According to one embodiment, a system comprises a magnetic pole having a media-facing end and a wrap around shield spaced from the magnetic pole, wherein the wrap around shield has a media-facing end positioned along three sides of the media-facing end of the magnetic pole and has inner, second, and middle regions separated by transitional regions. The inner region is closest to the media facing end of the magnetic pole, the second region is farthest from the media facing end of the magnetic pole, and the middle region is between the inner and second regions. A cross-sectional height of the inner region measured perpendicularly to the wrap around shield's media-facing end is less than a cross-sectional height of the second region, and a cross-sectional height of the middle region is greater than the cross-sectional height of the inner region and less than the cross-sectional height of the second region.