Is this a mature hairline? What Norwood would this be? (Photo)

Question

Thick hair, no hair fall but worried about receding hairline. Is this a matured hairline?

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo.

Based on what you’ve described — thick hair, no noticeable hair fall, and concern about your hairline shape — what you're experiencing appears to be consistent with a mature hairline, not necessarily early balding.

A mature hairline typically occurs in males between ages 17–30 and involves a slight recession at the temples compared to the juvenile hairline. It's a normal, age-related shift where the hairline moves slightly higher, often forming a more “M” shaped pattern without associated thinning or shedding.

From the photo and your history:

There’s no sign of diffuse thinning, crown loss, or miniaturized hairs, which often accompany male pattern hair loss.

The hairline appears to be slightly receded at the temples but stable — this is characteristic of a Norwood 1 or 2, with Norwood 2 still considered within the range of a mature hairline.

Key Features of a Mature Hairline:
Recedes up to 1–1.5 cm above the highest wrinkle on the forehead.

Usually stabilizes and doesn't progress without genetic hair loss.

No shedding or thinning behind the hairline.

Unless you begin to notice miniaturization, widening of the temples, or increased hair shedding, there’s no reason to be concerned about male pattern baldness at this stage. Continue monitoring over time, but your hair appears healthy and stable.

Anil R. Shah, MD · Answer

Hello! My name is Jessica, I am a physician assistant, and one of the providers at Aesthetic Skin in Winnetka and Chicago. This is a great question. Having thick hair without significant hair fall is a positive sign, but concerns about a receding hairline are understandable, especially as hairlines can change with age. What you might be experiencing could be a natural maturation of your hairline, which is common in many individuals. To address your concerns and promote overall hair health, consider exploring treatments like PRP (platelet-rich plasma) or exosome injections. PRP involves drawing a small amount of your blood, processing it to concentrate the growth factors, and injecting it into the scalp to stimulate hair follicles and promote growth. Exosome therapy is a newer approach that uses growth factors derived from stem cells to enhance hair restoration. Both treatments can support hair vitality and potentially slow down any further recession. I hope this helps and best of luck!

Is this a mature hairline? What Norwood would this be? (Photo)

Answers (2)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Is this a mature hairline? What Norwood would this be? (Photo)

Answers (2)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Hair Loss Treatment

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.