Hairline backwards around the forehead, a sign you are starting to bald

Hairline slowly retreating alias receding hairline is one of the first signs of baldness. Women and men alike can experience this, but it is more common in men. Apart from the age factor, there are various other factors that can cause your hairline to begin to recede over the top of your head.

How do I know if the hairline around the forehead has receded?

The backward hairline forms a V alias widow peak pattern

Hairline backing up the head usually begins to appear when a man is in his 30s. On average, this condition starts from the hairline above the temples on both sides of the head, while the hairline in the middle remains near the forehead. This pattern of receding hairline will form a V over the head, and is often referred to as widow peak. Gradually, both the sides and back of the head can become bald, leaving only the hair on the top of the head.

In contrast, in women, the hairline will retreat first from the middle to the top of the head while both sides and the back will stay. This hairline receding pattern will form a U-shape. In fact, women are more likely to experience thinning hair than hairline receding or total baldness.

What causes the hairline to recede?

There are many reasons for the receding hairline around the forehead.

1. Age

Aging is the most important factor for hairline deterioration. Research shows that male pattern baldness is related to androgen hormones. Well, the older you get, the less androgen hormones are produced by the body.

Each hair on your head has its own cycle. After growing optimally, the hair will fall out and to be replaced with new hair. Usually, hair follicles that have fallen out are replaced with new follicles of the same size.

However, due to insufficient supply of androgen hormones, hair follicles shrink so that new hair grows thinner, shorter, and finer. Over time, the hair follicles shrink, the hair growth cycle ends, and eventually no new hair grows.

2. Hormonal changes

Apart from being influenced by age, baldness is also triggered by an increase in the baldness hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) in the body. This hormone is produced by converting testosterone to dihydrotestosterone by the help of certain enzymes. About 10% of the testosterone in a man's body will be converted into dihydrotestosterone. DHT causes the follicles to shrink so that no more hair grows in them.

A study found that the follicles of a bald scalp contain higher levels of the hormone DHT than the hormone DHT in a non-bald scalp. Some researchers believe that the pattern of baldness in some men is caused by their bodies being more sensitive to normal androgen (especially DHT) levels that are passed down from generation to generation.

The DHT hormone can also be found in women.

3. Family history

Genetic factors play a role in the receding hairline around the forehead. Men with a family history of baldness are more likely to experience hair loss. It may even follow the same pattern as the previous generation.

4. Medication or treatment

Some medical procedures or treatments can also cause hair loss. A common example is chemotherapy, which often causes a person's hair to fall out.

5. Illness or stress

Illness or stress can cause sudden hair loss called telogen effluvium. Most people experience this as the unexpected, losing more hair than usual in a short period of time.

However, this hair loss usually goes away on its own without treatment.

6. Lifestyle

Lifestyle is strongly suspected to be associated with premature deterioration of the hairline. People who actively smoke report hair loss more rapidly than non-smokers. In addition, people who are deficient in protein are also more susceptible to hair loss than those who eat enough protein.

Can this be prevented or overcome before becoming completely bald?

If the retreating hairline is caused by age, of course this cannot be prevented. However, if it turns out that your condition is caused by other factors, such as stress, hormonal instability, or even certain medical problems, the treatment may be adjusted according to the exact cause.

Treatment for baldness usually involves one or a combination of the following methods:

Drugs

If your signs of baldness are triggered by hormonal problems or an immune system disorder, the way to overcome them is to prescribe prednisone drugs or over-the-counter minoxidil drugs.

Minoxidil should be applied to the scalp. Side effects that may arise from this medicine are scalp irritation and recurrence of hair loss if you stop taking the drug.

Another drug is finasteride, a pill that can help promote hair growth. This drug works by inhibiting the hormone DHT. Possible side effects are reduced sexual desire and a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Operation

Another solution for backward hairline is hair graft surgery. This involves transplanting small sections of the scalp and hair follicles from the back of the head into areas of hair that have stopped growing. This skin transplant can continue to grow healthy hair in a new location.