Many people are concerned about having a high hairline. Indeed, the higher our hairline, the more worried we become, as it can be a sign of permanent hair loss. However, a high hairline is not always a sign that you are losing your hair. In fact, having a high hairline may just be the way that you are or may indicate where you are in your life. Let's set the record straight on what a high hairline can mean.

The hairline is a naturally occurring physical characteristic where the hair follicles stop in a complete line on your forehead. This line delineates where your hair is supposed to grow and where your face begins. However, the hairline is not always a solid line across the forehead. Many people naturally have a widow's peak, which is where the hairline comes to a point in the middle of your forehead.

Genes are the primary determinant of where a hairline starts. Some people are born with lower hairlines, whereas others may have middle or high hairlines. Intriguingly, our hairlines do shift naturally throughout life. When we are young, we have a juvenile hairline, which is where the hairline starts lower than it will likely be as you get older.

The majority of men, and many women, will begin to develop a "mature" hairline once they reach their late teens to twenties. A mature hairline is entirely normal and is where the hairline moves about ½ inch or slightly more from where it was during adolescence. A maturing hairline is not the same as a receding hairline.  

Many factors are at play when it comes to having a high hairline:

Genetics - Some people naturally have higher hairlines. Often, it is just part of your genetic makeup. If you are curious if your high hairline is due to genetics as opposed to other factors, take a look at your family members of all ages.

You may need to refer to your older family members' photos to refer back to when they were younger. What patterns do you see emerging? Do people at a younger age have an average hairline or higher hairline? Do you see relatives who are struggling with a receding hairline as they age?

Age - As we have already discussed, your hairline naturally moves as you get older. However, it should only slightly move as you reach maturity. If your hairline continues to rise higher, it may be a sign that you are losing your hair.

Androgenic alopecia - We can't ignore the fact that a high hairline may also be a sign of hair loss. Many hair loss conditions can affect your hairline. However, most people with hair loss suffer from androgenic alopecia, or male- or female-pattern baldness. Androgenic alopecia is usually a result of our genetics and often worsens with age.

This condition can result in various patterns of hair loss. In men, hair loss often manifests as a receding hairline, a thinning or balding patch on the crown, or changes in the hairline where it is no longer a straight line. Rather, the hairline can develop into a 'V' shape. In women, hair loss typically looks like a widening part line or thinning around your temples.

So, the big question is whether your high hairline is just a normal part of reaching maturity or if it is actually a sign that you are struggling with hair loss. There are a few indications that your high hairline is because of hair loss.

• Your hairline becomes uneven - The hairline should always be a straight line or come to a subtle point, such as a widow's peak if you were born with one. Again widow's peaks are a normal physiological characteristic. However, if your widow's peak starts to become more pronounced, it may be a sign of a receding hairline

• Hair around your temples becomes thinner - Both men and women may experience hair thinning around their temples if they have hair loss.

• Hair growth has slowed - If you find it takes more time to increase your hair's length, it may be a sign of shrinking hair follicles. In androgenic alopecia, the hair follicles get smaller, which makes it harder to grow your hair. DHT, or dihydrotestosterone, is the primary cause of shrinking follicles. Consequently, individual hair strands may also become thinner and more delicate.

• You have an itchy, irritated scalp - Your scalp health is incredibly important for hair growth. If you find your scalp becomes painful, irritated, or itchy, you may be losing hair. Taking measures to increase circulation and decrease inflammation can help boost hair growth.

If you naturally have a higher hairline unrelated to hair loss, there is little you can do to lower your hairline aside from cosmetic surgery. If you pursue surgery, your doctor may either do a hair transplant or a forehead reduction. Remember, people who have a naturally high hairline do not have hair follicles closer to an "average" hairline because their genetics determine where the hair follicles stop. Thus, pharmaceutical hair regrowth products will not be effective on naturally high hairlines.

Believe it or not, high hairlines caused by hair loss are often easier to treat. We know that androgenic alopecia is a challenging hair loss condition that affects over 50% of men and nearly 40% of women. While you may seem powerless once your hairline starts receding or you develop an uneven hairline, you can take steps to suppress the regression:

• Eat a well-balanced diet - You need to get the right amount of specific nutrients to optimize your hair growth. Taking a hair support supplement can ensure you get enough of the right nutrients for hair growth support.

• Treat underlying scalp conditions - Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. Make sure you treat any underlying itching or inflammation, as both can worsen hair loss.

• Do micro-needling - Increasing circulation in your scalp is vital for hair growth. With micro-needling, you create tiny pictures in your scalp that allows for healing, increased collagen production, and increased blood flow. You can do micro-needling at home with a StimuROLLER.

• Use Nanoxidil - Products that contain Nanoxidil 5% provide superior hair regrowth results. Nanoxidil is a powerful formulation that suppresses the activity of DHT in the hair follicles, increases circulation in your scalp, prevents perifollicular fibrosis, and blocks chronic inflammation. People who use Nanoxidil see their hair start to grow in places where it ceases, including the vertex and hairline.

• Use good shampoo products - Hair care products are always in contact with our scalp. Therefore, it is essential to use shampooing products that do not aggravate the scalp or dry out your existing follicles.

If you are worried about a high hairline, it is essential to identify if your high hairline is just part of who you are, if it is a sign of hair loss. Early action is critical when it comes to combatting hair loss. Start by taking a hair assessment and meeting with your dermatologist to ensure you are on the right track to keeping your hairline where you want it.