How Do I Fix a Bad Hairline?

There are several different ways to fix a bad hairline, though much of the choice depends on how severe the problem is and invested you are in finding a solution. Simple fixes like changing your haircut or hairstyle or trying out a new thickening cream or shampoo may be all you need. More serious cases may need surgical intervention, often in the form of hair implants; buying a wig or a false hair extension may also be a good temporary fix.

The first thing you need to do is figure out exactly why your hairline is bad. Your hairline is usually defined as the meeting of the forehead with the beginning of the hair, and on most people this hits comfortably above the eyebrows. A line that is too low can look unusual, and one that is too high is characteristic of balding. Some people also have hairlines that are crooked, which can make the head or face seem lopsided. The cause of each is different, as is the treatment method.

Altering your cut or the way you style your hair is usually the simplest and most cost-effective way to solve the problem, but it doesn’t work for everyone. If your hairline is too low, try changing your hairstyle to keep it higher. This could include shaving the hair up to a certain point. Tying your hair back or parting it to one side or another may also even out and push back a hairline.

A crooked hairline is most commonly caused by a bad haircut. This can usually be fixed by getting a new haircut or modifying the bad one that put you in this position. If the crooked hairline is natural or cannot be easily fixed, you may be able to style the hair differently so that the problem is not as obvious. Although you can attempt to fix it yourself, you may be best served getting help from a professional stylist.

High hairlines tend to be the most chronic and troubling. If your hair is just high naturally — which is to say, if you aren’t actually balding — try to grow bangs or use other hairstyles that lower, or at least give the appearance of lowering, the line. The issue with most of these methods is that they are temporary, often requiring regular attention to maintain a particular look.

Another option is to try to stimulate more hair growth, which can make your hair thicker and more evenly distributed across your head. Thicker, fuller hair doesn’t always impact your hairline, but it might, particularly if the line is actively receding or changing shape. Encouraging new growth can help things go back to how they were before.

A number of thickening creams and shampoos are available for purchase in many places, most without a prescription. Stronger hair growth medications are sometimes available, too, but usually only on the recommendation of a medical professional, and usually only in cases where hair loss or line issues are the result of some sort of condition or illness.

Thickening products are usually sold as creams or gels that you rub into your hair and scalp periodically, as frequently as once a day but usually at least once a week. They can range from the inexpensive to the very pricey, and results typically vary a lot from person to person. In most cases they’re only temporary, too, and good results depend on constant use.

In some cases the easiest thing to do with a bad hairline is just to cover it up or disguise it, like with a wig or false hair extensions. These aren’t true fixes in that your hairline is still usually bad; the problem isn’t usually noticeable, though, so it may appear fixed. Wigs and extensions can also be a fun way to try out new styles, cuts, and even colors without much commitment.

Hairlines that prove particularly troublesome may need more permanent solutions. Surgical implants are used in some places to actually alter a person’s pattern of hair growth, and in many instances can actually encourage new growth, too. These procedures attempt to place real or synthetic hair onto someone's head, usually by stitching it into place, though hair follicle transplants can also be done in some cases. Treatments tend to be very expensive and time-consuming, though in most cases they do get more or less dependable results.