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Mature Hairline Vs Receding Hairline

Mature Hairline Vs Receding Hairline

A gentleman’s hairline is one of the tell-tale signs of his age. Male pattern baldness, a genetic condition, affects the majority of men by the time they reach their 50s. This leads to the common misconception that a maturing hairline and a receding hairline are the same thing. One is the result of hair loss, while the other is a normal part of the ageing process.

Our hairline changes as we age. Everything from hormonal changes to eating a balanced diet can impact your hairline. Understanding the difference between a maturing hairline vs a receding hairline can help you identify the best treatment for your hair loss. 

Book a free online assessment with our hair loss specialist for advice on how to treat your receding hairline or delay the process of a changing hairline. 

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What is a mature hairline?

Mature Hairline

Just like your skin, your hairline matures with you. It’s just a natural part of the aging process. A mature hairline is the natural process of your hairline moving backwards as you age as your hair follicles start to thin and recede.

Your hairline will gradually move up to an inch back from your juvenile hairline in the corners. This process results in a subtle v shape, sometimes being mistaken as a widow’s peak, or a sharper M shaped hairline. An M shape hairline is the most common for caucasian men. By comparison, a juvenile hairline is usually characterised by rounded edges, cutting straight across the top of your forehead.

Only an estimated 5% of caucasian men still have the same hairline they had in their late teens by the time they reach their 30s. Your hair evolves from its juvenile hairline to its final state in your late 20s. The process of your hairline changing occurs so gradually that it’s not noticeable. 

Adopting a healthy lifestyle and prioritising your hair health can help delay your hairline maturing, but your hairline receding slightly is part of the natural aging process. 

What is a receding hairline?

By comparison, a receding hairline is not a normal part of the aging process and typically becomes apparent during your late teens or early 20s. If a patient loses hair or experiences thinning hair in these early years, it can be an indicator of a receding hairline. 

This common hair loss condition is also known as androgenetic alopecia, which causes your body’s testosterone hormone to convert to DHT, negatively impacting the hair follicles and resulting in significant hair loss. A receding hairline progresses further back than a mature hairline. 

Unlike a maturing hairline, it’s also common to experience hair thinning at the crown of your head and excessive shedding. A receding hairline can also be the result of lifestyle factors, genetics, and hormones.

What is male pattern baldness?

Male pattern baldness (also known as androgenetic alopecia) is typically a hereditary condition, meaning you can’t prevent a receding hairline entirely. It results in progressive hair loss, usually starting from the temples, which creates a ‘U’ shape. Treatments can help slow it down or even reverse it. Unlike a mature hairline, it results in balding across the scalp, usually occurring in seven stages. 

What causes a receding hairline?

A receding hairline is usually caused by pattern baldness, stress, hormonal changes, and conditions like frontal fibrosing alopecia. You may lose your juvenile hairline at an earlier age, typically in your late teens or early 20s, adopting an M shape. 

If you have a family history of receding hairlines, you might start noticing the warning signs as early as your late teens. Wearing your hair in a top knot or tight ponytail can result in traction alopecia, leading to hair damage and loss that is not a natural part of the aging process. This type of hair loss is usually treatable and reversible. 

Why you should pay attention to your hair follicles

When your hairline is maturing, your hair follicles are also changing. If your hair follicles are damaged, it can lead to hair loss and prevent hair growth. You have around 10,000 follicles on your head, which impacts the look and feel of your hair. As your hairline is maturing, it’s not unusual for the follicle’s growth cycle to slow down. 

Mature vs receding hairline

Mature hairline (Left) Vs Receding hairline (Right)

A balding hairline is associated with male pattern baldness, happening after a patient experiences a receding hairline as the balding begins to progress across the entire hairline and head. 

A mature hairline usually recedes to about an inch above the highest wrinkle on your forehead. If your hairline recedes further into your scalp, it can be a sign of male pattern baldness or a receding hairline. 

It’s important to emphasise that mature hairlines are not a sign of male pattern baldness or hair loss. While a mature hairline reaches its final style by your late 20s or early 30s, a receding hairline will continue to lose hair until there is complete baldness across the scalp. 

You can determine whether your hairline is maturing or if you’re dealing with a receding hairline by using the Hamilton-Norwood scale. Both a receding and maturing hairline can result in an uneven receding hairline, with one side receding further than the other. 

What is the Norwood scale?

The Norwood scale, created in 1975, is used to track the process of hair loss for maturing hairlines. Divided into 7 stages, the Norwood scale determines whether a patient is experiencing a maturing vs receding hairline using different hair pattern types. Mature hairlines typically take up to a decade to fully appear as the evolution is gradual. This scale is usually used when a patient has thinning hair or a receding hairline that is developing faster. The 7 stages go from minor hair thinning to more drastic receding hairlines and eventual male pattern baldness. 

Comparison of mature and receding hairline

Although maturing and receding hairlines are caused by the same hormone, one is the result of aging, while the other is usually caused by genetics. Three factors can help understand the difference between a mature hairline vs receding hairline. 

Speed of hair loss

A mature hairline results in progress hair loss that occurs slowly over time. A patient with a receding hairline experiences hair loss at a faster rate and usually at a younger age. 

Distance of hairline receding

A maturing hairline will gradually move back from the temple, usually an inch further back than your juvenile hairline. By comparison, a receding hairline experiences other hair thinning and loss, usually around the crown, and recedes further back.

