Receding Hairline: All You Need to Know

A receding hairline is a form of hair loss where the hairline gradually moves backwards, often forming an M-shaped pattern.

It is typically caused by genetic factors and hormonal changes, particularly an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

Treatment options include medications like minoxidil and finasteride, hair restoration surgeries, and lifestyle modifications to slow the progression.

We’ll explore how to spot a receding hairline and go over the causes and treatment options to help you fix your receding hairline once and for all.

1. What is a receding hairline?
2. Signs of receding hairline
3. What causes a receding hairline?
4. What does a receding hairline look like?
5. How do experts diagnose an early receding hairline?
6. Receding hairline men treatment

What is a receding hairline?

A receding hairline is one of the most common signs of hair loss, particularly in men. Characterized by the hair starting to thin and pull back from the forehead.

At its core, a receding hairline refers to the loss of hair from the temples and the forehead, creating a ‘M’ shaped pattern over time.

A receding hairline can affect men at any post-puberty age, hair thinning could start as early as the late teens or early 20s.

Usually, though, most men will notice at least some recession by the time they reach their late 30s. 

Signs of receding hairline

Most receding hairline types tend to begin above the temples and advance over the top of the scalp.

One common pattern is a ring of healthy growth around the back and sides of the head with thinning hair on top.

Hair may continue to grow in patches, such as an island in the centre of the scalp. 

But you could also retain healthy growth in the middle of the scalp while hair loss proceeds from above the temples, forming a V-shaped pattern known as a “widow’s peak”. 

In some cases, men with a receding hairline may also lose their hair at the back and sides of the head, but others may shave these areas to create a voluntarily bald look. 

For women, the back and sides of the head usually retain their hair while the centre part expands across the top of the scalp.

For some postmenopausal women, this might be caused by frontal fibrosing alopecia, a condition that mainly affects the hairline and can occur alongside female pattern baldness.

What causes a receding hairline?

There can be several reasons why your hairline is receding.

The average human scalp is home to around 80,000 hairs. It’s believed that people lose between 50 and 100 hairs each day through this cycle, which is considered as normal hair loss.

But you could lose considerably more for the following reasons:

• Male pattern baldness: Androgenetic alopecia (or male or female pattern hair loss) is the most common cause of hair loss at the hairline.
• Genetics You may have genetic hair loss — you’ll be more likely to lose hair if someone in your family has been impacted by female or male pattern baldness.
• Stress or illness Hair loss related to stress or illness is known as telogen effluvium. This can come on after a particularly difficult period, but you may stop losing hair if you reduce your stress levels.
• Medications or medical treatments: Various medications and treatments can contribute to a receding hairline, such as some for blood pressure.
• Styling: Certain hairstyles can contribute to a receding hairline, such as pulling the hair back in an excessively tight ponytail. This can cause traction alopecia.
• Hormone changes: Hormonal changes may trigger hair loss in men and women. For example, menopause can contribute to shedding (though not always at the hairline).

What does a receding hairline look like? (Stages)

A receding hairline is often the first sign of male pattern baldness and progresses through several stages before it reaches its distinct M-shape.

With the help of the Norwood scale, we can distinguish the following stages of hair loss at the hairline:

1. Stage I – No sign of hair loss
2. Stage II – Receding starts at the upper corner of the left and right temples
3. Stage III – Hair loss at the temples becomes more prominent, and the hairline forms a noticeable M-shape or widow’s peak
4. Stage IV – Balding continues at the crown or the mid-front
5. Stage V – The hair recedes further, there may be a band of hair remaining between the front and the crown
6. Stage VI – Significant hair loss, the crown recedes further back
7. Stage VII – Pattern hair loss is complete, with a band of hair at the back and sides of the head

How far will a receding hairline go? 

A receding hairline may be the beginning of full baldness on top of the scalp or a mild change that makes a minimal impact on your appearance.

You may never experience further hair loss, but it can be challenging to predict. 

And while you may get a glimpse into your future if you look at a parent or older sibling’s hairline, there are no guarantees. 

Whatever the outcome, any form of hair loss can be difficult to live with. 

Fortunately, various treatments can restore your hairline to a fuller, more youthful condition.

FUE hair transplant receding hairline treatments can achieve lasting success with one session under a local anaesthetic. 

How do experts diagnose an early receding hairline?

It’s recommended that you visit a healthcare provider if you’re concerned about your receding hairline.

They’ll ask about your medical history and that of your family.

Let them know about any medications you take, whether or not you think they could be responsible for your hairline recession. 

One common technique doctors use to assess hair loss is the “pull test”. As the name suggests, they will grab a few hairs and tug on them.

They’ll check how many come out and how easily the scalp releases them. 

Your doctor may also perform a biopsy of scalp tissue to identify potential scalp infections triggering hair loss.

They’ll extract a tiny section of tissue from the scalp to determine if an infection or medical condition is to blame.

This process can be instrumental in both diagnosing and treating the cause of thinning hair. 

A blood test might be performed too. Your doctor will be looking for signs of a common condition (such as thyroid disease) known to cause receding hairlines.

Receding hairline men treatment

Currently, there are no treatments available to stop a receding hairline permanently.

Your doctor may discuss hair loss treatments to slow down or even stop your hairline from receding further temporarily, depending on the cause and the severity of hair loss.

It’s always best to get a diagnosis as fast as possible and start treatment at the earliest signs of a receding hairline to achieve the best results.

Potential treatment options include:

• Minoxidil 
• Finasteride
• Hair transplant 
• PRP 

Summary

While there is no cure for a receding hairline, there are several options available to slow down its progress from over-the-counter medication to various therapies.

Additionally, reliable surgical techniques can recreate the density already lost at the front with natural results.

However, finding the right strategy to treat your hair loss will require a tailored approach.

To find out what to do about receding hairline it’s always best to talk to a dermatologist, physician or hair restoration expert.

Receding Hairline FAQ

Last medically reviewed on July 15th, 2024