What's the difference between a receding hairline and a maturing hairline?

Question from Ian Strand.

I have recently turned 30, and I still have a good head of hair, however, I have recently noticed my hairline creeping back, ever so slightly. It's only noticeable to me at this stage, but I am worried in case it's the start of male pattern baldness.

Is it likely that I am going bald, or is it just maturing of the hairline?  

Answer:

At 30, and with a good head of hair, count yourself lucky, because many men start experiencing defuse thinning throughout their 20s. The fact you've got through your 20s with a good head of hair is a hugely positive thing. 

The slight recession at your hairline could indeed be down to one of two likely things. Because you have a good head of hair, your recession is most likely the result of a maturing hairline. If not, then it could be early stages of male pattern baldness. 

Male pattern baldness usually starts with some recession at the frontal hairline, followed by gradual thinning at the crown region of the scalp. This pattern of baldness can vary from person to person, with some men losing hair at a faster rate then others. 

However, just because you are experiencing slight recession, that does not mean you are on a fast track to baldness. Even if you are experiencing early stages of male pattern baldness, it could be a very slow process over a long period of time, and even then, this doesn't mean you will necessarily lose all you hair. 

A lot of men lose a large portion of their hair gradually, over a 20-25 year period, but they never go completely bald. Complete baldness is usually a result of early, aggressive thinning (men in their 20s), which quickly leads to baldness by their 30s or 40s. 

Because you are only noticing slight recession now, at the age of 30, it's likely that you'll see a very slow and gradual process of receding hairline over a long period of time. This is the likely scenario, but if the hair loss suddenly becomes aggressive in your 30s, then it could take you be surprise. 

A maturing hairline is simply that - a process whereby as one ages,  the hairline matures into a slight 'M' shape. Some guys experience a maturing hairline in their early 20s, but do not suffer further recession, or hair loss throughout most of their adult years.

It's perfectly normal to recede slightly, and then for it to stop. Many men, understandably, notice slight receding at the hairline and automatically think they are going to go bald, but in many cases this is simply a brief maturing phase of the hairline that does not lead to baldness. 

Evaluate the crown region of your head over the coming months, and if you notice some thinning then it's likely that you are experiencing early stages of male pattern baldness.  If you do not notice any thinning, then it's likely to be a maturing of the hairline. 

Either way, don't panic, because at this early stage of thinning, whatever the cause, you are in a strong position to treat it. There is no cure for hair loss, but there are medical and non-medical treatments that can help reduce and even stop hair thinning, which means you'll be able to hold onto your hair for a much longer period of time.