The legacy of NBC's Friends isn't one of ratings records or piles of awards—it's about the way the show managed to impact popular culture by showing life at its most mundane. This is a series that turned sipping coffee into an art form, still prompts philosophical debates over the morality of being "on a break," and made it impossible not to shout pivot! when moving furniture. But Friends reached its cultural zenith when it managed to transform a simple hairstyle into a global talking point, as untold millions of women in the ‘90s flocked to salons all wanting one thing: “The Rachel.”
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“The Rachel” hairstyle, which was the creation of stylist Chris McMillan, was first worn by Jennifer Aniston’s Friends character Rachel Green in the April 1995 episode “The One With the Evil Orthodontist." It has its roots as a shag cut, layered and highlighted to TV perfection. It may have been a bit too Hollywood-looking for a twenty-something working for tips, but it fit in the world of Friends, where spacious Manhattan apartments could easily be afforded by waitresses and struggling actors.

The style itself wasn’t designed to grab headlines; McMillan simply gave Aniston this new look to be “a bit different,” as he later told The Telegraph. In hindsight, the ingredients for a style trend were all there: The cut was seen on the show’s breakout star as the series hit its ratings peak; an average of more than 25 million viewers tuned in each week during Friends's first three seasons. You can’t have that many eyeballs on you without fans wanting to get closer to you, and the easiest way to do that is to copy your style.

During the show’s second and third seasons in the mid-1990s, stories began to appear in newspapers and magazines about salons from Los Angeles to New York City and (literally) everywhere in-between being inundated with requests for Aniston's haircut. Some women would come in with their copy of TV Guide in hand for reference; others would record an episode of the show and play it at the salon to ensure accuracy. For these stylists, a good hair day for Rachel on a Thursday night meant big business over the weekend.

"That show has made us a bunch of money," Lisa Pressley, an Alabama hairstylist, said back in 1996. Pressley was giving around four "Rachels" per week to women ages 13 to 30, and she was touching up even more than that. Another hairdresser estimated that, during that time, 40 percent of her business from female clients came from the "Rachel." During the early days of the trend, McMillan even had people flying to his Los Angeles salon to get the hairdo from the man himself—a service that he charged a modest $60 for at the time.

A Finicky 'Do

What many clients learned, though, was that unless you had a trained stylist at your side, “The Rachel” required some real maintenance.

"People don't realize the style is set by her hairdresser," stylist Trevor Tobin told The Kansas City Star in 1995. “She doesn't just wake up, blow it dry, and it just turns out like that."

That was a warning Aniston knew all too well. In recent years, she has expressed her frustration at not being able to do the style on her own; to get it just right, she needed McMillan on hand to go through painstaking styling before shoots. In addition to being impossible to maintain, in a 2011 Allure interview, Aniston called it the “ugliest haircut I've ever seen." In 2015, the actress told Glamour that she found the look itself “cringey."

Though Aniston had grown to loathe the look, it was soon the 1990s' go-to style for other stars like Meg Ryan and Tyra Banks and later adopted by actresses and musicians like Kelly Clarkson and Jessica Alba. Debra Messing had an ill-fated run-in with it when she was told to mimic the style for her role on Will & Grace. They soon realized that trying it without McMillan was a fool’s errand.

“[It] was a whole debacle when we tried to do it on the show,” Messing recalled. “They literally tried for three hours to straighten my hair like [Aniston's]. It was so full and poofy that it looked like a mushroom.”

A Style That Sticks Around

Aniston’s personal preference for longer hair soon made its way on-screen, replacing the shorter, choppier “Rachel” by season 4. The once-iconic look was officially ditched, the last remnants of which were washed away in a flowing sea of ever-growing locks doused in blonde, pin-straight highlights. And once a haircut’s namesake turns their back on the style, it’s likely only a matter of time before the rest of the world moves on, too, right?

Wrong. “The Rachel” endured.

Unlike Farrah Fawcett’s showstopping feathered hair from the ‘70s, celebrities, news anchors, and the average salon-goer were still wearing the hairstyle well into the 2000s. Even now, fashion websites will run the occasional “Is ‘The Rachel’ Making a Comeback?” article, complete with the latest Hollywood star to sport the familiar shag.
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It’s a testament to McMillan’s skill, Aniston’s charm, and Friends’s cultural sway over audiences that people are still discussing, and donning, the hairstyle some 25 years later. And in a lot of ways, the haircut's success mimicked the show's: it spawned plenty of imitators, but no one could outdo the original.

