Is My Wide Hair Part a Sign of Hair Loss?

If you’ve recently peered in the mirror and noticed a wider part in your hair, you might worry whether it’s a sign of hair loss.

The bad news: Yes, a wide hair part can be a sign of female pattern hair loss. It could also be caused by other issues.

The good news: There are ways to slow down hair loss. (We’re here to help with that!)

Depending on the type of hair loss you’re experiencing, it may get worse over time — so don’t stick your head in the sand. Rather take a proactive approach and figure out your next step to preventing further hair loss.

In this article, we’ll dive into the root causes of a wide hair part, along with tips on what you can do to fix it — both instantly and for the long-run.

Just like flaking on plans can be a red flag for a partner, a wide hair part can be a red flag for your hair’s health.

In fact, a widening hair part is one of the early signs of female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia, androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern baldness.

With male pattern baldness, the telltale signs of hair loss are usually a receding hairline or thinning over the crown of the head, resulting in a bald spot.

The signs of female pattern hair loss include diffuse hair loss (hair shedding all over the scalp) that first usually appears around your part line.

This can gradually become more severe, resulting in noticeable hair loss and a wider (and sadly, even wider) hair part as a clear pattern of hair loss develops.

Over time, as hair follicle damage intensifies, a widening part line can develop into a “Christmas tree” pattern, with a wide part line at the front that narrows as it moves towards the back of your scalp.

When left untreated, female pattern hair loss typically worsens over time. As time continues, your hair follicles become damaged, which means they’re unable to grow new hairs.

But there’s hope: There are steps you can to slow down hair shedding. You might even be able to regrow hair that you lost. We’ll cover that later.

There are many different causes of hair loss in women — and although female pattern hair loss is relatively common, it’s certainly not the only explanation for your widening hair part.

Hair thinning at the hair part can be caused by a number of issues. Let’s explore a few of those reasons below.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen effluvium is a temporary form of hair loss. It happens when a sudden shock or change to your system affects hair in the telogen phase — that is, the resting phase — of the hair growth cycle.

If you experience telogen effluvium, you might first notice hair loss a few months after you encounter the trigger.

Telogen effluvium can be caused by:

• Severe or chronic stress. No, it’s not just in your head. Stress and sudden trauma can lead to temporary hair loss. Our article on stress hair loss is an enlightening resource if you want to dig a little deeper.

• Infections and illnesses. Telogen effluvium can also be caused by fever or a sudden illness, like COVID-19 or a bad case of the flu.

• Surgery. Remember that surgery is a shock to your system, also, even if it’s necessary. You might notice some hair loss a few months after surgery.

• Medications. Certain prescription treatments can cause hair loss from medication. If you’ve experienced sudden hair loss and recently started taking a new medication, you may want to check in with your healthcare provider.

• Trauma and shock. Just like a sudden illness, surgery can cause stress on your body, leading to telogen effluvium. If you’ve recently had surgery or underwent some other shock to your system, this can also be a factor.

• Changes in hormone levels. Hormones can trigger hair loss. It’s common to experience postpartum hair loss (which is typically telogen effluvium) and post-menopausal hair loss (which is usually female pattern hair loss).

• Dieting and malnutrition. Without the right nutrients, your body will struggle to produce hair cells. Eating a well-balanced diet is key to healthy hair growth. If you’re a picky eater or have been restricting your food intake, you may experience hair loss. Read up about the best foods for healthy hair.

Traction Alopecia

Traction alopecia is a type of hair loss that occurs when you put constant tension on your hair follicles — think ballerina buns, slicked-back ponytails, and tight braids.

Learn more about ponytail hair loss in our article if you think this may be an issue for you.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, this form of hair loss can also occur from constant exposure to heat styling and chemical treatments. These can damage hair, leading to hair breakage, increased hair fall, and permanent hair loss.

Fortunately, there are a few different hair loss treatments that can help slow down hair fall and, in some cases, encourage hair regrowth. Here are some top hair growth strategies.

Take Action Early with Minoxidil

One of the most popular treatments for hair loss is minoxidil, commonly sold under the brand name Rogaine®. Available as a topical or oral medication, it stimulates hair growth.

Topical minoxidil is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for female pattern hair loss.

Unlike a lot of other hair loss treatments, minoxidil also has the data to back up its effectiveness. In a 2014 placebo-controlled trial, researchers found that both 2% and 5% versions of topical minoxidil improved hair thinning.

