Some of us are born with an uneven hairline, others develop one over time. But does having an uneven hairline mean we're destined to lose our hair?
No one is perfectly symmetrical, but to have an uneven hairline means one side of your hairline is thinner or slightly higher than the other.
It's super normal, and not usually anything to be concerned about, but if you're finding your hairline has changed significantly over time then it could be a sign of male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia.
It doesn't matter if you have a maturing hairline, an uneven hairline or a receding hairline. Being worried about male pattern baldness is a real issue that confronts many men.
In fact, it's the most common form of hair loss in men today, affecting 30-50% of men by age 50 [1]. Hair loss caused by male pattern baldness usually affects the temples, mid-frontal scalp, and crown first.
When it comes to uneven hairlines, it's estimated that approximately 80% of men have one because of a genetic predisposition [2].
What is an uneven hairline?
You can tell if a hairline is uneven when its appearance is noticeably different on one side than the other. While uneven hairlines can appear insignificant (even quite cool) others can be very worrisome for men concerned about their hair thinning.
For some men, an uneven hairline becomes more apparent when their hairline matures. A maturing hairline occurs after your teenage years when your natural hairline becomes slightly higher.
This change to your hairline results in your slightly rounded-edged hairline becoming marginally higher up with less angular definition.
What causes an uneven hairline?
There are several reasons why you can have an uneven hairline. These include genetics, traction alopecia and male pattern baldness.
A recent study found, "Hair loss is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The pathogenesis of the alopecias involves a range of genetic, endocrine, immune, and inflammatory processes, each of which calls for its own form of treatment." [3]
Let's break it down, shall we?
Genetics
Our genetics may play a role in an uneven hairline. Just as your genes determine your hair colour, height, and eye colour, they can also determine whether or not you will develop an uneven hairline.
Traction alopecia
According to the Australasian College of Dermatologists, traction alopecia is "the name given to a type of hair loss most commonly seen in people with skin of colour (pigmented skin)." [4]
It occurs when there's constant tension or pulling applied to your hair from dreadlocks, tight ponytails, weaves, braids, pigtails or cornrows. Bye-bye, man bun.
Male pattern baldness
Also called androgenic alopecia, male pattern baldness is one of the most common types of hair loss for men [5].
Male pattern baldness occurs when the hair follicles shrink because of the effect of two androgenic hormones: dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and testosterone.
Because male pattern baldness involves thinning hair on the frontal area of your scalp, it can lead to receding hairlines and uneven hairlines.
Does an uneven hairline mean you're balding?
Just because you have an uneven hairline, it doesn't necessarily mean you're balding.
The types of uneven hairlines that are the result of male pattern baldness have the following features:
- There will be noticeable changes in your hairline over time
- You'll notice more hairs are being shed in your shower and hairbrush
As soon as you notice these changes and suspect you may be balding, it's a good idea to seek professional treatment from hair loss experts.
Starting hair loss treatment early goes a long way when it comes to keeping your hair. The sooner you start treatment for uneven hairlines or receding hairlines, the better the outcome for your hair regrowth will be.
Today, hair loss treatment is affordable, accessible, and effective. Pilot's personalised hair loss treatment is simple and includes unlimited consultations with your practitioner, to ensure it is personalised to you and your unique situation.
Uneven hairline vs receding hairline
Since there are many types of male pattern baldness, it can be hard to figure out whether you've got an uneven hairline or a receding hairline.
An uneven hairline is where one side of your hairline is higher than the other and can result from your genetics. Uneven hairlines can also be caused by hairstyling that tugs or pulls your hair too tight over time. If you have an uneven hairline, it can lead to a receding hairline.
Receding hairlines are often caused by androgenetic alopecia (also known as male pattern baldness). Often passed through generations, receding hairlines are characterised by:
- Hair loss at the front of your scalp and temples
- Thinning and shedding hair
- A horseshoe pattern hairline
- A distinct M shape where your hairline starts to resemble your older male relatives
How to treat a receding hairline
In order to successfully treat hair loss, a doctor must identify why the hair is receding. Common causes of receding hairlines include:
- Male pattern baldness
- Stress
- Some medications
- A poor diet or lifestyle
- A medical condition
If your hair follicles are intact, it's entirely possible to regain your hair and improve hair growth through treatments. When a receding hairline is in a much later stage, a hair transplant may be considered.