​For many people, as they age, hair loss can be a pressing — at times upsetting — concern.

Androgenetic alopecia is the most common cause, which is experienced by more than 50 percent of people over age 50, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

There are countless over-the-counter and prescription treatments for hair loss. Still, one popular anti-baldness drug, in particular, has generated controversy over recent reports that tie it to the incidence of depression — including suicidal ideation — and other negative health effects among users.

The headlines concerning these reports offer a reminder to those seeking anti-baldness treatments to consult their doctors about any new medication they might be considering.

Concerning Findings

The drug in question is finasteride, which is sold under the brand name Propecia.
Due to an investigation by Reuters, unsealed court documents and records reveal that U.S. regulators and drug manufacturer Merck were aware of reports of suicidal behavior among users of the drug.

They failed to include information of these potential risks in a 2011 update of the drug’s warning label.

Reuters revealed that since that call over whether that information be included on the warning label, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) received more than 700 reports of suicidal thoughts and deaths by suicide among those using Propecia or its off-brand generic versions.

That number included at least 100 deaths. The news agency reports that within the first 14 years of Propecia sales, the FDA received 34 of these reports, which include those of 10 deaths.

They report that an internal company assessment shows that in 2009, Merck itself received 200 reports of depression — including suicidal ideation — among male users.

It was determined there wasn’t a high enough number of reports or enough specifics about cases of suicidal behavior and depression to require more than what was deemed regular monitoring of this data.

It’s not the only worrying data around this medication.

A studyTrusted Source published in 2020 showed that reports of anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts among young men 45 or younger who used this drug increased significantly in the years since 2012.

That information was derived from a World Health Organization (WHO) database of drug safety reports from more than 150 nations, mirroring a 2015 study that looked at cases of sexual dysfunction and suicidal thoughts among people ages 18 to 45.

For its part, Merck said that “the scientific evidence does not support a causal link between Propecia and suicide or suicidal ideation and these terms should not be included in the labeling,” in a statement released to Reuters regarding the latest report.

“Merck works continuously with regulators to ensure that potential safety signals are carefully analyzed and, if appropriate, included in the label for Propecia,” the statement reads.

The FDA issued its own statement, asserting that it “continues to monitor postmarketing safety data for Propecia.”

The agency added that these kinds of reports do not “mean the drug caused the adverse event” and that related medical problems can be due to the “underlying disease being treated, caused by some other drug being taken concurrently, or occurred for other reasons.

What to ask your doctor before going on Propecia

Given Propecia, and other drugs like it are so commonly used, how concerned should you be if you’re seeking hair loss treatment?

“Patients should keep in mind that Propecia, or finasteride, is a very effective medication for most patients with male pattern hair loss, androgenetic alopecia, and that most people will feel better taking it because it is helping their hair loss,” said Dr. Carolyn Goh, associate clinical professor of dermatology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Goh added that people pursuing this medication “should be aware of their mood while taking it” and look to “alternatives if they have a history of depression or other mental health problems.”

Dr. Barney Kenet, a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist, echoed those thoughts that if someone had a pre-existing mental illness, “it would be of concern that Propecia would unmask or exacerbate some mental health conditions symptoms.”

“There is also a low incidence of sexual side effects — low libido and erectile dysfunction — and for those reasons, it’s important that they have a good working relationship with their doctor,” Kenet told Healthline.

Despite the recent negative stories about the medication, a quick social media search finds direct-to-consumer companies such as Hims and Roman Health regularly touting the drug.

When asked whether she felt this is a drug that should be highlighted right now, Goh told Healthline that it should be made clear that it is “generally a safe and effective drug.”

“Direct-to-consumer companies have the benefit of making effective drugs more widely available, which is great, but perhaps discretion is advisable in this situation,” Goh added.

Kenet said that when you offer these medications to a wide audience through these kinds of channels, some customers who are at higher risk for negative side effects might not be getting all the information they need from a “glorified mail-order company.”

Both doctors said that, as with any medication, consult a doctor and medical team.
Research the medication and review with a doctor or medical team to discuss any underlying medical conditions to ensure appropriate treatment.

What else is out there?

If you have a history of depression or other forms of mental illness, what are alternatives if the reports about Propecia are a concern?

Goh suggested topical minoxidil, an FDA-approved treatment for baldness.
Topical minoxidil is also FDA approved for this kind of baldness, while it might not be as effective as finasteride, she added.

