Can A Receding Hairline Grow Back Again?
A receding hairline is a popular form of male pattern baldness and is something almost all guys will struggle with at some point in their lives. There has been a lot of argument about whether or not it’s preventable, but that’s not the most pressing question among guys with receding hairlines.
When a receding hairline first becomes noticeable, the first question most people ask is this: can a receding hairline grow back again?
The answer can be yes or no, depending on the nature and cause of the recession. A receding hairline caused by age and hereditary factors normally can’t grow back, while you might have a chance to recover your hairline if the recession is a result of environmental or medical factors.
With that clarification, let’s proceed to learn about the major and minor causes of a receding hairline, its warning signs, and the possible ways to slow down, stop, or even regrow a receding hairline.
So let’s get started.
Signs Your Hairline is Receding
The signs of a receding hairline are clear as day over an extended period, but they’re less obvious when you’re trying to observe within a limited timeframe. Here are some of the signs that you have a receding hairline without having to wait until others start pointing it out to you:
- The hair strands on your temples become thinner.
- The middle hair stays closer to the forehead.
- Then, the hair forms a deep “V” shape at the widow’s peak.
- Lastly, the thin hair strands at the hairline start falling, making the hairline progressively scantier.
These developments may be hard to spot with one look. However, they’ll be easily noticeable if you compare two clear pictures of your hair six to eight months apart.
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Receding Hairline Causes
A receding hairline is like cancer; knowing its causes (and actively avoiding them) doesn’t mean you still can’t develop it. Here are some known causes of a receding hairline, with the first two being responsible for most cases:
1. Genetics
Genetics is the single most important factor that will determine whether or not you’ll suffer from certain forms of hair loss, hair greying, and a receding hairline.
According to Dawn Davis, M.D., Dermatology at Mayo Clinic: “To assess your chances for hair loss, look at all relatives in your mother’s and father’s families.”
Observing other people in your family can help determine how fast your hairline will recede, its recession pattern, how deep it’ll recede, and how early it will start.
2. Aging
Most forms of receding hairline and baldness are directly proportional with age; the older you are, the likelier it is that you’ll develop a receding hairline.
Many scientific studies found that most men will start noticing their hairlines receding by age 40, and at that point, it’s almost always irreversible. From that moment on, it can only continue receding even worse until you go partially or fully bald.
However, that’s not to mean all guys will only start noticing a receding hairline by age 40; depending on your genetics and a host of other factors, it can come earlier or later than that.
3. Infection
Scalp infections like ringworm and dandruff can cause inflammation, making it difficult for hair to grow.
If not treated correctly and on time, these infections can lead to hair loss, which can start manifesting from your forehead as a receding hairline!
4. Lifestyle & Habits
Human stress, diet, and smoking should fall under this category.
“When you have a stressful event, it can shock the hair cycle, (pushing) more hair into the shedding phase,” explains Marc Glashofer, MD, a dermatologist in New York City, proving how an individual’s lifestyle choices can influence their hairline.
5. Hair Styling and Care Products
Hairstyles, product build-up, and heat styling tools can add pressure to your scalp and hair strands, effectively hindering the growth of new hair. In some cases, you start noticing the changes on your forehead area first as a receding hairline.
The good news is that a receding hairline of this nature is typically reversible. Dropping the erring haircare products or heat styling tools should relieve the pressure, stopping the regression or regrowing your hairline entirely.
How to Restore a Receding Hairline
The bitter truth is that receding hairlines typically aren’t reversible, especially when they’re age-induced. However, there are certain forms of receding hairlines that can be remedied by following simple steps, and it generally doesn’t hurt to try.
If you believe your receding hairline should be reversible, here are some effective ways to restore a receding hairline:
1. Cut Down the Use of Tools and Products
If you suspect that your receding hairline is a result of excessive use of heat tools and haircare products, you should consider dialing it down.
While it’s not guaranteed to work on all forms of receding hairlines, it’ll work if products and heat tools are the problem in the first place.
2. Scalp Massage and Essential Oils Can Be Of Help
Researchers found that scalp massage and essential oils can stimulate hair growth and thicken hair. If weak roots is the problem with your hairline, this solution might work for you.
Like most other solutions in this guide, it’s not guaranteed to work, but for a niche set of individuals, it’s the miracle cure they’re after.
3. Eliminate Stress and Anxiety.
Findings showed that smoking, stress, and anxiety have a link with hair loss. Stress-inducing activities reinforce terrible hair care practices, practically encouraging a receding hairline.
Try stress relievers and consider doing away with anxiety-inducing tasks to see how it would impact your receding hairline.
4. Stop Trimming Your Hairline
Whether myths or facts, many men seem to believe that shaping your hairline can make it recede significantly more, and there might be an atom of truth to it.
There hasn’t been enough scientific research on the topic to conclude, but you’d want to avoid shaping your hairline too aggressively while you try to regrow it.
5. Allow Experts Handle The Situation
Sometimes, doing it yourself won’t cut it. You need to bring in an expert for diagnosis and treatment.
Allowing them to do their job will cost you money, but they will help you find the cause and the best possible treatment that will work for you if the receding hairline is reversible in the first place.
If you’re willing to go the medical route, consider complaining about your hairline to a dermatologist.
6. Go For Hairline Transplant or Micro-pigmentation
When you don’t want to embrace your upcoming appearance, getting a hair transplant could be your best option.
While it’s more effective than any other proposed solution so far on average, you should see your dermatologist before proceeding, as there might be negative side-effects you should know about.
Another insanely effective alternative to a hair transplant is micro-pigmentation, which uses a different technique from a hair transplant.
A hairline transplant or micro-pigmentation can work wonders if you’re willing to undergo the procedure. Here’s an example of before and after pictures; it’s genuinely difficult to believe:
Another great option that can fake and cover your hairline is the Toupee hairpiece or wig, but the pricing and cost of maintenance will surely make a dent in your wallet.
Other Helpful Remedies
- If dandruff or ringworm is the cause, then strike it down with the right products.
- Watch your diet because some nutrients your scalp and hair need are present in the foods you eat. Consult your doctor or dermatologist for diet recommendations with respect to your hair concerns.
- Don’t use a hard brush on your hair, and don’t brush too hard or too much.
FAQs
Does a receding hairline always mean baldness?
It is evident that baldness begins from the hairline, but a receding hairline doesn’t always mean you’re going bald; it might simply be a scalp infection or even a result of hair products overuse.
Can a Receding Hairline Stop?
Yes! An artificially-induced receding hairline can stop with or without treatment. However, you’ll likely have to deal with a naturally receding hairline later, and when it starts, it won’t stop.
Now I Would Love to hear from you.
Did you find our article on receding hairline helpful?
Or maybe you have something that has helped grow back your hairline again naturally and would love to share with us.
Either way, do let us know by leaving a comment below right now, and don’t forget to share.
Resources
- https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattern_hair_loss
- https://blog.helix.com/male-pattern-baldness-genetics/
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