Skin Health Skin Care & Cleansing Products Hair & Scalp Care What to Know About Receding Hairline for Men and Women By Sherry Christiansen Sherry Christiansen Sherry Christiansen is a medical writer with a healthcare background. She has worked in the hospital setting and collaborated on Alzheimer's research. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 04, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD LinkedIn Leah Ansell, MD, is board-certified in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She is an assistant professor at Columbia University and works in private practice in New York City. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents How Hair Loss Happens Causes Prevention Diagnosis Treatment Psychological Effects A receding hairline does not simply involve having less hair. It is a disorder that can be caused by many different factors. Losing your hair can have a serious psychological impact on many people—both men and women. This article will discuss what causes a receding hairline, how it's diagnosed, and whether treatments are effective. Peter Dazeley / Getty Images How Hair Loss Happens A receding hairline can affect men or women, but it's more common in men. Hair loss is usually linked with aging, but many younger people can also have a receding hairline. Hair loss presents differently in each person. Progression of Hair Loss in Men Having a receding hairline doesn’t always mean that a person will be entirely bald later on. However, it can be an early sign of a condition called male pattern baldness (also called androgenetic alopecia or AGA). Usually, there is a distinct pattern that occurs when a male loses his hair. This is different in women, who commonly experience thinning. However, in males, the loss usually occurs in progressive steps, which may include: A receding hairline that appears to be unevenA noticeable "M" shape appears at the hairlineLoss of hair on the top or the back of the head (resulting in a bald spot)The area involving the receding hairline meets the bald spot (resulting in larger areas of hair loss)Complete balding on top (the only remaining hair appearing around the sides and back of the head) Recap Male pattern baldness usually starts with a receding hairline and a bald spot on the top or back of the head. It eventually progresses to baldness on top, with some hair on the sides and back of the head. Hair Loss and Receding Hairline in Women In women, the pattern of hair loss is usually very different than in men. Usually, females do not have the typical receding hairline that happens at the beginning of male pattern baldness. Eighty percent of men of European descent are affected by hair loss by the time they are 80 years old.When it comes to women, 40% have visible hair loss by the time they reach age 40, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.Women can get a receding hairline; however, it is usually not associated with female-pattern baldness. Conditions that can cause a woman to get a receding hairline may include: Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: This is characterized by a slow, progressive loss of hair and scarring of the scalp near the forehead. There is no cure for this condition, but medications that slow the loss of hair may be effective in some cases. Traction Alopecia: This is a gradual hair loss resulting from constant pulling (from the hair being pulled back into a ponytail, pigtails, or braids). “For women, the first sign of hair loss that they often notice is a widening of their part, or their ponytail is smaller,” said dermatologist Mary Gail Mercurio, MD, FAAD, associate professor of dermatology and program director of dermatology residency at the University of Rochester in Rochester, New York. Causes Losing hair happens as part of a normal cycle for most people. It is normal to lose approximately 100 hairs a day. The hair slowly and gradually falls out, then new hair grows back again. But in some circumstances, the cycle doesn't work the way it should. With a receding hairline, the hair begins to fall out as a result of damage to hair follicles. Under normal circumstances, as hair naturally reaches its maturity stage, strands fall out and new ones replace it. But when the hair follicles become damaged, there is a risk of scarring and the risk that hair will no longer regrow. Genes are the most common cause of male- and female-pattern baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia). According to Mayo Clinic, hair loss is usually related to one or more factors, including: Genetics Hormone changes (due to pregnancy, menopause, thyroid, or other hormonal problems) Medical conditions (such as alopecia areata, infectious diseases, ovarian tumors, or other conditions) Scalp infections Medications or supplements (such as cancer or arthritis medication or drugs for gout, heart problems, high blood pressure, or depression) Radiation therapy Surgeries Miscarriage Stress (a stressful event may cause hair loss, but this is usually temporary) In addition, other factors that may cause a receding hairline include: Excessive hairstyling (involving the use of heat from blow dryers or curling irons) Hairstyles that pull the hair very tight (such as cornrows) Hot oil hair treatments or permanents Poor diet (lacking in adequate protein) Autoimmune disorders Tumors (rarely) Physical or Emotional Stress Stress can be a major causative factor linked to hair loss. The name for stress-induced hair loss is telogen effluvium. The condition results in shedding large amounts of hair each time the hair is combed or shampooed. Telogen effluvium may not be noticeable until long after a stressful event is over. It can take up to eight months before the hair loss subsides. Losing hair due to stress is usually temporary, but it can become chronic (long-term) in some instances. Recap Hair loss can be caused by a number of factors, including genetics, hormone changes, medications, and stress. Sometimes hair loss can be caused by hairstyling, including pulling hair tight into a ponytail or excessive use of curling irons. Hair Loss Prevention There are some preventative measures that can be taken to prevent hair from falling out, according to Mayo Clinic. These include: Avoiding hairstyles that pull tight on the hair (such as braids, cornrows, ponytails, or buns)Avoiding constantly pulling, rubbing, or twisting hairUsing a wide-toothed comb and gently brushing or combing hairAvoiding harsh chemical treatments on the head such as permanents or hot oil treatmentsAvoiding the