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FDA approved for more than 25 years
You recognize the face staring back at you in the mirror, but you also notice a little more forehead and what seems to you like a messed up hairline. While a bald spot or thinning hair at the crown isn’t always noticeable to others — at least not at first — a receding hairline can feel hard to ignore.
Fortunately, there are solutions for a bad hairline or other hair loss conditions. Some treatment options can halt that hairline retreat and help you keep what you still have. You may even be able to move your hairline forward.
So, how do you fix your hairline? Keep reading. But before we get into preventative hair care and reversal solutions, there are a few things you should know about why hair starts to disappear in the first place.
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Two major contributors to a receding hairline are age and genetics — both of which are unfortunately out of your control.
A messed up hairline is a common feature of male pattern baldness, also known as male androgenetic alopecia. In fact, a study published in the Journals of Gerontology suggests that genetics account for about 79 percent of men experiencing male pattern hair loss.
But even if the genetics are on your side, advancing years can start to move your hairline backwards as well. A receding hairline affects about two-thirds of men by age 35 — and that number only increases with age.
However, there are some possible causes of a messed up hairline that you have more agency over. For instance, factors like diet, stress, and tight hairstyles also can make your hair fall out and eventually reshape your hairline.
The first step in fixing your hairline is to determine whether you are, in fact, experiencing a receding hairline. Scour selfies and other photos from recent years and study your hairline’s location. Do you see a consistent pattern of hairline retreat, or is it more pronounced on the sides, leaving you with a widow’s peak?
If you’re sure that a messed up hairline is not a figment of your imagination and that your hairline really is backing up, rest assured there are many ways to stop a receding hairline.
Among the most effective hair loss treatments are the FDA-approved oral and topical medications, finasteride and minoxidil. Research has shown that both finasteride and minoxidil are effective in slowing hair loss and restoring hair growth.
Finasteride works to reduce your levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is the hormone that causes hair loss with androgenic alopecia. Taking finasteride on a daily basis has been shown to reduce DHT levels by about 70 percent, which is enough to either stop or slow the effects of male pattern baldness.
The exact ways in which minoxidil (the generic of Rogaine®) treats hair loss are not fully understood, but studies show that using topical minoxidil over a 48-week period can result in a 12.7 percent to 18.6 percent increase in total hair count, depending on the concentration used. If you have a receding hairline and thinning hair elsewhere, that added hair density can make a big visual difference.
It’s also possible to use finasteride and minoxidil together, which can be even more effective.
There are also over-the-counter options for addressing a hairline that’s moving backwards. A popular supplement, saw palmetto, helps fight DHT levels and may be an effective way to treat hairline recession — especially when used alongside a medication like finasteride. Saw palmetto is an ingredient used in certain shampoos, often alongside biotin and other essential compounds.
This guide on What to Look For in a Men’s Hair Loss Shampoo contains a full list of the ingredients you should check for in a shampoo to help combat a bad hairline. Even options that contain natural ingredients and essential oils like rosemary oil and peppermint oil can help with hair restoration.
Along with oral and topical medications, lifestyle changes also can often help put the brakes on a receding hairline and even trigger some new hair growth.
For example, if you think your diet may be contributing to a receding hairline, consider adjusting your eating strategy to ensure you are getting enough healthy proteins and leafy green vegetables. You may need to boost your intake of essential vitamins for healthy hair, like vitamins A and D, as well as biotin.
If the factors seem more psychological — as in, you think stress is causing hair loss — talk to a mental health professional and look for ways to eliminate chronic stress from your life. A 2024 report in the International Journal of Medical Sciences suggests that stress is a major influence on hair loss, but that stress-management techniques, such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises, may help prevent hair loss.
You might also aim to reduce the stress on your hair, too. Give the man bun, braids, and other tight hairstyles a rest now and then, as this can lead to a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia. Also watch out for harsh hair products, including certain hair dyes, that may contain toxins that irritate your scalp and inhibit new hair growth.
Physical devices like electric scalp massagers and light therapy helmets have had limited research to assess their usefulness, but some have shown modest potential for hair regrowth. For instance, using low-level lasers in a treatment sometimes referred to as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can help boost scalp circulation, and that boost in blood flow can increase nourishment to the hair follicles, stimulating new growth.
These treatments are far from proven though, and typically won’t be recommended by a healthcare professional until after — or concurrently — other treatment options have been tried. As with more severe options including hair transplants, these should be considered only after implementing proven medications and lifestyle changes.
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If you’re reading this, we assume that losing your hair is something you consider a negative, but there are plenty of men walking around without hair — and they look great.
Here’s a bold suggestion: Maybe you don’t actually have a “messed up” hairline. Instead, maybe you just need to embrace the changes you’re seeing in the mirror.
There are a number of ways to lean into a so-called “bad” hairline. In fact, everything from the way your hair is cut to the way you dry it can affect the appearance of a receding hairline, bald spot, and other unwanted changes. You can choose from a long list of great-looking hairstyles for thinning hair for guys dealing with a receding hairline or other follicle challenges. You might even consider using a blow dryer after a shower to give your hair more lift.
Whether you’re comfortable with your current look or wanting to take back some control in the follicle fight, educating yourself on what exactly is going on up top is an important next step for success, and for your hair health.
There’s a good reason to give it attention: While hair loss is often the result of aging and other natural processes, it can also be a sign of other issues, like out-of-control stress levels or a less than ideal diet. Luckily, there are a number of options when it comes to how to fix a hairline that’s receding or otherwise thinning out.
One of the best ways to fix a receding hairline is to first consult with a healthcare professional, such as a dermatologist who specializes in treating hair loss. They can help determine the cause of your hair loss and then help you identify workable solutions.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.
Dr. Knox Beasley is a board certified dermatologist specializing in hair loss. He completed his undergraduate studies at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, and subsequently attended medical school at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA.
Dr. Beasley first began doing telemedicine during his dermatology residency in 2013 with the military, helping to diagnose dermatologic conditions in soldiers all over the world.
Dr. Beasley is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Originally from Nashville, TN, Dr. Beasley currently lives in North Carolina and enjoys spending time outdoors (with sunscreen of course) with his wife and two children in his spare time.
Bachelor of Science, Life Sciences. United States Military Academy.
Doctor of Medicine. Tulane University School of Medicine
Dermatology Residency. San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium
Board Certified. American Board of Dermatology
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