Cowlicks are parts of your hair that grow in different directions from the others; they often look like swirls or bumps in your hair. In fact, they're named this because it looks like a cow has been licking your head (cute!). Some people find their hair cowlicks problematic as they can look similar to bald spots.
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.
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.
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.
There's only two ways you can fix a cowlick, and that's to get your haircut really short. so you can't see it anymore. Or you grow it out so your hair has enough weight. so that the cowlick can't stick up anymore.
Can you fix a cowlick? Not permanently — cowlicks are surprisingly stubborn. But with the right haircut, styling products, and grooming techniques, you can temporarily hide those unyielding tufts.
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.
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.
But it's important to know that a cowlick is not a bald patch or hair loss of any kind. That said, cowlicks and hair loss can happen at the same time. In fact, some of the same products, like thickening pomade, can be used to address both conditions.
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.
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.
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.
Some people say it's a bad idea to get bangs if your hair is fine or curly or if you have a cowlick. The pros at Matrix say nonsense! As long as your stylist takes your particular hair type and texture into consideration, you can incorporate bangs into your hairstyle no matter what.
Many researchers agree that cowlicks develop primarily due to your genetic makeup and family history. Cowlicks develop before birth and can affect both men and women. While a fetus is developing, cowlicks develop when hair follicles grow in a slant that's opposite to the direction of the rest of the hair.
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.
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.
A cowlick is a natural hair growth pattern that remains unchanged throughout life, while a bald spot is caused by hair loss. Though cowlicks can sometimes mimic thinning hair, they aren't an early sign of balding.
The best way to understand if you have thin or thinning hair is to look for changes in your hair quality and hairline over time. “If you're thinning, you are going to see areas around your hairline start to recess,” says Hall, and you'll start to be able to see more scalp through the hair.
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.
Grow It Out (And Wash It Less in the Meantime)
Like an angsty teenager, when that stubborn hair grows up it learns to relax. So, in time, if you just grow your hair out, the cowlick will fix itself, since the weight of the hair will pull it all down.
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.
“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.
A cowlick's spiral pattern is likely caused because hair gets confused about whether it needs to go forward, backward, or to the side, and some hairs get caught in between creating that characteristic whorl, explains Barak.