Receding hairlines are one of the more frustrating and difficult forms of hair loss to treat. Men are the most likely to experience receding hairline, although women may be affected too. It can happen at any age, but it is more likely to occur with age. Medications, certain hair products, and surgery may help you re-grow hair at your hairline, but the success of each of these options can depend on the cause of a receding hairline. Let’s take a look at what a receding hairline is and let’s investigate: Is a receding hairline genetic?
What Is A Receding Hairline?
For many men, a receding hairline is one of the most disheartening forms of male pattern hair loss. Men who have family members with this condition often watch for early signs of a receding hairline from a young age in hopes that maybe it won’t impact them.
Also known as androgenic alopecia, a receding hairline is where the hair that frames your face appears to move back toward the crown of your head. This is because you are losing hair close to your face. Often, hair loss starts at your temples and moves across the top of your head. This can leave a horseshoe-shaped pattern of baldness on the crown of your head. Another way a receding hairline can start is from the upmost point of your hairline, or widow’s peak, which leaves a V-shaped pattern of hair at the top of your head with balding on the sides of the peak.
Females who have a receding hairline usually notice the hairline retracting from the top of their forehead and have a part that widens. Typically, the sides and back of a woman’s head do not recede or have noticeable thinning if she is struggling with a receding hairline.
Is A Receding Hairline Genetic?
Hair loss often accompanies aging. Indeed, one study of European men found that by age 80, 80% of men had a receding hairline. Aging is often one of the main causes of a receding hairline because hair follicles can become damaged over time, and consequently stop growing altogether.
Yet, we also know that receding hairlines tend to run in families. Indeed, men often look to their other males in their families to see what their fate may be with their hairline as they get older. This is especially the case in men who have a receding hairline that starts at a younger age. Typically, men start to lose their hair at a similar age to other males with receding hairlines in their family. Also, the pattern of hair loss tends to be the same. For example, men who have a father or brothers with V-shaped receding hairlines often will experience this same pattern.
Understanding male and female-pattern baldness is exceptionally complicated. There are so many unanswered questions about the role of genetics is receding hairlines, and we have yet to understand the real role genetics plays in hair loss. Not only is there a question as to who you inherit this trait from, but there are also characteristics that help pre-determine your likelihood of experiencing hair loss. For example, men with male pattern baldness tend to have smaller hair follicles all over their scalp. These smaller follicles also produce less hair, which increases the odds of hair thinning over time. While our DNA can be highly predictive of hair loss, our genetics are not the only thing that contributes to a receding hairline.
Other Causes Of A Receding Hairline
Many other causes can spur a receding hairline, which makes it challenging to put all the blame on your genetics. Here are some other causes of receding hairlines.
Medications
Certain medications may contribute to hair loss. Often, the frequency that these medications are prescribed increases as people get older, which also correlates with hair loss with aging. Medications that may contribute to a receding hairline include:
- Certain types of chemotherapy
- Cholesterol-lowering medications
- Antidepressants
- Antibiotics
- Acne medications that contain retinoids
- High blood pressure medications
- Anticoagulants
- Mood stabilizers
- Treatment for Parkinson’s Disease
- Thyroid medications
- Birth control pills
- Hormone replacement therapy
Sometimes, the underlying condition that these medications are treating is the cause of receding hairlines, which can make it difficult to tell if the medication or health condition is causing the hair loss.
Hormone Changes
Our hormones play a role in every system in our body, including our skin and hair. Whether you are male or female, off-balance hormones can cause several frustrating symptoms, including a receding hairline. From sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone to thyroid hormones, and even cortisol, hormones can suppress the functionality of your hair follicles, resulting in hair thinning and balding.
Stress and Illness
Stress wreaks havoc all over the body. And while hair loss usually shows up late to the game, it is very much a sign that your body or mind has been experiencing a significant amount of stress. Sometimes, you can recover from significant hair loss from stress and illness, but chronic conditions can lead to permanent hair loss.
Lifestyle Choices
Our health and wellbeing are determined by a complex interplay between our genetics and our environment. Often, our choices can lead to permanent physical changes, such as a receding hairline. For example, smoking and having a poor diet can cause receding hairlines. Your body needs ample circulation and protein to grow hair. A smoking habit can suppress your blood circulation, and a diet deficient in protein can prevent your follicles from getting the building blocks it needs to grow and maintain healthy hair.
Is there anything you can do for a genetic receding hairline?
Despite your best efforts, genetics can sometimes still get the upper hand. However, there are treatment options for receding hairlines that may have a genetic component. Some people who wish to have longterm results may explore surgical options such as hair plugs. Surgery can be an effective option for people who have exhausted other hair re-growth methods. Before trying hair surgery, you may want to explore these options:
Get a complete check-up with your doctor - Sometimes, hair loss is caused by health conditions, such as hypothyroidism. Treating underlying health conditions can sometimes be enough to give your body additional energy resources to turn its focus on hair re-growth.
Eat a healthier diet - Keratin is a protein that makes hair. Make sure to focus on eating a diet high in protein so that extra protein goes toward your hair follicles. If you struggle to eat enough foods that contain healthy nutrients for your hair, consider taking a hair regrowth supplements such as the Revita Neutraceutical Tablets For Hair Growth Support from DS Laboratories.
Use professional-grade hair products - There are cutting-edge hair products that are available without a prescription. Historically, people turned toward minoxidil (popularly known as Rogaine). Although effective, minoxidil is not a permanent solution to a receding hairline, as stopping minoxidil re-starts the hair loss process. Look for products that contain nanoxidil 5% delivered through nanosome technology. These products deliver the medication directly to the follicle without side effects or leaving a greasy residue.
Seek expert advice from a dermatologist - If you are struggling with a receding hairline, it is always helpful to consult a dermatologist. Sometimes, you can take medications like finasteride to help suppress a receding hairline caused by genetics. However, there can be side effects to these medications. Make sure to explore all of your options with an expert to see what will work best for you.