When they look closely at their hairline, many people notice both sides of their hairline are not the same.
An asymmetrical hairline is called an uneven hairline. This issue affects both men and women.
An uneven hairline is not always a sign of hair loss or alopecia. Nothing is fully symmetrical in the human body. We are not factory-made, so it is normal to have some differences. For example, it is common for women to have one breast more prominent than the other. It applies to any pair of body parts.
However, uneven hair is sometimes an early sign of hair loss and male pattern baldness.
When to worry about an uneven hairline? What to do about this issue?
Here is everything to know!
Uneven hairline: what is it?
A hairline is said uneven when there is a significant difference between both sides of the head. This difference may be in the drawing or the density.
However, people have to keep in mind nothing is fully symmetrical in their bodies or faces. Commonly, minor asymmetries appear as the body grows. There is no need to worry.
In the case of the hairline, the asymmetry may be mild and barely noticeable. Others have a much more noticeable difference between both sides of their hairline. Sometimes, a hair loss affects one side of the head more than the other, which leads to an uneven hairline.
A common cause of hair loss is male pattern baldness. This condition, also known as androgenic alopecia, is due to androgen. This hormone is responsible for manly features and sexual function, but its action often leads to hair loss. Androgen action may be more prominent on one side of the head, leading to an uneven hairline.
Uneven hairline: the causes
However, several factors are causing an uneven hairline.
Here they are:
- Genetics
Just like any part of our body, the hairline may be unsymmetrical. Genetics determine hairline and hair implantation and any other facial or body features.
Genes and alleles have variants and pass to children, giving them a unique appearance.
An uneven hairline may be a genetic trait if several family members have it. In this case, it is not a sign of a pathology.
- Traction alopecia
Various hairstyles cause tensions on hair roots and often lead to traction alopecia. This type of alopecia touches more women than men and is prevalent among black communities, as they tend to do more tight braids.
The tight hairstyles such as braids or dreadlocks pull on the hair roots, leading the hair follicles to enter the rest steps of their life cycle earlier.
Excessive brushing on some head areas may also lead to an asymmetrical look as more hair will fall on one side than on the other.
This type of alopecia is not permanent, and the hair most likely grows back a few months later. However, it is hard to live with for many women, especially if traction alopecia appears on a visible area of the head, such as the hairline.
- Androgenic alopecia
As mentioned before, the male pattern baldness often leads to uneven hairline if it affects one side of the head more than the other.
The first symptom of androgenic alopecia is hair thinning on the crown and the hairline. It often starts with the temple going deeper and can be faster on one side than the other.
Androgenic alopecia is a widespread condition among men. 70% of them face this condition sooner or later in their lives.
Androgenic alopecia causes permanent hair loss.
However, all men with androgenic alopecia do not have an uneven hairline. The most common early signs are hairline receding, often starting with the temples, and a more significant amount of hair strands lost every day. A typical hair loss of 100 strands a day is a normal part of the hair cycle, while a more critical hair loss for an extended period is often a sign of alopecia.
Treatments for an uneven hairline
There are various causes of an uneven hairline; there are multiple treatments.
Treating traction alopecia is relatively simple. When the hair follicles are not damaged, the hair grows back by itself in the less severe cases. To avoid losing hair again, the best thing to do is not to braid hair too tight. However, some women, often from black communities who had tight braids for an extended time and used some harmful products, may have damaged their hair follicles so the hair won’t grow back. In those cases, the only way to get a good hairline is a hair transplant.
Some skin conditions may cause uneven hairlines. The best way to treat them is to consult a doctor.
Androgenic alopecia is tough to cure, as androgen has a crucial role in men’s health. Some medicines block its production to avoid hair loss. However, blocking androgen production leads to serious side effects such as sexual dysfunction, mood swings, or the apparition of feminine features. The best way to counter androgenic alopecia’s effects without endangering health is to undergo a hair transplant.
Hair transplant is a surgical procedure aiming to cover bald spots with androgen-resistant hair.
