Receding Hairline

WHAT IS A RECEDING HAIRLINE?

A receding hairline is one of the first signs of baldness after the development of a mature hairline. It can be a result of a variety of factors. It can occur in both men and women, though more common in men. 

A receding hairline can start developing in men as they age. It is normal for a man’s hairline to move slightly higher above his forehead. This typically starts happening in men between the age of 17 and 30. 

Women are more likely to develop thinning hair than a receding hairline, although it is still possible for them to have a receding hairline, such as in the conditions of frontal fibrosing alopecia and traction alopecia.

RECEDING HAIRLINE SYMPTOMS

A receding hairline can start anytime after the end of puberty in men, and in their late 30s, they have a receding hairline. This process usually begins above the temples. From there, it progresses backward across the top of the head. So, the main symptom of a receding hairline is the loss of a lot of hair.

CAUSES OF RECEDING HAIRLINE

Many causes account for receding hairline, including:

• Age

Hairline hair loss is usually a natural process of aging. A post in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology says that 80% of European men may have a receding hairline when they are 80 years old. 

• Hormonal Changes

This may be a condition that would kick off hair loss in both men and women. DHT is a hormone that may be linked to male pattern baldness because it causes the follicles to shrink to the point that hair no longer grows in them anymore.

• Medical Treatment

This, including medications, may sometimes lead to hair loss. Chemotherapy makes hair follicles fall out at certain times.

• Health Disorders

Telogen effluvium is an illness or stress that leads to sudden hair loss. People experience this unexpected shedding, where they lose much more hair than usual in a short period. However, this hair loss may reverse back without treatment over time. 

• Family History

Some cases of receding hairline may be genetic. Men with a family history of baldness often experience hair loss which may follow a similar pattern.

• Lifestyle Pattern

Smokers experience hair loss faster than those who don’t smoke. Dieting may also play a role. Foods deficient in protein can cause hair loss. People who eat enough protein may have healthy hair.

TYPES OF HAIRLINES

Several features define hairlines in women and men, such as shape and height. Everyone’s hairline is different and distinctive but typically falls within one of several categories. Multiple factors affect hairlines, including age, hormones, genetics, and lifestyle habits. Any hairline can be styled to look attractive. 

The types of hairlines are divided into two groups; one for men, and the other for women.

For Women:

• Low hairline.

This is relatively close to the eyebrows and considered low. Women with this type have narrow or short foreheads. This is a great benefit since hairlines recede with age.

• High hairline.

This begins high up on the crown of your forehead. Often caused by genetics, it could also be caused by hair loss.

• Middle hairline.

Also known as average or normal hairline, it sits in the middle of the forehead and seems to be the most customary type.

• Widow’s peak.

This has a distinctive V-shape, either inherited or as a result of several rare genetic disorders such as frontonasal dysplasia. It may become more or less prominent with aging.

• Triangular hairline.

This has the opposite shape of the widow’s peak. At certain times, a triangular hairline may be caused by temporal triangular alopecia, a condition also known as congenital triangular alopecia.

• Uneven hairline.

A common phenomenon of this hairline is lack of symmetry. One side may be slightly higher than the other. Hairlines may also zigzag slightly or significantly. Uneven hairlines may be caused by genetics. They can also be a result of hairstyling practices. A hairline can also be uneven when your hair starts to recede.

• Bell-shaped hairline.

Also known as rounded or oval-shaped hairline, it is typically symmetrical and may make your forehead appear long in shape. It has a curved look, with no uneven lines.

• Straight-lined hairline.

This runs straight across the forehead and is rectangular. It is also known as the juvenile hairline.

• M-shaped hairline.

Also known as receding hairline, this is less common in women than in men. However, they are not rare and can be caused by genetics, hormones, stress, or lifestyle habits. A female receding hairline is different from female pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). 

