An In-Depth Guide To Receding Hairline & Possible Treatments

A receding hairline is seen at the front and the temples. It is commonly caused in men by a condition called male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia). Hair transplant surgery can be an effective treatment for a receding hairline but not all patients would benefit from the procedure. In this blog you will find out whether you are a candidate for surgery and what you should bear in mind in your decision making process.

Receding hairline treated with an FUE hair transplant

Why do you have a receding hairline?

In most men, their hairline recession is caused by a condition called male pattern baldness. In this condition, the hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone) causes the hair in the hairline and temples to thin and fall out. For some men this can also affect the crown and a receding hairline can meet a balding crown in the middle making someone completely bald. The extent to which you have receded can be graded and this is depicted in the Norwood scale, as seen below.

Having a hair transplant for a receding hairline

Not all men will benefit from having hair transplant surgery to restore hair where they have receded. As a hair transplant lasts a long time (15-20+ years) if you continue to lose hair behind your surgically implanted hair you will end up looking odd. So here are some key points you need to think about before deciding to undergo surgery.

Key Topics

1. How old are you and will your receding hairline get worse?
2. Consider taking medications to prevent your receding hairline from getting worse
3. Key considerations when it comes to hair transplant surgery for a receding hairline

How old are you and will your receding hairline get worse?

If you are young (<27 years old) then you might want to wait until you're 27 years old before planning surgery. This is because your hairline is likely to mature naturally as your face ages between the age of 18-25. This often means you naturally get some recession at the temples and hairline due to the muscle and skin ageing in your face. This is not caused by hair loss (although it can look like it!).

If you are younger than 27 years old and actively suffering from hair loss you will need to consider stabilising your hair loss with medications before undergoing surgery. This means that when you do undergo surgery to restore hair in your receded hairline your final result will last as you will have not receded behind your new hairline.

Consider taking medications to prevent your receding hairline from getting worse

If you are suffering from hair loss, it is likely that you will recede further, so you need to make sure you plan for future hair transplants or stabilise you hair loss with medications like Finasteride or Minoxidil. Taking either medication is an important decision and as with any medication, there are side effects.

Both medications are very effective at treating hair loss. Finasteride is useful in preventing the ongoing process of hair loss. Minoxidil is a medication that helps to stimulate hair growth and thickening. Together, they help treat and prevent a receding hairline.