“Low dose oral minoxidil can be prescribed and may be a reasonable alternative. Topical finasteride can also be specially compounded and prescribed,” Goh said.

She cited studies in a 2018 reviewTrusted Source that show there “may be some benefit and safety” in topical finasteride, but “the studies are not rigorous and there is no commercially available formulation of it to know if it would be consistently helpful.”

“The laser comb, band, or cap — low-level laser therapy — is another option but tends to work less effectively. Platelet-rich plasma therapy with or without microneedling are other options as well,” Goh added.

Kenet also cited low-dose systemic minoxidil, but he stressed that this needs to be under the direct care of a doctor.

“There are weaves, toupees, and hair transplantation that are non-pharmaceutical,” Kenet added.

Hair loss and mental health

Underlying this discussion of safety around Propecia is the impact hair loss can have on one’s mental health. It can be distressing and sudden.

It also must be stressed that it impacts both men and women.

Estimates show that more than 50 percent of women will experience noticeable hair loss by age 50 and that female-pattern hair loss affects about 30 million women in the United States.

Essentially, for all people, it can take a psychological toll, especially those with underlying mental health conditions.

Whether compounded by the medication a person takes or not, what can one do to manage stress tied to balding?

Kenet said that “baldness is a big part of our culture, from movie stars to athletes.”
He said that while there is less shame attached to it now and that it doesn’t bear the stigma it had in the past, “it still can be quite traumatizing.”

Kenet recommends support groups like the digital platform “Patients Like Me” as well as the “The Bald Truth,” a radio show that is all things hair loss.

Goh highly recommends seeking help from a mental health professional.
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“Online forums can be very helpful and are easily accessible, but they may not be moderated, so should be approached with caution,” Goh explained. “Many people may be hesitant to discuss with family and friends, but they may be surprised by how many people have experienced similar situations, so could be a good source of support.”

Fade haircuts and the variants that come with it are fast becoming the classic go-to look amongst the legions of stylish gents.

If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a fade basically refers to long (or at least, longer) hair on top of the head, and short hair on the sides of the head and the back. Whether you opt for a skin fade haircut or a taper fade haircut is entirely down to you – we’ll look at both in a moment.

The fade cut is incredibly versatile, so is a suitable option for most guys when heading to the barber for a fresh trim. But what exactly should you be asking your barber when talking about styling options and how to even start thinking about styling it? Allow us to reveal all.
 
How To Ask Your Barber For A Fade Haircut

When you’re sitting in the barber’s chair, you can’t simply ask for a fade. Instead, you must tell your barber or hairdresser exactly what kind of style you want. The more precise you are, the more accurate they will be at delivering your wishes. The fade cut can actually be broken down into various styles: low-fade, mid-fade, high-fade and taper-fade to name a few.

While it’s certainly true that the fade cut will suit the majority of guys, your face shape will determine which style of fade works best for you.

You can also choose the length you want your fade to be. Naturally, you’ll want to aim for as short as possible – some guys even choose to have no guard on the clippers to get a skin fade – but a good starting point would be a number 1, fading up into a number 2.

Ultimately, if you’re not sure exactly what type of fade or what length to get, ask for your barber’s recommendation, or take a picture in with you of someone else’s hair that you like the look of. They’ll let you know if it’s possible.

Best Men’s Fade Haircuts

​What good is all this talk about the different styles of fade without some images and further explanation on them? Here are some of the most common fade haircuts for men to ask for on their next barber visit.

Low Fade 
​A low fade haircut is a perfect entry point into the world of fades, as it doesn’t require too much of the hair on the sides of the head to be removed. Instead, your barber will only cut the hair just above your ears. You can choose to have a hard low fade, which will see your hair go from a grade 0 or 1 to a 3 or 4, for example, or it can be blended more naturally, going from a 1 to a 2.

Mid Fade

The mid fade presents itself as being a great all-rounder. It’s less ‘boring’ than a low fade, but doesn’t have quite the same impact as a high fade. As its name suggests, the mid fade starts further up the sides of your head, roughly in line with your temple.
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A mid fade works with virtually any hair length on top of your head. Pair with a long pompadour, a short French crop, or even a buzz cut, and it doesn’t matter if you have straight or curly hair.

