Why hairline recedes

Hormonal changes may be the trigger for hair loss in both men and women. A hormone called DHT may have a link to male pattern baldness, as it causes the follicles to shrink to the point that no hair can grow in them anymore.

Family history seems to play a role in receding hairlines. Men with a family history of baldness may be more likely to lose their hair. The loss may even follow a similar pattern as previous generations.

Some medical procedures or treatments may also cause hair loss. Illness or stress may lead to sudden hair loss called telogen effluvium. People usually experience this as an unexpected shedding — where they lose much more hair than usual in a short period. Luckily, this hair loss often reverses itself without treatment. There may also be a link between particular lifestyle choices and hair loss.

People who smoke may experience hair loss faster than people who do not smoke. There may also be a link between receding hairlines and diet. For example, people who do not get enough protein in their diets may lose more hair than people who eat enough protein. There is no outright cure for a receding hairline, but there are some medications that can slow it down and help hair regrow.

The prescription drug finasteride Propecia is produced exclusively for male hair loss and slows down the rate that testosterone turns into DHT, therefore reducing DHT in the body. This may make it easier for some men to grow hair or minimize hair loss. The drug Dutasteride Avodart is a medication designed to treat an enlarged prostate, though it is often prescribed to help encourage hair growth and restoration.

Minoxidil Rogaine is an over-the-counter scalp treatment that has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration FDA to help slow the rate of hair loss.

The effects typically last as long as a person uses the treatment, but baldness will return once a person stops using it. A prescription for anthralin Dritho-Scalp may also encourage new hair growth in some people. It is a topical psoriasis medication, though is often used to help spark new hair growth. Some corticosteroid treatments may also help with hair loss. This medication would work by reducing the inflammation around the hair follicles, allowing them to open back up and grow new hairs.

Olsen EA. Trancik RJ. The Journal of American Academy of Dermatology. Penn State Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center Staff. Health Information Library. Penn State Hershey.

The American Academy of Dermatology Staff. Dermatologists can help women win the fight against common forms of hair loss. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Hair Loss Prevention. Psychological Toll of Hair Loss. Hair Loss in Women. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns?

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Retrieved from Lee, B. Retrieved from Mayo Clinic Staff. Serenoa repens: does it have any role in the management of androgenetic alopecia? J Cutan Aesthet Surg. Effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma for androgenetic alopecia: a review of the literature.

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Hair Haircare. By Adam Hurly. Adam Hurly. Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines. Fact checked by Erika Harwood. Erika has worked in fashion editorial for over five years and has been Byrdie's senior style editor since The Final Word. Nutrafol has one of the industry's most beloved hair loss supplements. It employs 21 medical-grade, natural ingredients. Featured Video. Article Sources.

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy. Related Stories. Low-level light therapy uses lasers to stimulate hair growth on your scalp. Some essential oils may promote hair growth. Rosemary oil , peppermint oil , and lavender oil have all been found to be promising treatments for a receding hairline.

Essential oils should be mixed with a carrier oil, such as almond oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil, before being applied to the scalp. Try some of these essential oils available on Amazon. Regularly performed scalp massage may help you grow thicker, healthier hair, research suggests. Increased blood circulation at the site of your hairline could be why scalp massage works to stimulate hair follicles. Try massaging your scalp manually for at least 4 minutes each day. Dihydrotestosterone DHT is a hormone in your body.

When DHT levels rise, hair loss may increase. You can decrease the DHT levels in your body by keeping an eye on your diet and including lots of lysine and zinc-rich foods. Snacking on cashews, almonds, and pecans is a simple way that you can lower DHT. Stress has been linked to some kinds of hair loss. Bringing down stress and anxiety levels may seem easier said than done though. Research has found that you can lower your stress levels through frequent exercise , time outside, relaxation techniques, and meditation.

Other factors can contribute to a receding hairline and aggravate hair loss. These factors include:.