Confused about which type of hairline you have? It’s not always easy to tell the difference between a widow’s peak vs a receding hairline. And if you’re worried about androgenetic alopecia, it can be an important distinction to make.
This condition affects about 85% of men [1] and 50% of women [2] at some point in life. And an M-shaped hairline can be one of the first signs of hair thinning and balding [3]. However, while an acquired M pattern is worrisome, a V shape you’ve always had at the centre of your hairline is normally harmless and does not necessarily imply hair loss [4].
Keep reading this article to find out all you need to know about these two major types of hairline, such as:
In the early stages of hair loss, it can be hard to tell the difference between a widow’s peak vs balding. But there are some key differences that can help you tell if you have a receding hairline or a widow’s peak:
Widow’s peak
Age
Compare your hairline with the photos above to determine which one most closely resembles yours.
A widow’s peak is characterised by a V-shaped frontal hairline. It’s a hairline type you’re born with, meaning men, women, and children can all have a widow’s peak [4].
Celebrities including Chris Hemsworth and Kourtney Kardashian have a widow’s peak:
Widow’s peaks are hereditary [4]. That means they’re inherited from other family members — so if your mum or dad has a widow’s peak, you may be more likely to have one yourself.
A widow’s peak is thought to be caused by multiple genes, so it can be hard to predict for certain if someone will or won’t develop this type of hairline.
Here’s how you can tell if you have a widow’s peak:
There are significant differences between a mature and a receding hairline. Most people between the ages of 17 and 29 [5] experience a slight upward shifting of their hairline, of about 1.5-2 cm from its original position. However, it remains mostly straight and even, without developing an M pattern. This represents a matured hairline and unlike a receding one, it is not normally a sign of balding.
While the maturing of your hairline does not mean you are losing your hair, it can indeed emphasise your widow’s peak, making it appear longer and more pronounced. If you only have a small peak, you may barely notice it until your hairline reaches maturity. And its sudden accentuation may confuse you into thinking your widow’s peak means hair loss.
Unfortunately, having a natural widow’s peak doesn’t make you immune to hairline recession. It’s possible to have both a widow’s peak and a receding hairline, as seen in Keanu Reeves:
If you have both a widow’s peak and balding, you’ll have some symptoms of each. This may include:
Finding a hairstyle that works for your hairline is important if you feel self-conscious about it. Here are three hairstyles for a receding hairline or widow’s peak.
Brushing your hair forward over your hairline can hide signs of recession and a widow’s peak.
Like the textured brush forward, a fringe can hide any signs of an uneven hairline. The fringe works well for various hair types, including thick straight styles and tousled cuts.
A sharp side parting and side-swept style won’t hide your hairline, but it’s a modern style that can work around your thinning or widow’s peak.
See more great hairstyles for male receding hairlines (and some styles you should avoid).
While a widow’s peak is not hair loss or a defect that needs to be corrected, some people don’t like the way it looks on them or don’t know how to integrate it into their style. Here are some tips on how you can deal with this hairline feature:
Since your widow’s peak is not balding, but part of your natural hair growth pattern, there is no medication you can use to make it disappear. However, if you really don’t like it, there are some cosmetic procedures you can try to permanently remove your widow’s peak:
Permanent laser hair removal uses low-energy laser beams to target and destroy hair follicles. This technology can be used on your widow’s peak to prevent further hair growth. However, it can take multiple sessions to achieve the desired result. Moreover, in some cases, the hair follicles get damaged, not permanently destroyed, so hair growth resumes as they start to recover.
If you are also experiencing frontal balding around your widow’s peak, a hairline transplant surgery can be your best option.
This procedure doesn’t only work to lower your existing hairline, it can also reshape it and help you get the look you want. So if you were planning on surgically restoring the dwindling hair around your frontal area anyway, you can ask your surgeon to implant the grafts in a way that masks your widow’s peak.
If your hairline recession is too severe to be hidden with careful styling, there are other treatments you can try. Here are some of the best treatments for a receding hairline.
Read more about the best ways to deal with a bad receding hairline.
At the Wimpole Clinic, our patient advisors can help you confirm that your widow’s peak is not a receding hairline. And if it is, they will recommend the best way to treat your frontal balding. Book a consultation for an accurate diagnosis and advice about your hair loss treatment options.
Our experienced and dedicated staff are here to answer all of your questions and provide you with the most effective, personalised solutions to your hairline problems.
Are you eager to find out even more about the difference between a widow’s peak vs a receding hairline? Don’t forget to read the answers to these frequently asked questions:
The main difference between a widow’s peak and balding is that you’ve always had the small V shape on your forehead. If it is developed suddenly later in life, it is not usually a widow’s peak but a receding hairline.
However, there can be an overlap between your widow’s peak and hair loss. So if you notice any changes in the shape or position of your hairline, it is best to see a trichologist for a timely assessment and diagnosis.
If you also have the beginnings of a receding hairline alongside your widow’s peak, it can be hard to tell the difference. However, normally, a healthy hairline that has a widow’s peak is straight or only slightly arched around the corners of the forehead. The only irregularity is the small V in its centre.
Try using some eyeliner or a wash-off marker to draw the contour of your hairline. This should give you a better view. If it looks like an M, especially if the corners are on the sharper side, it is best to get it checked out by a professional.
Yes, if you are experiencing frontal balding, it can affect your widow’s peak. As your mid-hairline recedes, your widow’s peak can develop thinner, softer and shorter hair and if left untreated, it can shrink until it disappears entirely. However, treating your hair loss can help you preserve or regrow this unique hairline feature.
A widow’s peak is a rather common feature and in the absence of other signs of hair thinning, it doesn’t normally leave the impression that you are balding. However, it can coexist with other types of alopecia (e.g. male pattern baldness) so if you’re also experiencing temple hair loss or a bald spot on the crown, a widow’s peak might accentuate the impression of dwindling hair.
If you’re not experiencing hair loss, there is nothing that hair growth medications can do to fix your widow’s peak. That is because it is not caused by your hair falling out, it is the result of how your hair follicles are naturally positioned and of your hair growth pattern. Medication can only affect your hairline shape if you are trying to restore growth to balding areas.
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