There are various ways to identify if you have a mature or receding hairline. If the hairline has taken several years or even a decade to receded in an even distinct shape- most commonly the V shape while maintaining the hair thickness then chances are you have a mature hairline. Whilst if it has receded in an uneven, quick aggressive thinning and in a horseshoe pattern with close relatives who are also balding/bald then you might be experiencing Androgen Alopecia (Male pattern baldness).

Throughout your lifetime, you will experience changes to your physical appearance and your hair is no exception. It is normal to witness your hairline change with time.

It is difficult to differentiate whether it is from natural aging or whether you are experiencing the early signs of losing your hair. If it’s the latter, you can assess the issue and look into the possible treatment as early as possible.

Check out the Am I balding? Early signs of hair loss in men, to see if you are experiencing early hair loss. I broke down extensively all the possible early signs you need to keep an eye on.

In this post we will be looking into the mature hairline and how to identify it, alongside how to address it.

What Is a Mature and Receding Hairline?

A hairline is the placement of the hair follicles that outline the edges of the hair. Where the hairline sits naturally, whether higher/lower and in what shape differs from person to person. Depending on their genetics and other contributing factors.

Throughout time the hairline will naturally recede (move back). This can occur via two methods:

One is by moving the entire hairline evenly back by up to a centimeter. This is what is referred to as a mature hairline. Usually a mature hairline will take several years to occur and the final result is subtle and not a drastic transformation.

A mature hairline is not considered a form of male pattern baldness. Rather the natural process of hair life cycle and aging.

The other method is by moving back the hairline unevenly. Meaning certain parts of the hairline will be pushed back further than others extensively. This is referred to as a receding hairline.

A receding hairline will move higher up on the scalp but doing so in a certain pattern. The most common form of a receding hairline is when, the front of the hairline is receded and the temples are pushed back at a faster rate and thin out greatly. This is usually the start of balding through male-pattern baldness.

What Causes a Mature and Receding Hairline?

A receding hairline is the by-product of inherited genetics and androgen hormones.

DHT is the main force behind hair loss in men. The conversion of the sex hormone testosterone into DHT by the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme is what causes hair loss to occur. In men who are genetically susceptible to DHT, the hair loss will be generally more aggressive.

The levels of DHT in the body will ultimately indicate the amount of hair loss that will occur. Certain areas where follicles line up, are more sensitive to the androgen than others. These are the temples and hairline area. Which is why, those are generally the first noticeable areas of the hair follicles thinning out and falling.

The cause of a mature hairline is the same. DHT will affect the hair follicles in the same manner throughout the years but those lucky men who are not genetically susceptible to lose their hair, will not experience as intense hair loss.

How to Identify Which Hairline You Have?

It can be difficult to identify just which type of hairline it is that you have. There are a few tell-tale signs to educate yourself on that will let you help you to know if it’s a mature or receding hairline.

The Shape

This is a very important method in the identification process. Why? because both hairlines can recede into different shapes .

A mature hairline is a distinct shape; commonly the V-shape. It is Type 2 on the Norwood scale. The front of the hairline has slightly receded but is still firmly where it has always been, the corners have taken a mature position by receding slightly.

Each and every V-shape can vary though. Some may have more recession in the corners leaving a high natural V-shape.

However, if the position becomes in the corners had receded significantly and potential hair loss around the crown then this is more likely to be a receding hairline in the distinctive horseshoe pattern that is from Male pattern baldness.

Time Period

It can take years, sometimes even a decade for maturation of the hairline to take place. If your hair loss is receding at a fast aggressive pace then it’s more likely down to Male pattern baldness.

As time goes on the hair loss would progressively accelerate as you move from pattern to pattern on the Norwood scale. This could be slowed down if you took treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride, but if left to it’s natural course it would constantly progress.

The time you have a specific pattern is also a good indicator. Norwood 3 would usually be the first primary blading stage of the Norwood scale. If you are on a Type 3 on the Norwood scale for a long length of time throughout your life and have seen your hair stay at this point, then it’s a good indicator its mature hairline and not baldness.

Hair Thickness

The thickness of the hair will indicate whether you have a mature or receding hairline. Some mild thinning is to be expected even for mature hairlines.

Nevertheless. once the hairline has matured, no further thinning of the hair should occur. If it does continue to thin out then this is form of balding.

Genetics

Male family members and their hairlines will offer you some sort of clue at what is going on with you. Ofcourse this is not a sure fire way of knowing if you’re balding or not, but if all or the majority of the men from both your parents side are balding/bald, there’s a very good chance you are heading that way too I’m afraid.

Diagnosis

If you are still unsure regarding whether it’s a mature or receding hairline, then there is a way to get your hair evaluated for signs of miniaturization.

This involves a microscope, measuring device and a professional, who will be able to assess and analyse whether hair loss is taking place even if it’s not noticeable to the naked eye.

This could be extremely valuable for those who are constantly worried or anxious about their hair situation and wondering whether or not to start treatment.

How to Address Your Hairline Issues?

For those with mature hairlines, there is no need to address any issue because no form of hair loss has really been occuring. The only receding that has occurred is of the natural aging process.

For those with receding hairlines, it’s important to first found out why your hair is receding. Read up on what causes hair loss in men. If the hair lost is not down to Male pattern baldness, rather other causes; then the treatment would need to be different e.g fungal infections would need to be treated with creams and natural remedies such as Apple cider vinegar.

There are possible treatments for treating the receding hairline from Male pattern baldness. This includes but not limited to:

Finasteride/Dutasteride

A pill/capsule that blocks the 5-alpha reductase from converting the testosterone into DHT. The lower the level of DHT in the system, the more chance the hair follicles will carry on growing unaffected by DHT.

Minoxidil

A topical treatment. It works by increasing the blood flow and providing improved supply of blood and nutrients to the hair follicles. This can lead to thickening the hair and potential regrowth.

Hair transplant

A hair transplant is when hair is taken from the healthy donor area on the back or sides of the head and inserted into the front where hair loss was experienced.

Microneedling

A needle that is used on the scalp to increase the blood circulation to the hair follicles. The oxygen and increased blood flow will allow for new cell stimulation.

Conclusion

A mature hairline is a natural occurrence that many men will go through. It’s simply a sign of aging throughout the years.

A receding hairline however, could be a sign of early balding through male pattern baldness. This is why it’s vital to distinguish the difference between the two, in order to figure out how to address the issue. If it’s dealt with efficiently and quickly, it may halt the hair loss or even potentially regrow hair.

Are you dealing with a mature or receding hairline? What methods are you taking to address it? Let us know down below.