A receding hairline may have hair that stops growing at one or both temples, giving you the M-shape. More of your forehead may also be exposed. Lifestyle practices like wearing two tight hairstyles daily for years can cause a hairline to recede. 

This situation may be temporary or permanent and is known as traction alopecia, which may most likely occur if you regularly treat your hair with chemicals. 

Hormonal changes associated with menopause may play a role in receding hairlines. Your hairline may recede slightly at the temples after pregnancy. This, however, is often temporary.

• For Men:

Males may likely have any of the hairline shapes of women. However, theirs can change much more strikingly over time. Most commonly hairline types in men can likely include:

• Low hairline.

This is common in boys and young male adults yet to experience hair loss. If it runs straight across the forehead, it is known as a juvenile hairline. Low hairlines are relatively close to the eyebrows.

• Middle hairline.

This is common in men during their teens and 20s. It is sometimes asymmetrical or uneven. It may look straight or rounded.

• Cowlick.

These are swirls of hair that grow in a direction other than their surrounding hairs. They may occur anywhere on the scalp but are often found at the crown or hairline. They occur in both males and females but are more commonly seen in men who have short hair and a few styling options.

• Receding hairline.

Receding hairline in men (also known as male pattern baldness) is a hereditary trait, caused by interaction between hair follicles and hormones like testosterone. This condition is also known as “androgenetic alopecia”. 

Males may notice their hairline begin to recede after puberty. Receding hairlines appear as high hairlines showing more scalp as they recede. They cause a deep M-shape if striking hair can recede occur at the temples.

RECEDING HAIRLINE TREATMENT

(How To Stop Receding Hairline)

A receding hairline is often seen as a bad hairline effect and for many people, options are the sort to prevent receding hairline from occurring.

These are some of the ways to prevent or regrow receding hairline:

• Strategic hair styling (hairstyles and haircuts) that does not tamper with your hairline.
• Hair treatment (via laser hair removal or electrolysis).
• Laser treatment.

There are specific types of laser therapy to stimulate hair growth along the hairline.

• Microblading (a tattooing technique that can last 6─18 months).
• Medication: This is to stop balding by using medications such as Rogaine and Finasteride, corticosteroids, or Dritho-Scalp. Drugs may cause side effects.
• Hair transplant for receding hairline: This is an in-office procedure done under local anesthesia. A plastic surgeon will remove the hair, typically from the back of your head, and transplant them along your hairline, to alter the shape.
• Essential oils.

CONCLUSION

Before you embark on treatments or any option to change your hairline, consult your doctor to recommend the one most suitable for you. Some medications have serious side effects. A receding hairline can be distressful to some individuals. Your doctor may help to determine its underlying cause and recommend helpful treatments. 

FAQs

• What should my hairline look like?

When people talk of a “normal” mature hairline, a middle hairline may be what comes to mind. They set towards the upper middle of the forehead. You may observe hair receding more towards the sides in an M-shape with a middle hairline.

• Which type of hairline is best?

Straight hairline, low hairline, middle hairline, and bell-shaped hairline are the best types of the hairline. They don’t make your forehead look large. A straight and bell-shaped hairline makes it easier for you to achieve any hairstyle you want.

• What does a woman’s normal hairline look like?

Typically, a woman’s hairline is often considered normal if it is 2─2.4 inches (5─6cm) above the eyebrow. For men, it is normal to have 2.4─3.2 inches (6─8cm) above the eyebrow. Widow’s peaks aren’t uncommon for women and sometimes are seen in men.

• What are the common symptoms of a receding hairline?

But there’re some telling symptoms to above, for example, losing a lot of hair is one such symptom. It is common for people to lose dozens of hairs daily.

• How can I reform my hairline?

Changing your hairline may involve medical and at-home (or over-the-counter) treatments which include strategic hair styling and haircuts, laser hair removal, electrolysis, shaving, tweezing, microblading, medications (such as Rogaine, Finasteride, or Dritho-Scalp), essential oils, as well as hair transplant.