We spend a good deal of time, effort, and money to ensure our hair is cut, styled, cleaned and presentable. We put this much effort into our hair because a full, thick hair is considered a sign of youth and vitality. For those reasons, when we begin to lose hair, the incident inflicts emotional distress on us. Not even knowing how common of a problem hair loss is, would make it any easier to accept. Particularly not when your mirror is reflecting evidence of a receding hairline.
Although creative hairstyling can camouflage hair loss for a while, it does little to halt the progression. If you notice that your hairline is thinning or receding, there are a significant number of treatment options that could potentially stimulate hair growth. Understanding and knowing hair loss causes and treatment methods could help you determine your best defense.
Is a mature hairline the same as a receding hairline?
A mature hairline is a natural phenomenon that presents its phenotypic features between adolescence and adulthood. Typically a term used interchangeably with a receding hairline, a mature hairline recedes to a minimal extent, however, is not the same as a receding hairline from alopecia.
For instance, between the ages of 17-28 the juvenile hairline is projected to recede back from anywhere near 1 to 1.5 cm to form the mature hairline. Typically, androgenic alopecia recession will have the hairline retreat beyond 1.5 cm.
What are the signs of a receding hairline
Because male pattern baldness does not occur in one pattern, it can be tricky to identify the symptoms early on. However, there are a few signs to consider that’ll hit the nail on the head.
- Excessive hair loss that does not match the intensity of your hair loss in the past.
- Noticeable receding of the hairline. Identify the gravity of recession by comparing older picture to your current state.
- Thinning hair around the crown. If the scalp is becomes more visible than is typically the nature of your hair growth.
What causes receding hairline?
Hair receding happens. Sometimes hair sheds faster than it grows other times the follicular unit is damaged either from internal or external traumas.
For Men
You may be just a bit surprised to learn that most men, and nearly half of all women, will lose a significant amount of hair as they age. For men, hair receding typically becomes noticeable between the ages of twenty and forty. Two-thirds of the male population will show a significant amount of hair loss by the age of 35.
There are many potential reasons for a receding hairline, from heredity factors to clogged hair follicles. Men are more prone to hereditary hair loss than women. For men, hereditary hair loss forms a distinct pattern (male pattern baldness).
For Women
Women typically experience hair loss fairly evenly throughout their scalp, but receding hairlines do not discriminate by gender. Some of the more common causes of hair loss include:
- Health conditions, such as thyroid dysfunction or hormone imbalances
- Medication side effects
- Fungal infections
- Autoimmune disorders such as alopecia areata (temporary, patchy hair loss)
- Hereditary male or female pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia)
- Stress and vitamin deficiencies
- Trichotillomania (a hair-pulling disorder)
- Chemical hair treatments
- Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy and menopause
When you first notice your hairline is receding, your first line of defense might include a visit to your healthcare provider. If you discover an underlying health condition is the source of your hair loss, you can reverse it by addressing your health problem.
Treatment options to halt hairline recession and restore growth
While inadequate nutrition and stress can cause hair loss, for many people, a receding hairline is simply hereditary. Knowing your hair loss is genetic is not likely to make your receding hairline any easier to endure. Fortunately for those hoping to fight their genetic predisposition, there have been several advances in the fight against hair receding. While there are several treatment types available, a method of treatment that works for one person may have little effect on another. Here is a look at several popular methods of slowing hair loss, encouraging hair growth, and reclaiming your hairline.
Over-the-Counter Minoxidil
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is a vasodilator, a medication whose initial purpose was to control high blood pressure. But over time, patients taking this medication experienced hair growth making one of its side effects. This drug is most effective on patients under the age of 40 who have experienced recent hair loss. And even though minoxidil slows hair loss and stimulates hair growth, it appears to have no effect on a receding hairline.
