Receding hair lines are a common issue in both men and women, with men experiencing the problem more often due to the presence of the male specific hormone dihydrotestosterone. A receding hairline can be embarrassing, as well as can make you look older than you really are. Luckily, there are several treatment options to help regrow your hairline, dependent on the underlying causes of the issue.
Step 1
Apply minoxidil twice a day. Minoxidil is an over-the-counter remedy for hair loss and receding hair lines in both men and women. Minoxidil is said to work in two ways, first as a blood vessel dilator, which helps revitalize the follicles, and second, by increasing the epithelial cells in the hair shaft. Minoxidil is not effective for everyone, and you must use it on a continuous basis for the results to last. Once you stop using minoxidil, your hair will revert back to its original state.
Step 2
Talk to your doctor about a prescription for finasteride. Finasteride, commonly sold as Propecia, is specifically formulated for men, and should not be used or handled by women, especially if they are pregnant. Finasteride works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into dihyrotestosterone (DHT). DHT binds to androgen receptors of the hair follicles, limiting the hair root's ability to grow new hair strands. Blocking DHT from forming prevents this from occurring.
Step 3
Treat possible underlying causes of your receding hairline. A receding hairline may be the result of other scalp issues such as psoriasis or inflammation. For hair loss due to psoriasis, your doctor may be able to prescribe anthralin (Dritho-Scalp), to both treat your psoriasis and increase hair growth, according to the Mayo Clinic. For inflammation, corticosteroids can be applied topically or injected directly into the hair line to reduce swelling and restore the hair follicles' abilities to grow new hair strands.
Step 4
Consider surgical options. Hair transplant grafts, such as minigrafts, micrografts and punch grafts, can be used to transplant hair follicles from healthy hair growth areas of your scalp into your hair line. As the grafts are allowed to heal, if the procedure was effective, the new hair growth can both increase your hair line and hide any residual scarring from the procedure.
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