Receding Hairline: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis

Dr. Amit Guna

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Amit Guna

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

6 min read

Synopsis

A receding hairline is a common problem for men and women. It's caused by the gradual recession of the hairline toward the temples and can be treated with various methods. There are many symptoms of a receding hairline, like hair loss at the temples.

Key Takeaways

  • A receding hairline is the natural result of aging. It's caused by the thinning of hair and occurs on top of head
  • Some people have more hereditary tendencies toward baldness than other
  • There are many different ways to treat receding hairline from pills and lotions to scalp massages and other therapies

If you have a receding hairline, your appearance will be affected. The hairline is one of the most important features of your face, and while it may seem like a minor detail, it can play a huge role in your overall appearance. In this article, we'll go over how to treat this condition and what you can do to encourage hairline regrowth.

Receding Hairline and Age

A receding hairline can be an indication of something seriously wrong with your hair. If you have a receding hairline, your hairline has begun to recede from its natural position on the top of your head and is now starting to move outward toward the back or sides of your head.

Several factors may contribute to a receding hairline. These include genetics, age, hormonal changes during adolescence or pregnancy, and medications used for conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Additional Read: How to Stop Gray Hair 

Symptoms of Receding Hairline 

The receding hairline is a common and frustrating condition for many people. It occurs when the hairline recedes as you get older, which may be caused by genetics or other factors. While there are many reasons why your hairline might have decreased, here are some of the most common symptoms that you might experience if you have a receding hairline:

  • Some people may notice a change in their haircut or even see their hair growing at different angles than it used to 
  • They also might notice that their scalp feels more sensitive than usual 
  • The skin may feel dryer than normal; this could be an indication that there's more oil on the scalp because of the lack of moisture in hair follicles 
  • People may notice that their head becomes warmer when exposed to sunlight or artificial lights 
common fact about Receding Hairline

Stages of Receding Hairline

There are several stages that your hairline can go through as you age. Here's a list of stages that occur one after the other.

Stage 1: The First Sign Of A Receding Hairline  

You may notice that your forehead looks larger than usual. A larger forehead is a sign that you are losing hair in front of your scalp, which can start to look more noticeable as you continue to lose hair. The first stage of receding hairline involves increasing the size and thinning of the visible part of your scalp. If you notice this appearance change and want to prevent further loss, try investing in some good quality products like Rogaine today.

Stage 2: Hairline Starts To Move Back 

The second stage of hair loss is when your hairline starts to move back, but only in the corners. You might notice that you have more bald spots than before or that the sides and top of your head are becoming thinner. This stage is usually not noticeable until it's too late to do anything about it.

Stage 3: Hairline Has Moved Back At Least 2 Inches 

  • Your hairline has moved back at least 2 inches, and there's a clear M shape on your head 
  • The M shape is the most common pattern for receding hairlines. It's formed by the temples and crown of the head, which are shaped to match each other closely in size, shape, and position 

Stage 4: ‘Widow's Peak’  

If you have stage 4, your hairline is thinner at the temples and crown. This can manifest as a widow's peak, an indentation in the middle of your forehead that looks like a "V" shape.  

Other signs of balding include: 

  • Thinning on top of the head (on vertex) 
  • Visible receding hairline on top of the head 
  • Thinning at temples or crown
Additional Read: Telogen effluvium Symptomstips for Receding Hairline

Causes of Receding Hairline

The hairline is the point of your scalp where the hair grows in a straight line. It is often referred to as the 'terminal' of your hair. In some cases of receding hairline, men and women will have lost their hairline and have it replaced by an 'ancient' or 'medieval' style of balding. In other cases, the receding hairline can be due to genetics or age.

Hair loss can occur for several reasons, including poor diet, stress, hormonal changes, poor exercise habits, poor scalp health (such as psoriasis), medications like steroids or birth control pills containing estrogen (female hormones), genetics, and aging.

While many people think that a receding hairline can be fixed by doing some type of grooming routine, like using a comb for styling or using a razor for shaving your head every day (which may lead to more damage in the long run), this may not be true. Hair loss from balding is usually genetic, which means there's nothing you can do about it except wait until it's time for you to start losing some more.

Receding Hairline Diagnosis

Diagnosing a receding hairline can be tricky, and there are several reasons why your hairline might be receding. First, your doctor will ask questions about your lifestyle and medical history to diagnose it.

Furthermore, they will note the extent of any other issues you may have. In addition, your doctor may also want to perform a physical exam to see if anything is causing your hairline to recede.

After getting all of these pieces of information, your doctor will use them to determine whether you have a receding hairline . If you do, they will recommend treatment options based on what is causing your condition. These can include medications that slow down hair loss from your forehead (such as minoxidil). They may also recommend surgery if necessary.

If you have an active lifestyle but still notice that your hairline is receding, this may be caused by genetics instead of an illness such as alopecia areata.

Additional Read: Alopecia Areata Symptoms

Receding Hairline Treatment

Men and women of all ages face the problem of receding hairline. Although many people experience this condition, it's not something that has to be permanent. The good news is that there are many ways to treat and improve your appearance by treating your receding hairline.

There are many treatments for a receding hairline, but most involve some hair transplantation procedures. This procedure involves taking healthy follicles from another part of your head and transplanting them onto your scalp to stimulate new hairline regrowth.

While this is an effective method for restoring lost volume to your scalp, it doesn't always work for everyone. If you don't see results after a hair transplant or have other concerns about your appearance, you may want to consider laser treatment, massage therapy, or injection therapy.

Receding hairline treatment also includes medications, laser treatments, or other options depending on what is best for you at this time in your life. Once you have decided what type of treatment will work best for you, go for the best and get it done with a good online doctor consultation.

As you may have noticed in this blog, the causes of a receding hairline can differ from one person to another. For example, some people may have genetics that means their hairline will recede at a certain age; others may develop more serious health issues, such as cancer or heart disease, that could contribute to baldness. In most cases, though, the cause of your receding hairlines is unknown and requires careful examination by your doctor or a dermatologist. At Bajaj Finserv Health, consultants and doctors treat you in the best way possible; try an online session with a dermatologist today! 

Published on 15 Oct 2022Last updated on 12 Apr 2023

Please note that this article is solely meant for informational purposes and Bajaj Finserv Health Limited (“BFHL”) does not shoulder any responsibility of the views/advice/information expressed/given by the writer/reviewer/originator. This article should not be considered as a substitute for any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult with your trusted physician/qualified healthcare professional to evaluate your medical condition. The above article has been reviewed by a qualified doctor and BFHL is not responsible for any damages for any information or services provided by any third party.

Dr. Amit Guna

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Amit Guna

, Bachelor in Physiotherapy (BPT) , MPT - Orthopedic Physiotherapy 3

Dr Amit Guna Is A Consultant Physiotherapist, Yoga Educator , Fitness Trainer, Health Psychologist. Based In Vadodara. He Has Excellent Communication And Patient Handling Skills In Neurological As Well As Orthopedic Cases.

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