How To Fix a Receding Hairline: The TikTok Tricks That Actually Work for Women Over 50
Experiencing hair loss and thinning, whether from menopause, genetics, a medical diagnosis or just simply aging can be a frustrating — and a big confidence-sapper. And when thinning comes in the form of a receding hairline, it can be tricky to mask. To the rescue: These hacks straight from TikTok work wonders to make hair look thicker stat. Plus, we gathered long-term fixes that actually thicken hair whether you're dealing with sparse spots, thinning through the crown and more. Read on to learn all the ways for how to fix a receding hairline and reverse thinning hair.
Related: 13 Best Haircuts for Thin Hair That Make Hair Look Fuller From Every Angle
How to fix a receding hairline instantly
These viral TikTok hacks are the key to concealing a receding hairline, adding volume at roots and making hair appear thicker overall.
1. Use a concealer stick
Avoid pulling hair back into an updo since it emphasizes recession in front? Dabbing on a hair makeup-like tinted concealer stick, like Tarte Big Ego Dab & Go Hair Concealer, as @nicolconcilio uses in her TikTok can help. Its sponge-tip applicator allows for precise color placement to “restore” the natural hairline. Plus, it comes in seven shades and the waterproof formula lasts until hair is washed.
Related: 10 Easy Topknot Hair Styles for Women Over 50 That Make Thin Hair Look Thick
2. Grab a root spray
Root sprays are nothing new, but they've been around so long because they work! Not only can they conceal a thinning hair line, creating the illusion of thicker hair at the roots, they also work to disguise stray greys in between salon appointments. An affordable, easy-to-use one to try that TikToker @thelipsticklesbians used in the video above? L'Oréal Root Cover Up, which comes in eight shades.
3. Try hair-building fibers
A common place to find pronounced thinning: On the top of the head along the crown, as well as around the front hairline. Fortunately, sprinkling on hair-matching fiberslike Toppic Hair Building Fibers, as TikToker @iammarybennett does in her video can mask it. The tinted fibers are tiny and contain keratin, and they work by adhering to the hair shaft to cover up patches, stat. Tip: Setting with hair spray helps lock in fibers.
Related: Hairstylist Secrets for How to Add Volume to Thin, Fine Hair So It Looks Instantly Thicker
4. Opt for a scalp cover cream and powder
If the gap along your part is making you self-conscious, reach for a cream and powder duo, like Kristofer Buckle Full Disclosure Scalp Cover Duo, which comes in four colors. Use the included brush to apply the cream along the part first (it fills in the gap), then top with powder (it sets the cream and absorbs any oil) so the concealing color stays put all day.
5. Reach for eyeshadow
Don't want to spend the money on an extra product or don't have the time to get it? Reach for an eyeshadow in your makeup bag! “The fine, powdery texture of shadow in a shade similar to hair’s hue masks thinning, sparse spots and a receding hairline so hair appears thicker and fuller in an instant,” says celebrity hairstylist Kendall Dorsey. “I actually prefer eye shadow over spray-on temporary color formulas because it creates a natural and seamless cover-up, while sprays tend to go on very wet and look too harsh against the rest of hair.”
Also smart: The shadow can be used along the part to mask any grown-out or gray roots! @amber_rodriguez_sbeauty demonstrates how to use eyeshadow on your roots in the video above. To get the benefits, simply dip an eye shadow brush into a matte shadow (it blends in best with hair) and dust onto sparse spots or grays along the scalp or hairline. Set with hairspray to lock in the color.
6. Apply some dry shampoo
Dry shampoo has been a long-beloved go-to for extending styles and time in between washes, but did you know it can also add volume, texture and dimension? "My hair is very fine, which means it’s limp and lifeless when freshly shampooed,” says Lindsey Erickson, owner of Vanity Hair Studio in Seattle. Her solution: “I spray dry shampoo onto the inch of hair closest to
my scalp and really massage it with my fingers for thirty seconds — agitating the product is key to activating its volumizing power!” One to try is dae Fairy Duster Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder, which is made with clean ingredients and for all hair types, that has been going viral all over social media. You can see it's hair-volumizing magic in the TikTok video above from user @gracepalmer_.
