Is my hairline receding?

There’s no fixed pattern that a receding hairline follows, but there are tell-tale signs which can indicate that this process is beginning. It’s key to know the difference between a receding hairline and a maturing hairline. The main distinction is that a maturing hairline will move back in an even manner, whereas a receding hairline will be uneven, creating the distinguishable ‘horseshoe’ or ‘M-shape’ pattern. You will also find that the hairs on your temple will recede more than on your forehead.

You know your hair better than anyone, so keep a close eye on it to detect any slight changes. Changes to watch for include being unable to style your hair in the same way as before. You may also notice that a cowlick has disappeared. Differences aren’t always noticeable or symmetric, so check different areas to spot changes. Pay special attention to corners.

Another sign of a receding hairline is shedding. It’s important to be aware of a normal amount of shedding. Most people will shed between 50-100 hairs per day . If you notice the amount of hair that you shed on a daily basis increases, you may be experiencing hair loss. A proactive way to keep track of changes is to take photos of your hairline and look back at any changes. Changes can be so small that you can miss the early signs.

There are many different types of healthy hairline that you can have. It’s useful to find out which type of hairline you have, especially as you get older. This will help you know how to maintain your hairline. They’re characterised by how they are positioned towards your forehead or crown. A hairline that is positioned closer to the forehead is low, while one closer to the crown is high. The most common types are low hairline, mid hairline, high hairline, rounded hairline, uneven hairline, cowlick hairline and widow’s peak.

A low hairline is most common in children and adolescents. There typically isn’t hair loss at this age. When this type of hairline follows a straight line across the forehead, it’s usually called a juvenile hairline. A low hairline will begin closer to the eyebrows than most average hairlines. There is usually very thick hair growth with this type of hairline.

Another common type is the middle hairline. Men with middle hairlines have foreheads that appear more proportional. This type of hairline is usually preferred. It’s the average hairline for men in their teens and twenties. A middle hairline can be uneven or asymmetrical sometimes, but also straight or rounded.

A high hairline will start at the crown, and your forehead will appear larger. You could still have full and thick hair, or it could show thinning from your younger, lower hairline.

A rounded hairline is usually a sign of thicker hair, as it requires a more even distribution of hair. It doesn’t have edges along the hairline like most men will have.

The cowlick hairline consists of swirls of hair, usually at the crown of your head. This hairline will grow in a different direction compared to the rest of your hair. They are more commonly seen in men with short hair and can make the hair appear messy.

Finally, the widow’s peak hairline, also known as the V hairline, is characterised by a prominent peak. It usually occurs in older men.