Mature Hairline Guide

Before we jump into the definition of a maturing hairline, it is important to describe the term ‘hairline’ itself. The outermost edge of the hair that separates your hair from the forehead is known as the hairline. This edge can naturally be either high or low depending on your genetics and various other factors.

Typically, younger men and women have a hairline that lies low on their foreheads which is referred to as a “juvenile hairline.” As men grow older, they experience a number of biological changes that lead to a hairline recession. This naturally receding hairline is known as the “maturing hairline.” Hair loss in men is categorised with norwood scale (Type 1 to 3 would be a maturing hairline):

Here are the two main characteristics of a maturing hairline:

• It causes the hairline to retreat evenly, in what closely resembles a straight line
• The hairline does not recede more than 1 to 1.5 inches above the highest forehead wrinkle

Most men naturally develop a maturing hairline between 17 to 30 years of age. 

In short, a maturing hairline is a natural phenomenon for most adult men and does not indicate impending baldness.

It can be challenging to differentiate between a maturing hairline and a receding one until it is too late. If you mistake male pattern baldness for aging, you might lose too much hair before you can make a recovery. 

Want to discern whether you have a maturing hairline or not? Here are some simple tests you can conduct by yourself to find out.

• Mature Hairline Test
  All you have to do for the mature hairline test is to raise your eyebrows or assume a shocked expression to form wrinkles on your forehead. The topmost wrinkle on your forehead is where your juvenile hairline should lie.
  Once you have identified the location of your juvenile hairline, simply note the difference between that and your current hairline. If you notice a difference of around 1 to 1.5 inches, you have a maturing hairline. Anything beyond that and you might have a receding hairline.
• Widow Peak Test
  Juvenile hairlines are often concave or round but as they mature, they become more defined. Mature hairlines usually assume a V shape that is easy to spot and is commonly known as a “Widow’s Peak.”
  If you notice a natural recession of your hairline to a widow’s peak over a long period of time, it is probably just a maturing hairline. However, if your widow’s peak grows more defined and pronounced in a short period of time, you might have a receding hairline.
• Norwood scale classification
  Another popular method for identifying the nature of hair loss is the Norwood Scale. Depending on the severity of hair loss, the Norwood scale presents seven distinct stages.
  Norwood Stage 1 represents a juvenile hairline with close to no hair loss while Norwood stage 2 depicts more thinning and receding of the hairline. If you see yourself going beyond Norwood stage 2, you may be experiencing male pattern baldness.

A maturing hairline is primarily caused by biological reasons such as hormonal changes. The primary hormones involved in these changes are androgens or the male hormones. The androgen known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT) plays a crucial role in this process. 

As men hit puberty, testosterone levels rise and the body breaks it down into DHT. This is the androgen that binds to receptors in the scalp, progressively shrinking the hair follicles. This process is known as follicle miniaturization and is known for causing a maturing hairline and even male pattern baldness in many cases. The amount of DHT produced by your body affects the severity of hair loss.

Since the hair follicles at your temples and crown are particularly sensitive to DHT, the hairline is the first to experience the effects of hair loss. In the end, whether you have a maturing hairline or a receding hairline depends on the DHT levels and your sensitivity to the androgen.

While mature hairlines retreat evenly, for the most part, the speed and pattern may vary depending on the person. Here are a few common shapes that maturing hairlines may show up in:

• Widow’s Peak: A hairline that forms a peak in the middle as hair recedes at the temples is known as the Widow’s Peak.
• V-Shaped: Similar to the widow’s peak, the hairline forms a V as the hairline retreats further.
• M-Shaped: The next stage of hair loss where the hairline depicts an M shape. The hairline loses its roundness and becomes more defined.

Maturing hairlines are a natural part of growing old and usually, they are not a cause for concern. Fortunately, there are many ways to maintain a maturing hairline through natural means. One of the best ways to make the most out of your maturing hairline is by getting the right haircut or hairstyle. 

