One of the first symptoms of early-onset male pattern hair loss is a receding hairline in individuals in their late teens and early twenties. It can be a great source of stress for young men, but the good news is that there are several things you can do to help slow down the process or even restore your original hairline.
We will go over the first signs of a receding hairline, what causes it, and all the available treatment options to give you an idea of which solutions might be best for you.
What are the Main Symptoms to Look Out For?
The most noticeable symptoms of a receding hairline, even early on, are hair thinning just above the forehead and bald patches appearing above the temples, leading to a distinctive “M” shape when seen from the top of the head.
This is different from the classic “widow’s peak”, more of a “V” shape, where there is a slight lack of hair at the temples, but the hairline ends in a strong point at the forehead. The latter can be a natural form of the mature hairline and not a sign of early balding, particularly if it has been present since childhood and hasn’t become more prominent over the years.
In women, it starts at the top of the head, first as a line of thinning hair, then balding begins, and this line widens over time.
What Can Cause a Receding Hairline?
The most common reason for male pattern baldness is androgenetic alopecia, which is actually something affecting both men and women. It is a hereditary condition, so if you have a family history of hair loss, you are likely to experience it as well. However, it can also be brought on by other medical issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, an enlarged prostate, and heart disease.
There is also frontal fibrosing alopecia, which occurs due to genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, or as a result of an autoimmune reaction. Aside from the typical areas above the forehead and temples, this condition can also cause eyebrows and eyelashes to fall out, and is typically seen in women who have gone through menopause.
How Do Doctors Diagnose a Receding Hairline?
The best way to be sure is to consult a doctor. A dermatologist can provide an assessment by looking into your and your family’s medical history, examining the scalp, and gently pulling on the hair to see how many strands fall out readily.
Sometimes, the doctor will need to take a tissue sample by performing a biopsy and send it out for further testing, to look for a potential underlying illness or infection. They may also take a bit of your blood to test for more severe conditions.
There are different stages of a receding hairline based on the Norwood scale for men and the Ludwig scale for women, and your specialist will be able to tell you how to approach treatment based on how far it has progressed.
Unless you are completely bald, however, you may be a good candidate for several effective options that can slow down this process, or even those that can stimulate hair growth.
What are the Common Treatments?
When looking at proven and effective treatments for a receding hairline, you have several good choices.
Natural Remedies
Some plant-based solutions that were shown to be somewhat effective for the early stages of hair loss include rosemary, argan, and fenugreek oils. You can simply rub a couple of drops into the affected area and leave it overnight or for at least 30–60 minutes before rinsing it out.
Pharmaceutical Medication
There are currently two FDA-approved drugs that help prevent further balding: Minoxidil and Finasteride. The former is a liquid or foam solution that you can apply topically to the bald spots on the hairline and the top of the head.
The latter is taken in pill form and limits the levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), one of the main culprits for hair loss in men, within the body.
Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
A small amount of the patient’s blood is processed to create a high concentration of platelets, which contain growth factors. This solution is then injected directly into the bald and thinning spots on the scalp to strengthen the withering follicles and promote new growth. It takes a few months and a handful of sessions to see the results, which range from slight to moderate.
Hair Transplant
A hair transplant in Turkey, performed in a reputable Turkish clinic like Asli Tarcan, has an astonishing success rate of 95–98% and is the only proven way to fully restore a youthful hairline.
There are two main methods used, both performed under local anaesthesia and relying on individual follicles to be taken from the donor area at the back of the patient’s head using a micro-motor punch tool. However, there are some notable differences.
FUE – the harvested grafts are placed in a petri dish and refrigerated. The surgeon then uses a metal or sapphire blade to create microscopic cuts in the recipient area, where the grafts are later implanted one by one. It is the more affordable option and preferred for more extensive hair loss.
DHI – as soon as the donor follicles are collected, they are loaded into a Choi Pen, which has a needle-like tip and allows the surgeon to simultaneously picture the scalp and implant the graft. It is a slightly faster and more precise option that allows for closer placement, but is reserved for less severe stages of balding.
Both of these methods are safe and highly effective.
Can Your Hair Grow Back With No Treatment?
In cases where it is caused by high levels of chronic stress, an illness, or certain medications, dealing with a receding hairline can be as simple as making a lifestyle change, recovering from the disease, or switching to different drugs.
However, if it is due to genetic factors, it is best to choose a suitable hair loss treatment.