You part your hair the same way you have for twenty years. Lately, the line looks wider. A little more scalp under the bathroom light. A little more in photos.
A widening part is one of the most common ways thinning shows up in women. It's also one of the easiest to cover, if you use the right tool for it.
Below: what helps a widening part, what only hides it for a few hours, and how to pick a topper that covers it for good.
In this guide
The short version
- Root sprays and fibers hide a part for a day, then wash out.
- A narrow silk top topper covers the part itself and adds volume on top.
- Measure the thin strip, add half an inch on each side, and match your roots.
If your part widened quickly, or you're losing hair in patches, see a dermatologist first. The American Academy of Dermatology explains female pattern hair loss, where a widening part is often the first sign.
The cause
Why your part is getting wider
In women, thinning usually starts along the part and at the crown, not at the hairline. The hairs along the part get finer, so the line between the two sides shows more scalp. According to the AAD, a wider part is one of the most common early signs.
The good news for styling: the sides and back often stay thick. That's exactly the hair a topper clips onto.
Match the topper to your roots
Short term
Quick fixes that help a little
| Option | What it does | How long it lasts | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changing your part | Moves the part to thicker hair | Until your hair falls back | Only works while the new side stays thicker |
| Root touch-up spray | Tints the scalp to match your hair | Until the next wash | Rubs off on pillows and hats |
| Hair fibers | Cling to existing hairs to fill gaps | Until the next wash | Needs hair to cling to, shows in rain |
| Zigzag part | Breaks up the straight line | A few hours | Doesn't add volume |
| Hair topper | Covers the part with new hair | All day, every day | Needs a good color match |
"Sprays and fibers make the scalp less visible. A topper puts hair back where it's missing."
The fix
Why a topper works best for a widening part
A topper sits right over the part and clips onto the thicker hair on each side. You part the topper where you usually part your own hair, then blend the two together.
Two things matter most for a part: the width of the base and the type of base. A silk top base shows a smooth, skin-toned line with no visible knots, so the part looks like your own scalp. More on that in our silk top vs lace comparison.
Step by step
How to choose a topper for your part
Measure the strip. Part your hair, then measure how long and how wide the thin area is with a soft tape measure.
Add half an inch on each side. The clips need to land on healthy hair, not on the thinnest spot.
Pick a narrow base. For a part alone, around 3 x 5 inches is usually enough. If the crown is thin too, go closer to 5 x 5.
Match the length of your own hair, or go one size longer. It can always be trimmed.
Match your roots, checked in daylight, not your ends.
For base types, lengths and shade matching in more detail, see our full guide to choosing a hair topper for thinning hair.
In 60 seconds
How to wear a topper over a widening part
Brush your hair and part it where you always do.
Place the topper so its part sits exactly on top of yours.
Snap the front clip in first, close to the roots, then the back and sides.
Lift a few strands of your own hair over the front edge and style both together.
Tip: if your hair is very fine along the part, move the clips a few millimeters each day so the same strands don't carry the weight every time.
Made for thinning hair
The Noxelya SilkBlend topper
- Silk top base, so the part looks like your own scalp
- Lightweight and breathable for all-day wear
- 5 lengths, from 10 to 18 inches
- 11 shades, from Natural Black to Platinum Blond
- Snap clips, on in about 60 seconds
Your questions
Widening part: FAQ
What is the best way to cover a widening part?
For a quick fix, a root touch-up spray. For an everyday solution, a narrow silk top topper that clips onto the hair on each side of the part.
Can you tell if someone wears a topper on their part?
Not with a well-matched silk top topper. The part shows a skin-toned base with no visible knots, and your own hair blends over the edges.
What size topper do I need for a widening part?
Usually a narrow base, around 3 x 5 inches. Measure the thin strip and add half an inch on each side.
Will a topper make my part thinner?
Not if you wear it correctly. Clip onto healthy hair, move the clips slightly each day, and take it off at night.
Can I still change my part with a topper?
Yes, within the silk area of the base. Outside that area, the hair is attached differently.
Keep reading
Your part doesn't have to be the first thing you see.
One clip, one minute, and it's covered.
Get my Noxelya topper