How do I permanently get rid of a cowlick?

Author: Horace Gusikowski  |  Last update: Friday, November 21, 2025

Let's recap how to get rid of cowlicks:
  1. Keep your hair short. Very short hairstyles can get rid of cowlicks completely or help conceal them.
  2. Grow your hair longer. ...
  3. Work with your hair's natural growth pattern. ...
  4. Try styling products or headwear. ...
  5. Know that cowlicks aren't a sign of hair loss.

Can you fix a cowlick permanently?

Unfortunately, there is no way to permanently remove a cowlick in your hair. They are formed because the hair grows in a specific pattern, or the follicles are unusually shaped. In some cases, children with cowlicks can see their cowlicks go away as they mature and their hair follicles alter in shape.

Can you permanently tame a cowlick?

And that leaves you with two choices: (1) You can either embrace yours, since they're totally normal and natural or (2) you can try to style it to make it a little less noticeable. And although you can't ever fully get rid of a cowlick, you can style around it to at least temporarily fix it.

Can you train a cowlick to stay down?

typically a cowlick may be controlled by training it with a blow-dryer to go to the direction were you want it to go. the second option would be to have your hairstylist design the haircut specifically around the cowlick so that it may lay right.

What causes cowlicks in hair?

Cowlicks are caused by the way hair grows out of the follicle. Hair follicles grow in a spiral pattern, but some follicles may have a stronger spiral than others. That's how you get cowlicks.

How To Deal With a Cowlick - Pro Tips

Do cowlicks get worse with age?

In conclusion, while cowlicks themselves do not necessarily get worse with age, the changes in hair density, texture, and health can make them appear more prominent or behave differently. By understanding these changes and how to manage them, individuals can maintain their desired appearance and confidence.

What hairstyle is best for a cowlick?

A slicked-back ponytail is not just a classic hairstyle, it can also help conceal a cowlick. If you really want to make sure nothing sticks out, opt for face-framing strands, which will help to cover your temples and the sides of your face.

Do cowlicks go away with longer hair?

It's advisable to leave the hair slightly longer if you are dealing with cowlicks. The weight of long hair can serve to calm the cowlick and make it less noticeable.

What hair product is good for cowlicks?

“Cut your cowlicks down or use a product. I'd suggest a thicker pomade in the Redken Brews line.” Redken Brews is Redken's dedicated range for men. Its cream pomade is water-based and offers medium hold with a smooth finish—perfect for flexible styles and keeping your cowlicks in place.

How do you break a cowlick?

"Using a concentrator on your blowdryer and medium heat while pushing the hair in the opposite direction of the cowlick is the best way to neutralize it," says Rourk.

How rare is a cowlick?

Cowlicks are extremely common, but they can range from unnoticeable to glaringly obvious.

How to get rid of cowlick from sleeping?

To fix bed head, dampen the area with water, apply a pomade or cream, use a hair dryer to dampen cowlicks, and brush out the section in question. Hurtado recommends tying hair up in a loose top knot, loosely braiding it, or wearing a silk bonnet to keep it secure while sleeping.

Is there surgery for cowlick?

If you dislike your cowlick or feel that the angle of growth doesn't suit your facial features, a hair transplant can correct this and redesign a hairline you are satisfied with.

Why does hair grow in a spiral?

The direction in which your facial hair grows is determined by the shape of your hair follicles. Spiral patterns occur when these follicles are not perfectly round, causing the hair to grow in a corkscrew fashion.

How can I thicken my cowlick hair?

Or, try blow-drying your hair in the opposite direction of the cowlick — something that will also make it look thicker and fuller. Depending on the length of your hair, you could also switch up your style. Haircuts Another approach is to get a haircut that will hide your cowlick.

Why did my hair develop a cowlick?

Cowlicks are the result of the hair growth angle and direction from the follicle, which can create a spiral or whorl pattern. These patterns are present from birth and often stay consistent throughout life. However, changes in hair density and texture as we age can make cowlicks appear more pronounced.

How do I train my hair to not have a cowlick?

Tips for Taming the Cowlick
  1. Grow out your hair. ...
  2. Add weight to the stubborn tuft with strong-hold styling products or creative haircutting that leaves a bit of longer hair at the cowlick so the hair stays down more easily.
  3. Wear shorter hair all over your head or shave it into a shorter hairstyle.

Can you naturally fix a cowlick?

You can't fix how your hair grows out of your scalp, but you can disguise most cowlicks with the right combination of haircut and styling techniques.

Does shaving your hair get rid of cowlicks?

Good haircuts for minimizing the visibility of a cowlick include the buzz cut and the crew cut, as well as the nuclear option — shaving it all off. In general, any cut that involves shorter hair close to your crown will make a stubborn cowlick less obvious.

Do cowlicks get worse over time?

Most people are born with a specific hair whorl, meaning this feature rarely changes over time. Because a cowlick can disrupt your hair's flow and make it harder to style, it can often result in the appearance of hair loss — but it's not.

What does a healthy cowlick look like?

Cowlicks result from the hair follicle's angle, causing hair to grow in a spiral pattern. While they can be a styling challenge, cowlicks don't indicate hair loss or balding. The most common characteristics of cowlicks include: Visible spiral or circular hair growth pattern.

Can cowlicks develop later in life?

Cowlicks, the small tufts of hair that stick out from the crown of the head, are usually genetic. They can also be caused by an injury or scar. These mostly endearing traits are most common in young children and tend to get better with age, but sometimes appear later in life when hair begins to thin.

Why does my cowlick hurt when I touch it?

This might be because of aggressive combing, headaches, conditions like eczema, scalp psoriasis, contact allergies, etc. While you might think that the pain originates from your hair itself, it's the nerves in your scalp that causes the pain.

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