Female Receding Hairlines, Explained: Here's What Experts Say About the Condition, Including How to Reverse It
Everything from hair thinning to graying is common as we age. Another shared condition many people experience is a receding hairline, but despite popular belief, it's not exclusive to men. "Most women lose hair on the top of their scalp and in the front hairline areas because of genetics or an inherited androgenetic alopecia," Dr. William Yates, MD, a board-certified hair loss expert and surgeon, explains. "Female pattern baldness typically is in the pattern of a Christmas tree. [Loss occurs] on top of the scalp while most of the hairline is maintained; whereas male pattern baldness can severely affect the hairline in addition to the top and back of the scalp." With any type of hair loss, sufferers typically have one question: Can hair grow back? According to our experts, yes, you can restore your hairline back to its original state with the right treatment. Ahead, learn more about receding hairlines and how to restore yours.
Related: The Best Thickening Treatments for Hair That Has Started to Thin Over Time
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Understand the most common causes.
Dr. Yates notes that it's common for female hair loss to occur around the hairline because of traction alopecia, which can happen because of tight hairstyles, relaxers, and extensions. "Another condition of scarring alopecia, known as Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia, appears to be an autoimmune response," he says, explaining that this causes recession around the hairline, temples, and eyebrows. "From my vast experience, I can definitely say that most female patients with hair loss appear to have a genetic underpinning and this worsens with age." Kim Bennett, the owner of Kim Bennett Studios at Sola Salon Studios Centennial, adds that aside from specific medical conditions, stress or lifestyle factors (such as the type of food you eat), can also affect hair loss.
Consider an at-home remedy.
While it can seem challenging to reverse a receding hairline, it is still possible. Dr. Yates says using FDA-approved Minoxidil 5% topically, like Women's Rogaine ($41.37, amazon.com), and a laser cap, such as CapillusUltra Mobile Laser Therapy Cap, ($999, amazon.com), are effective at-home treatments, but they need to be used consistently to see improvements in the hairline region. If you want to give your hair a fuller appearance as it's growing back, he suggests his Dr. Yates Thickening Shampoo ($19.99, yourhairlossexpert.com) and Thickening Serum ($19.99, yourhairlossexpert.com) paired with the Keratin Fiber Hair Enhancer ($29.99, yourhairlossexpert.com). "Hair loss related to mechanical trauma, [like] breakage, can easily be reversed by coating the hair shaft with supple oils, such as argan oil found in [my] Resuscitating Oil ($29.99, yourhairlossexpert.com)," the hair loss expert shares.
"Oftentimes, the root of hair issues lies beneath the scalp," adds Bennett. "If your hair is weak at the root, it could cause breakage as the follicle is growing out of the scalp during its growth cycle." To keep your scalp at its best, she suggests the Tea Tree Scalp Care Set ($89, amazon.com) since it has a regeniplex botanical blend that promotes scalp health in addition to encouraging thicker hair.
Seek professional care.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, Exosome Therapy, and the Keralase Laser are all helpful in-office treatments when it comes to regrowing hair, says Dr. Yates. Consult with your medical professional if you notice your hairline starting to recede to determine which course of action is best for you—and to better understand any underlying causes. "When losing hair or experiencing any hair-related issues you're concerned about, you should always see and get tested by a doctor for thyroid and hormone imbalances, as those are common reasons for hair loss or a receding hairline," Bennett notes. "Hair often grows back once the cause is addressed."