High Fade

The high fade is becoming increasingly popular for men, although there’s no denying it works best for guys with short hairstyles. This allows the dramatic change between the fade and the hair on top to be seen more clearly.
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A high fade can be worn by guys with all hair types too, whether it be straight, curly, afro or Asian

Taper Fade

A taper fade is a combination of the taper haircut and the fade haircut. These two styles on their own are often mistaken for one another, but there is actually much to separate them. A taper cut doesn’t exhibit as much of a drastic change between hair lengths but sees the hair taper inwards as it reaches the ear. It also only concerns the hair just over the ears and at the neckline.

A fade, more often than not, shows skin and follows the hairline all the way around, so even the back of the hair is faded too.
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A taper fade sees the hair gradually get shorter and shorter as you move toward the ears, before blending in with the skin. It’s possibly the best fade hairstyle for all guys, as it works with all hair types and any style you wish to have on top. It can also work wonders for all face shapes too, as the taper can be modified to suit.

Temple Fade

Also known as the Brooklyn Fade, the temple fade can have its history traced back to the 90s. Predominantly popular with black men with afro hairstyles, the temple fade has since found its way into haircut mainstream, where it is a viable option for anyone.
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A classic temple fair haircut will see the hair fade abruptly from the temple and down towards the ear. Only the hair in front of the ear is touched.

How To Style The Fade Haircut

There are several ways you can style your fade haircut. For a high fade – where the sides are short up above your ear – working some matte-effect product through the hair on top will give a tousled, stylish look.

Patricks M2 medium hold pomade will do the job here, offering a good amount of hold, but is pliable enough so that your hair will do exactly what you want it to. We’d recommend Patricks M2 for any fade style.

A fade doesn’t necessarily mean the hair on top has to be short either, just as long as the sides are faded, you have a fade. This means you can also opt for a pompadour hairstyle for a vintage vibe. A classic pompadour calls for a high-shine, so a pomade will be your friend here. Reuzel Blue is the perfect product for proving a strong hold and a high sheen.

You’ll want to add on some hairspray to really make sure your look stays locked in.
If you prefer a less subtle look, a quiff will do the trick. This doesn’t need to be so shiny, so a matte paste or cream will allow you to run your fingers through your hair to restyle it throughout the day.

How To Maintain The Fade Haircut

The main downside to rocking a fade hairstyle is that it will grow out and look unfaded pretty quickly. With this in mind, you’ll want to revisit your barber every two to three weeks to keep your hair looking its faded best.

Men’s Fade Haircut FAQs

What are other types of fade haircuts for men?
Burst fade, temple fade, shadow fade and bald fades are some of the variations of the fade haircut. Each is defined by the point where the fade begins.

What is the most popular style of the fade haircut?
The low fade haircut is the most popular cut because it is timeless and trendy at the same time. It is also versatile. You can add the low fade to any men’s hairstyle, short or long, for a clean-cut and fresh finish on the sides and back.

How do I know which fade haircut is for me?
Some fade hairstyles look best for a particular face or head shape. A drop fade, for instance, suits men with round or square face shapes. Play around with fades and find the one that suits you the best.

1. Round Thermal Brush

Best For:

• Curls, waves, volume and hair flips on normal to thick hair
• Hair Length: The longer the hair, the bigger the brush diameter
• Hair Type: Normal to thick hair

Why?
Large holes allow for great airflow, and ceramic-coated barrels dry the hair faster. Bristles are super heat-resistant AND ionic, so hair gets shiny and bouncy.

2. Square Thermal Brush

Best For:

• Waves and flips (smaller diameters) or volume and smoothing (larger diameters) on normal to thick hair
• Hair Length: The longer the hair, the bigger the brush diameter
• Hair Type: Normal to thick hair

Why?
Square shapes allow you to create more versatile looks, and large holes help with airflow. Soft-tip ionic bristles make the hair shinier and are gentle on the hair and scalp.

Pro Tip: The square thermal brush creates volume while the flat side creates straight, sleekness vs. the round thermal brush that creates a C-shape in the hair.

3. Ionic & Boar Paddle Brush

Best For:

• Daily brushing and care, touch-ups and styling
• Hair Length: Short to long
• Hair Type: Every hair type and hair extensions

Why?
Boar bristles distribute the hair’s natural oils for smooth and shiny hair, eliminating frizz and flyaways. The ionic and boar bristle combo is perfect for styling and brushing thick or curly hair.

