Why Does My Hair Stick Up in the Back (And How to Fix It)

This is one of the most annoying hair problems guys deal with. That stubborn patch in the back that refuses to lay flat, no matter what you do. You can't even see it unless you use a second mirror, but you know it's there and it drives you crazy.

Here's why it's happening and what you can do about it.

It's Probably a Cowlick

Most of the time, hair that sticks up in the back is caused by a cowlick - a section of hair that grows in a different direction than the rest.

Cowlicks are genetic. You're born with them. The hair follicles in that spot are angled differently, so the hair grows out at an odd angle instead of lying flat.

The back of your head is prime cowlick territory. Most guys have at least one back there, often right at the crown where the hair naturally wants to spiral.

You can't get rid of a cowlick. It's not a styling mistake or a bad haircut. It's literally how your hair grows. Knowing this saves you from trying solutions that won't work.

Cowlicks get more obvious at certain lengths. When your hair is really short, cowlicks are less noticeable. When it gets to that in-between length (about 1-2 inches), they stick up like crazy. Longer hair has enough weight to lay down better.

They're worse when your hair is damaged or dry. Healthy hair is more manageable and easier to work with. Dry, damaged hair is stiff and won't cooperate.

If you've always had this problem and it's always in the same spot, you've got a cowlick. The solution isn't to fix the cowlick - it's to work with it.

Your Hair Is the Wrong Length

Even if you have a cowlick, the length of your hair makes a huge difference in how much it sticks up.

Too short and it sticks straight up. When hair is cut to certain lengths (usually around 1-2 inches), it doesn't have enough weight to lay down but it's long enough to stand up. This is the worst length for cowlicks.

Too long and it can stick out sideways. Really long hair sometimes flips out at the ends instead of lying flat, especially in areas with growth pattern issues.

There's a sweet spot that varies by person. For some guys, keeping it short (under 1 inch) works best. For others, growing it longer (3+ inches) gives it enough weight to lay flat. The awkward middle length is usually the problem.

The back grows faster than other areas. If you haven't had a haircut in a while, the back might be at that problematic length while the rest of your hair is fine.

Uneven cutting makes it worse. If your barber didn't account for your growth pattern, they might have cut the back at a length that makes it stick up.

Talk to your barber about the specific length that works for your hair's growth pattern. They can adjust the back to a length that cooperates instead of fights you.

You're Drying It Wrong

How you dry your hair after washing has a massive impact on whether the back sticks up.

Air-drying lets your hair dry however it wants. If you have a cowlick, air-drying means it'll dry sticking up. You're not directing it to lay flat.

Blow-drying without technique doesn't help. Just blasting hot air at your head randomly won't train your hair to lay down.

You need to blow-dry the back specifically. Use your hand or a brush to hold the hair flat against your head while you blow-dry it. The heat sets it in that position.

Direction matters. Blow-dry in the direction you want your hair to go. If you want it to lay flat toward the back, dry it that way.

You need tension. Gently pulling the hair while drying it helps it dry in the direction you want instead of whatever direction it naturally wants to go.

Cool air sets it. After blow-drying with warm air, blast it with cool air while still holding it flat. This sets the style and makes it last longer.

If you're not blow-drying, or you're blow-drying without actually directing your hair, the back will stick up. It's that simple.

Your Product Game Is Off

The products you use (or don't use) affect whether your hair stays flat.

No product means no control. If you're not using anything, your hair does whatever it wants. A cowlick will stick up all day.

The wrong product doesn't help. Light products like mousse or spray don't have enough hold to keep stubborn hair flat. You need something with actual weight and control.

You're not applying product to the back. Most guys focus on styling the front and sides, then barely touch the back. The back needs product too, especially if it sticks up.

Application method matters. Rubbing product into the back with your hand and pressing it down works better than just running your fingers through.

You need product while it's damp. Applying product to completely dry hair doesn't work as well. The hair is already set in whatever position it dried in.

Pomade or wax works better than gel. These have weight and can hold hair down without making it crunchy. Gel often doesn't have enough control for stubborn cowlicks.

Use a product with decent hold, apply it to damp hair, and specifically work it into the problem area in the back while pressing the hair down.

You're Checking It Too Much

This sounds stupid, but constantly touching and checking your hair makes it worse.

Every time you touch it, you disrupt whatever style is holding. Your hands mess up the product and lift the hair up.

Rubbing or patting it makes it stick up more. Trying to flatten it by repeatedly patting it down doesn't work. It just makes it frizzy and disrupts the product.

Looking in the mirror constantly makes you obsess. The more you check, the more you notice every little hair out of place, and the more you mess with it.

Hats make you check it more. Taking your hat off and immediately checking the back, then fixing it, then checking again - this cycle makes everything worse.

Style it once in the morning. Check it once to make sure it's okay. Then leave it alone. The more you mess with it, the worse it gets.

Your Barber Didn't Account for It

Sometimes the problem is literally the haircut.

