It can be embarrassing and upsetting for many people to have an uneven hairline. Instead of having a downward “c” curve, which is normally the case, it can sometimes be higher or lower. This asymmetry in the hairline can be due to different reasons.
These changes could be sudden or gradual. To save money and time and to ensure you only invest in effective uneven hairline solutions, you must understand what has caused your receding hairline to begin with.
What’s An Uneven Hairline?
If your hairline is not the same height or your hair density is not consistent, then you have an uneven hairline. It’s very common for both men and women to have asymmetrical hairlines. A minor degree of it might remain unnoticeable. But if it’s too pronounced, it might draw some unwanted attention to it.
You can have an uneven hairline due to:
- Ageing
- Genetics
- Lifestyle
- Certain health conditions.
It’s not always indicative of alopecia, though. For instance, people who’re born with a widow’s peak (a V-shaped) hairline have it run in their families. It may be more noticeable in males than females.
What Are the Causes of an Uneven Hairline?
You may have an uneven hairline because of the following reasons:
Pattern Baldness
Pattern baldness is a common reason why many people end up with an uneven hairline, at least in the beginning stages. In males, the hairline first recedes at the top corners (on both sides of the face). Eventually, these two meet to form a “U” shape, after which the hairline keeps receding.
This can go on and on until the person is left with no hair on the top of the head. So, in pattern baldness, the hairline becomes uneven by changes in height and density. This is usually the case in males.
Females, on the other hand, do not usually lose their hairline. It remains intact even when the hair has significantly shed from the top and crown areas. Rarely, though, their hairline can also start receding in an “M” shape, as seen in the Savin scale. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one condition in which the hormonal changes accompanying the condition can result in the recession of the hairline.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia is where hair falls out due to repeated strain. This usually comes from wearing tight hairstyles, like ponytails, braids, and dreadlocks. Affected areas may be limited to the temple region or those around it. That’s why a person may notice a “V” or “M” shape forming at the sides of the hairline, making it uneven.
If the strain on one side of the hairline is more than the other, the bald patches will be of unequal sizes. Hair loss may also just be on one side, depending on the kind of hairstyles worn. Over time, this kind of tension on the hair root can make you lose your hair permanently. However, if you notice this in time, your hairline should start to fill out normally after 2-6 months.
Trichotillomania
In this hair-pulling disorder, a person has the urge to pluck their hair out. One of the affected areas could be the hairline. This can result in the formation of small bald patches, and, of course, it leaves the hairline uneven. These patches may have irregular edges, and the hair growing in them will also be of varying lengths. The constant plucking of the hair over a long period can permanently change your hairline.
Hair Transplants
Before a hair transplant takes place, the surgeon draws the hairline to give the patient an idea of how it will look after the surgery. When performed by inexperienced surgeons, the results may be markedly different from the initial drawings.
It’s possible that they don’t transplant the follicles in the right places or do so poorly that the grafts don’t survive, giving the hairline an uneven appearance. This isn’t always the fault of the surgeon; negligence during the aftercare on the part of the patient can also cause this problem.
How To Fix an Uneven Hairline?
Now that you know the answer to “why is my hairline uneven,” you can consider the following treatment options to fix it.
Medications
Medications like minoxidil and finasteride are approved by the FDA for hair loss. Minoxidil works by dilating the blood vessels, supplying more oxygen and nutrients. And finasteride inhibits the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These medicines can work to stop hair loss and even promote regrowth.
However, the problem is that minoxidil can only be used for the top (not the front) and back of the scalp. So, it cannot fix an uneven hairline. Even though finasteride can, it’s only for men, not women.
In addition, finasteride, in particular, has some very serious side effects. And since you have to take these on a daily basis, it can cause some health problems. Lastly, it is possible for these medicines to not work at all.
PRP Therapy
Platelet-rich plasma can help with the regrowth of the hairline. However, it works best for temporary hair loss like that occurring from traction alopecia or trichotillomania (if it hasn’t already resulted in permanent hair loss).
The PRP concentration uses the patient’s healing system. It’s also used for permanent hair loss conditions like pattern baldness, but the results are not long-lasting in that case. It works best when the treatment takes place in combination with hair restoration surgery.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
There are some pieces of research that show promising results from the use of low-level laser therapy. It’s believed to promote healing and grow new blood vessels, thus allowing hair growth to take place. You can give it a try, but there are many people out there for which these laser devices haven’t worked at all.
Scalp Micropigmentation
If you have an uneven hairline because of thinning in certain areas, it’s worth considering scalp micropigmentation. The permanent ink will fill in the areas from where the scalp is showing through, giving the appearance of high density. The “microdots” mimic the appearance of the natural hair follicles.
Hair Transplant
If you have an uneven hairline due to permanent hair loss, one way to fix it is to get a hair transplant. The surgeon will draw a new hairline for you to see before the surgery, take follicles from the back and sides of the scalp during the surgery and fix your hairline. To ensure natural-looking results, the surgeon will take the density and angling of follicles into consideration.
Concluding Remarks
The hairline naturally frames the face and defines a face shape. This means that when individuals lose hair in this area, it affects their overall appearance and has the greatest impact on their confidence and identity.
There are different reasons why a person may have an uneven hairline. It could be temporary or permanent. In some cases, the temporary conditions result in hair loss that becomes permanent, such as traction alopecia and trichotillomania. If it’s genetics, then having an uneven hairline is not something that you have control over. There are different treatment options available that you can consult your doctor about.
Reviewed and Approved by Trichologist Yaprak Yazan