4. Round Boar Brush

Best For:                          

• Volume (smaller diameters) and straightening on wavy, curly or very curly hair
• Hair Length: The longer the hair, the bigger the brush diameter
• Hair Type: Wavy, curly and very curly

Why?
Boar bristles distribute the hair’s natural oils, resulting in super shiny hair. The tightly packed bristles give excellent tension control when straightening. Also, remember when using this brush on curls and waves, it is NOT a detangler!

5. Detangling Paddle Brush

Best For:

• Detangles wet or dry hair
• Hair Length: All lengths
• Hair Type: Every hair type

Why?
Ball-point tips are gentle on the hair and scalp, and the snag-free design makes it easier for the brush to gently glide and detangle the hair from roots to ends.

6. Vent Soft Tip Paddle Brush

Best For:

• Blow-drying, styling and daily brushing
• Hair Length: All lengths
• Hair Type: Every hair type

Why?
The large flat area straightens hair, and the vented brush head cuts down blow-drying time. The ionic bristles penetrate all the way to the scalp with gentle ball-point tips.

7. Color & Care Brush

Best For:

• Fully saturating and evenly distributing hair color, lightener and treatments
• Hair Length: All lengths
• Hair Type: Every hair type

Why?
Dual length bristles easily penetrate shallow and deep layers at the same time for full saturation without gaps. The brush removes excess product and redistributes where it’s needed for a natural blend.

8. Styler Brush

Best For:

• Styling, shaping, daily brushing and men’s styling
• Hair Length: Short to medium
• Hair Type: Fine to normal

Why?
Ball-point tips glide through the hair for faster styling, and the ceramic plate retains heat while you style. The heat-resistant, semi-circular pad helps shape the hair.

9. Teasing ­­Brush

Best For:

• Teasing, building volume, creating texture and back-brushing
• Hair Length: All lengths
• Hair Type: Every hair type

Why?
The narrow brush design is perfect for building for back-combing and building volume or texture. The tail helps for sectioning with precision, separating hair, tucking and lifting.

10. Should I Use A Brush Cleaner & How Often?

​Short answer: YES!
Whatever brush you choose, it’s ESSENTIAL to regularly clean—Mickey recommends using the Brush Cleaner between clients who lose a lot of hair and daily. This is a must for maintaining a clean, professional appearance and allows the brushes to do their jobs better!

The classic taper haircut is a low-maintenance, high-performance style that’s classic and timeless. It’s easy to get, and you can modify it to your personal style. It’s one of those styles for men that simply can’t go wrong.It works well with all face shapes and hair types, and it strikes the balance between casual and professional. If you’re in need of a tidy haircut for your job or simply want a polished style, the classic taper haircut is for you.

What do I need for the classic taper haircut?

Since the classic taper haircut is a flexible style, you can tweak it to your liking. Because of that, there are no set requirements for hair length. Shorter hair will give a more professional, classic appearance, while longer hair will give a more contemporary appearance and will almost look like a quiff in some regards.
The length is completely up to you.

How to Get the Classic Taper Haircut

In many ways, the classic taper haircut is like the disconnected undercut. The hair on the sides and back is tapered quite short while the hair on top is left long. However, the classic taper haircut is more old-school and formal.

You’ll first want to tell your stylist how long you want your hair to be. While it’s up to your liking, a good starting point is two inches on top.

To get the classic taper haircut, start by tapering the sides and the back. (Make sure you tell your stylist how gradual you want the taper to be.) Your stylist may use shears or a hair clipper to achieve the taper. The clipper setting can be as short as #2 or as long as #5, depending on your preference.

You can also specify where you want the taper to end. If you prefer a long taper that ends at the base of the neck, then the clippers should provide a good result. However, if you like a shorter taper that ends more near the bottom of the ears, ask your stylist to end the taper there. It’s possible they will use a straight razor to eliminate all the hair below the taper’s end. If you like this clean-cut look, make sure to ask for the razor trim as well.

Next, ask your stylist to trim the hair on top of your head to your desired length. This can be anywhere from half an inch to four inches. Your stylist will most likely use scissors for this.
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How to Style the Classic Taper Haircut

The classic taper haircut can be styled in tons of different ways, so choose a style that suits you. That said, there are a couple of elements that always work well with a classic taper haircut.

You can’t go wrong with a side part. A part used in conjunction with a classic taper haircut is a winning combination, especially if the part is dramatic.

You’ll also want to consider some good-quality hair products to keep your taper at its best. For shorter hair, any regular wax, paste, pomade, or similar product will work. For longer hair, consider a product with a higher hold. Pomade or paste are ideal if you want your hair to have a glossy shine.