In short
Most men’s hairlines move up a little between their late teens and late twenties and then stop. That’s a mature hairline. A receding hairline keeps going, deepens at the temples and comes with finer hair.
On this page
A mature hairline is the adult hairline most men end up with. It sits a little higher than it did at 17, and then it stays put. This page explains how to tell it from a receding hairline, with links to the studies.
What is a mature hairline?
Boys have a low, rounded hairline. As the face grows into its adult shape the hairline moves up slightly and the corners above the temples open out a little (Rassman 2013). The result is an even line that keeps its shape from then on. A common rule of thumb is that it ends up about a finger-width higher than it was.
At what age does a hairline mature?
Usually somewhere between the late teens and the late twenties. The change is slow, which is why most men only notice it in old photos.
How common is a bit of recession at the temples?
Very. In a study of adults in Maryborough, Victoria, 98.6% of the men examined had some recession at the temples (Gan 2005). A small amount on its own is normal and is not the same as going bald.
Mature or receding: how do you tell?
- How far. A mature hairline moves a little and stops. A receding one keeps going, year after year.
- Shape. Mature is fairly even. Receding deepens at the temples into an M.
- Hair quality. In a receding hairline the hairs at the front get finer, shorter and lighter before they go.
- The crown. Thinning on top at the same time points to male pattern hair loss.
- Family. Balding in close relatives on either side makes it more likely.
Where does a mature hairline sit on the Norwood scale?
The patterns of male hair loss were first classified in 1951 (Hamilton 1951). The Norwood scale, a revision of that work, sorts them into seven stages (Norwood 1975). A mature hairline is about stage 2, a slight recession at the temples. Stage 3 is the first stage counted as balding. Our guide to the Norwood scale shows each stage.
How can you check your own?
- Take a photo of your hairline, front and both temples, in the same light with your hair pushed back.
- Repeat it every six months.
- Compare the position of the corners and the thickness of the hair just behind the line.
No change over a year or two means it has settled. Clear movement, or finer hair at the front, means it is receding.
Does a mature hairline need treatment?
No. It is a normal part of growing up, and nothing needs to be done about it.
When should you see a GP?
- The hairline is still moving, or the crown is thinning.
- The loss is sudden or patchy.
- The scalp is itchy, red or scaly, or you are losing eyebrow or body hair.
Our guide to a receding hairline covers the causes and what helps.
References
- Rassman WR, Pak JP, Kim J. Phenotype of normal hairline maturation. Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. 2013.
- Gan DC, Sinclair RD. Prevalence of male and female pattern hair loss in Maryborough. J Investig Dermatol Symp Proc. 2005.
- Hamilton JB. Patterned loss of hair in man; types and incidence. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1951.
- Norwood OT. Male pattern baldness: classification and incidence. South Med J. 1975.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.