A receding hairline like an M-shape hair line affects half of all men by age 50. A receding hairline often looks like a V, U, or M. Male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia or androgenic alopecia) causes the hairline to curve into the shape of the letter M. This can be a sign of future hair loss.
Watching your full head of hair disappear can be depressing, no matter what you call it, mature hairline, receding hairline, thinning hair, rapid hair loss, or balding. There are other reasons for an M shape receded hairline besides male or female pattern baldness. Do you have questions about an M-shaped hairline? Read on to answer your questions related to M hairline.
Does M-Shape hairline require hair transplant?
M or u shaped hair line, unlike the natural hairline, is not straight and well-defined. The hair falls from the temples in an V, U, or M-like appearance and becomes thinner. The hair loss is localized and spreads over time to make the forehead look bigger. If it progresses further, there is almost no hair left on the crown (vertex or top) and temple area, only sparse hair on the sides.
M-shape hairline can seriously demoralize the person if it has progressed so far that the temple area stays hairless. In this case, taking precautions before going bald increases the chances of hair transplantation. Whether the cause of hair loss is genetic factors, telogen effluvium or higher androgen levels of DHT dihydrotestosterone, it is possible to get successful surgery results as long as there are sufficient and alive grafts in the donor.
Causes of M-Shaped Hairline
If your once-straight hairline changes from straight to the shape of M, there’s a reason. A receding hairline at the temples can be caused by many health issues, including genetic disorders and postmenopausal distress. An uneven hairline is usually seen as the worst type of hairline, so learning why it happens may help to fix it.
Genetics
Genetic predisposition to androgens (male sex hormones) is a cause of the hairlines of M shape. Especially the androgen dihydrotestosterone or DHT is associated with frontal hair losses. Higher levels of DHT make hair grow slower because they decrease the length of the anagen phase within the hair growth cycle. Higher androgen levels lead to the shrinkage of hair follicles, and result in M shape hair line.
Hormonal Factors
It is also possible to consider DHT-related M-shape hair line among hormonal factors. DHT is a form of testosterone and controls follicular sensitivity. Men with a genetic predisposition to androgenetic alopecia (AGA) have hair follicles that are especially sensitive to DHT, causing thin hair on the top and temple recession.
Aging
Hairlines mature with age. Boys’ hairline known as juvenile hairline changes during puberty. Mature hairline takes on M-shaped or widow’s peak (V-shaped) after 17 years old to 30s. Moreover, hair follicle miniaturization may increase with age due to hormonal factors, malnutrition, poor shampoo preferences, use of hair styling products. According to the progression speed of the mature hairline, future baldness can be predicted.
Lifestyle and Health Factors
Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, pot, excessive hair dying contribute to hair weakening. Vitamin intake also has an effect on thinning and shedding. Especially vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc, iron and biotin are needed for the formation of the hair follicle structure. Make sure you get enough minerals, vitamins and proteins for stable hair growth or regrowth. In addition to nutrition, you need water consumption, gentle combing, stress-free living and regular scalp massage for healthy hair retention.
M Shape Hair Types from Different Countries
Advantages of M-Shaped Hairline Hair Transplant
During hair transplantation, surgeons can redesign your hairline. The M-shaped hairline has two main bald areas: the temples. Hair transplant surgeons can create a straight hairline while transplanting hair follicles extracted from the donor area. Therefore, you can achieve these:
- A more defined hairline
- Dense and harmonious hair
- An enhanced appearance
- Healthier hair follicles and scalp
- Improved self-confidence and self-esteem
A natural-looking hairline should blend with the patient’s existing hair. It should look natural, with minor irregularities and an uneven shape. In short, it is more successful for your surgeon to design an enhanced new M hairline than to create a straight hairline.
When to consult a doctor for hair transplant?
After your 20s, you can change your harline at any time. Ideally, the 30s are suitable for hair transplant. 90% of men in their 30s are not yet completely bald or have a healthy donor area. Please, choose a reputable clinic with successful surgeons to increase your chances of success. See what your surgeon’s previous patients thought of their hair transplant, and check their hair transplant before afters.
For women, they can get successful results in their 40s as hair loss progresses more slowly. As estrogen and progesterone levels drop during perimenopause, hair grows slowly and becomes thin. They start to drop in their 30s, but for most women this is between 40 and 45 years of age.
How many average grafts required for M-shape hairline area?
How many hair grafts (follicular units) you need depends on the size of the M-shaped progression. Many variables like the number of hair on your head, your healthy grafts, the distance between your hair follicles can change the amount of grafts you need. Usually 500 to 2000 grafts are sufficient for men between 30 to 50 years old. 500 grafts are equivalent to 1000-1500 hairs on average, and 2000 grafts are equal to ~ 4000 to 6000 hairs.
FAQs
Is M shaped the same as widows peak?
No, widow’s peak refers to a “V” shaped hairline. Usually widows peak hairlines are caused by
- Donnai-Barrow syndrome.
- Frontonasal dysplasia.
- Aarskog syndrome.
What are the medicines for hair regrowth and restoring the M-shape hairline?
A topical treatment like Minoxidil can help to stimulate the growth of hair and delay hairloss. Furthermore, Finasteride also stops more hair from falling out because reduces DHT to prevent further loss. Please mind, without consulting a professional, don’t use any of them.
Is an M-shape hairline a sign of balding?
In fact, the M shape hair line is seen in almost every man after their 30s. A progression like M is not a sign of baldness. However, if the M pattern is getting more pronounced and your hair is thinning, you should consult a hair transplant specialist ASAP.
What hairstyle for a M-shaped hairline?
You can choose from a buzz cut, a short fade with styled side bangs, a business cut, a mid-drop fade with a long tousled top, or a long taper. There are two reasons for these styles.
- The first is to match your hairline.
- The second is to hide the M-shaped hairline with the rest of your hair.
It’s your choice!
References
- Cranwell W, Sinclair R. Male Androgenetic Alopecia. Nih.gov. Published February 29, 2016. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK278957/
- Ho CY, Chen JYF, Hsu WL, et al. Female Pattern Hair Loss: An Overview with Focus on the Genetics. Genes. 2023;14(7):1326. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14071326
- Asghar F, Shamim N, Farooque U, Sheikh H, Aqeel R. Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2020;12(5):e8320. Published 2020 May 27. doi:10.7759/cureus.8320
- Dihydrotestosterone – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. www.sciencedirect.com. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/dihydrotestosterone
- Androgenetic alopecia: An update Ntshingila, Sincengile et al. JAAD International, Volume 13, 150 – 158
