If you notice that your hairline isn’t quite as even or low as it once was, you might worry that you’re starting to go bald. However, there is an undeniable difference between a mature hairline and a receding hairline. While a maturing hairline can be perfectly benign, receding hairline causes usually include certain forms of alopecia.
Genetic hair loss, such as male pattern baldness, affects around 85% of men by age 50, and a receding hairline is one of the key symptoms [1]. While female pattern hair loss does not normally affect the hairline [2], women can also experience some types of alopecia that cause their hairline to recede temporarily (e.g., traction alopecia) or permanently (e.g., frontal fibrosing alopecia).
However, maturing hairlines are a normal part of ageing, which happens to everyone. They are not a symptom of hair loss. How can you tell the difference between these types of hairline? And how can you stop a receding hairline from progressing? Keep reading this article to find out all you need to know about:
There are several things to look out for and take into consideration when trying to discern whether your hairline has simply matured or has started to recede. Here are some of the most helpful:
Compare the symptoms of a mature vs a receding hairline at a glance in the table below:
To determine if your hairline is mature or receding, you will first need to take a good look in the mirror and look for the following traits:
Maturing hairlines usually move back in a straight and even line, though it’s not uncommon for men to develop an uneven hairline as they age.
However, in most cases, a maturing hairline will move back in a consistent pattern over time. If you would like to be certain that your hairline is maturing as opposed to receding, consult with a medical professional who is experienced in both hair loss and hair growth.
Maturing hairlines usually stops receding around 1.5-2 cm above their juvenile form (you can get an idea of where that used to be by measuring from the highest wrinkle on your forehead). If you find that your hairline is receding past this point and into your scalp, you may have a receding hairline.
If your entire hairline resembles the letter M, it may be receding. However, if, instead of a prominent M-shape, you find that your hair forms a straighter line or a more subtle V-shape, known as a widow’s peak, then you probably have a mature hairline.
There are also some factors to consider when assessing your hairline to determine whether it has simply matured or has started to recede. Here are some of the most common:
Age
Both mature and receding hairlines can start at a young age, typically between the late teens and the late twenties. However, a maturing hairline will eventually settle, while a receding one will likely progress with age if left untreated.
Men usually see the first signs of hair thinning and balding in their twenties, and unaddressed hair loss tends to increase in intensity and extend to other areas of the scalp (e.g., the temples and the crown). So, if you have noticed your hairline becoming higher-set in your twenties and it hasn’t changed significantly by the time you are in your thirties, it likely has simply matured.
Gender
In comparison to men, women have a naturally lower hairline [3]. So, if you are female and you notice that your hairline is becoming significantly higher-set than it used to be, it could be a sign that it is receding.
In men, the most frequent receding hairline cause is male pattern baldness. However, in women, this is rarely a sign of female pattern baldness, especially if it’s not accompanied by a widening of the midline parting. But it could still be a sign of traction alopecia or a rarer autoimmune disorder called frontal fibrosing alopecia (which normally affects postmenopausal women but can sometimes also occur in men and premenopausal women).
Family history of baldness
Sadly, hair loss is hereditary. This means that if other men in your family have experienced androgenic alopecia, there’s a high chance you will also [4]. That doesn’t necessarily mean that if your dad was bald, you will definitely go bald too, but you are certainly predisposed.
Similarly, if your male relatives’ hairline has matured healthily, yours might as well. Consider if your hairline recession follows a similar pattern to the hair of your dad, grandpa, or another genetic male relative.
Most children and young adolescents have a straight, healthy, concave hairline. However, as they grow into young adults, their height and appearance start to transform. This is a normal process due to ageing, hormonal changes brought on by puberty, and environmental factors such as diet, air quality, lifestyle habits, etc. Almost all adult men and 81% of adult women undergo this type of visible hairline modification [5].
Individuals with mature hairlines will find that their hairline gradually moves back about 1.5 cm-2 cm from its original position over a number of years. It will normally preserve a straight appearance while doing so, although some slight unevenness and slightly more pronounced temple mounds are also common [5].
The exact moment when your hairline has reached its mature form depends from one person to another. However, most people have noticed that their hairline position has been shifting between the ages of 17-29 [5]. It usually happens so slowly that most people don’t even realise it. Mature hairlines are nothing to stress out about and are considered a part of the natural ageing process.
If you’re concerned about hair thinning as you get older, there are ways to preserve your hairline with tactical styling. See these older men’s hairstyles for thinning hair for inspiration.
Receding hairline causes include the action of the same hormones as maturing ones – testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). However, a maturing hairline isn’t usually a sign of genetic hair loss. It is a normal physical change that happens over time, just like other parts of your physiology undergo transformations with age.
However, suppose you notice that your mature hairline starts receding even further or is accompanied by significant hair thinning at the temples or the crown. In that case, seeing a hair specialist is a good idea. That is because you may have developed baldness in a male pattern.
