Whether you’re young and growing into a man’s mane or an old cow with a stubborn cowlick, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there are ways to combat stubborn cowlicks. Genetics plays a large role in cowlicks, but there are also treatments you can consider, including laser hair treatment. The first step is to understand the problem. Cowlicks are caused by the way hair follicles grow. The result is a swirling pattern in the hair that resembles a ‘hair whorl.’ While cowlicks may be hard to detect, they are often undetectable – especially if your hair is very long or has a certain texture.

Hair follicles get confused as to which direction to grow

The name cowlick comes from the pattern on the heads of bovine calves. When the hair follicles get confused, it will grow in a sideways, backward, or forward direction. This pattern causes the hair to appear cow-licked. The problem can be cured through proper hair care, but the condition will never go away entirely.

Cowlicks can be found on several places on the head, but most commonly occur along the hairline and back near the crown area. Although it looks worse on people with short hair, cowlicks can occur on both men and women. This anomaly is not caused by a genetic condition. Some individuals with a prominent cowlick cover it up with strategic hairstyles.

If you can’t remove your cowlick completely, you can try a temporary fix. Chase Kusero, co-founder of IGK Hair Care, has some tips for you to fix cowlicks. He says that some people simply can’t avoid having a cowlick. He says, “The key is to find a solution to your hair problem as soon as possible.”

Genetics plays a large role in cowlicks

Although genetics plays a huge role in cowlicks getting worse with age, some factors also contribute. For example, some people are more susceptible to developing cowlicks than others. Moreover, genetics may also be a factor in the development of hand preference, which makes cowlicks appear more frequently in right-handed individuals. However, other external factors may also contribute to cowlicks, including injuries and surgery. However, male pattern baldness can be mitigated by taking medications, such as minoxidil and finasteride.

Although there are no permanent treatments for cowlicks, there are many ways to manage them temporarily and effectively. Some people may find success using hair care products to combat them. A mousse or gel can help tame cowlicks temporarily. Other individuals might even try combing their hair in the direction of the cowlick swirl. If these measures fail, however, their Wonder of the Day may only last for a few days.

Laser hair treatments can help tame stubborn cowlicks

While laser hair treatments can’t completely remove the problem, they can certainly tame it. Cowlicks look like your hair is parting in a certain direction. They can also be a sign of thinning hair or even hair that’s gone completely from the scalp. Although laser hair treatments cannot move the hair follicles, they can certainly tame stubborn cowlicks.

Although cowlicks are usually inherited, it’s possible to fix them temporarily. IGK Hair Care founder Chase Kusero shared his tips with us on how to fix stubborn cowlicks. Regardless of the cause, laser hair treatments are a great way to tame stubborn cowlicks. And if you’re not quite ready to undergo laser hair removal, here are some tips to get you started:

Manipulate the direction of cowlicks by using heat on wet/heat-protected hair

Although you can’t permanently get rid of cowlicks, there are a few things you can do to help control their appearance. While it can’t be completely gotten rid of, you can certainly get them to lay down in a new direction. Here are some tips from hairstylist and cofounder of IGK Hair Care, Chase Kusero:

First, apply heat to the cowlick at the root. This will direct the strands in the direction of your choice. If you have kinky hair, it is unlikely to form a cowlick. The hair will grow upwards and out, and you may want to try using a diffuser to set your cowlick. If this doesn’t work, you can always try applying hair spray or heat-protected hair.

For thicker strands, root tamers can help correct cowlicks without burning the scalp. The edges of these irons are made with fine-tooth combs that give tension while smoothing the strands. For thicker strands, root tamers should be used. Kristen Ess suggests the Texture Taming Root Control Iron. Another method is to use a no-crease clip to train your cowlicks to reposition themselves.