What is a Mature Hairline? Signs, Treatment, and Hairstyles

By Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry M.B.B.S.

Updated on March 6, 2024

As you grow older, your hairline starts maturing, hence the name, mature hairline. It comes in the form of a slowly receding hairline which can raise concerns.

Because if your hairline is receding, you may be concerned that you’re balding or suffering from male pattern baldness.

Fret not, it might just be a mature hairline. But to know for sure, we need to dive a little deeper.

What is a mature hairline?

A mature hairline refers to a hairline that has receded slightly from its original position but has stopped receding further. It is a normal part of the natural aging process and usually occurs in men in their late 20s or early 30s. A mature hairline is not a sign of balding or hair loss.

Men in their teens usually have a full head of hair and a “juvenile hairline,” a receding hairline. Find your juvenile hairline by wrinkling your brow. If your hair is on the top wrinkle, you still have a youthful or young hairline.

A juvenile hairline’s rounded edges and straight-across form are other distinct traits. Only about 5% of Caucasian guys will have their teenage hairline for the remainder of their life.

What are the characteristics of a mature hairline?

The characteristics of a mature hairline are:

Straight or even hairline recession
Your hairline is 1 to 1,5 inches above your highest forehead wrinkle
M-shaped hairline (fitting, M – mature)

Not all hairlines mature in the same way that not all males mature in the same way. mature hairlines may emerge gradually, eventually becoming unnoticeable.

A man’s hairline might take up to ten years to fully develop, so you will see continuous change.

Some men may discover that their hairline is receding faster than usual, indicating male-pattern baldness. A receding hairline might be the cause of the quick decline.

We’ll go into detail about what they mean:

Straight or even hairline recession

The hairline typically moves back in a straight line. Though some men will have an uneven transition to a mature hairline, the majority of men will see their hairline move in a consistent pattern throughout time.

Your hairline is 1 to 1,5 inches above your forehead wrinkle

The hairline is only one to 1.5 inches above the highest wrinkle on your forehead. A mature hairline will usually recede to this point. You probably have a mature hairline if your hairline is roughly the width of a finger above the top wrinkle. It could be balding if it’s receding onto your scalp.

M-shaped hairline

An m, often known as a widow’s peak, is the shape. The round curves of a young hairline are removed with an M-shaped hairline, which creates a more defined hairline. The hairline can often result in a widow’s peak. When a V of hair remains further down as the hair around it recedes, this is known as a widow’s peak.

Why does the hairline mature?

Take a look back at your teenage years. As a result of the hormones, your body starts to produce testosterone at this point.

When testosterone is metabolized, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced. The amount of DHT in your body will alter your hairline for years to come.

DHT binds to hair follicles, causing them to shrink and fall out over time.

As a result, most men will develop a mature hairline in a higher area.

High amounts of DHT generated by the body induce male pattern baldness.

How to know if your hairline is maturing?

A developing hairline appears gradually, and many men are unaware that it has occurred. Have you missed out on the maturation process? To figure out where you are, do the following:

Take a test

Taking the test is the simplest way to determine if you have a mature hairline. Fortunately, there is an easy solution that you can implement right away.

Raise your eyebrows, as if astonished, to reveal your wrinkles. The highest crease will identify your juvenile hairline. Up to an inch above the top wrinkle line, your mature hairline will be.

Inspect your hairline

So you’ve discovered your adolescent hairline. Isn’t it upsetting at times? But now for the good news. If your new hairline resembles your juvenile hairline in shape, you have a mature hairline.

You may have noticed that your hairline has crept up your temple. This is typical and a telltale sign of a growing hairline if it isn’t too extreme.

Evaluate your widow’s peak

A mature hairline is more defined than a juvenile hairline, which is rounder. A mature hairline may take the shape of a v, with a widow’s peak as the focal point. A cool mature hairline is a prize of the widow’s peak. This signifies that the hair is receding if the widow’s peak gets more prominent over time.

