If you’re in your late 20s to early 30s, you might be starting to panic every time you see strands of hair falling from your head. Witnessing your dad or uncle’s receding hairline is no picnic either because it means hair loss runs in the family, and it’s only a matter of time before you’re next in line.
Before you lose all hope, hear us out. It’s not always possible to prevent a receding hairline, but there are ways to slow it down (and even grow it back).
How To Tell If Your Hairline Is Receding?
Just because your hairline moved a few inches back doesn’t mean you’ll go bald entirely, but it might be an early sign of a condition known as male pattern baldness. It occurs in progressive steps that are quite different from women, who commonly experience thinning rather than a receding hairline.
Watch out for these telltale signs when doing a “scalp check”:
- A noticeable “M” shape at the hairline (also known as widow’s peak)
- Loss of hair at the top or back of the head
- The receding hairline meeting a bald spot (resulting in a larger area of hair loss)
It Affects Women, Too
The pattern of hair loss for women is different than in men. Women experience hair loss or ‘thinning’ somewhere between the ages of 40 and 80. When females experience a receding hairline, it’s typically associated with certain health conditions and not with female-pattern baldness. These include:
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: This is distinguished by a slower, more progressive loss of hair and scarring of the scalp near the forehead. Sadly, there is no cure for this condition, but there are medications available that can help slow it down.
Traction Alopecia: This type of hair loss is caused by constantly pulling on your hair. It occurs when you often wear your hair in a tight bun, ponytail, or braids, especially if you use chemical hair products or heat-styling tools. Luckily, traction alopecia can be reversed if you simply stop the habit of pulling your hair back. Otherwise, hair loss might become permanent.
Understanding the Causes of Hair Loss
Believe it or not, there are many causes of hair loss in men and women. One common culprit is dandruff, as it may cause hair to fall out temporarily. When it comes to receding hairlines, they happen as a result of damage to hair follicles. Normally, as hair reaches its maturity stage, strands fall out, and new ones replace them. But when the hair follicles are damaged, there’s a risk that hair will not grow anymore.
According to a study by the US National Library of Medicine, at least half of men will have some form of androgenetic alopecia by the age of 50. And here’s the thing: A receding hairline is likely genetic, though researchers have not confirmed a pattern of inheritance. Now would be a good time to ask your folks which side of the family has a history of baldness.
Stopping a Receding Hairline Before It Begins: Is It Possible?
Yes and no. Depending on your condition, the stakes are 50/50. The easiest advice we can give is to accept and embrace this new change because there’s only so much value that you can put on your hair. We understand how hair loss can affect one’s confidence and mental health, but we’re here to tell you that your worth is more than a bald spot on your head. Easier said than done, but it all makes sense in hindsight.
That said, this is not to say that there are no solutions! The sooner you address this issue with your doctor, the more likely you can prevent or slow down hair loss.
Creating a Hair Care Routine
Your hair deserves the same amount of TLC as your skin. If you don’t have a haircare routine yet, we’ll help you make one.
Getting hair treatments as early as possible is one way to support hair growth. You can see all the signs of early balding here and read the solutions.
Getting a Hair Transplant
Getting a hair transplant is probably the surest way you can overcome the receding hairline. It’s not 100% but it is generally more effective if you want to get over it once and for all.
However, it’s quite an expensive, time-consuming, and painful process. Do try natural options before deciding on a hair transplant!
Regain Your Confidence
Hair loss is a serious issue that many adults experience at one point in their lives, but it shouldn’t be the end-all, be-all of your self-worth. It all begins with acknowledging the issue and getting treatments as soon as possible. The earlier you start, the sooner you’ll start seeing actual results.
Our goal is to find effective solutions for hair growth and help you with your journey. We hope to instill confidence in you and help you rebuild your self-esteem by providing you with all-natural hair care products that work. At the end of the day, what we care about is you being happy and confident in your hair.
