Skin Fade Vs Mid Fade: Explained with Pictures

To get the hairstyle you want, first, you need to learn the differences between fade types.

Now, what’s separates Skin Fade vs Mid Fade?

Skin fades start very short and blend into longer hair above. Mid fades vary in length but usually begin about an inch above the ear.

Remember, mid fades can also be skin fades – more on this below.

A skin fade involves shaving the sides and back up to a specific point, gradually increasing in length as it moves upward. In contrast, a mid fade starts with a #1 length, just above the ear, before increasing in length further up the sides and back. It’s crucial to note that a mid fade can also be a skin fade, if the shortest length of the mid fade is shaved down to the skin, it becomes a skin fade.

Conversely, a “mid skin fade” specifically refers to a mid fade where the shortest length (shaved area) reaches about an inch above the ear before lengthening. The distinction between skin fades and mid fades lies in the length versus the height of the fade. However, these terms are often compared, leading to confusion.

Mid fades can also have non-skin variations, where the shortest length doesn’t necessarily require shaving. You can opt for mid zero fades, mid 1 fades, mid 2 fades, and so on. The key difference lies in how short the shortest part of the fade is before it gradually increases. For instance, in a zero fade, the shortest length is clipped to a number 0, while in a 1 fade, it’s clipped to a number 1.

What unites them all is that they are mid fades, and they all seamlessly increase in length by about 1 inch above the ear. This differs from low fades, which start increasing around half an inch above the ear, and high fades, which begin at the temples. To simplify, “skin fade” refers to the length of the fade, while “mid fade” signifies its height.

Characteristic	Skin Fade	Mid Fade
Starting Length	Very short, often shaved to the skin.	Typically starts with a #1 length clipper guard just above the ear.
Gradual Increase	Gradually increases in length upwards.	Increases in length further up the sides and back.
Shortest Length	Usually shaved to the skin.	Shortest length is typically a #1 clipper guard.
Flexibility	Can be a mid fade if the shortest length is not shaved to the skin.	Can encompass skin fade if the shortest length is shaved to the skin.
Terminology	Often referred to based on length of the fade.	Described based on the height where the fade begins.
Appearance	Offers a sleek, clean-shaven look.	Provides a bit more hair length above the ear for a defined transition.

A low skin fade refers to a hairstyle in which the hair on the sides and back is shaved up to approximately half an inch above the ear, after which it gradually grows longer as you move upwards.

As evident in the picture, the shortest portion of the fade is completely shaved, meeting the criteria for a “skin fade.”

While there are mid fades in the realm of skin fades, this particular one is not classified as such, since the shortest hair doesn’t extend as high as an inch above the ear.

Mid Fade can also be a Skin Fade as we mentioned above, if this is confusing to you, just look at the picture below.

As you can see in the picture, the hair is shaved down to the skin at its shortest point, creating a skin fade effect. However, this minimum length extends to about an inch above the ear, resulting in a medium fade to the skin. Although this medium fade sits relatively high on the head, it does not go up to the temples. 

A high skin fade is a specific type of haircut that involves shaving the hair very short or down to the skin (hence the term “skin fade”) but with the fade line positioned high up on the head, the hair is typically cut very short at the sides and back of the head, gradually transitioning to longer hair on top. The fade line, which is the point where the hair transitions from short to long, is positioned well above the ears and often extends to the crown or upper portion of the head.

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This style creates a distinct contrast between the short, closely shaved sides and the longer hair on top. High skin fades can be customized to various lengths and styles on top, allowing for a wide range of looks, from conservative to more trendy or edgy. 

It combines two trendy hairstyles: a classic comb over on the upper section of the head and a stylish fade on the sides. Achieving this look involves combing the top hair forward, incorporating some hair from the sides and back, which creates the illusion of a full and voluminous mane. This combing action naturally forms a side part. The fade, on the other hand, is applied to the sides and back of the head, transitioning from a very short or even completely bald look to the desired hair length on top.

The mid temple fade closely resembles a standard fade but with a distinct twist. It’s characterized by a ‘V’ shape that originates at the temple and extends in a straight line past the back of the ear, ultimately reaching the nape of the head. This meticulously clipped section sits just above the sideburn area and gently curves over the ear, seamlessly blending into longer hair at the upper sides. While other fade variations, like high fades and skin fades, typically call for a very short back and sides throughout, the temple fade offers more flexibility, accommodating grades two to four based on your preferred hairstyle.

With its primary focus on the temple area, this mid fade can create a striking effect in front of the ear, giving rise to a mohawk- or mullet-like shape while preserving texture in the back. 

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