A thinning hairline is a common problem that affects both men, and women. Genetics is one reason why you could be losing your hair at the front or sides of the scalp. If genetics plays a role, for men, it can start as early as sixteen years of age and gradually get thinner over time. For women, a thinning hairline can start in their mid to late twenties and progress as they mature.
There are times when a receding hairline is caused by improper use of chemicals, hot tools, hair extensions and excessive pulling of the hair. If this type of abuse continues on the scalp, permanent hair loss will result. Let’s discuss six things that could be responsible for your thinning hair line.
Wearing styles that cause tension on the scalp
If tight braids, extensions, or ponytails is your go to style all year, you will eventually notice a receding hairline. When the scalp is pulled tight for a long period of time, it causes inflammation of the hair follicles. Inflamed hair follicles can lead to permanent hair loss, if they stay inflamed for a long time. Try to take breaks from wearing hair extensions and keep in mind if the extensions are too heavy, there will be breakage around the hairline. If you like to wear styles that are pinned up styles, try to not wear it too tight because they’ll apply pressure to the hairline which can cause traction alopecia.
Leaving chemicals on the scalp for too long
You may feel like you are doing no harm to your scalp by leaving your at-home permanent hair color on the hair a little longer than recommended, but it is not healthy for your scalp to leave any chemical on the skin or hair longer than the instructions advise. Anytime you feel itching, burning or other discomfort that seems unbearable, it is time to rinse the product out of your hair immediately! Chemicals such as permanent dyes do have ingredients that irritate the skin, which can cause inflammation of the scalp. If the chemical is left on the scalp for too long, it can cause hair loss, or massive hair breakage. Try to space out how often you retouch your hair color to avoid the chemical touching the skin. Do your chemical services every four to six weeks.
Over-using hot tools to straighten the hair
It is possible to over use hot tools and cause hair loss around the hairline. The high levels of heat, as well as over manipulating the hair in the same spot to get it straight can cause hair loss. This can also happen if you get keratin or amino acid smoothing treatments. Try to minimize the amount of times you use the flat iron around the hairline when getting a smoothing treatment. Ask for less passes with the flat iron around the hairline if a hair stylist does your keratin service. Use heat protectants instead of pressing oils to protect against heat. Oils and petroleum based products fry the hair once heat is applied to it.
Protect hair line under wigs
Wearing a wig is a great way to protect your hair and still have access to your scalp so that you can shampoo and condition your hair. It is not so easy to cleanse your scalp with extensions that are braided, and sewed in place. Make sure when you wear a wig that it is not too tight or rubbing against the hair line. Any type of friction on the hairline can cause hair loss, especially if you wear a wig every day.
Infection of the scalp
The thinning around your hairline could be a scalp infection. Some signs of a fungal or bacterial infection on the scalp include extremely dry and itchy scalp. Your scalp may flake a lot and you may experience hair breakage that never grows back. The hair stays short, and the breakage moves around the head. If you feel you have a scalp infection, you have to go to a dermatologist for treatment.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia
Frontal fibrosing alopecia affects women after menopause. You will notice it because hair loss takes place in the form of a band in the front and sides of the scalp. It is a genetic condition and also may cause loss of eyebrow hair. It results in permanent hair loss and you can find out if your thinning hairline is caused by fibrosing alopecia by going to a dermatologist and having a biopsy.
Treatments for a thinning hairline are prescribed based on the cause. The more hair follicles alive producing healthy hair, the higher the chances of hair regrowth. Sometimes a dermatologist will recommend anti-fungal topical treatments that will help with scalp infections. Minoxidil is prescribed to stop the hair loss from spreading when follicles are inflamed. Although the hair won’t grow back if the follicles are destroyed, using it can contain the hair loss to one specific spot.
Are you experiencing hair loss?
If you are experiencing thinning hair, it could be very beneficial to pay a visit to an expert to get to the bottom of your issue. Here are 15 situations where you need to see a trichologist.
