Some people are born with a naturally high hairline or a large forehead, whereas others may develop a high hairline as they get older.
A high hairline can be caused by genetics, age, or different types of alopecia.
Low hairline, middle hairline, straight hairline, bell-shaped hairline are considered to be some of the good types of hairline. These types of hairline do not make your forehead look large or broad. In fact, a straight hairline and a bell-shaped hairline makes it easier for you to achieve any hairstyle you want.
It is a common hairline shape that may start developing as early as puberty. Male pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is genetically linked and typically associated with the M-shaped hairline, caused by the hormone DHT's effects on hair follicles.
An M-shaped hairline is a common type of receding hairline where the hair recedes from the temples but remains fuller at the centre of the forehead, forming an “M” shape. This pattern typically occurs as part of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia), but it can also happen with ageing.
A widow's peak is a natural V-shaped hairline, which might run in the family or develop over time, while a receding hairline usually signals the start of male pattern baldness.
If your entire hairline resembles the letter M, it may be receding. However, if, instead of a prominent M-shape, you find that your hair forms a straighter line or a more subtle V-shape, known as a widow's peak, then you probably have a mature hairline.
There are many ways to determine the height of your hairline. One way is that it should fall approximately 3 inches above middle of your eyebrows. The central hairline can be placed even 2 fingers above the highest forehead wrinkle or 4 fingers above your eyebrows.
"The middle part is one of the most fashionable hair trends," Bergamy tells us. "It gives a more youthful look without looking childish." It tends to work best on faces that are more or less symmetrical, but can also help elongate shorter, wider face shapes. "A middle part gives a slimmer look," Bergamy adds.
Vegeta from the Dragon Ball franchise is known for his widow's peak. Hannibal Lecter is repeatedly described as having one in the novels that feature his story. However, the hairline is not strictly associated with fictional villains, for example beloved Disney character Mickey Mouse sports a distinctive widow's peak.
Busting the Myth
Ultimately, hair loss isn't as simple as inheriting it from one side of the family. Instead, it's a blend of genetic influences that come from both parents.
Basically, any hairline height within the Goldilocks zone works fine for most people, without having any notable effect on masculinity or femininity. As you can see in the picture, the area above the Goldilocks zone, and the area below it are both masculine.
Methods for Hairline Lowering
This often involves incisions along the existing hairline, allowing for the necessary adjustments. In some cases, hair grafts may be utilized to augment and refine the new hairline, ensuring a natural and harmonious appearance.
All hairlines are normal. However, an M-shaped hairline might not be the hairline you want, as it shows a receding hairline with either a little or a lot of hair loss. Generally, most people who experience an M-shaped hairline want to do something to either hide it or fix it.
A cowlick, or hair whorl, is a pattern of hair growth that differs from the rest of the hair pattern. The name comes from the cute swirl left behind on a calf when its mother licks it clean.
A simple way to determine if your hairline is maturing or receding is by using the “finger test.” Look in the mirror and raise your eyebrows: if you can fit only a finger's width between your hairline and the highest wrinkle on your forehead, your hairline is likely maturing.
The average length of the hairline semicircle is 14 cm. The average length of half of this semicircle from the frontal midpoint to the point marked on hair part line is 7 cm, If this length ranges between 6 to 8 cm, the front hairline aesthetically looks extremely pleasing.
A high hairline is when the hair begins further up the scalp, which may make a person's forehead seem a little bigger. This hairline is very common in both men and women. It's usually caused by genetics – many people with a high hairline don't experience hair loss alongside it; it's just how their hair naturally grows.
Nicotine, tobacco, and other components present in cigarettes can build up in hair follicles and the hair shaft. This leads to hair loss and premature hair graying. A 2022 systematic review notes that smoking can result in hair loss due to the following mechanisms: narrows blood vessels, which affects circulation.
A receding hairline can cause panic in younger men who assume they are starting to go bald, when in many cases it's simply a maturing hairline, rather than the onset of male pattern baldness. What is a mature hairline?
While it may be normal for a woman's hairline to get a little higher with age, some women are born with a high hairline, and for others, excessive hair recession can be distressing. Several conditions can cause this problem, and there are surgical options available to lower the hairline and restore your appearance.
Most men seem to recede about half an inch. Beginning with a juvenile hairline, you should recede into a hairline resembling something similar to Stage 2 on the Norwood Hamilton Scale. Whilst maturing hairlines can begin between 17-20, it is not uncommon for the process to occur at any point up to the age of 30.