Products that help fix a receding hairline long-term
While these above strategies are great for adding instant dimension and body to your hair, using hair-thickening products consistently will give you the best results in the long haul. Here, the best ones to try for how to fix a receding hairline and more.
1. A scalp scrub
Salt scrubs remove buildup, which can clog hair follicles, cause inflammation and lead to hair thinning. And one that's made with biotin and keratin, delivers these growth-boosting ingredients directly to the scalp is the way to go. One we like: Viviscal Hair Exfoliating Scalp Scrub with Biotin and Keratin.
2. A scalp lotion
If you struggle with a dry, itchy and/or flaky scalp, consider using a product like Kamedis Moisturizer Scalp Leave-On Botanical Lotion. It helps repair the scalp's natural skin barrier with moisture and nutrient-rich ingredients. And this creates a healthy scalp environment, which improves hair follicle health to promote new hair growth.
3. An apple cider vinegar shampoo
Many apple cider vinegar shampoos are suggested for people experiencing hair loss or thinning, including the kind that comes naturally with aging. The reason? ”By keeping the (hair) follicles clean, and free from product build-up and excess sebum, follicle fitness is improved, thus leading to the optimal environment for new hair growth,” explains Kerry E Yates, a trichologist and founder of beauty brand developing company Colour Collective. Plus, according to a 2014 study that looked into the pH of shampoos, high acidity formulas like those containing apple cider vinegar may help maintain your scalp’s pH balance, leading to stronger hair that’s less prone to breakage.
It also has yet another way of making hair look fuller. “The natural chemistry of ACV helps to alleviate excess sebum and eliminates product build-up from both the scalp and hair shaft, says Yates. “The lack of product on the hair shaft can lift up the cuticle making the hair appear fuller.” One to try: FEKKAI Apple Cider Detox Shampoo.
Related: The 9 Best Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoos That Make Hair Look Thicker and Healthy After Just One Wash
4. A scalp brush
In addition to adding hair-thickening products to your routine, it's recommended to use a scalp brush in the shower. A gentle scrubber not only removes buildup but also increases blood flow, which is key for promoting hair growth.
Related: Best Scalp Massagers to Help Boost Hair Growth for Women Over 40
Bonus: Supplements that also promote hair growth
Another great trick for how to fix a receding hairline and thicken hair overall? Add a supplement to your daily diet. Keep scrolling for a few worthwhile ones to try.
For sparse spots: Try marine protein
Marine proteins deliver amino acids to hair follicles, boosting growth to fill in sparse areas and increasing the diameter of strands for a fuller appearance. Even more, the supplement’s vitamin C increases collagen and elastin production to smooth fine lines around the eyes.
Find it in: Viviscal Hair Growth Supplements. In studies, Viviscal users saw significant regrowth, thickness and shine after 90 days.
For a widening part: Pick apple extract
Apple extract contains procyanidin, a compound that fortifies hair at the roots to reduce fallout along the hairline and increase hair growth by 71% in just 6 months. Further, apple extract’s antioxidants help repair skin damage from the inside out for a brighter, more luminous appearance.
Find it in: New Nordic Hair Volume Vitamin Tablets.
For all-over thinning: Opt for keratin
This protein has been shown to strengthen hair and helps new strands grow in thicker. It's naturally found in hair but can deplete with age, so helping to restore its levels can take strands from thin to thick.
Find it in: Reserveage Nutrition Keratin Hair Booster. In studies, this keratin supplement reduced hair loss by 34% in 60 days. It also contains resveratrol, which thwarts the breakdown of collagen and elastin for firmer skin and less-visible wrinkles after two months of daily use.
Learn more on how to make hair look thicker:
Hairstylist Secrets for How to Add Volume to Thin, Fine Hair So It Looks Instantly Thicker
Pro Stylists Share the Best Bobs for Thin Hair + Easy Styling Tricks for Even *More* Volume
Natural Hair Rinse Recipes: The DIY Remedy Study-Proven To Reverse Thinning + Up Shine
