Your hairline frames your human face. It is made up of hair follicles that create a distinction between your face and your scalp. Normally, people have an even hairline that creates a relatively crisp line. However, an uneven hairline can be common in both men and women. And because it is very much a part of our facial features, an uneven hairline can be a source of insecurity and frustration. If you begin to notice that your hairline is uneven, there are steps you can take to restore symmetry to your hairline.
Causes of Uneven Hairlines
An uneven hairline may be the result of your DNA, health conditions, or physical changes and trauma to the hairline. There are four major causes of uneven hairlines.
Male or female-pattern baldness (also known as androgenic alopecia)
Men and women can both suffer from hair loss leading to baldness. In men, this condition is usually marked by a receding hairline. The hairline commonly takes the shape of an ‘M’ and there is also noticeable hair thinning on the top (or crown) of your head. This type of hair loss tends to run in families and is thought to be caused in part by elevated levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Female-pattern baldness tends to involve thinning along the hairline which can make it look uneven or patchy. This form of hair loss also runs in families or can be the result of hormonal imbalance.
Your Genetics
Your hairline is largely determined by your DNA. Just like some people have a V-shaped hairline or a widow’s peak, others may naturally have asymmetrical hairlines. Certain conditions that lead to uneven hairlines can also run in families such as androgenic alopecia. There are also genetically-linked health conditions that can lead to hair loss including hypothyroidism.
Hair Transplant Gone Awry
Some people undergo a hair transplant if they are balding or have a receding hairline. In this procedure, hair from other parts of your head is grafted where you are losing hair. Sometimes a person can end up with an uneven hairline if the procedure was not done well, if it did not follow your original hairline, or if the hair did not replicate properly.
Trauma
Different forms of trauma can change your hairline. For example, traction alopecia is a hair condition where you experience hair loss from forces that pull on hair strands. Examples of different causes of traction alopecia include wearing tight ponytails or buns, extensions, braids, or dreadlocks. The hairline can also be compromised if you experience an injury that leaves scarring. Hair usually does not grow where you have had scarring.
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How Do I Know if My Uneven Hairline is from Hair Loss?
Most people notice some asymmetry or patchiness along their hairline when they are styling their hair or looking in the mirror. Some people have had an uneven hairline for their whole lives, even in childhood. If this is the case and you have not noticed any changes to your hairline, you are likely not losing any hair. Indeed, it is just part of the phenotypic expression of your DNA. Similarly, some people undergo a change in their hairline in their late teens and early twenties. This is the time of life when people reach maturity and just like the rest of your body, your hairline matures as well.
If you are caught off guard by a change in your hairline, it is likely that you are experiencing some form of hair loss. Indeed, some people feel like their hairline changed overnight. One day, all of a sudden, they notice that their hairline is different. If you find yourself in this position, it is important to learn how to treat uneven hairlines as it will likely worsen.
Treating Uneven Hairlines
Fortunately, there are treatment options for correcting an uneven hairline. Treatment is based on what has caused an uneven hairline.
Medication
People with uneven hairlines may consider taking medication to restore their hair. Treating an uneven hairline starts with identifying what is causing this issue. If a man has androgenic alopecia, he may seek medical advice on taking a prescription medication called finasteride. This medication is used to help slow the effects of male-pattern hair loss and may potentially help regrow hair. It is also used to treat men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (or enlarged prostate). Finasteride is not a treatment option for women. Men who are considering finasteride should be aware of the systemic side effects of this medication and should know that they will continue to lose hair once they stop taking this drug.
There are certain health conditions that can cause hair loss that result in an uneven hairline. When the condition is treated with the right medication, it can help restore hair growth. Hypothyroidism is a common health condition in the United States and hair loss is a characteristic symptom of this disease. However, treatment with a synthetic thyroid hormone can help improve hair loss that is associated with thyroid dysfunction.
Some medications can cause hair loss such as certain blood pressure medications, antidepressants, and cholesterol-lowering drugs. If you are taking any medications, check with your doctor to see if hair loss is a side effect. If so, you may be able to work with your doctor to find a different medication that will not affect your hairline.
Hair Transplant
Undergoing a hair transplant may help improve your hairline. They can yield better results for hair regrowth compared to common over-the-counter topical hair treatments that you may find in a drug store. However, hair transplants can fail and are actually one of the causes of uneven hairlines. Furthermore, they are costly, may lead to infection, and are likely to be unsuccessful if you are predisposed to balding and you are using your own hair grafts.
Over-The-Counter Topical Treatments
If you just noticed that you have an uneven hairline, the best thing you can do is to start treating it right away with the best products available. When you are looking for products, you will want to find shampoos and conditioners that have ingredients that can stimulate hair growth. Some ingredients to look for include:
- Ketoconazole
- Caffeine
- Biotin
- Procyandin B2
- Taurine
- Niacinamide
- Emu oil
- Rooibos tea
It is equally important to incorporate a topical hair growth system into your regime. Minoxidil (commonly known by its brand name, Rogaine) is one example of a topical hair growth treatment. Most people can find this product in their local grocery and drug stores. Minoxidil has been around for many decades and has been successful at helping people regrow hair. However, it does not help restore receding hairlines or baldness at the front of the scalp, which can be one of the main causes of uneven hairlines.
For a more effective topical therapy, look for products that contain nanoxidil such as those available through DS Laboratories. This compound was created to deliver the best hair growth results without the side effects of minoxidil. Not only is nanoxidil safer, but it is effective in restoring hair along the hairline.
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Supplements
When you are looking at treatment options for your uneven hairline, don’t look past the power of your diet and getting essential nutrients for hair growth. Supplements that can return your hairline to a crisp, even border should contain zinc, vitamin D, biotin, magnesium, melatonin, iron, daidzein, Canadian willowherb, procyanidin B2, Genistein, B-sitosterol, and alfalfa extract.
An uneven hairline can make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable with your appearance. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Shop the entire line of hair growth and hair supporting systems from DS Laboratories to restore your hairline and your confidence.