How To Tell If Your Hair Is Receding

Think of your hairline as the frame around which your hair grows. When we are in our adolescent years, we may have a full head of hair. But as men grow older, the chances are that most will experience some form of development of a mature hairline. 

Although there are many factors that influence whether your hairline will mature or recede, you should be aware that there are many factors that influence the hairline. These include age, genes, lifestyle, hairstyling habits and of course, hormones. 

Having mentioned a mature and receding hairline in one sentence, you may be wondering what the difference is. Aren’t they just the same thing, namely, thinning hair? The answer is “no”. And here’s why.

The signs of a maturing hairline

It is common for men aged between 17 and 30 to develop what is called a mature hairline. This type of “frame” is characterised by the hairline moving back. In general, this receding is around half an inch to a full inch. It is a normal occurrence of a man’s various phases of development. Some ways to tell if your hairline is becoming mature include:

There is a fairly even recession of hair that remains unnoticeable for a while.

The recession usually goes no further than an inch back along your forehead. 

Although it may start to change in shape, your hairline remains defined. 

Hair at the temples often recedes back a bit, creating a subtle V-shape also known as widow's peak.

There is no other hair thinning or loss around the scalp.

The signs of a receding hairline

On the other hand, you may have a hairline that is characterised as a receding hairline. This refers to the actual movement of your hairline beyond the half or one inch mentioned above. In addition, it involves the hair becoming thinner on an ongoing basis and an overall change in the hair texture and shape. So, if you want to know how to tell if your hair is thinning, let’s take a closer look. 

The very first sign of a receding hairline is if you study photos of yourself and your hair. A receding hairline is characterised by the hairline’s movement beyond one inch from the starting position. 

Your hair may also undergo behavioural changes. Normal patterns of styling may now be more difficult or impossible. In addition, your partings may not hold as well or they may not be able to be styled that way any longer. 

Your hairline is also considered to be receding if you notice that you have thinning patches of hair on your head. This is characterised by many small, fine hairs along your hairline. It could be what is called a miniaturisation of the hairline. 

You are noticing additional recession at the temples, creating an M-shape. 

Furthermore, you may notice that you’re shedding more hair more frequently. This is especially noticeable when you brush it, when you look at hair on your clothes or pillow, etc. 

Restoring your hairline

Because all men have different types, volumes and textures of hair and because genes play a huge role in whether you’ll have a receding hairline or not, it’s important to consult with a professional about what to do if your hairline’s recession is excessive and something that you are concerned about. 

At Cochrane & Co Hair Replacement in London, we can help you find the right solution for your receding hairline as we offer highly professional hair replacement systems. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re more than happy to answer your questions and assist you.