Receding Hairline On One Side: Why It Happens And How To Treat It?

Medically reviewedby Dr. Amy Revene M.B.B.S.
WrittenbyLuat Duong
Last updated

Noticing a receding hairline on one side can be concerning, but it's not uncommon.

Whether you're spotting early signs of male pattern baldness or simply dealing with natural hairline asymmetry, understanding the causes and what to do next is crucial.

In this article, we'll explore why your hairline might be receding on one side, what it could mean for your hair health, and the best steps to take to address it.

What is a receding hairline on one side?

receding hairline on one side

 

A receding hairline on one side is often an early sign of male pattern baldness. To track changes, take monthly photos of your hairline and watch for extra hairs in your comb or shower. Early detection allows for more effective treatment options.

This uneven receding typically occurs when hair follicles on one side of the temples stop producing hair, leading to a change in the hairline's shape, often forming an "M" pattern.

Hairline changes can start as early as the mid-teens but also occur with age. Men are more commonly affected, but women can experience similar issues, leading to female pattern baldness.

It’s important to differentiate between a receding hairline, which progresses quickly, and a maturing hairline, which recedes slowly over time.

Recognizing and understanding the cause of your hairline change early on can help you decide on the best course of action.

Read this: Can You Use A Derma Roller For Receding Hairlines?

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What causes an uneven hairline?

hair growth cycle, hair loss treatments

The cause of an uneven hairline can be attributed to several factors, including female or male pattern baldness, genetics, traction alopecia, etc.

In recent research, the researchers claim that hair loss is a symptom rather than a diagnosis. Alopecia is caused by immune, genetic, endocrine, and inflammatory factors, all of which require independent treatments.

However, let us learn about some of the main reasons behind uneven hairlines.

Genetics

One of the topmost factors causing a receding hairline is genetics. It is also one of the top factors causing hair loss at an early age. A naturally occurring hormone in males is testosterone, which produces DHT, a leading cause of hair loss in men. 

Hairline receding and unevenness are typical effects of DHT in male pattern baldness. Moreover, the quantity of DHT in the body highly depends on your genes. Therefore, your genes can determine your uneven hairline, just like your height, hair, or eye color. 

Age

Aging is a natural process, and so is the receding hairline. As age increases, hair growth tends to slow down, with hair follicles making less new hair. Men and women both go through the latter, though the receding hairline on one side is a more common problem in males. 

Read this: What Are Hair Growth Patterns? Find Out Yours Here!

Male pattern baldness

As mentioned earlier, an uneven hairline is more commonly seen in males than females. This is due to a common hair condition known as male pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia.

This is the most usual type of hair loss occurring in males when their hair follicles shrink in size due to two male hormones, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

The first effect of male pattern baldness is usually on the temples, which is why it can lead to uneven or receding hairlines on one side. 

Hair transplant

An uneven hairline may also occur due to an incorrectly performed hair transplant. A transplant can cause this if the growth patterns are not replicated correctly, or the hairline is not shaped to frame your face appropriately.

Read this: The 12 Best Natural and Drug Hair Transplant Alternatives

Diet, stress, and other lifestyle factors

A receding hairline can also be caused by poor lifestyle choices, like an unhealthy diet, too much junk food, sodas, high stress, and anxiety levels, and frequent hairstyle changes like vigorous bleaching and too much use of hair-dying chemicals.

However, all these factors usually cause temporary hair loss and uneven hairline, so you can always learn about the root cause of your hair loss and stimulate hair regrowth by working on the latter. 

Read this: 9 Effective Methods How To Regain Hair Loss From Stress

How to treat a receding hairline on one side?

Here are some useful tips on how you should treat your receding hairline on one side. 

Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine

hair treatment for androgenetic alopecia and male pattern hair loss

If you are unsure about your daily hair care routine, consider making a few changes. For example, if you have dyed or bleached hair, try using a different hair conditioner to keep them healthy and avoid thinning in the frontal scalp area. 

Most hair loss cases are caused by a disruption in the hair's natural growth cycle. Genes, hormones, illness, medications, and lifestyle are known factors that affect hair loss the most. These underlying factors may alter hair follicle cycling, resulting in a shorter anagen phase (hair growth phase), a delayed anagen phase, or hair thinning.

Hence, Scandinavian Biolabs has just the right product to give you healthy hair and stimulate your hair growth from the hairline and other scalp areas. The Hair Growth Routine is designed to aid in the reduction of hair loss and development of new hair and the maintenance of robust and vibrant hair. 

Plant growth factors are contained in each product, some of which have been developed through stem cell technology, stimulating hair growth by nurturing hair follicles. 

Hair Growth Routine | For Men
Hair Growth Routine | For Men
3-step growth system to combat shedding

Hair Growth Routine | For Women
Hair Growth Routine | For Women
3-step growth system to combat thinning

Medication

medication to regrow hair, lose hair, hair loss occurs

As mentioned earlier, hair regrowth is possible by taking a few drugs like minoxidil and finasteride, which also effectively treat male pattern baldness and a receding hairline. 

It usually takes 6-8 months for the hair fall to stop and the growth phase to resume when using these medications. Minoxidil widens blood vessels and increases blood flow to the scalp, whereas finasteride may protect hair follicles from DHT. 

Laser therapy

The low-level light therapy (LLLT) method stimulates the follicles and scalp tissues by emitting lasers, thus promoting hair growth. Laser therapy increases the blood flow to the scalp, which brings nutrients along and stimulates the hair cells and follicles to step out of their resting phase and move toward hair regrowth.

Hair transplant

Hair transplants are procedures where hair is grafted from the sides or back of your scalp to other sections of your scalp. This process is commonly used to treat receding or uneven hairlines. 

Read this: How to regain hair

Does a receding hairline on one side mean you're balding?

hair health, natural hairline

Just because your hairline is receding on one side does not mean you are balding. Men with male pattern baldness tend to have uneven hairlines that have the following characteristics:

  • Throughout your life, your hairline will undergo noticeable hair loss or changes.
  • Your shower and hairbrush will shed more hair than usual.

You should also consider factors like:

  • Your asymmetry in the hairline.
  • The rate at which you are losing hair.
  • If you're losing hair on the scalp or crown as well.
  • Your age.
  • Hair density.
  • If your hair loss could be due to lifestyle factors.

The sooner you notice these changes and suspect you may be balding, the better. Seek professional help as soon as possible for hair loss treatment.

When to see a professional?

It is important to seek immediate professional help if you notice the following hair symptoms:

  • Hair fall in clumps
  • Patchy hair loss
  • Scalp scarring or flaking
  • Bald spots all over the scalp. 

Conclusion

People usually notice your hairline since it frames your face. The unevenness may cause you to feel uncomfortable about your appearance.

There are different ways to fix your receding hairline on one side, including medication, hair transplantation, herbal treatments, and laser therapy. Any concerns you may have should be discussed with your doctor. 

    Luat Duong

    Luat Duong is a Copenhagen-based writer and content strategist specializing in hair loss and health. His work has been featured in MyHealthGuide, The Right Hairstyles, and Woman's Era. He is a graduate of Vaasa University. You can connect with him on LinkedIn.