If you have a receding hairline, you’ll typically find that it progresses much more quickly earlier in your life. Many individuals notice hair loss in their mid-20s, which continues rapidly.
Receding hairlines tend to rise higher than mature ones. They may be asymmetric and accompanied by temple hair loss and frontal balding. You might also notice that your hair is thinning on the crown of your head or experiencing excessive hair shedding.
Both receding and mature hairlines can cause more hair loss on one side of the head than the other, especially in the early stages. However, in mature ones, the hair loss eventually stabilises, while in receding ones, it continues progressing.
While only a hair doctor can diagnose your hair and scalp condition, receding hairline causes often include alopecia. If you are a man, it is one of the earliest signs of male pattern baldness [8].
If you are a woman and frequently wear tight hairstyles or heavy extensions that apply tension to your hairline, it could be a sign of traction alopecia [9]. Or it could be a sign of frontal fibrosing alopecia (this is especially true if you are postmenopausal, as the chances to develop this condition increase significantly after menopause [10]).
Hairline maturation results from a combination of age, hormones, environmental and lifestyle factors. However, different types of alopecia can cause a receding hairline.
In men, most hair loss happens as a result of hormone production in the body. Some of your naturally occurring testosterone is converted into a different androgen hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When excessive amounts of DHT are produced, it binds with hair follicles, which in turn causes them to shrink and eventually stop producing hair.
Different amounts of DHT in your blood and different levels of sensitivity to this hormone will cause your hairline to either mature or, by chance, recede. As a result, men who produce high amounts of DHT are more likely to experience genetic hair loss, such as male pattern baldness.
It should be noted that there are other potential reasons for hair loss around the temples and forehead, too. For example, wearing your hair in a tight ponytail or top knot can cause traction alopecia, which is known to cause hair loss in these areas. However, unlike a receding hairline, this type of hair loss is often reversible.
Although it is uncommon for women to experience the same hair loss patterns as men, some women will develop female temple hair loss.
Usually, a woman experiencing hair loss will find that it is more subtle and less noticeable than a prominent receding hairline. Whereas men might lose hair rapidly or notice hair loss with an M-shaped receding hairline, women will most likely lose their hair more slowly. This will usually begin with thinning hair at the crown of the head and eventually spreading evenly across the entire scalp (diffuse thinning).
Fortunately, female pattern baldness in women will not usually result in complete baldness but instead overall hair thinning across the entire scalp and not just in a targeted area. However, hairline recession in women could indicate something more serious, such as frontal fibrosing alopecia. This causes a receding hairline that can sometimes meet the crown and often involves the eyebrows.
Mature hairlines don’t usually result in substantial hair loss. Instead, they often give men a distinguished look corresponding to their age. As a result, most men with a mature hairline don’t usually seek to restore the hair they’ve lost from around their temples.
However, if you are worried you might develop further hair loss over time, there are things you can do to maintain your hair health:
Some of the best essential oils for hair growth have proven properties against androgenetic alopecia. That is why they can help you tackle your receding hairline causes. You can try rosemary oil for hair growth and pumpkin seed oil for the most effective results.
Moreover, peppermint oil contains menthol, which can soothe your scalp if you are experiencing itchy or inflammatory scalp conditions, reducing hair breakage. These oils contain fatty acids, which can moisturise and nourish your locks, making them softer and shinier.
It is a lesser-known fact that smoking can cause hair loss. It can do so for several reasons. On the one hand, nicotine narrows the blood vessels in your scalp, reducing the flow of oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles. It can also cause systemic inflammation that can damage your hair roots and worsen autoimmune alopecias. On the other hand, studies show that it can trigger androgenetic alopecia or make its symptoms more severe [11][12].
Exercise is key to maintaining not only a healthy body but also aids in keeping hormonal balances in check. Not only is exercise good for the body, but it is also good for the soul. It can help lower your overall stress levels and thus reduce your chances of developing telogen effluvium.
Maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet for healthy hair will nourish your follicles and promote good hair growth. Nutrients such as vitamins A, B, C, D and E, iron, zinc, magnesium, protein and more play important roles in strand production. And the best way to get them is to maintain a varied diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.
As always, make sure that you are properly hydrated and drink plenty of water. Limit your consumption of alcohol and reduce your intake of processed foods or snacks which are high in sugar, sodium, and/or fat.
It is a common hair loss myth that washing your hair too often causes hair thinning. In fact, the opposite is true. Research [13] shows that washing your hair and scalp 5-6 times a week can reduce thinning caused by hair breakage.
That is because a clean scalp makes your hair grow stronger and reduces itchy scalp problems such as dandruff. So washing your hair frequently may keep your hairline stronger and healthier. Just remember to use conditioner after shampooing.
