It is normal for your hairline to change as you mature, but when is it a sign of hair loss? Learn the 7 signs to look out for.
A changing hairline can be startling, and, for some men, they are ever vigilant about any kind of difference in their hair due to concerns of the beginnings of male pattern hair loss.
However, just because a hairline is changing, doesn’t necessarily mean male pattern hair loss is kicking off.
Men’s hairlines normally change from a rounded low hairline during adolescence to a more mature hairline after puberty and into your 20s that may rise slightly and indent a bit at the temples.
A maturing hairline is completely normal, and not a warning sign of hair loss to come.
So, what are some signs of an actually receding hairline, not just a maturing one?
Below, we will cover 7 potential warning signs that your hair may be going through the beginning stages of male pattern hair loss, as well as steps you can take to help preserve your hair.
Read Related: Does Minoxidil Work For A Receding Hairline?
One of the first signs of a receding hairline may be an obvious change in the shape of the hairline.
The lowest point of the hairline may still be in the same place, but you may start noticing a “V” or “M” shaped pattern forming from the hairline pulling back at the temples.
For some men, the change in the hairline may make it appear uneven, with the left or right side not looking symmetrical any longer.
An uneven hairline may be the beginning stages of a receding hairline.
But, again, if the change in the hairline is only slight, and you are on the younger side, this may just be a normal “maturing” hairline and not male pattern hair loss.
If you aren’t sure of the difference, a doctor specializing in hair loss will be able to tell from a quick examination of your scalp.
Also Read: What Is An M-Shaped Hairline? Is It Male Pattern Baldness?
Your eyes can play tricks on you when you are looking at yourself every day. You may try to convince yourself that your widow’s peak was always that pronounced...right?
Take a look at photos of yourself from a few years ago and compare them from recent photos, or just by looking at your reflection for a good comparison.
If there is a distinct difference between the two, especially the depth of the temples and the distance between your eyebrows and hairline, you may be in the first stages of your hairline receding.
When you have had a go-to hairstyle for years and years, you have likely become a pro a getting the styling just right with the exact same steps each morning.
If you seem to have more trouble getting your style “just right”, or chalk it up to many more “bad hair days” than usual, it may not be a coincidence, you may have a changing hairline or thinning hair.
To get another read on this, you can run it by a long-term hair stylist to see if they have noticed any changes in your hair over the years.
They likely won’t speak up unless you mention it, but they likely are very familiar with your hair if you are a frequent customer and can quickly point out any changes.
If you are actually in the beginning stages of a receding hairline, it is likely that just the hairline is not the only part of your scalp being affected.
Keep an eye out for more hairs on the pillow in the morning, having to clean out your brush more often, or more hair losses in the shower.
However, don’t get too worried with every little hair though, as hair shedding up to about 100 hairs a day is perfectly normal.
In general, just try to compare your shedding to see if it is an increase from your normal rate.
When men's hairlines recede, they don’t always follow a pattern even from front to back all the way across the forehead.
It is common for the hair in front of the temples of the scalp to recede at a faster rate than the hair at the dead center of your forehead.
If your hairline has taken a distinct shape that pulls back much further on the temples, you may be dealing with a receding hairline.
You may also see that the hair that does remain on the temples is now becoming thinner, finer, and shorter.
Read Related: What Are the Regions of the Scalp That Are Prone to Hair Loss?
A true receding hairline from male pattern hair loss doesn’t always pop up alone, you may also notice hair starting to thin on other parts of the scalp that tend to lose hair with male pattern hair loss.
The crown of the scalp is a common area that may start showing signs of thinning sooner as well.
Grab a mirror that you can hold over your crown and stand in front of the mirror to take a peek at any hair changes in that area, or snap a few pictures to get a good view.
If there is a clear difference at the crown of your head as well, the changes to your hairline are more likely to be a receding hairline and not just a maturing one.
Direct overhead lighting is notoriously unflattering, but, it can help reveal some truths when it comes to the state of your hairline and the overall thickness of your locks.
Next time you find yourself under one of these brightly lit overhead places in front of a mirror, take a good look at your hairline.
Can you easily see through to your scalp? Does it look like there is significantly less hair than before?
This may just be partially a slight exaggeration from the harsh lighting, but it may also be a sign that things are changing a bit up top.
Not all changes to your hairline mean that you are heading down the male pattern hair loss path, as it is normal for your hairline to “mature” after adolescence.
However, it is important to keep an eye out for changes to your hairline after it has already matured if you want to keep your hairline as stable as possible long term.
Hair loss treatment or hair loss prevention isn’t for everyone, and there is a lot to be said about embracing the bald look if male pattern hair loss runs in your family.
But, for men who want as much hair for as long as possible, it is smart to look into hair loss treatment options at the first signs of male pattern hair loss for the best results down the line.
Here at Strut Health, we aim to normalize getting treatment for male pattern hair loss if your goal is maintaining your hair. We offer a variety of treatments including Finasteride, Dutasteride, Minoxidil, and Tretinoin, in both oral and topical options.
You can browse our prescription products and have a free online questionnaire and image-based telemedicine visit with our U.S. licensed doctors today in about 10 minutes. If you are a good candidate for treatment, your medication can be shipped to your door with our fast and free shipping.
If you have any questions or need adjustments throughout your hair treatment, our staff and doctors are standing by for free unlimited follow-ups.
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