Typically, minoxidil must be used 4-12 months before patients can notice any results. But patients must continue taking the medication to maintain the improvements noticed. Increasing the dosage of minoxidil will not produce faster results and can increase the likelihood of side effects. Just a few of the potential risks or side effects caused by minoxidil include:
- Scalp sensitivity,
- Itching, burning or flaking skin
- Swelling of the ankles, hands, face or stomach
- Increased heart rate
- Chest pain
- Light-headedness or dizziness
Since minoxidil is a vasodilator, it relaxes blood vessels and increases circulation. Increasing circulation to targeted areas of the scalp potentially promotes hair growth. Minoxidil also causes hairs that are in a resting (telogen state) to shed and replaces those shed hairs with new hairs in the growing (anagen) phase of the growth cycle.
Low-Level Laser Hair Therapy
Low-level laser technology is a technique that improves hair quality and encourages regrowth. This laser treatment works with red light as the human tissue. because human tissue absorbs red light. To increase hair growth; the red light must be able to reach the base of the follicle 3-5 mm below the surface of the skin. When the light reaches the follicle, it stimulates the mitochondria of hair cells. The stimulated mitochondria produce energy that is harnessed by the hair follicles.
Those who support the use of red light therapy claim this response could improve the density, quality, and health of the hair while accelerating its growth cycle. Many people are initially intrigued by the potential to regrow their hair using red light therapy. Whether you experiment with office visits or home use red light products, you may or may not experience the optimal results you are looking for. Consider the following:
- There are varying opinions on the effectiveness of red-light therapy
- To provide benefits, light must be able to penetrate 3-5 mm below the surface of the skin
- Light therapy must be a specific wavelength if growth is to occur
- Low-level therapy can cause damage to hair follicles at slightly higher levels
- Red light therapy shouldn’t be used by anyone taking medications that cause photosensitivity
- Therapy can be time-consuming, requiring up to 60 minutes of daily use and weekly maintenance
Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) has been on the market for decades to promote healing. The treatment shows a remarkable ability to encourage hair growth. Researchers believe PRP therapy works by increasing the blood supply to starved hair follicles. PRP therapy uses the platelets from your own blood to nourish your scalp and promote regrowth. PRP therapy is minimally invasive and requires no downtime. After applying an analgesic cream to your scalp:
- Similar to any other blood test procedure, blood drawing occurs the standard way
- A centrifuge machine separates the protein-rich plasma from your blood
- The doctor injects PRP in either your scalp or applies it after micro-needling
For best results, PRP therapy may require several sessions. Research indicates that RPR significantly reduces hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia (pattern baldness). Test subjects were found to have significant hair regrowth. PRP therapy can be used on its own or in addition to hair restoration surgery.
Hair Transplant Procedures
Hair transplants have come a long way since their introduction, back when recipients were left with obvious “plugs” of relocated hair on their scalps. The procedure used to relocate relatively large sections of tissue containing 40 or more hairs. Today’s surgical restoration methods are much more precise and natural-looking.
To qualify for a hair restoration procedure, you need to have enough healthy hair on the side or back of your head to allow for relocation. After a consultation, your doctor will recommend the best procedure, or combination of procedures, based on your unique needs. Hair transplant procedures are minimally invasive, relatively painless, and only require a local anesthetic. Just a few of your treatment options include:
- Follicular Unit Extraction – hair follicles containing 1-4 hairs are extracted and grafted into areas of hair loss
- DHI Hair Transplantation – micromotor extraction and transplantation using a pen-like device
- Sapphire FUE Hair Transplant – Hair restoration using a sapphire stone providing a shorter healing process and natural-looking results
After your procedure, you will likely notice that much of your transplanted hair will fall out. This is no cause for concern. You will find that your newly transplanted hair grows back within 3-4 months. The results of your hair restoration procedure are permanent.
Learn more about options for receding hairline treatment
While topical solutions and medications can stall hair loss and may even promote moderate hair growth, they are not without risk. To slow hair loss or restore your hairline in Istanbul, Turkey, contact Vera Clinic International Healthcare Services. Our state-of-the-art facilities have earned the trust of thousands of people worldwide. For your comfort and convenience, we also offer accommodation services, transportation services, and interpretation services at any time of day.