Though its exact mechanism of action is still unknown, it’s believed to work by encouraging more oxygen, blood, and nutrients to the hair follicle. It seems to shift hair follicles into the growth phase of the hair growth cycle, enabling it to grow for longer.

If you’re interested in trying minoxidil, Hers offers the following kinds:

• Minoxidil drops. This 2% solution uses a dropper to be applied directly to the areas you’re experiencing thinning (like along your part).

• Oral minoxidil. If you’d rather not change your styling routine, this once-a-day pill is also a great option. Plus, studies have shown that low-dose oral minoxidil can be an effective treatment of numerous hair disorders.

• Topical finasteride and minoxidil spray. This spray-on combination of hair loss treatments is primarily prescribed for postmenopausal women who are experiencing female pattern hair loss.

Topical minoxidil is available over the counter, making it a fairly accessible hair loss treatment. But if you’re not sure about whether it’ll work for you, it’s worth speaking with a healthcare professional.

Try Spironolactone for Hormonal Changes

If you think you’re experiencing female pattern hair loss, spironolactone is another treatment worth consideration.

Spironolactone helps hair growth by decreasing the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that causes pattern hair loss.

Doctors may also prescribe spironolactone to help hirsutism (unwanted body hair growth) and acne, due to its effects on androgens. These issues are especially common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

If it seems like you’ve been dealing with blemishes along with a wider part, talk to your healthcare provider about spironolactone. They can determine the best dosage for you.

Antiandrogen drugs like spironolactone are potentially teratogenic, meaning they may cause fetal abnormalities. If you opt for spironolactone, it’s a good idea to use a reliable form of birth control. If you’re planning to conceive soon or you’re already pregnant, you’ll need to consider another treatment option.

Camouflage Your Hair Part

Back in the day, celebrity hairstylists used eyeshadow to cover up their clients’ scalps so their hair would look thicker on the red carpet. Today, there are products made for exactly that. Hair powders usually contain pigment and fibers to help conceal scalp so thinning hair looks fuller.

Hair Transplant Surgery for Advanced Hair Loss

While surgery might seem major, it can be helpful when other hair loss treatments just don’t do the trick. Hair transplant surgery involves transplanting individual follicles of hair from one location to another. If you’re interested in this option, our guide to hair transplants for women will give you more details on all you need to know.

Lifestyle Habits for Healthy Hair

Healthy hair is part genetics, part environmental, and part lifestyle factors. Using the right hair care products, giving those strands a little TLC, and ensuring you eat a healthy diet are important for getting a lush head of hair. Some things you can do include:

• Eat a balanced diet. Hair health starts with the right nutrients. If you think you may have a nutritional deficiency, try a supplement like our multivitamin gummies.

• Address your hair care routine. Try a volume shampoo to increase your hair density, give yourself circulation-boosting scalp massages, and keep your scalp clean. Learn more in our guide to scalp care.

• Avoid excessive heat styling. Blow dry your hair on the lowest heat setting and continuously move your hair dryer to avoid damaging your hair. Avoid using hair straighteners, curling irons, and hot combs too often.

• Be gentle on your hair. Detangle hair slowly, avoid yanking a brush aggressively through your strands, and try looser hairstyles that don’t put pressure on your hair follicles.

• If you smoke, here’s another reason to quit: Smoking can damage your hair’s DNA and contribute to hair loss.

If you want to learn more, check out our comprehensive guides on how to get stronger hair and reduce hair breakage.

Noticing a suddenly wide part can feel alarming — but there are specific steps you can take to help narrow the gap. Honestly, treating hair loss is probably easier than you think.

Here’s what you should take away from this:

• Figure out the root cause. Whether it’s stress-related hair loss or androgenic alopecia, knowing what you’re dealing with will help you figure out the best hair loss treatment.  Your healthcare provider should be able to help here.

• Know your treatment options. Different types of hair loss call for different measures. Try changing up your routine with hair-thickening shampoos, rounding out your diet with a vitamin like biotin, or taking medications like minoxidil and spironolactone.

• Practice patience. Hair loss can be complicated to treat, and hair growth can take time. Be consistent with your treatment and wait at least three to four months to determine if your regimen is working.

If you want to learn more about your options to treat hair loss, our guide to female pattern baldness can help you dig deeper.

If you’ve already made the decision to work with a science-backed hair loss treatment today, meet with one of our medical providers online from the comfort of your home, easy peasy.