Don't despair if you are losing hair. Salon pros tell Urban that there are various hairstyles to try so that you can still hold your head up high.

Ivan Hoo, creative director of InSquare Salon in Sin Ming Road, advises: 'Besides consuming proteins and using hair growth shampoos, men who are having hair loss issues should stick to shorter styles to reduce the contrast between your hair and the balding spots.'

Timen Ngooi, creative director of Anthony Hair Boutique in Tampines 1 mall, says the hairstyle depends on the stage of balding, 'but the right one will give the appearance of fuller hair'.

Here are five styles they recommend.

FAUX HAWK

Though not advisable for the average Joe, the faux hawk offers the bolder ones a stylish look. By rocking the cut with a defiant appeal, those with expanding foreheads can use their receding hairline to their advantage.

The hairstyle takes the focus away from where you lack hair and places it on where the hair is.

Ideal for: Guys with receding hairlines, especially at the temples.

Star endorsement: Shedding his pretty-boy image, British actor Jude Law (above), 38, willingly accepts his fading hairline and manned up his look with the faux hawk.

TEXTURED CROP

At the first sign of thinning, ask your stylist for a textured crop. This is great for male-pattern baldness as it masks thinning hair by adding lots of mini layers to a short haircut, making hair appear thicker and fuller.

Ideal for: Guys who are starting to develop thinning hair or a bald spot.

Star endorsement: The textured crop of Hollywood actor Matthew McConaughey (above), 41, adds volume to his thinning locks.

MESSY DO

For a great cheat trick, go for the ultimate anti-hairstyle - the messy do.

An unkempt look draws attention away from thinning locks and conveys a devil-may-care attitude that some women find attractive.

Ideal for: Guys with thinning hair.

Star endorsement: Jeremy Piven (above), 45, star of American TV series Entourage, is the master of this look. With longer, tousled layers on top, he oozes even more of that bad-boy charm.

BUZZ CUT

When in doubt, turn to classics. The buzz cut is a timeless haircut that works particularly well because it is a short, simple style that minimises the appearance of thinning hair while adding a masculine touch.

Ideal for: Guys who are developing bald spots or with receding hairlines.

Star endorsement: Wentworth Miller (above), 38, star of American TV series Prison Break, creates a buzz with a combo of confidence and boyish charm.

CLOSE SHAVE

When you are balding, letting go can be the hardest but most liberating thing to do. Going with a close shave shows courage and acceptance - it definitely beats poor disguises such as a combover.

Ideal for: Guys with noticeable bald spots or thinning hair.

Star endorsement: Tennis legend Andre Agassi (above), 40, ditched his trademark wild, long style for a shaved head in 1995. With a more mature image, he transformed his look and his game on and off the court.

Local actor Lim Yu Beng, 44, also sports this style.

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This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.