use of hot rollers and curling irons (and other heated styling methods)Avoiding drugs or supplements that could cause hair loss when possibleQuitting smokingProtecting the hair from prolonged exposure to direct sunlight (or other types of ultraviolet light)Using a cooling cap when taking chemotherapy to lower the risk of hair loss Note, if the cause of a person’s receding hairline is hereditary, it cannot be prevented. Diagnosis Hair loss can be diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist. You'll probably be asked to give a detailed family history to discover clues as to whether the condition is hereditary. A “pull test” may be used to determine how easily the hair falls out. To help make a diagnosis, your dermatologist may order a scalp biopsy. A small sample of scalp tissue is removed to evaluate the tissue for scalp conditions. Your doctor may also order a blood test to screen for medical issues. Some conditions, such as thyroid disease, can cause hair loss. Treatment Treatment of a receding hairline depends on the cause. If a condition such as thyroid disease is causing a person to lose their hair, the treatment would involve treating the thyroid condition. If an immune disorder (such as alopecia areata) is the cause of hair loss, steroid injections in the scalp may help. Rogaine (Minoxidil) Commonly, Rogaine (minoxidil) is used to slow down hair loss, or in some instances to reverse it. Keep in mind that typically Rogaine is only effective for a receding hairline that is linked to male pattern baldness. It may not work for other types of hair loss. Also, Rogaine is known for being more effective at restoring your hair in small batches rather than large areas. Early use of Rogaine will likely produce the best results. A study looked at the effectiveness of Rogaine treatment for male pattern baldness. It found that 5% topical minoxidil was more effective than the 2% minoxidil or a placebo for new hair regrowth. In fact, men grew 45% more hair at week 48 than those who used the 2% topical minoxidil. Other Types of Treatment Other treatment options may include: Propecia (finasteride): A medication for men aimed at promoting hair growth. It involves blocking DHT from testosterone (a male hormone). DHT is thought to inhibit hair growth in men. It has controversial associations with depression and sexual side effects. Researchers have had conflicting results on whether it increases the risk of prostate cancer. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: A three-step medical treatment in which a person's blood is drawn, processed, and then injected into the scalp. This therapy has been used for problems such as healing injured tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Surgical hair restoration: A transplant of the hair follicles. Dritho-Scalp: A prescription drug that promotes new hair growth. Corticosteroids: A prescription drug that lowers inflammation around the hair follicles, allowing them to grow new hair. Biotin: A supplement often touted as improving hair loss. However, research is still limited. Essential oils: Lavender oil and peppermint oil may help with regrowing hair. A study discovered that mice treated with essential oil of peppermint had clear signs of hair regrowth. A 2016 mouse model study revealed similar results with lavender oil. Human studies are still needed to verify these claims. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any regimen of drugs or supplements. Recap Your doctor may suggest a medication for hair loss, including Rogaine (minoxidil). In studies, 5% topical minoxidil was found to be more effective than 2% minoxidil or a placebo. Psychological Toll of Hair Loss The emotional reaction to losing one’s hair can be very significant. Studies and surveys have evaluated the impact that the loss of hair has on emotional health. One such survey of 2,000 men in the United States discovered that there may be a close association between a man’s work identity and his hair. In the hair census, as many as eight in 10 men who were surveyed reported that the look of their hair was important and made them look professional and feel confident. A dermatologist spokesman told BBC News, “The researchers say, hair loss is a common disorder and it can cause considerable damage to emotional health, including loss of self-esteem and confidence.” Summary Both women and men can have receding hairlines. Men often have a condition called male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia or AGA). For women, a receding hairline may be due to frontal fibrosing alopecia, or scarring of the scalp. A variety of factors can lead to hair loss, including genetics, medications, hormones, and stress. Treatment for a receding hairline may include medication such as Rogaine, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, or surgical hair restoration. A Word From Verywell Although having a receding hairline commonly causes concern for both men and women, many people have discovered that there is hope. New medical treatments and procedures on the horizon may help to slow down the process of a receding hairline. Talking with a dermatologist or other healthcare provider can help you understand the cause of the condition and find treatment options. Hair Loss in Women Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 0 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Chew,E., Tan,J., Bahta, A., Liu,X...Hillmer,A.(2017). Differential Expression between Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding and Non-Balding Scalps Reveals New Candidate Genes for Androgenetic Alopecia. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Ji Young Oh, J., Park, M., Kim, C. (2014). Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicological Research. (4): 297–304.Retrieved from Lee, B., Lee, J., Chu, Y., Kim, C. (2016). Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice. Toxicological Research. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Staff. Hair Loss. MayoClinic.org. Olsen EA., Dunlap FE., Funicella T., Koperski JA...Trancik RJ. (2002). A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. The Journal of American Academy of Dermatology. Penn State Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Staff. Health Information Library. Hair Loss. Penn State Hershey.Adam.com. The American Academy of Dermatology Staff. (2010). Dermatologists can help women win the fight against common forms of hair loss. AAD.org. Retrieved from Westbrook, I. (2018) Potential new cure found for baldness. BBC News.com.