Is there anything you can do about a receding hairline?

For many of us, our hair is our crowning glory. From an early age, we care for it, style it and preen it.

Our hair can be an important part of our identity and it plays a huge part in our self-expression.

Which is why it can come as a huge blow when our hairline starts to recede.

It can feel as though we are not ourselves anymore, and many people feel that it ages them.

There can be many reasons for a receding hairline, and dealing with it can take a number of different forms.

What causes hair loss?

Did you know that your scalp has around 100,000 hairs on it?¹ These all fall out eventually and are replaced by new ones. We can lose up to 100 hairs a day² , so we do not tend to notice a difference until this number significantly increases.

The life cycle of the hair goes through three different stages.

It begins in the growth phase where it grows in length for up to seven years.

This is followed by the transitional phase, which is the part where the growth has finished but shedding has not yet begun.

Finally, we have the resting phase, where the hair finally sheds and the follicles rest for up to three months before beginning the process again.

A receding hairline can be hereditary, so if family members have this trait, it can be passed down.

Sometimes it will become a change in the hairline that never progresses any further, whilst for others, it can lead to going completely bald.

Stress can be a big factor in hair loss too. This can be a natural reaction to periods of stress, or a hair pulling issue called Trichotillomania which is brought on by stress.

You may also experience hair loss as a result of a lack of iron in your body.

Hair loss can also be caused by some form of illness or medication, so it is important to speak to your doctor if you think this may be the case.

What about hair loss in women?

When we talk about receding hairlines, we typically think of it as a male problem.

Many men find that they lose their hair as they age, and it is common to simply shave it all off as a result.

This can occur any time after the end of puberty, and the process often starts above the temples.

However, women can experience hair loss too, although it tends to take the form of thinning hair rather than a receding hairline.

This can often be triggered by a change in hormones, such as during pregnancy or the menopause.

The pattern of hair loss is often less clear in women than it is in men, so it can appear thin all over or in small patches.

How can you encourage healthy hair growth?

If your hair loss is a result of ageing, and there are no other issues affecting it, then it is unlikely to need any medical intervention.

That does not, however, mean that there is nothing you can do about it, as there are a number of natural solutions that may help.

There are special shampoos which can help to keep your scalp healthy and hydrated. If it becomes dry and flaky, this can lead to hair loss, so remember to think about caring for your scalp too.

There are also ranges of supplements that can provide the body with the vitamins and minerals needed to maintain normal hair, including biotin, zinc and copper.

There are also some fabulous natural oils which have amazing benefits for your hair.

These might be found as ingredients in your hair care products, or they can be used on their own, so look out for argan, coconut, lavender, peppermint, rosemary and tea tree oils.

Castor oil is also well known for helping to soothe sensitive scalps and promote natural hair growth. It is packed full of vitamin E, fatty acids and minerals³ and can be used on its own as a natural solution or within a natural shampoo.

If you are noticing significant hair loss, then it may worth checking with a doctor to ensure that there are no underlying health conditions that you need to be aware of.

Last Updated: 23rd October 2020