Fades: skin fade, taper fade, low, mid and high

A fade takes the hair on the sides and back down from longer to very short, or to skin, with no visible line. It is one of the most searched men's cuts in Thailand: "taper fade" about 14,800 times a month and "สกินเฟด" (skin fade) about 12,100, according to Google Keyword Planner (Thailand, October 2025 to September 2026). Five words decide what you get.

Low, mid and high fade

The name says where the fade starts:

• Low fade: starts just above the ears and the neckline. Subtle; the sides still look full.
• Mid fade: starts around the middle of the side of the head. The everyday choice.
• High fade: starts near the top of the side, close to where the head curves. Sharp and bold.

Skin fade

A fade that goes all the way to the skin at the bottom (สกินเฟด, also called a bald fade). It can be low, mid or high. It shows the most contrast with the top and grows out the fastest.

Taper fade

A taper only shortens the sideburns and the neckline and leaves the rest of the sides longer. It looks clean but not dramatic, and suits offices and longer cuts on top. "Taper fade" is the most searched fade in Thailand.

Fade or rong song?

Thailand's classic cut, rong song (รองทรง), is also short on the sides, but it keeps a little more length at the bottom and is blended with scissors. A fade uses clippers and goes shorter. Read Rong song high or low if you are not sure which one you want.

What to say in the chair

1. Where it starts: "low fade", "mid fade" or "high fade"; Thai barbers use the English words.
2. How short at the bottom: "skin" (สกิน) or a clipper number, for example "เบอร์ 0" or "เบอร์ 1".
3. The top: how much off, and whether you want it longer for a comma or textured on top.
4. Beard: if you have one, ask for the fade to blend into it.

Keeping it sharp

Fades grow out in two to three weeks. Many barbers offer a quick clean-up of the sides between full cuts.

Barbers near you

Most barbershops do fades, but salon menus rarely say so: ask before you go, or look at the shop's Instagram. FeelGlow lists 225 barbers and men's haircut shops in Bangkok.