Uneven Hairline in Men, What the Cause?
You may notice you have an uneven hairline when you look in the mirror or see yourself in a photo. One area of your hair seems a bit higher than the other. Or, one side appears thinner or to have some other unique quality when compared to the other. This asymmetry is not your imagination. It is actually a common problem for men of all ages.
Is an uneven hairline serious?
Uneven hair does not always point to hair loss. Sometimes it is just a natural asymmetry, like having one eyebrow that is higher than the other. But for many men, unevenness is an early sign of hair loss, such as through male pattern baldness.
Below are some of the most common causes of an uneven hairline. We also explore some of the treatments available through a hair restoration expert, such as Dr. Arthur Zacco of AZ Hair Restoration in North Carolina.
Causes of an Uneven Hairline
Several issues can cause or add to your hair loss problems. These include genetics, traction alopecia and male pattern baldness.
Genetics
Genetics can play a role in asymmetry that makes your hair look uneven from one side to the other. This is often an inherited trait, just like your genes determine your eye color, hair color or whether you have a widow’s peak. Before feeling stressed about your uneven hairline, check out the hairlines of people in your family.
Traction Alopecia
An uneven hairline can also come from traction alopecia. This is a condition of hair loss caused by putting too much tension on individual hair roots. For example, if you wear your hair tightly pulled back in a man bun, you can experience hair loss on one side of your head. Tight braids, dreadlocks and other common styles cause these problems, too. These styles pull on your hair roots and disrupt the growth cycle.
Women more typically experience traction alopecia when compared to men. But more men are pulling their hair back in man buns and braids as part of modern hairstyling. You can also experience an uneven hairline from excessive brushing or pulling on one side of your hair.
If this is the cause of your uneven hairline, we have good news. That is, traction alopecia is not male pattern baldness. If your hair has fallen out because of stress put on the roots, it can grow back. You simply have to reduce the strain put on this hair and step away from your man bun habit.
Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness is very common, particularly in men over the age of 35. This is a hormonal condition inherited through your genes. So you may notice other men in your family have the same hair thinning problems or an uneven hairline. The temples is where this condition typically starts, causing your style to appear uneven. More than half of men will experience male pattern baldness in their 40s.
Remember that only some uneven hairlines are the result of male pattern baldness. Signs of this condition include:
- Visible changes in your hairline over time
- Finding more hairs in your shower
- Growing number of hairs left in your hairbrush
Through modern treatment methods you can stop your hair loss from male pattern baldness. You can even reverse the condition’s effects, in some cases. The key is to seek treatment as early as possible in your hair loss as possible. If you suspect this balding is occurring because you notice an uneven hairline, see your hair restoration expert as soon as possible.
Treatments for an Uneven Hairline
The first step in treatment for an uneven hairline is gaining a clear diagnosis. You need to visit a hair loss doctor. He will provide an exam and determine the specific causes, then recommending treatment. Because every patient is an individual and there are many causes of an uneven hairline, there is no single type of treatment for all people.
Treatment methods used for male pattern baldness or an uneven hairline include:
- Alopecia treatment
- Follicular unit extraction
- Multiple follicular unit
- Strip hair transplant
- Hair restoration
- Hair transplantation
To learn the cause and treatment for your uneven hairline, schedule your consultation with AZ Hair Restoration in Raleigh, North Carolina today. We provide online and in-office visits to meet your scheduling needs. Call us at 919-615-0577.