How to fix an uneven hairline
Uneven hairlines have several potential causes which will differ from person to person.
To get the best treatment for your uneven hairline, it's essential to consult with hair loss treatment experts. While there's no single treatment for an uneven hairline, a combination of some of the below may help.
Change up your routine
Traction alopecia occurs when your uneven hairline is caused by styling products or the way you style your hair.
If you have an uneven hairline from the way you style your hair, it may be as simple as changing your products and looking to correct it. Gentle caffeine shampoo can help cleanse the scalp and prevent irritation while wearing the hair loose can prevent tugging.
Clinical treatments
Hair loss is treatable with clinical-strength ingredients to help you stimulate your follicles to get them growing again. You can speak to Pilot's hair growth experts for more information about treatment plans.
Men who treat hair loss in the early stages can prevent further balding and have a better chance of regrowing their hair.
Hair transplant surgery
Hair transplant surgery involves hair follicles being extracted from the side and back of your scalp (areas unaffected by male pattern baldness). These are then transplanted back into areas where there is a significant amount of hair loss, like the crown or temples.
For men with uneven hairlines, hair transplant surgery can fill in the specific areas affected by hair loss. It can also even out uneven temples or add hair to the side of your hairline, showing the most significant thinning.
Scalp micropigmentation
This technique uses a stippling pattern tattoo that imitates hair filaments cut close to the scalp. By using microneedles, a layer of pigment dots is placed on your head.
Scalp micropigmentation aims to replicate your natural hair follicles while instantaneously adding density and strength to the thinning sections of your uneven hairline.
While this procedure has been around since the 1970s, it was not until the mid-2000s that it was made available. For men with an uneven hairline that lacks symmetry, scalp micro pigmentation can help you look like you've got a thicker, fuller head of hair.
Uneven hairline hairstyles
It doesn't matter if you've got an uneven hairline, gradual hair loss, a receding hairline or a widow's peak. When you find a hairstyle that suits the shape of your head and face, you'll feel more confident and less stressed about how you look.
Here are our favourite uneven hairline hairstyles.
Clean shave
Considered to be the ultimate way to deal with an uneven hairline is to shave all your hair off. This "hairstyle" suits men who are happy with the shape of their heads and faces.
To avoid cutting any moles or skin tags on your scalp, take some time to inspect it with your hands.
Starting your clean shave with a trimmer will help you avoid getting hair tangled. Once you've trimmed your hair to the same length, it's time to shave your scalp. Here's our full guide to shaving your head.
Military style haircut (buzz cut)
If you like the idea of a clean shave but aren't quite ready, the buzz cut may be for you. Inspired by the military, a buzz cut can help define your facial features by drawing people's eyes from your hairline to your browline.
This uneven hairline hairstyle has the added benefit of making your face appear more masculine and chiselled.
The modern comb-over
Unlike a certain ex-US President, this style of modern comb-over works well if you have an uneven hairline that's receding at the lowest point of your hair's natural part line.
By combing your hair over, it will appear like you've got more hair. Using a fine comb, create a neat side part where your hair is thinning the most. When you comb your long hair to one side and neatly trim other hair below the part, you'll appear to have more hair.
Faux Mohawk
This one is ideal for men with uneven hairlines who have thick, long hair on the top. The faux mohawk draws attention to the centre of your hairline and away from your temples.
Simply use gel or wax to style your hair with your fingers. For a formal hairstyle, keep it slicked back, while an informal hairstyle can be tousled or curled.
Short and slicked back
This hairstyle is popular with men with uneven hairlines because it combines the modern comb with a slicked-back look.
By keeping your hair short with longer hair on top, you'll divert attention away from your uneven hairline, and look sharp while you're at it.
Short high fade
For men with a receding hairline or uneven hairline, the short fade hairstyle draws attention away from your hairline and towards your long hair on top.
With clipped sides that taper the length from the bottom up, you can change how people see your uneven hairline. This hairstyle is ideal for men who have early stages of an uneven hairline.
All of the hairstyles above are viable new looks, but if you're concerned about hair loss, it pays to look into the options available for keeping your hair.
Pilot's hair loss treatment plans are created by Australian practitioners and are personalised to your individual hair loss goals.
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