Many experts believe a receding hairline to be predominantly a hereditary trait. Male hormones develop in the body, which causes the hair follicles to become overly sensitive. You should be wary if you have a family history of balding. You should talk to the men in your family to see when they began losing hair excessively. Timing of hair loss tends to be similar across generations.

However, other factors can exacerbate the balding process. Men and women can experience hormonal changes due to DHT coming into the body. This hormone can shrink follicles to the point where they cannot grow hair anymore. Certain medications can also contribute to hair loss as well as stress or illness. The thing with stress-based hair loss is that the hair can grow back once the stress is removed. With genetics, the hair loss will be permanent once it starts unless you take action.

For most men, this form of balding will begin after puberty ends. Some men may notice the symptoms shortly after ending puberty while others will not notice it until they are older. A receding hairline typically begins right over the temples. From there, the hairline will change positions over the scalp. Generally, this process is accompanied by a bald spot in the center of the scalp, which creates a ring of hair around the top.

Some men will notice their receding hairlines will start at the temples, but hair will continue to stay in the middle. This is referred to as a widow’s peak. Over time, men can lose most or all of their hair on the top of their head but retain hair on the sides.