Confused about which type of hairline you have? It’s not always easy to tell the difference between a widow’s peak and a receding hairline. And if you’re worried about male pattern baldness, it can be an important distinction to make.
Here, learn everything you need to know about a widow’s peak vs receding hairline, so you can determine which hairline type you have, and whether it’s time to take action against hair thinning.
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.
Celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio and Kourtney Kardashian have a widow’s peak:
Widow’s peaks are hereditary [1]. 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:
A receding hairline is characterised by hair loss around your hairline and temples. It affects men more than women, though some conditions can cause hairline recession in women.
A receding hairline is one of the first signs of balding in men. Celebrities including Jude Law and Harry Kane have a receding hairline:
Male pattern baldness is the number one cause of a receding hairline in men [2]. This hereditary condition affects millions of men, but it can still be a major concern, especially if it starts at an early age. Some men develop a receding hairline at 20 or even earlier.
In women, a receding hairline is more likely to be caused by frontal fibrosing alopecia or traction alopecia.
You can tell if you have a receding hairline if:
In the early stages of hair loss, it can be hard to tell the difference between a receding hairline and a widow’s peak. But there are some key differences that can help you tell if you have a receding hairline or a widow’s peak:
Compare your hairline with the photos above to determine which one most closely resembles yours.
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 a receding hairline, 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 12 more great hairstyles for male receding hairlines (and four you should avoid).
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.
Applying topical Minoxidil to your hairline once or twice a day can slow hair loss and even stimulate regrowth, especially if used in the early stages of hairline recession.
Make sure to use the right Minoxidil strength for your hair type. Choose from Minoxidil 2%, Minoxidil 5%, and (less commonly) Minoxidil 10%.
Taking 1mg Finasteride daily is a proven way to reduce hair loss and stimulate regrowth on both the crown and hairline. Like Minoxidil, Finasteride works better the earlier it’s used.
Hair transplants are one of the best treatments for male hair loss. With a hair transplant, you can restore lost hair from your hairline, or change your hairline shape with a hair transplant for a widow’s peak. The FUE and FUT techniques have fantastic success rates when performed by a skilled, qualified surgeon.
At the Wimpole Clinic, our patient advisors can help you find the best way to treat your receding hairline. Book a consultation for a diagnosis and advice about your hair loss treatment options.
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