As you age, it is normal to notice differences in your hairline (a line of hair follicles which outline the outer most edges of your hair). But it can be difficult to distinguish. Especially when the changes that are taking place are a natural part of aging or when they might indicate something more. Let us discuss both mature and receding hairlines.
A brief about mature and receding hairlines
Did your hair go back and the forehead become wider? It is not always the outcome of a possible future baldness. It can also be a sign of maturation of the hairline. Usually, the hairline is even across the forehead and rounded at the corners. This hairline is called juvenile hairline. As you age, the juvenile hairline starts to recede and rearrange into the mature hairline.
In receding hairline, higher than normal levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) slowly miniaturize the hair follicles with time. The receding hairline shows a horseshoe shaped pattern in men and a bald patch on crown for women.
What is the difference between mature and receding hairlines?
As you age, the hairline will naturally recede. It can do so evenly, moving the entirety of the hairline back a centimeter or so. Or it can do so unevenly. In this case, it moves certain parts of the hairline farther back than others. With these hairline recession types in mind, it is easy to see the difference between the two. The first instance is of a receding hairline and in the second instance, the hairline moves back evenly and is identified as a mature hairline. This creates a more distinct hairline.
A receding hairline is one which moves higher on the head. For instance, you might notice your entire hairline is moving upwards. But the recession at your temples is faster and more visible. In most people, a mature hairline develops as they age. In others, mature hairlines continue to recede. This is known as male pattern baldness.
What causes a receding hairline?
Alopecia is an all-encompassing term that includes all types of hair loss, no matter the cause. Nevertheless, a receding hairline is often a sign of one particular type of hair loss known as Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA). Its tell-tale sign is the horseshoe pattern of hair loss. As the condition worsens, the pattern will deepen.
But what is the cause? Well, genetic and androgen factors combine to develop and progress the condition. Twin studies have shown that heredity accounts for around 80% of the predisposition to baldness. (Source: NCBI) The role of androgens (that is, steroid hormones) in AGA is well documented. In particular, the androgen dihydrotestosterone (DHT) plays a key role in follicle miniaturization and eventual hair fall. (Source: NCBI) This is because men and women with AGA have an inherited sensitivity to the androgen. This, in turn, leads to inflammation when DHT connects to the hair follicles.
How to identify male pattern baldness?
One of the revealing signs of a receding hairline is the characteristic horseshoe pattern. This is caused when the hairline recedes more rapidly at the temple. This either causes balding or thinning of the hair. If your mature hairline has taken to this pattern, then male pattern baldness might be the culprit. Other early signs of balding include:
- Increased hair shedding
- Irritated scalp
- Thinning hair
- Slower hair growth
Another major indicator of whether you might be susceptible to male pattern baldness is whether your older male relatives have it. While relatives with male pattern baldness do not guarantee that you will develop it, you are at a higher risk than others. This is known as genetic predisposition.
How to lower your hairline?
There are a variety of aspects which contribute to thinning hair. For those suffering from androgenetic alopecia, sensitivity to DHT is the culprit. The easiest way to find out the cause of your hair loss is by visiting your nearest hair clinic. A hair doctor can perform examinations and tests. These enable him/her to know the quality of your scalp and hair follicles as well as pinpoint the most likely cause of hair loss.
To keep your hair follicles healthy, you first need to stop any further thinning and/or recession. But how can you do this? Hair fall treatment in homeopathy addresses all the underlying factors responsible for your hair loss. The best treatment for hairfall is one which helps in hair fall control and hair regrowth without causing any harm to the hair, scalp and overall health. Homeopathic medicine for hair loss is made from natural ingredients and that is why it is free from toxic side-effects. Therefore, homeopathy is a perfect hair fall solution. It helps in hair fall control and promotes hair regrowth.
For different types of baldness, Dr Batra’s™ offers different types of treatment. Their hair doctors put together a customized homeopathic hair falling treatment for each patient. This is done after a thorough understanding of the case history, the cause of hair loss, the extent of hair loss, the grade of baldness and the condition of the hair and the scalp. This ensures that each patient obtains an effective hair fall treatment most suitable for their symptoms and type of baldness.
Conclusion
While a maturing hairline is normal, especially for those in early adulthood, sometimes, it can be a sign of male pattern baldness. So, always talk to a qualified hair doctor before you get started with any new hair loss treatment.