If your barber cut the back at the wrong length, it'll stick up. They need to either cut it shorter so it lays flat or leave it longer so it has weight.

Not thinning or texturizing properly makes it worse. Sometimes adding texture to the problem area helps it blend instead of sticking straight up.

Cutting against the growth pattern creates issues. A good barber cuts with your hair's natural growth pattern in mind, not against it.

They might not have seen the cowlick. If you didn't mention it and they didn't notice, they cut your hair like it doesn't have any growth pattern issues.

Next time you get a haircut, specifically tell your barber about the spot in the back that sticks up. Show them exactly where. They can adjust the cut to minimize the problem.

Sleeping On It Makes It Worse

How you sleep affects how your hair looks in the morning, especially in the back.

Sleeping on wet hair sets it in weird positions. If your hair is damp when you go to bed, it dries while you're sleeping in whatever crushed, flattened position it's in. The back gets messed up worst.

Your pillowcase creates friction. Cotton pillowcases rough up your hair and create frizz and flyaways. The back of your head is on the pillow all night, so it gets the most damage.

You sleep in the same position every night. If you sleep on your back, that's 8 hours of pressure and friction on the hair in the back of your head.

Morning bedhead is hardest to fix in the back. The front and sides you can wet down and restyle easily. The back is harder to see and reach.

Satin or silk pillowcases reduce friction. They're gentler on your hair and cause less frizz and flyaways.

Make sure your hair is completely dry before bed. If you can't do that, at least get the back mostly dry even if the top is still damp.

It Might Be Your Hair Texture

Some hair textures are more prone to sticking up in the back.

Thick, coarse hair has more strength to stand up. Fine hair tends to lay flatter on its own. Thick hair fights gravity more.

Curly or wavy hair sticks out more easily. The natural curl or wave pattern can create lift in areas where hair grows at odd angles.

Asian hair is often thicker and straighter. This combination means it can stick straight up with force, especially at shorter lengths.

Damaged hair is stiffer and less cooperative. Healthy hair bends and moves. Damaged hair is rigid and does its own thing.

You can't change your hair texture, but knowing what you're working with helps you find solutions that work for your specific hair type.

Quick Fixes When You're In a Rush

Sometimes you don't have time for a whole styling routine and you just need the back to stop sticking up right now.

Wet it down and blow-dry it flat. Takes two minutes. Wet the problem area, blow-dry while holding it flat, done.

Use a bit of water and product. Dampen your hand, add a tiny bit of product, press it into the problem area. Not perfect but better than nothing.

Wear a hat for a few minutes. Sometimes just wearing a hat for 5-10 minutes while you do other stuff will flatten the hair down enough. Not ideal but it works in a pinch.

Hairspray as a last resort. If you're desperate, spray it and press it down. It won't look great but it'll stay flat.

Ask someone to check it for you. If you can't see the back properly, have someone tell you if it's noticeable or if you're overthinking it.

These aren't long-term solutions but they'll get you through a situation where you need to look decent quickly.

When to Just Accept It

Sometimes the best solution is accepting that the back of your hair does what it does.

Most people don't notice or care. You're way more aware of it than anyone else. Unless it's extremely obvious, people aren't paying attention to the back of your head.

Fighting it constantly is exhausting. If you're spending 20 minutes every morning trying to make one spot lay flat, that's not sustainable.

Some days it's worse than others. Humidity, how you slept, what products you used - some days it cooperates and some days it doesn't.

A slightly imperfect haircut is normal. Not everyone has perfect hair that behaves exactly how they want all the time.

Do what you can reasonably do, then let it go. If it's still bothering you after that, you might be overthinking it.

The Long-Term Solution

If you're tired of dealing with hair sticking up in the back, here's the permanent fix:

Find the right length for your hair. Work with your barber to figure out whether shorter or longer works better for your specific growth pattern.

Get regular cuts to maintain that length. Don't let it grow into the awkward in-between phase where it sticks up worst.

Develop a consistent styling routine. Blow-dry it the same way every time. Use the same products. Train your hair to lay the way you want.

Use the right products for your hair type. If you have thick, stubborn hair, you need strong-hold products. If your hair is fine, lighter products work better.

Take care of your hair health. Healthy hair is easier to manage. Use conditioner, don't overwash, protect it from damage.

It takes some trial and error to figure out what works for your specific hair, but once you do, it becomes way less of an issue.

The Bottom Line

Hair sticking up in the back is usually a combination of cowlicks, wrong length, and improper styling. You can't change your growth pattern, but you can work with it.

Get the right length cut, blow-dry it properly, use products that control it, and stop constantly messing with it. That handles 90% of cases.

If it's still a problem after doing all that, talk to your barber about solutions specific to your hair. They've dealt with this a thousand times and know what works.

Tired of fighting with hair that sticks up in the back? Book with Jded Barbershops and we'll cut it at the right length and show you how to style it so it stays flat.