Here are some of the best hairstyles for your maturing hairline:

• Buzz cut: For a no-nonsense, straightforward solution to your maturing hairline, look no further than an induction buzz cut. It is easy, breezy, and looks great, no matter where your hairline lies. Simply instruct your barber to trim your hair with the lowest clipper grade, leaving behind an almost-shaved head.
  Known for being popular in the military, this close-cropped haircut is ideal for those who do not have the time for a high-maintenance hairstyle. If you are not ready for such a drastic change, you can try a butch buzz cut by setting your clipper at a 3 to 4.
• Crew cut: The crew cut is one of the most popular hairstyles among men due to its sheer versatility. It features longer hair at the top with closed-cropped or faded sides. The hairstyle can give you a stylish and refined look without much effort on your part.
  This hairstyle does not conceal a maturing hairline but it makes styling and maintenance easier. It is recommended to style it wisely using the right products. Using gels or pomades with a maturing hairline may make it more obvious.
  Products such as matte wax are known for providing a fuller look that is ideal for thinning hair. The goal is to cover the exposed scalp and create the illusion of a full head of hair, even when your hairline may be receding.
• Ivy League haircut: Inspired by the hairstyles of the prestigious American Ivy League students, this hairstyle looks sleek, expensive, and professional. It somewhat resembles a crew cut but leaves enough length for a side part on top. It might not hide your widow’s peak but it will make your naturally mature hairline look incredibly elegant and graceful.
  If you wish to command respect and appear dependable in a professional setting, the Ivy League haircut should be your go-to, especially when you pair it with a suit.
• French crop cut: Popular TV shows have brought this chic hairstyle to the forefront. Much like the crew cut, the French crop cut features faded or cropped hair at the sides with longer hair at the top. However, it adds a spiky fringe into the mix to make it more interesting.
  While this is not an easy hairstyle to pull off, it may serve your maturing hairline well. The fringe works well for concealing a receded hairline. On top of all that, it is one of the most low-maintenance haircuts you can have and requires close to no styling.
• Pompadour: Flaunt your natural widow’s peak with the glamorous pompadour hairstyle that makes the most out of it. Popularized by Elvis Presley himself, the Pompadour has many classic and modern variations that you can try.
  Classically, the hairstyle is done with a lot of volumes in the front that is styled back to reveal the temples and trimmed sides. All this sleek hair was traditionally managed with a high-shine pomade that kept it all together. However, today you have matte options available for a more natural, everyday look.
• Shaggy bangs: If the other hairstyles are way too neat and sleek for you, some shaggy bangs will give you the perfect laid-back look. This effortless hairstyle not only provides a certain ruggedness but also hides your maturing hairline, making you look more youthful.
• Fully shaved: If you want something completely no-effort, you should consider shaving your head entirely. While this may not qualify as a hairstyle, it is certainly a good look, especially if you have the right face shape. Of course, it is also incredibly effective in hiding a receding or maturing hairline.

If you have a maturing hairline, your hair doctor may recommend one of the following hair transplant techniques: 

• FUE: The most popular hair transplantation technique due to its minimally invasive nature, low scarring, and short recovery times. FUE is practiced by hair transplant surgeons all over the world and is an effective solution for male pattern baldness, maturing hairline, or temple hair loss. The process begins by taking hair follicles from the donor region with good hair density. These healthy hair follicles are then inserted into the balding region to promote hair growth.
• DHI: To improve the survival rate of the hair follicles and reduce bleeding, FUE was modified to create an advanced procedure called Direct Hair Implantation or DHI. This technique combines extraction and implantation and eliminates the need for making incisions. The process uses a special equipment known as the Choi implanter pen.
• FUT: Known as the follicular unit transplantation method or strip method, FUT is the second most popular hair transplantation technique in the world today. The procedure involves taking a strip of skin from the back of the head to harvest hair follicles by dissecting them into grafts. These grafts are then implanted into the balding region to promote growth. FUT leaves a scar from where the strip of skin is taken and has longer recovery times.

Apart from hair transplants, patients suffering from a maturing hairline also have non-surgical treatments at their disposal. 

Here are two of the most common hair loss treatments prescribed to hair loss patients:

• Finasteride: One of the most popular prescription medications used for male-pattern baldness and hair loss caused by aging. Finasteride inhibits the enzyme FAR that is responsible for producing DHT in the body. Since DHT is responsible for follicle miniaturization, inhibition of the androgen helps reduce hair loss. Finasteride is known to be more effective than minoxidil and is known for showing results for 80% of the men who use it. Finasteride is usually not used to promote hair growth but to slow down hair loss, thinning, and recession of the hairline. Similarly, it can help you slow down the hair loss caused by aging including a maturing hairline.
• Minoxidil: A hypertensive drug that is now used in many forms as a hair loss remedy. The effects of Minoxidil on hair loss were discovered by chance when patients noticed hair growth after taking the drug. Today, Minoxidil comes in a widely used topical solution called Rogaine that is approved by the FDA for both men and women. Minoxidil works by dilating the blood vessels in your scalp, increasing blood supply to the balding regions to promote hair growth. The rates of effectiveness for minoxidil are 70% to 80% and it is effective for hair loss at the temples or a maturing hairline.