THE BELGRAVIA CENTRE HAIR LOSS BLOG

A widow’s peak is a very distinctive V-shaped hairline that appears to varying degrees in both men and women, but the correct term for a man with this shaped hairline is a widower’s peak. You can check if you have a widow’s peak by pulling your hair away from your forehead to reveal your hairline. If you have a descending V-shaped point in the middle of the hairline above your forehead, you’ve got a widow’s peak. It may not be anything to worry about but, if you notice certain changes such as a more prominent outline and thinning hair on top, it could be an indicator of the early stages of male pattern baldness.

As people age and their hair starts to thin, their hairlines often recede, making widows’ peaks more prominent. Frontal hair loss is probably the toughest hair loss problem a man has to deal with because it comes first and is right out front for the world to see. If this happens it can cause a lot of concern but there are ways to treat a receding widow’s peak – some options are effective and some not quite so effective so let’s take a look at the popular solutions and find out which treatment is best.

Hair Transplant

After a few months, when the transplanted hair follicles start to proliferate, a hair transplant might appear to have been a good choice. The procedure involves harvesting active hair follicles from parts of the scalp that are still producing hair and using them to fertilise barren bald patches, such as an extremely receded widow’s peak. It is still essential however to use a preventative treatment that works in order to prevent hair that still remain from shedding.

Natural Hair Loss Products

Natural supplements may seem like a wholesome way to treat hair loss and correct a receding widow’s peak but, because there are no specific regulations regarding the testing, administation and marketing of these products, there is no way to be sure that they will have a positive effect on hair loss. Hair supplements such as Nourkrin, Procerin, and Hair Vitalics contain ingredients that could benefit the quality and health of the hair, but there  there is no conclusive evidence to indicate that they can prevent or reverse hair loss. Then again, there is no evidence to say that they cannot.

Propecia

Propecia is particularly beneficial for the frontal and crown regions of the scalp. Years of extensive studies conclude that Propecia “increases hair counts and results in new scalp hair - noticeable to the patient, investigator and an expert panel of dermatologists reviewing global photographs. Improvements in the appearance of hair as well as slowing of hair loss were…observed.” However, the study admits that there is not sufficient evidence that Propecia works for receding hairlines at the widow’s peak.Propecia is the only tablet with scientific evidence and FDA-approval to treat hair loss is men. It is the most effective treatment in halting the balding process and preventing further hair loss and has also been proven to generate new hair growth.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil was declared an effective treatment for hair loss in 1986. Although the mechanisms of minoxidil are not wholly understood, it is licensed by the MHRA for the treatment of hair loss and FDA approved. It is a vasodilator and although there are a lot of vasodilator products, no others have been found to prevent or reverse hair loss. It is believed that minoxidil works by increasing blood circulation to the scalp by opening up potassium channels. One study listed in the Dermatology Times says that “visible, photographically evident improvements were seen in the frontal scalp regions of 51 percent of men using 5 percent minoxidil, 42 percent using 2 percent minoxidil, and 13 percent of placebo users.” 

However, minoxidil is a dose-dependent drug, meaning the stronger the concentration of minoxidil, the more effective it will be. The minoxidil 12.5% cream has shown superior results in generating hair growth from the most stubborn areas such as the widow’s peak. 

The Conclusion

Hair transplants might be a quick fix for hair loss but they are not effective in the long term and especially not effective for treating widow’s peak. While natural hair supplements can promote healthy hair for optimum hair growth, supplements are not an all-round effective solution for hair loss or a widow’s peak. The best treatment for a widow’s peak and genetic hair loss in general is actually a comprehensive hair loss treatment course that incoprates the medicines that have been clinically proven and licensed. 

For more information, take a look at the hair loss video diaries of one young man with hair loss. He discusses the treatment program and compares his own before and during treatment photos.

If you’re widow’s peak is causing you concern or you’re starting to worry about the general thinning of your hair, arrange a free consultation with a hair loss specialist at the Belgravia Centre. Alternatively, the comprehensive online diagnostic form facilitates the availability of expert advice and individual treatment courses to anybody around the world.

Where did the name “widow’s peak” come from?
According to a 19th century superstition, women with this physical feature would outlive their husbands, hence the name widow’s peak. It is of course no prediction of longevity – simply a dominant genetic trait which can be seen in people of all ages and backgrounds all around the world. Famous brandishers of the widow’s peak include Jude Law and John Travolta.

More Information:
Hair Loss in Men
Hair Loss Success Stories
The Most Effective Hair Loss Treatments

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