Identify your stage using Norwood Scale

The Norwood Scale is a straightforward approach to figuring out what stage you’re at. The Norwood Scale divides the process of hair loss into seven stages. It’s a go-to for doctors in the field of hair restoration all around the world.

The juvenile or immature hairline pre-developing is represented by Stage One of the Norwood Scale, which exhibits no hair loss. Two shows all the hallmarks of a maturing hairline.

Maturing hairline vs. receding hairline

Hair loss produced by maturing hairlines and receding hairlines (typically caused by male-pattern baldness) can look similar at first, making it difficult to distinguish which is causing your hair loss.

The only difference is mature hairline recedes less than a receding hairline.

Various characteristics distinguish them that can help you determine if your hairline is receding:

Excessive hair shedding

While a receding hairline will have clumps of hair falling out when showering or styling, a growing hairline will have some hair loss.

It’s typical to lose 100 hairs per day, but you could have a receding hairline if you’re losing more.

Extra recession on your temples

Although a mature hairline does form an M, it is usually not very noticeable. It will be significantly visible if your entire hairline is receding.

Recession may be indicated by the patches surrounding your temples receding even more.

Small hairs beyond your hairline

While everyone has a few tiny hairs in front of their hairline, a large amount of light, short hairs in front of your hairline could indicate that you’re receding.

Consult a professional

If you’re still confused if your receding hairline is simple maturation or mature hairline, consult a doctor, dermatologist or trichologist.

They can examine your hair under a microscope to determine what is causing your receding hairline.

They’ll also be able to identify if you have male pattern baldness or if your hairline is receding.

Maturing hairline vs. balding

Balding is the next stage of hair loss after receding. This is far more noticeable than a mature hairline. Here are some indicators that you’re going bald instead of maturing:

On the Norwood Scale, your hair pattern resembles stages four and upwards.
Male pattern baldness is a genetic condition. If you have a family history of baldness, you may be at risk.
In contrast to the V-shape of mature and receding hairlines, your hairline recedes in an M-shape.
Only the frontal region will be affected by a mature hairline. Balding causes the crown of the head to recede and to thin.

How to prevent your hairline from maturing?

Or receding hairline, and balding for that matter?

Adopt a healthy lifestyle

There aren’t a lot of options here, as mature hairline is a natural occurrence. Your obvious prevention option is to adopt a healthy lifestyle to delay its onset.

Active lifestyle

Being active can mean a difference, especially for maturing hairline.

Your body balances your hormones, keeps your homeostasis in check and can even de-stress you.

Nutritious diet

A nutritious, balanced diet allows your body to replenish missing nutrients and maintain your hair health. Here’s what to avoid:

Excessive sugar
Alcohol
Refined grains
Fast food
Fish high in mercury i.e. mackerel and swordfish

In general, it should include fruits, vegetables, proteins and water.

Clean environment

Your environment can affect heavily on your hair. While this is rarely up to you (unless you’re willing to move your life because of your hair), it’s good to know that a less-polluted environment will help slow it down.

Good hair hygiene also works in your favor.

Low-stress environment

This is self-explanatory. Stress can cause telogen effluvium, a form of hair loss. Besides actively reducing the cause of stress, try stress-relieving exercises such as yoga, meditation, and exercise.

Sufficient sleep

Not only your sleep schedule is important to your hair but also your sleeping posture. Your sleep is when your body replenishes and heals itself. Yes, the wrong posture can decrease blood flow and stun your hair growth.

How to deal with a mature hairline?

Even if you’ve determined that you have a mature hairline, there may be some challenges ahead.

After all, your hairline is an inch further back. Some men find it challenging to get their desired hairstyles or to be satisfied with their hair.

Drug medications

Minoxidil and finasteride are two extremely popular hair loss medications for men. While you don’t necessarily have to opt for these yet, it’s good to consult your doctor about these options if your maturing hairline is causing you mental health deterioration.

