9 Easy Ways to Treat and Prevent a Receding Hairline

Consult With Your Doctor About Finasteride

Finasteride is the generic form of Propecia. “It blocks the enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT,” says James. In higher doses, finasteride is used to treat prostate issues, but it is prescribed for hair loss in 1 mg daily doses. Since DHT is the primary culprit for shriveling up your hair follicles, finasteride nearly eliminates rapid hair loss. (As you age, you will still experience loss, but far less drastically if you use finasteride.) 

But because finasteride comes with some major warnings, you can only have it prescribed by your dermatologist. “Anyone using finasteride should consult with their physicians about potential side effects of this medication resulting from the significant decrease of a potent male hormone,” says Turner. One infrequent side effect can be the loss of sex drive or even the ability to get erections. And secondly, as James points out, ceasing your finasteride intake will cause hair loss to continue at its original, natural rate. So, once you start, you should plan on continuing it, barring any side effects. 

Use Haircare with Minoxidil

Minoxidil, the generic of Rogaine, is available over the counter. Essentially, this topical solution (and sometimes oral supplement) increases blood flow and nutrient delivery to the hair follicles, keeping them stronger and healthier as long as you use the drug. It is especially effective on the crown of the head and can even revive dormant follicles (those that have failed to produce hair for as long as a year or more) and can, in turn, prevent them from drying up forever. This is why, after about six months of using minoxidil, you’ll notice your hair is thicker around the crown. That’s because your individual hairs are stronger and fuller, but also because you’ve likely revived a bunch of dormant follicles before it was too late.

“Minoxidil will increase the duration of anagen stage (the growth stage of each hair follicle),” says James. She adds this warning: “For the first few weeks of using minoxidil, you will experience a small amount of shedding. This is called telogen release. It is normal and will subside within three weeks.”

When used preventatively against hair recession, minoxidil can have the same impact: It can keep hairs stronger and delay recession. However, like finasteride, it cannot restore any hairs lost to recession. “No robust studies have determined the efficacy of minoxidil to the receding hairline,” says Dr. Turner. “But we understand it to have some efficacy there [in preventing loss] by increasing blood flow to the area.”

Typically, men should use the 5% topical solution, while women should opt for the 2% options.

Take Saw Palmetto Supplements

If you want a natural approach to preventing hair loss, James recommends saw palmetto. It can be found in some shampoos and conditioners and can also be taken as a vitamin supplement. “Studies have shown that this herb reduces the production of DHT from testosterone very similar to finasteride,” she notes. “Combined with topical minoxidil, it can be very beneficial.”

While studies can’t prove that saw palmetto is as potent against hair loss as finasteride, the results lean towards favorable. One study summarized an examination of 34 men and 28 women (18 to 48 years) with topical saw palmetto extract via lotions and shampoos for three months. This application “led to a 35 percent increase in hair density and a 67 percent increase in sebum reduction.”

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

It will come as no surprise that leading a healthy, active lifestyle will also significantly benefit your hairline. “Stress reduction is an important component to managing hair loss,” says Dr. Turner. Stress can come from bad behaviors, like smoking, drug use, alcohol consumption, high sugar intake, poor rest, dehydration, malnutrition, and more. You can even consider adding hair-friendly supplements to your regimen, many of which even target hair growth specifically. 

“Most of us are depleted in vitamin D,” James points out. “Vitamin D has proven to be very beneficial in helping with hair loss and strengthening hair. So are B-complex vitamins, which contribute to hair density and quality of the hair shaft.” And that’s to name a few. Dr. Turner adds biotin to the roster of good supplements (along with saw palmetto) since it can fortify hair and help it grow faster and stronger. He also tells his patients about the potential benefits of essential oil application: “Peppermint oil has some limited data that it may stimulate hair growth by increasing blood flow to the area. In addition, rosemary oil, lavender oil, and tea tree oil have limited evidence as natural options to help regrow hair for those looking for alternative options.”

Get Familiar with PRP and LLLT

PRP and LLLT are two next-level methods used to keep hair strong. They stand for Plasma-Rich Platelets and Low-Level Laser Therapy, both of which are worth inquiring about with your doctor if you're serious about gaining your hair back and have the cash to do so.

With PRP, a blood sample is extracted from the patient’s arm, and then it is placed in a centrifuge to separate the plasma from the blood. “Plasma contains certain proteins and growth factors that may help cellular repair and regrowth of hair follicles,” Dr. Turner says. This is why the plasma is then injected around the head to jumpstart hair follicles and boost hair growth and strength.

Then there is LLLT. “Low-level laser therapy is an emerging method to treat hair loss, as it may stimulate cellular regrowth and improve blood circulation,” Dr. Turner says. 

These technologies, along with other emerging techniques, can evolve quickly. They’re often quite expensive, too. So, it’s important to speak with your doctor about effective treatments that work for you.

Pick Up a Scalp Massager

For some—but not all—regular scalp massages can help increase hair growth. "Scalp massagers can cause mechanical stress on the scalp, potentially leading to alterations in gene expression," board-certified dermatologist Aleta Simmons, MD, told us, adding that they could lead to increased hair thickness.

Switch Up Your Haircut

It might sound minor, but you'd be shocked at how much your haircut can change how you feel about your receding hairline. Avoid too much length—which will draw attention to thinning strands—and instead, consider opting for shorter styles like crew cuts or buzz cuts.

Consider a Hair Transplant (Seriously)

If the hair is gone, the only way to fill that hairline back in is a hair transplant. And don’t let that scare you—transplants are much more effective (and extremely realistic) these days compared to the plugs of the past. Doctors can now implant hairs uniformly, densely, and at the proper angle of growth. They can also do so without leaving any scar tissue at the donor site (the rear of your head). While hair transplants can be expensive in the U.S., they’re much more cost-friendly—and every bit as effective—if you get them overseas.

And since they take the hairs from the rear of your head—hair that is not genetically designed to recede, thin, and fall out—the effects are lasting. Though, be warned: You will need to keep taking other proactive measures, like finasteride and minoxidil, to keep the rest of your hair full and strong.

Try an LED Light Therapy Treatment

Red and infrared lights stimulate collagen production and, therefore, can encourage hair growth when used consistently. Ask your dermatologist about in-office treatments, but there are also at-home devices such as Currentbody's LED Hair Regrowth Device ($859), which promises visible results after just 16 weeks.