The skin fade,
properly explained.
The short answer: a skin fade is a haircut where the sides and back are graded all the way down to bare skin, then blended up into the length on top. Below: high, mid and low skin fades, upkeep, and how we cut one.
Book direct: Isleworth Brentford Whitton Teddington
What is
a skin fade?
A skin fade takes the hair right down to the skin at the sides and back, then blends up into whatever length you’re keeping on top. It’s the tightest, cleanest fade there is: no visible line where the clipper stops, just a smooth gradient from bare skin to full length. It works on straight hair, curls, coils, and everything between, because the fade is doing the shaping, not the texture on top.
A taper fade is the softer version: the sides come down short, but the clippers never touch bare skin. Read our taper fade guide, or see the two head to head in our taper fade vs skin fade comparison.
High, mid
or low.
The fade’s starting point changes the whole look. This is what each one does.
High skin fade
Starts near the crown, so most of the side of your head is bare skin. Sharpest contrast, most maintenance, best on thicker hair on top that needs the contrast to stand out.
Mid skin fade
Starts around temple height. The most requested version at Crew, because it’s sharp without being loud, and it grows out without looking patchy.
Low skin fade
Starts just above the ear. Subtler, works well for office jobs or anyone who doesn’t want to be back in the chair every two weeks.
How we cut it
at Crew.
Every skin fade starts the same way: a quick look at your last cut and a question about what you want to change, then clippers on a zero guard taken down close, working up through the guards until the top length starts. A straight razor or foil shaver finishes the lowest part of the fade to true skin, then we finish with a razor line and a head massage. It’s £20 at every shop, the same price whether you’re at Isleworth or Teddington, and it comes with the same hot-towel neck finish as every other cut on the board.
Is a skin fade
right for you.
A skin fade is the sharpest option and needs more upkeep. Worth knowing before you book:
Contrast
The bare skin against the hair on top is the point of the cut. It looks best when you’re keeping some length or texture on top, so the fade has something to contrast with.
Upkeep
Because the sides go to skin, regrowth shows quickly. High skin fades need a refresh every two to three weeks. Low and mid fades hold closer to four.
Sun on bare skin
The sides of your head are exposed. In summer, treat them like any other bare skin and use sun protection when you’ll be outside for long.
Not sure about going all the way to skin? Our taper fade guide covers the softer option, and the taper fade vs skin fade comparison puts the two side by side.
What to ask
for.
Tell your barber:
- High, mid or low: where the fade starts. Mid is the safe starting point.
- Skin or taper: a skin fade goes to bare skin at the bottom. If you only want skin at the very edge, ask for a skin taper.
- Foil finish or not: a foil shaver gives the closest, smoothest skin. Tell your barber if you want it.
- The top: how much length to keep, and whether it’s textured, slicked back or a short crop.
- A photo: front and side, if you have one.
If the upkeep
is too much.
Ask for a low skin fade, or move to a taper. Both grow out more gently, and you can go back to skin whenever you like.
Skin fades
from the chair.
Common
questions.
How much is a skin fade at Crew Barbers?
£20, at every one of our four West London shops. Under-12s get a Little Gents fade for £15.
How often do I need to come back?
A high skin fade needs a refresh every two to three weeks to stay sharp. Low and mid fades hold their shape closer to four weeks.
Does a skin fade work with curly hair?
Yes. The fade shapes the sides and back regardless of texture on top, so it works with straight, wavy, curly or coily hair.
What’s the difference between a skin fade and a taper fade?
A skin fade takes the sides down to bare skin. A taper fade keeps a short length of hair there instead — shorter than the top, but never shaved. See our taper fade vs skin fade comparison for the full breakdown.
Can I walk in for a skin fade, or do I need to book?
Walk-ins are welcome at every Crew shop, seven days a week. Book ahead on Booksy if you want a specific barber or time.
What is a mid skin fade?
A mid skin fade starts the blend around the ear and takes the sides down to bare skin below that. It is the middle option between a low fade, which stays near the hairline, and a high fade, which starts up near the temples.
What is a low skin fade?
A low skin fade keeps the bare-skin section low, around the ears and neckline, and leaves more length above. It is the most conservative skin fade and the easiest to wear to work.
Is a skin fade the same as a bald fade, or a foil fade?
A bald fade is another name for a skin fade. A foil fade is a skin fade finished with a foil shaver for the smoothest, closest result, so it is a finish, not a separate haircut.
Can I get a skin fade with a crew cut?
Yes. A crew cut is short on top with tapered sides, and it can be cut with a skin fade at the sides for a sharper finish. If you are unsure between the two, read our taper fade vs skin fade comparison.
Book your skin fade.
£20 at every Crew shop. Walk in any day, or pick your barber on Booksy.
Book direct: Isleworth Brentford Whitton Teddington