Or, you can check out their best alternatives for a safer, no-doctor-required approach.

Professional hair restoration

Hair transplant, stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma therapy, and low-level laser therapy are the four most popular hair restoration methods.

A hair transplant is the most effective out of the bunch, but you need to jump through many hoops to get it.

You have to get approved.
You have to have enough finance ($4K-$15K per session, for many sessions).
You need time to recover.

The other three are newer technologies that promise to deliver similar results without the cost, the surgery or the pain.

Natural home remedies

There are many things you can try to help alleviate your maturing hairline:

Supplements
Essential oils
Natural plants
Scalp massage

Supplement

Some supplements have been used extensively to help hair growth and fight mature hairlines:

Biotin
Collagen
Zinc
Niacin

Before you take supplements arbitrarily, consult with a professional. They will take blood tests to ensure you’re 100% safe to consume supplements.

Essential oils

Essential oils such as lavender oil, pumpkin seed oil, argan oil, olive oil, coconut oil and peppermint oil have shown to have certain hair growth benefits. However, more research is warranted.

Natural plants

These plants have shown promising results when it comes to stopping mature hairlines:

Aloe vera
Turmeric
Saw palmetto
Ashwagandha
Stinging nettle
DHT blocking foods

The first fantastic five are effective in assisting hair regrowth and mature hairline stoppage, and DHT-blocking foods stop your body from converting testosterone into DHT – which causes your hair to fall.

Scalp massage

Scalp massagers and derma rollers help to improve blood flow to your scalp, thus stopping your mature hairline and receding hairline.

Maintain your mental health

It’s important to remember that a mature hairline is quite natural. This is something that over 96 per cent of males will go through, so you’re not alone.

You are not getting bald if your receding hairline is a mature hairline. Despite the loss, the majority of hair professionals agree that growing hairlines are not balding hairlines. Furthermore, acquiring a mature hairline does not indicate that you will grow bald in the future. Some guys will preserve their mature hairline until they are well into their senior years.

Hairlines in their later years are attractive. It doesn’t mean it’s not a beautiful look just because the hair volume isn’t what you’re used to. It will take some time to adjust to your new hairline, but you will eventually come to appreciate it.

Accept the hairstyles with a mature hairline. Slicking your hair back, splitting it on the side, leaving it messy, or going for the “David Beckham” look can all make you feel more confident with your new hairline.

When do you need to see a doctor about your mature hairline?

Men frequently have concerns about their hairlines.

Consult your doctor if you’re concerned that your hair loss is due to male pattern baldness. And when it affected your stress levels and mental health.

But keep in mind that a mature hairline is a natural and common occurrence in most males. It’s nothing to be concerned about.

The 7 attractive hairstyles for a maturing hairline

Here are the 7 hairstyles that you can don to hide your mature hairline:

Induction buzz cut
Crew cut
French crop cut
Pompadour
Ivy League haircut
Short to medium shaggy bangs
Fully-shaven hairstyle

Mature Hairline Examples

Let’s list a few examples of the hairstyles that go with maturing hairlines. Here you’ll find ideas and examples for making the most of what you have. Some of these styles are also suitable for receding or balding. It’s time to spruce up your hairstyle.

Induction buzz cut

A buzz cut is a no-holds-barred approach to a receding hairline. The induction is the most basic and straightforward buzz-cut version. It’s the lowest clipper grade all over the head, and it’s named after the haircut before enrollment into the military.

While it’s usually best to get your haircut from a professional, you can do this at home. Are you tempted, but the induction seems intimidating? The butch buzz cut is a more understated option. You’ll have at least a quarter-inch of hair remaining if you use a 3 or 4-setting clipper guard. You might go for new tapering on the sides and neckline if you have more hair to deal with.

This is a higher-grade alternative to consider before proceeding to the induction cut.

