Receding Hairline: Treatments and Causes

What do Hollywood icon Jude Law, Prince William and star coach Jürgen Klopp have in common? They all have ministry corners. But what sounds noble and distinguished at first glance is often quite “inelegant” in retrospect.

In fact, ministry corners are simply receding hairlines (calvities frontalis). While they are a typical sign of male pattern hair loss, they can also appear in women – in the menopause for example.

Slowly but surely, the hair on the sides is lost and along with it, a person’s self-confidence. But how does this stubborn type of hair loss actually happen and how can we stop it? Let’s get to the bottom of it together.

The Most Common Causes

Genes

Often, receding hairlines have a basis in our family history. Hair loss is literally in our genes. If this is the case, we speak of hereditary hair loss or androgenetic alopecia.

The characteristic feature of this form of hair loss: it follows a very specific pattern. In the tonsure area in particular, as well as at the temples, the hair gradually begins to fall out – but not necessarily in old age.

On the contrary, it is not uncommon for hair loss to become noticeable at a young age – sometimes already during puberty.

Hereditary hair loss is caused by a typical genetic defect with which men in particular are faced.

In numbers: Eight out of ten men (about 80 percent) suffer from hereditary hair loss – most frequently from a receding hairline. This makes genes by far the most widespread cause of receding hairline.

Exactly this genetic defect triggers a hypersensitivity in the body. The hair roots react hypersensitively to the body’s own hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a by-product of the breakdown of the male sex hormone testosterone.

The result: we have to say goodbye to many hypersensitive hair roots at some point.

Did you know? A V-shaped hairline is called a widow’s peak because it was thought to predict early widowhood. Today, we know that it is simply the result of a genetic predisposition. However, in some cases a widow’s peak can be caused by a syndrome.

The Hormones

Premature hair fall is often due to our hormones. Especially in hormonal abnormalities, the hormonal balance quickly acts up and causes hair loss.

Women are particularly affected by hormonal hair loss. Whether during pregnancy, breastfeeding, before or during menstruation or in the menopause – hormonal changes often take a toll on hair health.

Generally, however, most women are only affected later in life – most frequently during the menopause.

Stress

Sometimes stress can make your hair stand up – in the most literal sense to be exact.

If our mental state is constantly tense, our body soon is too – and that doesn’t just apply to our cardiovascular and digestive systems. Our hormone balance is out of sync, too. And the more disturbed our hormones are, the more likely we are to lose our hair.

This makes a clever anti-stress concept even more important.

Whether it’s long walks in the countryside, classical music to fall asleep to, yoga in the morning, progressive muscle relaxation by Jacobson, meditation or autogenic training – rest and relaxation can keep stress-induced hair loss under control.

Nutrition

There is truth in the saying that you are what you eat. If we cut down on valuable nutrients, proteins and vitamins, sooner or later it will show – unfortunately on the top of our heads as well.

For a healthy, powerful and shiny appearance, our hair follicles rely on vitamin A, vitamin D, iron and zinc. If they don’t get enough of it, they fight back. They turn brittle, thin and become lifeless. If we don’t take their first cries for help seriously, the hair will start to fall out.

Our tip: If you’re struggling with hair loss, getting a blood test is always a smart move. It quickly tells you whether it's an iron deficiency or something else causing your hair to thin.

Sensitive Scalp

Not all scalps are the same. One might be strong and robust, while the other is delicate and sensitive.

The sensitive ones have a particularly hard time. The hypersensitive surface is extremely susceptible to skin irritations such as redness and swelling.

Precisely these skin irritations make life difficult for the hair roots. In many cases, they are so badly affected by the irritation that they simply fall out.

Incorrect Hair Care

One of the main contributors to scalp hypersensitivity, besides genetics, is improper hair care. Aggressive care products with artificial dyes, synthetic fragrances or surfactants unnecessarily upset the sensitive skin structure.