Causes of a maturing hairline vs a receding hairline

Our hairline recedes naturally with age, resulting in a maturing hairline. It is a normal part of aging and occurs gradually. A receding hairline is commonly caused by male pattern baldness or other hair loss conditions, such as traction alopecia, and can be the result of lifestyle factors. Keeping your body healthy can reduce your risk of a receding hairline. 

Early warning signs of a receding hairline

Losing hair is normal as we age, but there are warning signs that can point to a more significant recession of a person’s hairline. Male pattern baldness is a hereditary condition. If your father or grandfather had androgenic alopecia, there’s a high probability you will also experience a receding hairline.

An M shaped hairline is an early indicator of hair loss, which may start to appear as puberty transforms your juvenile hairline into your adult hairline. If you notice excessive hair shedding, this can also be an early indicator of a receding hairline. You may wake up to find hair on your pillow or notice more significant hair loss when showering. 

How you can effectively stop your mature hairline

Photo of a man getting a hair assessment for male pattern baldness

There are active steps you can take to minimise damage to your hair to prevent excessive hair loss. While a mature hairline is inevitable, you can care for your hair to potentially delay the process and encourage hair growth.

Consider how you style your hair

Avoid using harsh chemicals, such as styling gels, and reduce the use of heat products, such as hair dryers, to prevent traction hair loss and scalp irritation. 

Make healthy lifestyle changes

Exercise has been linked to hair growth by promoting blood flow to the hair follicles. Regular exercise ensures your body produces all the hormones you need, helping to keep your hair healthy. A balanced diet can also help delay a maturing hairline. Avoid overly processed foods, prioritise vegetables, and ensure you’re staying hydrated.

Hair growth treatments

There are also treatments you can seek to prevent hair loss and delay your mature hairline, such as laser hair regrowth therapy. Most treatments for a maturing hairline are long-term and can be incorporated into your daily routine. 

Avoid stress

Stress is one of the leading factors of hair loss. Leading a highly stressful life can result in your maturing hairline appearing earlier. Find ways to practice mindfulness and self-care, such as exercise or meditation, to lower your stress levels. Ensuring you get a good night’s sleep can also reduce stress and help support a healthier lifestyle. If your hairline is maturing early, it may be the result of stress on your body. 

Treatment options for mature hairline

Dr Suhail Alam is a specialist in hair restoration surgery and regenerative medicine. He takes a holistic approach to hair loss treatment with a patient-centric focus. While a mature hairline is part of the natural aging process, you might decide to seek treatment to restore your confidence or change the appearance of your hairline. Treatments for a maturing hairline can be purchased over the counter or prescribed by a specialist. While medication, such as minoxidil, is typically used for a receding hairline, it can also be used for a mature hairline. 

Treatment options for a receding hairline

Identifying a receding hairline during the early stages can help prevent further hair loss. Whether you’re dealing with a mature hairline vs receding hairline, a specialist can help you develop a treatment plan. There are several popular treatments you can choose for male pattern hair loss that are available at Aventus Clinic. 

Hair loss medication

The average person loses up to 100 hairs a day. If you’re starting to notice the signs of a receding hairline or widow’s peak, you might decide to go on hair loss medication to combat this. Dutasteride, Finasteride, and Minoxidil are the medications most commonly prescribed for hair loss. 

Finasteride

This hair loss medication works by stopping your body from producing DHT, the hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. It’s a once-a-day pill that can be taken alongside Minoxidil. It can slow down hair loss and even stimulate new hair growth. You may have to wait a few months to see more hair, as Finasteride is usually a long-term treatment.

Dutasteride

Dutasteride is a hair loss medication for men suffering from a receding hairline due to hereditary conditions. It’s another daily treatment but is more effective if taken during the early stages of hair loss. This treatment is another long-term option.

Minoxidil

Unlike the treatments above, Minoxidil is available in a shampoo, foam, or liquid product. You don’t need a prescription as a treatment can be purchased over the counter, usually under the name Rogaine or Theroxidil. It works by nourishing the scalp and hair follicles to stimulate growth. Most men use Minoxidil twice a day to achieve the best results.

Hair transplant 

hairline transplant is a tailored solution for patients experiencing a receding or maturing hairline. It involves relocating follicles to the balding areas of your hair, creating a new hairline. Dr Alam, our hair transplant surgeon, has worked with thousands of patients to transform their hairline and restore their confidence using FUE hairline surgery. 

This less invasive procedure creates the appearance of a natural-looking hairline, delivering the best results possible. Dr Alam will create a new hairline that blends seamlessly with your features and enhances your overall appearance while anticipating future hair loss to deliver long-term results. 

PRP therapy

PRP therapy is a non-surgical treatment for hair loss. It involves injecting the scalp with the patient’s blood platelets to stimulate hair growth. Although PRP has been used for skin restoration and muscle injuries, it’s an innovative new treatment for receding hairlines.

This treatment is clinically proven to reduce further hair loss, improve growth density, and increase hair thickness. It typically requires three treatments, each between 4 to 6 weeks apart, to maximise results. 

The UK’s leading clinic for receding and maturing hairline treatment

Aventus Clinic is proud to be the UK’s leading clinic for receding and maturing hairline treatments. Book a free online assessment with our hair loss specialist to explore your options and ways to promote new hair growth. 

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