Crew cut

The crew cut is a versatile style that may be worn in a variety of lengths. The sides of crew cuts are shorter, while the top is longer. It’s a defined and sharp look that’s also reasonably practical. It’s an excellent option for you if you want to gain style points with minimal effort.

While a crew cut does not conceal the hairline, the beauty of it is that you may still style it to your liking. Avoid using gels or pomades because they will cause your hair to stick together. While a crew cut does not conceal the hairline, the beauty of it is that you may still style it to your liking.

Avoid using gels or pomades since they will bind your hair strands together and highlight your scalp. Instead, use matte wax to make your hairline appear fuller while still offering some grip.

French crop cut

Because of the popularity of shows like Peaky Blinders, the French Crop is trendy. The French crop undercut is a casual variation. Thomas Shelby, played by Cillian Murphy, has made this a famous film.

This is not only a fashionable alternative, but it also conceals a receding hairline by training the hair forward.

Pompadour

The pompadour is a timeless classic that accentuates your widow’s peak to its maximum potential. It’s entirely up to you whether you go for a classic or modern version of this cut.

Pomade and the pompadour have a long-standing relationship due to the pomade’s ability to give the style a high sheen, sleek, and neat appearance. We advocate using a matte pomade instead of a high shine because it will make your hair look more natural.

Instead of a high shine, we recommend a matte pomade, which will hide your scalp and provide the illusion of a thicker hairline.

Ivy League haircut

This cut comes from American Ivy League schools and is designed for guys. It’s a sleek appearance that works in any setting, from the boardroom to the bar. Pair this haircut with a suit and dress shoes for a more formal look, or go for the preppy appearance straight away. In either case, you’ll command respect in this timeless ensemble.

Short to medium shaggy bangs

Are you looking for something a little more rugged? Now is the time to get your shag on. The key is to request textured full bangs from your barber. The chaotic approach will not only give you a solid, rugged style, but it will also assist in hiding thinning regions.

Fully shaved hairstyle

We don’t know if it qualifies as a hairstyle considering its lack of…well…hair.

It’s also contradictory that we’re saying this when you’re looking for a hairstyle.

However, what we do know is that some men look more rugged, masculine, assertive and attractive when they’re completely clean-shaven.

It’s good to ask for opinions from your peers if you’d look great clean-shaven.

Read more

References

Avci P, et al. (2013). Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) for treatment of hair loss. DOI:1002/lsm.22170

Koyama T, et al. (2016). Standardized scalp massage results in increased hair thickness by inducing stretching forces to dermal papilla cells in the subcutaneous tissue.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740347/

Lee BH, et al. (2016). Hair growth-promoting effects of lavender oil in C57BL/6 mice. DOI:5487/TR.2016.32.2.103

McClellan KJ, et al. (1999). Finasteride: A review of its use in male pattern hair loss.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9951956

Oh JY, et al. (2014). Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. DOI:5487/TR.2014.30.4.297

Olsen EA, et al. (2002). A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. DOI:nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12196747

Panahi Y, et al. (2015). Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A randomized comparative trial. DOI:nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25842469

Patel S, et al. (2015). Hair growth: Focus on herbal therapeutic agent.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26058803

Piérard-Franchimont C, et al. (1998). Ketoconazole shampoo: Effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia. DOI:1159/000017954

Stonerock GL, et al. (2015). Exercise as treatment for anxiety: Systematic review and analysis. DOI:1007/s12160-014-9685-9

Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry M.B.B.S.

Dr. Ahmad Fayyaz Chaudhry earned his MBBS degree from Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad, in 2020. During graduation, he enrolled himself in the Dermatology Ward DHQ Hospital Faisalabad for all the necessary training required to pass the bachelor's exam and encounter dermatological diseases daily. Currently, he is posted as a House Physician in the Medical Unit 3 Allied Hospital Faisalabad, where he encounters all kinds of hepatic, cardiac, neurological, and dermatological diseases daily.