Styling is at least as much to blame. Whether blow-drying, straightening or curling – if we expose our scalp to extreme heat too often, it may eventually pay us back with hair loss.

The same applies to overly tight hairstyles such as tight braids, buns or ponytails that may lead to so-called traction alopecia.

By the way: Occasionally, it is not too much care but too little care that is responsible for hair loss.

An example: When sunbathing, we carefully apply lotion to our bodies – except for the scalp. We willingly expose it to the aggressive UV radiation. And we pay our price for it.

Severe sunburn quickly pushes a sensitive scalp to its limits. In some cases, we even have to pay for our carelessness with hair loss.

The Typical Progress

A receding hairline does not develop overnight. On the contrary, its development is a gradual process. The hair shedding progresses step by step, varying in pace – sometimes faster, sometimes slower.

The early stages of a receding hairline are typically noticeable at the temples. From here on, the hairline gradually moves backwards. In the course of time, the hair on the top of the head also become thinner.

The extent of hair loss varies from patient to patient. For some, receding hairline corners are the first signs of baldness. In others, at least the hair at the back of the head remains. In this case, experts speak of a horse-shoe-shaped crown of hair.

What Can I do About This?

Preventing a receding hairline

Of course, the most important thing is to take good precautions.

If you don’t get a receding hairline in the first place, you don’t have to treat it. But that is often easier said than done.

What is the best way to avoid ministerial corners?

• Eat your way towards fit hair: Already the right diet can prevent hair loss. If you regularly supply your hair roots with biotin, selenium, vitamin B and other precious micronutrients, they may eventually thank you with stability.

  By the way, eggs, nuts and cheese are particularly beneficial for your hair roots.

• Learn how to properly care for your hair: Take care of your hair and scalp. It is best to use mild organic products without chemical and synthetic additives such as silicone or parabens.

• Less is more: Avoid extensive styling marathons. Leave the hairdryer, straightener or curling iron aside every once in a while. Your hair roots will appreciate it.

• Don’t stress yourself too much: If stress once again gets out of hand, you should treat yourself to an extra dose of relaxation.

  Whether with sports, meditation, hiking or aroma therapy with essential oils – listen deeply to yourself and find your own personal anti-stress recipe.

Hiding a receding hairline

It’s too late, despite all the precautions, hair thinning has already begun. Slowly but surely, the hair is thinning at the temples.

But don’t worry: you don’t have to watch helplessly. With these tips and tricks, you can outsmart the bald spots on your head:

• Change your styling: Why not disguise the thinning hair with a different style of parting or chic short hairstyles?

  Beware: It is strongly advised not to use eye-catching hairstyles such as bright colours or exotic cuts on a receding hairline. They only draw the eye even more to the unwanted problem.

• Using tricks: The receding hairline can hardly be hidden with your own hair? Then how about a toupee or a wig? These little aids look confusingly similar to your own hair nowadays.

Temporary Receding Hairline Treatments

FDA-approved anti-hair loss products, including supplements and topical agents like topical minoxidil, can slow down the advancing hair loss. Brands such as Rogaine are even available over-the-counter.

The big disadvantage of most hair loss treatments: as soon as you stop taking the active ingredients, the hair loss starts again. On top of that, some of them can have serious side effects and should therefore only be taken with caution.

Permanent Treatment With a Hair Transplantation at HAIR & SKIN

The heart of a successful hair transplant is the surgeon.

Only experienced medical professionals with exceptional skill, a broad range of experience and state-of-the-art equipment can make a patient feel completely comfortable. But where can you find these doctors?

It’s quite simple: You’ll find them at HAIR & SKIN. Our team of doctors, experts in dermatology and trichology, offers everything you’d ever want from a professional hair transplant: skill, the latest techniques, and genuine care.

At our modern HAIR & SKIN clinics, our experts use the latest hair transplant method – specifically, the FUE sapphire hair technique, your key to fuller hair. Follicular Unit Extraction is the biggest breakthrough in hair transplants today.

