How To Lineup, Cut & Fill Men’s Thinning Hairlines

How to Make A Hairline Appear Fuller & Cutting Tips for Thinning Hair

If you can master the art of filling men’s fine or thinning hairlines, you’re looking at an opportunity for abundant client bookings. Although we don’t have a magic wand to let you wave, these haircutting tips, line up suggestions and permanent life-changing services below will get you there.

Below, you will learn:

• The proper haircuts, length suggestions and styling to flatter fine hair
• Advice to adjust your client’s line up when the hairline is receding
• How to incorporate Scalp Micropigmentation into your bookings

Haircuts, Lengths & Styles to Offer Your Fine-Haired Clients

Fine-haired clients know they have fine hair, it could be a sensitive topic or it could be a daily struggle they don’t know how to ask about. In any scenario, making your client feel confident that just a few changes can help achieve a look they want is key to a returning client. 

Haircuts that cater to fine and thinning hair:

To create more or faux density around the hairline, Wahl® Professional Lead Educator and Technical Trainer Kevin Nguyen (@yakuzabarber) says, “Keep things soft, always leave more weight than you’d think to create that natural look.”

Length recommendations and accommodations:

Drawing attention away from a fine hairline with length distribution is a great way to give a client a new look needing a ton of change. Kevin recommends utilizing a fade that flatters the hairstyle your client is starting with while creating extra texture and movement through the top.

Kevin’s recommended tools:

• Everyday client: Wahl Professional Cordless Magic Clip
  • Lightweight, cord or cordless option, designed for traditional on-scalp tapering and fading—ideal for clipper-over-comb work.
    
    
• Textured hair clients with length: Wahl Professional Kuno Clipper with texture blade
  • Switch between free-flowing and controlled precision with innovative taper lever. Premium no-slip grip for control and comfort when carving through long or textured lengths.

Shop clippers, blades & more from Kevin’s go-to kit here

Key Dos and Don’ts When Lining Up Fine Hair

Simple and classic are the best route to take when lining up a client with fine or thinning hair. Not only do you have to make the immediate result look clean, but it’s imperative to consider the grow-out and regrowth needed to avoid a spotty hairline..

Here’s Kevin’s best tip and what to avoid:

• DO: Find a balance between a sharp and natural line. “And as always, use enhancements if they’re requested,” he adds.
  
  
• DON’T: Push the hairline back without considering your client’s regrowth. “The grow back has to look natural and don’t forget, not everyone wants a sharp line up.”

Kevin’s recommended tool:

• Wahl Professional Hi-Viz™ Trimmer
  • Designed to create enhanced visibility to create perfect lines and intricate designs. Includes bonus pro-set tool to zero-gap to clean perfection. Click below to watch the Hi-Viz™ in action!

Non-Invasive Solutions: Meet Scalp Micropigmentation

The conversation around men’s hair loss, surgical procedures and re-growth medications have been removed from the taboo list in the past several years. With men’s grooming clocking in as the number one growing sector of our industry, Kevin shares a booming salon technique he became certified in called Scalp Micropigmentation (SMP).

SMP is essentially a two-session procedure that mimics a tattoo. Much like the popular microblading for eyebrows, pigment is applied to the skin in hair-like growth patterns to fill in gaps or create shape around the hairline. “Ideal clients for this service are generally people with receding hairlines or fine hair texture that want to have a fuller look,” he says.

Bring SMP into your client communication: Do this to bridge the gap between regular appointments & new offerings

FYI: Certifications range but resemble the theory, practical and hygienic training that a cosmetology or barber program require. Once certified, Kevin says the stylist-client conversation becomes naturally and usually brought right to your chair.

“When a client brings it up, they’re more than likely in-the-know or had an idea of what SMP is already,” Kevin explains. “The best consultation tips for my clients is to mention there are many different types of hairlines to choose from and that this service will give them a much younger look. “Once your regular clients turn into SMP clients your books will speak for themself.” Plus, these clients will continue with their regularly scheduled appointments for line ups, haircuts and fades just as they did before. A win-win for client confidence and stylist income.

Watch a clip of a typical SMP appointment with Kevin here: 

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