Receding hairline or crown? Find out where your hair loss really begins

When hair starts showing warning signs, one of the most confusing things for many is why it's falling out specifically at the temples or crown? Although both areas can be affected, understanding why it happens in one place or another makes a difference in acting effectively.

What happens in each area?

In pattern hair loss (Androgenetic Alopecia), hair follicles become more sensitive to the hormone Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These follicles "miniaturize": the hair that grows is finer, shorter, and in many cases, stops growing.

• At the temples (frontal hairline): It usually starts with a receding hairline in the temporal muscles, forming an "M" or two defined receding areas. This area is exposed to the miniaturization pattern before others.
• At the crown (vertex): Here, a more diffuse area appears, in the shape of a circle or a patch of lower density at the "top" of the scalp. It is common in the upper-rear part of the scalp.

Why do some people experience more loss at the temples and others at the crown?

The reason has to do with genetics, the location of sensitive follicles, and hormonal activity. For example:

• Follicles in the crown area may have more DHT receptors or greater activity of the 5α-reductase enzyme (which converts testosterone to DHT).
• In contrast, progression at the temples may be due to that frontal hairline being structurally more vulnerable to recession, and often acts as the "first visible front of baldness."
• Additionally, the perception of change is different: hair loss at the temples is usually noticed faster (because it alters the face's frame) than a decrease in density at the crown, which may go more unnoticed at first.

And what does this imply for treatment?

Identifying the area that is advancing first allows for earlier action, which improves results. For example:

• If you see your temples becoming more defined, the receding frontal hairline is a sign that should not be ignored.
• If you feel that your crown looks less dense, there may not be a defined bald spot yet, but thinning is underway.

In many cases, current treatments for androgenetic alopecia (such as Minoxidil) can slow down miniaturization, stimulate the follicle, and even increase hair density if used consistently.