Stress and anxiety can cause hair loss, alongside other harmful effects on your physical and psychological health. That is why it is a good idea to take some time to relax and decompress after a hard day’s work. Meditating, walking in nature, engaging in hobbies or seeing your friends and loved ones can help ease the pressure. And less stress can also mean less hair shedding for you.
Hairstyles that pull on your roots, such as tight ponytails or top knots, can cause hair loss. If most of the tension is applied to your hairline, it may temporarily recede as the strands fall off due to traction alopecia. However, the good news is that wearing looser styles and giving your hair follicles a chance to heal will often cause this condition to reverse.
You will be happy to know there are many things you can do to cover up a troublesome receding hairline. Here are some of the best and easiest solutions you can try:
Since a receding hairline is usually one of the first signs of hair loss, the first things your trichologist may recommend may be non-surgical hair restoration treatments. These are some of the most effective options that can help treat your receding hairline causes and improve your strand density:
Minoxidil is a vasodilator, which means it makes the small capillary veins in your scalp wider to increase blood flow to your hair follicles. This ensures that your strands have all the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow.
Minoxidil can work for a receding hairline, as it has a proven efficiency in curbing hair loss and improving strand density in androgenetic alopecia and can also help with other types of hair loss (e.g. alopecia areata, traction alopecia).
Finasteride is the most widely recommended hair loss medication in the world, Finasteride works for a receding hairline by lowering the level of DHT in your blood. This prevents excess DHT from binding to your hair follicles, causing them to miniaturise and stop producing hair.
It is highly effective in male pattern baldness and can also treat female pattern baldness. However, it is not recommended to premenopausal women, as it can cause foetal malformations and hormonal imbalances.
If your receding hairline is caused by frontal fibrosing alopecia, topical corticosteroids can help reduce scalp inflammation and prevent hair loss from progressing. In more advanced cases of a bad receding hairline, you may need steroid injections to restore your hair.
The PRP hair treatment procedure starts with extracting a small quantity of blood from your arm. A centrifuge is used to separate the platelet-rich plasma from the remaining blood fractions, and then the PRP is injected into the thinning areas of your scalp. The natural growth factors it contains help repair and nourish your hair roots and stimulate your hair follicles for growth.
Red light therapy for hair growth is a form of low-level laser therapy that involves the use of focused beams of red or near-infrared light to stimulate hair growth. As the beams are absorbed into the scalp, they help activate the cell mitochondria, helping them transport more energy to the hair follicles, improving strand production.
Football star Rob Holding before and after the hair transplant he had at the Wimpole Clinic, in 2022 [15] [16]
If you are experiencing a receding hairline that does not respond to surgical treatment, or you want to solve this problem once and for all, a hairline transplant may be the best answer. Book a free hair transplant consultation today with one of our stellar surgeons at the Wimpole Clinic and discover all about this simple and very effective procedure.
Our experienced and dedicated surgical team will examine you thoroughly to determine if you are a good candidate for surgical hair restoration. And if you can benefit from this procedure, they will work closely with you to restore your youthful, healthy hairline. And the best part is that since a hair transplant is permanent, you won’t have to worry about it receding again.
If you’re curious about what the results of a hairline-lowering surgery look like, here are some of our results (check out more examples in our before and after hair transplant gallery):
We have conducted over 10,000 hair transplants with consistently high-quality results, and our staff takes pride in offering a welcoming environment for patients suffering from hair loss. This is why we have been awarded hair transplant clinic of the year for three years running from 2020 to 2023.
If there are still things you’d like to know about mature and receding hairlines or the differences between them, try reading the answers to these frequently asked questions:
While most people’s hairline finishes maturing in their later twenties, yours can have done so sooner. However, if you are 20 and have noticed signs that your hairline is rising higher than it used to be, it is a good idea to take regular photos and compare them to keep track.
If you notice further receding, temple hair loss or crown thinning, it is a good idea to see a trichologist so they can rule out male pattern baldness.
If you are unhappy with the height of your mature hairline, surgical options exist. You could try hairline-lowering surgery or an intervention to fix an uneven hairline.
However, a surgeon needs to determine whether you are a good candidate for a hair transplant before scheduling your procedure.
Yes, unlike a receding hairline, a mature one will naturally stop receding once it has reached its final form. That is usually about 1.5-2 cm higher than its juvenile version.
If your hairline has receded further than this, it could be a sign of hair loss that warrants a trichologist appointment.
No, a widow peak is normally a V-shaped hairline that you inherit genetically. In most cases, you are born with it, although it can become more pronounced in time.
If you haven’t had a widow’s peak before but are starting to see one develop during your teenage years or adulthood, it is a good idea to get it checked out, as it could be a sign of an uneven hairline caused by incipient male pattern baldness.
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