How to Hide a Thinning Front Hairline With Hairline Powder

Hairline powder hides a thinning front hairline by tinting the scalp. It's the best choice when the hair at your hairline is very fine or sparse. Here's how to use them:

1. Start with dry, styled hair. Set your part first so you can see exactly where the scalp shows.
2. Press, don't sweep. Dab the powder onto the scalp along the hairline and part in light layers.
3. Soften the edge. Blend the front so the color fades out naturally instead of stopping at a hard line.

SureThik Hairline Powder is talc-free, water and sweat-resistant, and washes out with shampoo. Our hairline powder guide covers shade matching in detail.

If your thinning goes beyond the front, learn what to do if your hair is so thin you can see your scalp.

How to Cover a Thin Hairline With Hair Fibers

Hair fibers cover a thin hairline by clinging to the hair you still have. Each strand looks thicker. They work best where the hairline is thin rather than bare. Here's how to use them:

1. Apply to completely dry hair. Fibers clump on damp hair.
2. Use a light hand at the hairline. The front shows the most and needs the least. The Hair Fiber Applicator and Hairline Comb places fibers exactly where you need them.
3. Pat them in, then set them. Press lightly with your palm, then lock them in with our alcohol-free Fiber Holding Spray.

SureThik Hair Thickening Fibers are made with keratin and come in eight shades. For more technique, read about how to apply hair fibers.

Can volumizing products make the front look fuller?

Yes, volumizing products can make a thin front look fuller by lifting the roots. Less scalp shows through. They work best on fine, flat hair that's lying close to the head.

Spray a root lift product onto damp roots, blow-dry with your head flipped down, then brush the roots up and hold them for about 15 seconds as they cool.

Our XL Volume Boost Blow Dry Spray is made for fine hair and has built-in heat protection. Skip heavy creams and oils near the hairline. They flatten fine hair and allow more scalp to show through. (See products to avoid if you have fine hair.)

Can a new part or haircut help?

Yes, a new part or haircut can disguise mild thinning near your hairline. Here are a few options:

• Switch to a side part. A new part lets hair fall over the thinnest spot.

• Add soft layers or bangs. Face-framing layers or side-swept bangs cover the hairline without looking heavy.

• Keep updos loose. Tight ponytails and buns pull on the hairline. Constant pulling can cause permanent hair loss, called traction alopecia. 

• Use accessories. A soft headband or scarf covers the front on days you don't want to style.

If you have a thin ponytail or scalp showing through, read our post on how to make thin ponytails look thicker.

What causes hair thinning at the front in women?

Hair thinning at the front in women is most often caused by:

• Female pattern hair loss. It thins the top of the head and widens the part, and the front of the part is where most women notice it first. Cleveland Clinic says it affects about 30 million women in the U.S. (See female pattern baldness.)
• Traction alopecia. Years of tight ponytails, braids, buns, or extensions pull the hair out at the hairline and temples.
• Frontal fibrosing alopecia. The hairline slowly moves back. It mostly affects women after menopause, and the AAD notes that 80% to 95% of women with it lose some or all of their eyebrows.
• Hormone changes and shedding. Menopause, childbirth, and stress can thin hair everywhere. It just shows most at the front.

For every cause in detail, see our guide to what causes hair loss.

Can frontal thinning be treated?

Yes, frontal thinning can often be slowed or partly reversed, depending on the cause. Treatment works best when it starts early.

Minoxidil is the most-recommended treatment for female pattern hair loss. Give it 6 to 12 months of daily use before you judge it.

Traction alopecia often recovers if you stop the pulling early. Frontal fibrosing alopecia needs a dermatologist, because it can scar the follicles. Concealers like powder and fibers work alongside any treatment while you wait for results.

When should you see a dermatologist?

See a dermatologist if your hairline is moving back, your eyebrows are thinning, or your scalp itches, burns, or hurts along the hairline. Those can be signs of frontal fibrosing alopecia. It's easiest to stop if you treat it early.

It's also worth booking a visit if the thinning is sudden, comes on after a new medication, or is still getting worse after a few months.

FAQs

Is it normal for women to have thinning hair at the front?

Yes, thinning hair at the front is common in women, especially after menopause. Up to two-thirds of women experience some hair thinning or bald spots after menopause.

Should I use hairline powder or hair fibers on my front hairline?

Use hairline powder if your front hairline is very sparse, and hair fibers if there's still some hair to grip. Many women use both. (See hair fibers vs hairline powder.)

Can I wear hairline powder every day?

Yes, you can wear hairline powder every day. It sits on the surface and washes out with shampoo. Start each day with a clean scalp for the most natural result.