Worried about developing a bad receding hairline? You’re not alone. A 2020 poll of men aged 18-24 found that almost two-thirds were “terrified” of going bald, while 51% of those aged 25-34 agreed that a thinning hairline is “frightening” [1].
It’s easy to dismiss hair as a cosmetic concern, but the fact is that it can have a serious impact on your self-esteem. So if you have a bad receding hairline, or you’re worried about your hairline getting worse, it’s time to take action.
Here, you’ll learn all the most effective ways to deal with a bad receding hairline, from proven treatments to surgical solutions. You’ll also discover:
Bad hairlines are in the eye of the beholder, so there’s not really a consensus on the worst hairline. But the nature of a receding hairline is that it gets progressively worse over time, as shown in the Norwood Scale:
Men in the latter stages of this scale have widespread balding that’s difficult to cover or disguise, making a bad receding hairline even more apparent. So if you feel self-conscious about your hair, it’s a good idea to learn how to stop a receding hairline at the first signs of thinning or balding.
Men with Norwood stage 7 hair loss tend to have surpassed the point of hairline recession into full balding. Norwood stage 5-6 is the worst stage of a receding hairline. These images show men with stage 5 and 6 receding hairlines:
If you can still disguise your M-shaped hairline with careful styling, chances are you’re still in the relatively early stages of male pattern baldness. That means your hairline really isn’t so bad, even if it feels substantial when you pull your hair back from your face.
The more your hairline recedes, the harder it gets to cover it with your hair. Some of the worst hairlines tend to be poorly disguised with hair so thin you can see the scalp underneath:
The earlier you tackle your receding hairline, the more likely you are to retain your hair and even stimulate regrowth. So if you’re worried about developing a bad hairline, find out how to deal with it below.
If you think your receding hairline is getting worse, it’s not too late to take action. Here are 10 effective ways to deal with a bad receding hairline.
A hair transplant is the single most effective way to deal with a bad receding hairline. While it’s a moderately invasive procedure, FUE and FUT transplants can reverse a receding hairline, even if you’re already around stage 5 of the Norwood Scale.
Getting a hairline transplant isn’t a decision to take lightly, so it’s important to get all the information you need upfront. Book a consultation at the Wimpole Clinic and speak to our hair transplant specialists; they’ll be happy to answer any questions you have in a pressure-free, non-judgmental conversation.
Pros:
Cons:
See why England cricket captain Ben Stokes chose the Wimpole Clinic to tackle his receding hairline:
Switching your hairstyle is one of the quickest ways to deal with a bad receding hairline. If time’s not on your side, consider a rapid restyle to disguise your temple hair loss.
Some of the best male hairstyles for a receding hairline include:
Minoxidil is a licensed treatment for male pattern baldness in the UK. It’s proven to help with symptoms of hair thinning, with research supporting the use of Minoxidil for a receding hairline [3].
Minoxidil takes several months to work, and it’s most effective if used in the early stages of hair loss. So even if you’re unsure whether it’s true hair thinning or if you’re just paranoid, Minoxidil is a good first-line treatment.
Like Minoxidil, Finasteride is an effective licensed hair loss treatment. Finasteride works for a receding hairline, though it’s particularly good for treating crown hair loss [4]. One study found no further hair loss after a year of use in 70% of men with frontal balding, with regrowth chances of 37%.
This medication does come with a small risk of sexual side effects, such as Finasteride-induced erectile dysfunction. However, this is extremely rare — most men experience excellent hairline improvements with minimal side effects.
Dutasteride tackles hair loss by inhibiting production of dihydrotestosterone, the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. While this is the same mechanism as Finasteride, evidence suggests Dutasteride is somewhat more effective at improving hair loss [5].
However, Dutasteride isn’t yet licensed as a hair loss drug, as more evidence is needed to establish its safety and effectiveness. If you want to try Dutasteride for a receding hairline, you’ll need an off-label prescription from a dermatologist or trichologist.
Shaving your head is the ultimate way to embrace a bad receding hairline. Whether you decide to go completely clean shaven or leave a slight shadow, getting a buzzcut for a receding hairline is a power move.
To soften the transition from a receding hairline to a shaved head, consider getting scalp micropigmentation. This type of hair tattoo for men involves inking tiny dots across your scalp to mimic a shaved yet full hairline. Alternatively, growing a beard while bald is a popular modern style that suits many balding men.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for hair is a minimally invasive procedure that involves drawing a small amount of blood, extracting the platelet-rich plasma, then reinjecting this into balding areas. PRP hair treatment success rates suggest this is an effective way to tackle hair loss, with 84% of patients across six studies experiencing positive outcomes [6].
You’ll need several PRP sessions to see results, and these are only sustained for as long as you continue PRP treatment. So most patients combine PRP with other hair loss solutions for longer-lasting regrowth.
Low-level laser therapy for hair is a noninvasive procedure that works by directing light beams of specific wavelengths onto the scalp, triggering cell activity and hair regrowth [7]. There’s even evidence that home laser hair growth caps can help with hair loss [8].
Like with most other treatments for a bad receding hairline, you’ll need multiple LLLT sessions over a long period of time to see substantial results. The costs of this can add up, and results are temporary. But many people opt for LLLT because it’s completely painless and noninvasive, requiring zero downtime.
There’s evidence that certain natural remedies may help improve the symptoms of male pattern baldness. These remedies include:
The research for these natural hair loss remedies is promising, but it’s still in the very early stages. So don’t expect these treatments to perform miracles. However, if you have sensitive skin and/or a preference for natural products, they may be worth trying.
To avoid skin irritation and other side effects, dilute essential oils for hair growth in a carrier oil before applying them to your skin.
Certain shampoos — such as caffeine shampoo and ketoconazole shampoo — may be effective for improving a receding hairline when used regularly. For best results, switch to one of the best shampoos for hair growth permanently, and use it consistently each day.
Results may improve if you can leave the shampoo on for longer than usual (although avoid this if you experience an itchy scalp after washing or any other kind of irritation).
In the early stages, it’s not always easy to tell if your hairline is receding. But an advanced receding hairline is much easier to spot. Here’s how you can tell:
Fortunately, there are several ways to tackle a receding hairline, even in the more advanced stages of hair loss. To discuss your options, book a consultation with the Wimpole Clinic’s trichology team. With hair loss clinic locations around the UK, we’re well placed to help you with your receding hairline.
Learn more about dealing with a bad receding hairline in these FAQs.
Yes — with the right treatment(s), you can restore a receding hairline. The best way to get an effective treatment plan in place is to discuss your needs with a hair loss specialist.
Regrowth isn’t as easy as slowing hair loss down. For advanced balding, you may need a combination of nonsurgical treatments as well as a hair transplant to increase your chances of successful regrowth.
Not all receding hairlines are considered bad. As you get older, you’re likely to develop a more mature hairline. This typically involves some temple hair loss, but it doesn’t always end with dramatic hairline recession.
A bad hairline is more likely to occur if you’re affected by rapid hair loss at a relatively young age. It can also happen as a result of a bad haircut, a hair transplant that’s gone wrong, or non-genetic hair loss conditions such as traction alopecia. Learn how to fix a messed up hairline.
No. A V-shaped hairline — also known as a widow’s peak — is a type of hairline that isn’t necessarily affected by hair loss. So you don’t need to worry about having a V-shaped hairline unless you start to see additional hair loss around your temples. Find out how to tell the difference between a widow’s peak vs a receding hairline.
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