What is a mature hairline?

While the term mature hairline sounds like a stepping stone on the way to baldness, it’s not. Even if you’re an adult with little or no hair thinning, your hairline has changed since you were a kid.

When we’re young, our hairline mostly forms an arch around our face––this is known as a juvenile hairline. As we go through our teenage years (specifically between ages 15 and 18), this line gradually moves up and changes shape, creating what’s called a mature hairline (Rassman, 2013).

So if you’ve noticed that your frontal hairline is different from when you were younger, don’t panic. A mature hairline is not a sign of male pattern baldness.

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A maturing hairline doesn’t always lead to a receding one. You can test this by looking at your baby pictures: you'll notice the distance between your hairline and eyebrows has moved from then until now. 

When a hairline matures, it generally changes from a smooth arch around the face and morphs into a different shape, depending on your biological sex. For males, the mature hairline is usually a little further forward and may have an M shape to it. There might be more hair at the center and slightly less on either side, similar to a widow's peak.

For biological females, the hairline usually starts a little higher and forms an inverted U shape. Hair grows a little back in the center and further forward on either side. That said, there are a lot of factors that can affect your hairline, including good ol’ genetics (check out your parents if you want a preview).

While a mature hairline is something everyone gets as they age, a receding hairline isn’t. In this case, the hairline moves further back than the typical jump and often follows a different pattern. This is particularly true in males with a family history of male pattern baldness, known by its fancy name androgenic alopecia. This condition can cause frontal balding or balding at the crown of your head and contributes to overall thinning hair. 

If your hairline is creeping back, becoming more than just a mature hairline, or you notice diffuse thinning, there are lots of options available. Certain treatments can stop hair loss in its tracks, while others can actually regrow hair you lost. Here are some popular options.

Medication 

Medications like finasteride (brand name Propecia) and minoxidil (brand name Rogaine) promote hair growth and are probably the most well-known options for treating hair loss. 

Finasteride is available as a pill and is prescribed to combat a receding hairline. Lately, some companies have also started to offer topical finasteride spray you put directly on spots you're experiencing hair loss. Minoxidil comes as a spray available in different strengths. It can be applied directly to bald spots at the crown of the head, as well as the temples (Mirmirani, 2015). 

Minoxidil vs. finasteride

Minoxidil and finasteride work differently in the body. Finasteride mostly affects male hormones, known as androgens. The medication blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone to another hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT has been found to play a role in hair loss, so by blocking this hormone, you can reduce thinning and potentially regrow hair. Minoxidil, on the other hand, does not affect DHT. Rather, researchers suggest it promotes hair growth by increasing blood flow to hair follicles (Badri, 2020).

Both of these medications are well-tolerated. Oral finasteride can safely be taken long-term but does carry a risk of side effects. Some men who use it report sexual dysfunction, and while research varies, low libido or erectile dysfunction is reported in around 3% of those who take finasteride by mouth (Mysore, 2012). The effect will go away as soon you stop taking it. Minoxidil can cause itching and irritation of the skin at the application site. These side effects are more common at higher concentrations. 

The most effective treatment is a combination of these medications. Treatment plans that combine minoxidil and finasteride are extremely effective for regrowing hair and maintaining it (Chandrashekar, 2015). 

Shampoo

Shampoos that use an ingredient called ketoconazole, an antifungal, can also stop hair loss from alopecia by blocking the actions of DHT. Shampoos with 1% ketoconazole are available over-the-counter, but prescription formulations are stronger. One study found prescription strengths may be as effective at stopping hair loss as minoxidil (Piérard-Franchimont, 1998). Overall, ketoconazole shampoo should be used as an add-on product to the FDA-approved hair loss treatments listed above.

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Current version

September 15, 2021

Written by

Linnea Zielinski

Fact checked by

Yael Cooperman, MD

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About the medical reviewer

Yael Cooperman, MD, Ro

Yael Cooperman is a physician and works as a Senior Manager, Medical Content & Education at Ro.