so that your hair is longer on top. Then add a little product for texture, sticking with lighter products that won’t give you a stiff, wet look.

As your hair gets thinner, you also have the option to shave the whole thing. It may seem odd to emphasize your hair loss by ditching your locks entirely, but plenty of famous men have gone this route. In some settings, a bald head is even a power symbol. The main benefit of shaving all your hair, though, is that it will make you look younger. A good haircut, even a ‘no hair’ cut, looks better than a messy style.

Cover It Up

Though there are plenty of ways to style around hair loss, as it progresses, finding the right cut can become challenging, and some men simply don’t feel comfortable giving up all their hair. But what’s the alternative? After all, the days of the comb over are long gone, and no one wants to be caught in a bad toupee. No, rather than trying to fake having hair, your best bet is to opt for a hair transplant.

Today’s hair transplants are a far cry from the hair plugs of yesteryear, and newer approaches like follicular unit extraction (FUE) provide a more natural look without scars or suturing. Instead, by using your own hair, FUE can create full coverage in the course of a few sessions, and after the transplanted hair falls out, new hair will continue growing in the previously balding areas.

Update Your Wardrobe

Styling your hair is the most obvious way to deal with going bald, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to reclaim your confidence. In fact, many men find they feel much better if they just ignore what’s happening up top and focus on what’s happening in their closet. Take your hair loss as an opportunity to update your wardrobe, purchasing well-fitted, fashionable looks. If everyone is looking at your new suit or that perfectly tailored shirt, they won’t even notice your thinning hair.

Keep An Eye On Icons

Though hair loss may be a source of anxiety, it doesn’t need to sap your confidence – just look at Patrick Stewart, Dwayne Johnson, and other bald stars. Studies even suggest bald men may fare better in business negotiations and are even rated as more attractive and dominant. The one caveat: you can’t have patchy or receding hair. In other words, get a great haircut, replace those lost locks, or shave it all off.

With so many positive attributes associated with a bald head, you may notice your peers with full heads of hair ditching their current styles for that stripped down look, so don’t be ashamed of your own hair loss. When you claim your style and present yourself with confidence, others will follow your lead. Sometimes the solution is really that simple.