How do you know if it's a cowlick?

Author: Dr. Jannie Cremin  |  Last update: Sunday, August 31, 2025

Cowlicks look like the swirl on baby cow calves after their mom bathes them. Cowlicks typically appear on the crown of the head, but they can also appear closer to your forehead, and you can even have more than one (Sechi, 2020). Sometimes, cowlicks are more noticeable in people with shorter hair.

How do I tell if I have a cowlick?

A cowlick -- sometimes called a ``hair whorl'' -- is a small group of hair that either stands straight up or lies in the opposite direction of the way a person wants to comb his or her hair. You can recognize a cowlick by the spiral pattern the hair forms.

How to tell if it's a bald spot or cowlick?

What is the difference between a cowlick and a bald spot in men? A cow lick is a hair world that usually grows on top of your crown but can happen in the front as well. It's perfectly normal and can have multiple ones. A bald spot is a sign of hair loss. Cowlicks are connected with hair growth patterns.

What does a normal cowlick look like?

A cowlick is a natural hair growth pattern inherited from your parents. It's like a little whirl or swirl of hair on your scalp. Unfortunately, cowlicks can sometimes make it look like you have thinning hair or bald spots, but don't sweat it! If you look closer, you'll still see plenty of hair follicles in that area.

What causes cowlicks in your 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.

Understanding Cowlicks

Is it possible to fix a cowlick?

Can You Get Rid of a Cowlick? Cowlicks are a natural part of your hair's growth pattern, and you can't get rid of them. With that said, you can definitely make them less noticeable and easier to manage. There are ways to tame or hide these pesky strands so they blend more seamlessly with the rest of your hair.

What does a thinning crown look like?

Common signs that you have a balding crown include: hair thinning on the top but not around the sides, hair at the crown becoming more brittle, and/or if you have a receding hairline.

Do cowlicks get worse over time?

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.

How do cowlicks start?

What causes cowlicks? Usually, cowlicks are simply hereditary, caused by your genes. They can also happen after a serious head injury, surgery, or even if you've shaved your head. That's because this can affect the way your hair grows.

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.

Can stress cause hair loss?

Three types of hair loss can be associated with high stress levels: Telogen effluvium. In telogen effluvium (TEL-o-jun uh-FLOO-vee-um), significant stress pushes large numbers of hair follicles into a resting phase. Within a few months, affected hairs might fall out suddenly when simply combing or washing your hair.

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.

Where do you part your hair with a cowlick?

The main factor to consider for this is the direction that your cowlick flows. If it runs clockwise (left to right) then your hair will lay nicer when parted on the left, if it flows counterclockwise (right to left) then it will lay nicer when parted on the right side.

Do I have a bald spot or cowlick?

If the hair follicles look as thick as they always have, it's just a cowlick. If there are fewer hair follicles in the area, it could be a sign of early balding. You can also track the growth of your cowlick—if it stays the same size, it's just a cowlick. If it grows, it may be a bald spot (Wolff, 2016).

Which side to part hair on?

The general consensus seems to be that parting on one's left makes a person look competent and masculine, whereas parting on the right makes a person look warm and feminine.

What is the most common cowlick?

The most common site of a human cowlick is in the crown, but they can appear anywhere on the head. They also sometimes occur in the front and back of the head.

How do I know if I have a cowlick?

A cowlick is a natural hair growth pattern that's different from the pattern of the rest of your hair on your scalp. Often, a cowlick appears as one section of hair on the top of the head that sticks straight up or grows in the opposite direction from the rest in a "hair whorl."

How do you fix 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. Heat is always the contributing factor that alters the state of our hair, so when in need, use it to your advantage.

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.

Does sleeping cause cowlicks?

As someone moves around, the hair does not move with them, causing hair to bend. Someone sleeping can also crush their hairs under the weight of their head, creating cowlicks.

Is a cowlick permanent?

Cowlicks are small tufts of hair that stick straight up, grow in a different direction, or refuse to blend in with the rest of your hair follicles. Can you fix a cowlick? Not permanently — cowlicks are surprisingly stubborn.

What age does balding start?

Male pattern baldness doesn't hurt. Many start to notice the early stages of male pattern baldness by their 30s, but they may begin as early as your late teenage years or early 20s. Hair loss on your crown usually appears in a circular shape. A receding hairline often occurs in an “M” shape.

What does a failed crown look like?

If there are visible cracks or chips in your custom crown, it's a sign that the crown is damaged and may need to be replaced. Gum Recession: If your gums are receding around your dental crown, it could be a sign of gum disease or a poorly fitted crown.

Is dry shampoo bad for hair growth?

There's no evidence to suggest that dry shampoo directly causes hair loss, the experts say. In fact, in the short-term, dry shampoo can give a volumizing effect that makes your hair look fuller, Lipner says. But, if dry shampoo is causing scalp issues, that could lead to hair loss down the line, Marchbein says.

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