Is It Genetic Hair Loss or a Mature Hairline? (with Photos)

I know my hairline has receded in the last few years, but I’m not sure if I’m showing signs of genetic hairloss or if it is a mature hairline. I’ve been to a dermatologist and a thricologist and neither seemed to take a serious look and just said it didn’t look to bad, but I wasn’t really convinced.

I am a 25 year old male. My dad is bald and probably started balding in his 20’s, my older half brother is bald and my two uncles on my mother’s side are bald. My mother’s father never went bald but had a high hairline, and my dad’s father started balding probably in his 50’s. I’ve realised that I’ve always had a fairly high hairline, and it has always been a bit higher on my right side. I can remember I used to part my fringe a certain way when I used to gel my hair when I was in my mid teens.

In terms of just measurements, my hairline corner (right side) is 1 inch above my wrinkled brow, and 2.5 inches above my eye brow. The middle of my hairline is 1 inch lower than that. The hairs in the corners of my hairline seem finer and less dense I think so I don’t know if that means it’s going to move up higher up.

Thanks again and thanks for the site, it’s very helpful. I wish I could stop by in person but unfortunately I’m on the other side of the Atlantic.

Click the photos to enlarge:

You sent a lot of photos, but I chose the above three that tend to show the best angles. Thanks for sending them.

It appears that you have a Norwood class 3V balding pattern (not a maturing hairline) and the frontal area appears to be thinning where you have hair. The crown is early in the balding process. The photos aren’t the crispest or in the best light, so it is difficult to really make any specific determination. You need to see a good dermatologist or hair transplant doctor to be evaluated. Medications like Propecia (finasteride) are the only way you may halt the progression of the hair loss.

Since you’re on the other side of the Atlantic, you can visit Dr. Bessam Farjo in London or Manchester. Or if you happen to be planning a trip out to Los Angeles, we’d be happy to see you.