The secret of FUE: it is particularly gentle on the scalp and yet achieves the highest possible precision. This is how it is done:

• First, the doctor removes strong donor hair from a densely overgrown area – usually at the back of the patient’s head.
• They then store the freshly extracted grafts in a nutrient-rich solution. This increases the chances of survival of the individual hair roots, as they are only cut off from the natural nutrient supply for a short time.
• In the next step, the doctor implants the grafts step by step into the scalp. With the highest precision, they are transplanted along the natural growth pattern. The final result looks fresher and more authentic.

Autohemotherapy as an Additional Natural Treatment Option

To achieve the most convincing result possible, our experienced doctors rely on autohemotherapy, also known as platelet-rich plasma therapy or PRP therapy.

The skin-friendly, minimally invasive treatment is a gentle booster for hair growth. Just 20 to 30 milliliters of autologous blood work wonderfully after a hair transplant. The nutrient-rich blood plasma effectively stimulates the scalp and hair roots.

On the one hand, it provides the freshly transplanted grafts with precious nutrients, proteins and vitamins, which significantly helps regeneration. On the other hand, it stimulates the healing of the micro-injuries on the scalp. The quicker and smoother the wounds heal, the higher the chances of the grafts surviving.

Our tip: To effectively prevent further hair loss and optimally encourage new hair growth with PRP treatment, our experts suggest a series of follow-up sessions — ideally, four sessions at intervals of four weeks each.

Results

In the first two to three weeks after the hair transplant procedure, hair growth experiences a noticeable boost. However, this is usually only short-lived. Suddenly, the freshly transplanted grafts are lost again.

But there is no reason to worry. This process is completely normal. We are talking about a so-called shock loss. The hair roots are overstimulated by the stress and the lack of supply during the transplantation. The result: they fall out.

Two to three months later, however, the hair grows back again. At first, a fine fuzz is formed, which in the course of time gains more and more fullness and vitality.

When to expect the final result varies from patient to patient. It all depends on which type of hair growth you have:

• Type 1 – the fast grower: Nine to twelve months after the procedure, the final result has already been achieved.
• Type 2 – the slow grower: Here, hair growth takes a little more time. However, by twelve to eighteen months at the latest, the process will be complete, and you can marvel at your new hair.

Follow-Up Care

For an optimal hair regrowth, not only the hair transplant itself is crucial, but the aftercare as well. This will give you and your scalp the peace and relaxation you needs after the procedure:

• Sleep on your back for the first few days. This is the best way to protect the newly transplanted, healthy hair.

• Wash your hair with a mild shampoo, ideally a baby shampoo. Heavy rubbing and scraping are taboo. Instead, gently dab the shampoo into your hair with your fingertips.

• Wear loose and comfortable clothes that you don’t have to pull over your head – for example, cozy sweat jackets or shirts.

  Hoods and tight collars are not advisable – just like caps, hats and beanies. The skin needs to breathe – except when you go out in the sun.

• If the scalp starts to itch during healing, the temptation to scratch the crusts is strong.

  But please be careful: resist this temptation. Instead, gently dab and wipe the itchy areas with your (clean) fingertips.

• Sport and physically demanding activities such as heavy lifting are strongly prohibited for the first two weeks. The body needs rest and recuperation now.

• Do not cut your hair with a razor for the first two to three months. You are much better off using scissors.

Get to the Root of Your Hair Loss With HAIR & SKIN

If you are dealing with hair loss, our team of experienced dermatologists and beauticians welcomes you for a free hair analysis at any of our 19 state-of-the-art clinics across Switzerland at any time.

You want to deepen your understanding of hair loss in the meantime? Check out the many other blog articles from our HAIR & SKIN experts to learn everything you need to know about male pattern baldness, female pattern hair loss and the impact of various health conditions on your hair.

On our blog, you'll also find comprehensive information about the different phases of the hair growth cycle, including the telogen phase, and strategies to promote hair growth.