Receding hairline

    A receding hairline is thinning or backward movement of the frontal or temporal hairline. Inherited pattern loss is common, but traction and inflammatory scarring conditions can look similar. Early diagnosis matters when follicles may be permanently damaged.

    Last reviewed: November 20265 sources

    What you may notice

    • Gradual thinning at the temples
    • A higher or changing frontal hairline
    • Finer hairs near the edge
    • Eyebrow thinning
    • Redness, scaling or smooth hairless skin

    Why it can happen

    Inherited pattern loss progressively miniaturises follicles. Repeated tension from hairstyles can damage them. Frontal fibrosing alopecia causes inflammatory scarring and may also affect the eyebrows. Natural hairline variation and previous surgery can influence appearance.

    What may help

    Reducing traction can protect vulnerable follicles. Medicines may slow pattern loss or suppress inflammatory disease. Transplant planning should account for future hair loss and donor supply. In scarring alopecia, surgery needs specialist assessment after sustained inactivity; recurrence and loss of transplanted hairs remain possible.

    When to consult

    Arrange prompt dermatology assessment for rapid recession, eyebrow loss, pain, itching, redness or scaling. Even gradual recession should be diagnosed before a transplant or hairline-lowering procedure.

    Related options

    9 options

    Treatments

    Surgical procedures

    Evidence and sources

    1. DermNet. Hair loss [Internet]. Auckland: DermNet; 2023 [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/hair-loss
    2. American Academy of Dermatology. Types of hair loss [Internet]. Rosemont (IL): American Academy of Dermatology; [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/hair-loss/types
    3. DermNet. Frontal fibrosing alopecia [Internet]. Auckland: DermNet New Zealand Trust; [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/frontal-fibrosing-alopecia
    4. Lee JA, Levy DA, Patel KG, Brennan E, Oyer SL. Hair transplantation in frontal fibrosing alopecia and lichen planopilaris: a systematic review. Laryngoscope. 2021;131(1):59-66. doi: 10.1002/lary.28551.
    5. British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Hair transplant surgery [Internet]. [cited 2026 Nov 7]. Available from: https://www.bapras.org.uk/public/patient-information/surgery-guides/hair-transplant-surgery