What Is a Widow’s Peak? Myths, History, and Hairline Tips

You’re probably familiar with what a widow’s peak hairline looks like. But like an Adam’s apple or goosebumps on your arms, you may not know why it’s called what it is.

There are many misconceptions and myths about widow’s peaks, which can sometimes be confused with M-shaped receding hairlines.

Here, we’ll discuss how this hairline shape got its name, what causes it, and how to eliminate a widow’s peak (if you want to — lots of people celebrate them).

A widow’s peak is a hairline that comes to a V shape in the middle of the forehead. This V can be prominent or subtle.

The widow’s peak is known as a morphogenetic trait. This means it’s an observable genetic trait passed down from parents, like having a cleft chin, earlobe attachment, or the ability to roll your tongue.

But there’s not one single gene that causes a widow’s peak. Many genes actually influence the hairline shape, hair, and how likely someone is to be bald.

The term “widow’s peak” likely originates from 18th-century England, where it was customary for widows to wear black triangular hats or hoods after their husbands passed away.

Sometimes called mourning caps, the headpieces had points that rested in the center of the forehead. The center of the pointed hood resembles the small tuft of hair at the center of the widow’s peak.

A widow’s peak and a receding hairline share a similar M-shaped appearance, with hair coming to a point near the center of the forehead. The V shape of a widow’s peak is typically much more pronounced than the center of a receding hairline, which tends to be more gently sloped.

As it turns out, widow’s peaks and receding hairlines are both fairly common. One study on 450 Japanese men and women found that over 42 percent of men had an M-shaped hairline, and nearly 33 percent had a widow’s peak.

The shape is slightly less common among women, but they can definitely have widow’s peaks too.

A receding hairline is also largely genetic. It’s an early sign of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia).

Some research shows that 25 percent of men aged 40 to 55 and 33 percent aged 65 to 69 have receding hairlines. They tend to become more and more pronounced over time.

In contrast, a widow’s peak is a stable genetic feature that won’t improve or worsen over time. So it’s unrelated to hair loss.

Widow’s peak hairlines are totally harmless and usually not noticeable (they may even be endearing). Still, some folks prefer not to have a widow’s peak — and to each their own.

There are some things you can do to make a widow’s peak less noticeable or not as pronounced:

• Styling tweaks. The easiest way to minimize a widow’s peak is to change your hairstyle. Parting your hair off-center or doing a swept-over style can make a widow’s peak look less distinct. On the other hand, slicked-back styles or tight buns and ponytails will make a prominent widow’s peak stand out more.

• Tweezing, plucking, or waxing. These are temporary solutions. Shaving will remove the hair at the surface level, while plucking and waxing can pull the hair out from the root. Both methods call for regular maintenance as the hair grows back. It can also be challenging to create a totally straight hairline when removing a widow’s peak — especially with a DIY attempt.

• Depilatories. Depilatory creams break down the keratin in hair, making individual hairs at the surface of the skin disappear. This type of at-home hair removal can last a bit longer than shaving.

• Laser hair removal or electrolysis. Laser hair removal and electrolysis use targeted light beams to purposely damage hair follicles. These are permanent solutions (so you can hit undo if you don’t like the results), but several sessions are needed. They can also be painful — some people say it feels like snapping a rubber band against the skin.

• Surgical hairline lowering. Also called scalp reduction surgery, this procedure alters the hairline. A hair transplant like an FUE (follicular unit extraction) might be another option for filling in the sides. Speak to a healthcare professional if you’re interested in surgical alteration of your widow’s peak.

Below, we’ll cover some common questions about widow’s peaks.

What Are the Myths About Widow’s Peaks?

For some reason, the humble widow’s peak has inspired many myths. Because of its association with a mourning cap, some people say a widow’s peak hairline foretells early widowhood (of course, that’s untrue).

Widow’s peak hairlines are sometimes associated with villains, like Dracula or the Joker, and moody characters like Wednesday Adams. Rest assured, some of the most beloved actors of all time have widow’s peaks, including Keanu Reeves, Leonardo DiCaprio, Marilyn Monroe, and Kerry Washington.

What Is a Reverse Widow’s Peak?

A reverse widow’s peak hairline is rare but possible. In a reverse widow’s peak, the V points toward the center of the scalp instead of outward toward the forehead.

This type of hairline can happen naturally. However, it could also indicate a receding hairline or frontal fibrosing alopecia, an autoimmune condition affecting both men and women.

Are Any Genetic Conditions Associated With Widow’s Peaks?

Some genetic conditions are associated with widow’s peaks, though the exact reasons for the correlation aren’t totally clear. And we should point out that many people have widow’s peaks without having an accompanying genetic condition.

Here’s a rundown of genetic conditions correlating with widow’s peaks:

• Aarskog syndrome. This is a rare genetic disorder mainly affecting men.

• Donnai-Barrow syndrome. This condition is caused by mutations in the LRP2 gene. It can lead to unusual facial features, such as wide-set eyes, a flat nose bridge, and a widow’s peak.

• Frontonasal dysplasia. This is an extremely rare condition involving abnormal development of the head and face, including cleft lips and widow’s peaks.

TL;DR? Here’s a quick recap of what we covered on widow’s peaks:

• A widow’s peak is a hairline that comes to a distinctive V-shaped point at the center. The midline point is a natural and harmless genetic trait, like having straight or curly hair.

• It’s not the same as a receding hairline. A widow’s peak isn’t a sign of male pattern baldness, but the V-shaped hairline may sometimes be mistaken for a receding hairline.

• The term “widow’s peak” has historical roots and cultural significance. But it’s far removed from the myths and misconceptions surrounding it. A widow’s peak is simply a genetic trait, like a hitchhiker’s thumb or dimples.

• Various methods exist to alter or conceal a widow’s peak. They range from simple styling changes (like embracing the side part) to permanent solutions like laser hair removal or surgery.

If you do have a receding hairline (as opposed to a widow’s peak), consulting one of our healthcare professionals specializing in hair growth is a good first step. They can help determine the cause of your hair loss and figure out a hair loss treatment option that works for you.