"A receding hairline is most common in men over the age of 25. However, some men who have a family history of hair loss may notice their hairline receding in their 20s or even in their teenage years."
While you may feel like you are too young to start losing your hair in your teens, the reality is that hair loss can begin as early as 15 or 16 years old. While it's uncommon, hair loss in your teens tends to come on gradually, beginning with thinning hair or a receding hairline.
Although most people associate male pattern baldness with men in their 20s, 30s and 40s, the reality is that hair loss can start at any age, including in your mid to late teens. In fact, research shows that around 16 percent of males aged between 15 and 17 are affected by some degree of male pattern baldness.
Although, receding hairlines can start at any point after puberty. Around 50 percent of men will undergo some kind of hair loss before they reach age 50.
Potential causes of hair loss in teenagers include genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, and underlying medical conditions. In some cases, hair loss can be reversible with proper treatment.
This may also give you the appearance of a receding hairline too, as it is highly unlikely this could be caused by male pattern baldness so early on in your teens. Premature hair loss can occur but this is generally confined to the late teenage years and early 20's – basically any time after puberty has ended.
"A receding hairline is most common in men over the age of 25. However, some men who have a family history of hair loss may notice their hairline receding in their 20s or even in their teenage years." Getting a receding hairline is very common as you get older.
In many cases, receding hairline is indeed reversible. The right treatment for you depends on the cause. “For androgenic alopecia, minoxidil (Rogaine) is the only FDA-approved medical treatment for both men and women,” Krejci says. It's a liquid or foam that you put on your scalp.
The age that a juvenile hairline transitions into a mature one will vary from man to man. Every individual hits puberty at different ages. As testosterone levels can increase at the age of 15 it's possible to develop a mature hairline at this age.
The bottom line
Receding hairlines, which take on an M-shape, are normal and can happen to any hairline. If you don't like the look of your hairline, whether it's receding or not, talk to your doctor about possible medications or get creative with styling to make the hairline less noticeable.
Does an M-shaped hairline mean you're balding? An M-shaped hairline is, in fact, indicative of some form of hair loss. This type of hairline can begin to form after the hairline has receded back on both sides a bit. In men, this frontal hairline change is considered stage 2 - 3 hair loss according to the Norwood Scale.
Baldness or hair loss is usually something only adults need to worry about. But sometimes teens lose their hair, too — and it may be a sign that something's going on. Hair loss during adolescence can mean a person may be sick or just not eating right.
The most obvious first sign of balding is a noticeable change in your hairline that you can clearly see. Baldness often begins in the hairline, with the flat or mildly receded hairline you previously had turned into a more obvious M-shaped hairline.
Common causes include aging, changes in hormone levels, heredity, medications, and medical conditions. It's important to see a doctor if your hair loss is sudden, or if you suspect it's caused by an underlying medical condition.
It appears that a receding hairline is a hereditary trait, with hair follicles made too sensitive by certain male hormones. Men who have a family history of baldness are more likely to lose their hair. The timing of hair loss is often similar from one generation to the next.
Hair loss in your 20s and 30s
Few people expect hair loss to happen as early as their 20s or 30s. But the good news is hair loss during these decades is usually caused by a specific trigger that, when addressed, will likely stop the hair loss. Three of the most common triggers are stress, dieting, and hormonal changes.
As you age, your hairline will naturally recede. This happens to nearly all men – and some women – and usually starts in the late teens or early twenties.
Although hair transplants can be carried out on anyone above the age of 18, it is advisable not to have a transplant until the age of 25+. Younger men may not be the best candidates since their hair loss pattern may not yet fully be determined.
A woman's hairline is considered normal if it's 2 to 2.4 inches or 5 to 6 cm above the eyebrow. For men, it's normal to have 2.4 to 3.2 inches or 6 to 8 cm above the eyebrow. Widow's peaks are not uncommon for women and sometimes are seen in men.
If the space between your hairline and the highest wrinkle in your forehead is no more than an inch, you're probably experiencing a maturing hairline. The shape a maturing hairline takes usually is an M, meaning you have a peak in the middle of your hairline and it curves back at the temples.
Biotin is another important pack that can help to grow hair on the forehead faster. Biotin is generally a water-soluble vitamin B tablet which is extremely important in promoting fuller and thicker hair. Take some biotin tablets and crush them in water. Make a thick paste and apply on the receding hairline.
If your hairline begins high up on the crown of your head, you have a high hairline. High hairlines are often the result of genetics, but can also be caused by hair loss.