What’s a Widow’s Peak Hairline?

Does your hairline resemble a downward V-shape? If it comes together at the center of your forehead, you’ve got a widow’s peak hairline. This simply means your hairline is higher on the sides and lower in the middle. While some people have a very noticeable widow’s peak, others have a more subtle one. A great way to tell if you have one is by pulling your hair back into a ponytail. So, what causes a widow’s peak, and is there a way to highlight or reduce its appearance?  We’ll cover this and more within this guide, so read on!

Why is it Called a Widow’s Peak?

You may be wondering, “What does a widow’s peak mean?” This term is thought to have originated in the 18th-century. The tradition was that when a husband passed away, the wife would wear a black triangular hood with the point falling in the middle of the forehead. Today, this term is used to describe someone’s hairline that resembles this same look. 

What Causes a Widow’s Peak? 

The cause of a widow’s peak is unknown, but is most likely tied in with genetics. It’s possible that if you have one, someone else in your family history had one as well. There isn’t enough research to state that a widow’s peak is a result of genetics; however, there are studies associating it with a few genetic conditions like: 

• Aarskog Syndrome. This is a rare genetic disorder that mainly affects males. It’s characterized by short stature and abnormalities of the limbs, face, and genitals.
• Donnai-Barrow Syndrome. This condition is caused by mutations in the LRP2 gene. It causes unusual features of the eyes, ears, and nose.

It’s likely if you have a widow’s peak, you’ve inherited it from a previous relative; however, you can also develop one later in life as your hairline begins to recede.

How to Highlight the Appearance of a Widow’s Peak

Widow’s peaks can be incredibly attractive, and there are hairstyles for both men and women that will highlight it. Show off your widow’s peak by slicking your hair back. Slick it back using some gel or hairspray. If you’ve got long hair, it’s as easy as pulling hair back in a ponytail or bun. This is the most popular way to show off your widow’s peak.

How to Reduce the Appearance of a Widow’s Peak

Now, if you’re not a big fan of your hairline, there are some ways to reduce its appearance. For instance: 

• Avoid slicking your hair back or away from the forehead, as this will expose your widow’s peak. 
• Wear bangs or headbands to soften your hairline and de-emphasize the appearance.
• If you’re a male, consider going bald. This is a sure-fire way to eliminate a widow’s peak (we do understand that the bald look isn’t for everyone). 

Now, there is also a way to remove it completely, but we only recommend this when you’ve tried reducing the appearance and had no luck.

Can You Remove Your Widow’s Peak?

If you’re not a fan of your widow’s peak and want it removed completely, you do have some options (that don’t involve going bald). We highly recommend talking to your barber or hairstylist about hair removal techniques. 

Short Term Options

Some short-term options include tweezing, waxing, and depilatories. However, these solutions can be a hit or a miss. It’s recommended to go with a professional stylist to get any of these services done. If you absolutely hate the way your hairline looks afterward, don’t worry since your hair will grow back. It’s the permanent options you need to be cautious of, which we’ll cover next.

Permanent Options 

For more permanent options, you can try laser hair removal or electrolysis. Laser hair removal uses light energy to destroy hair follicles and prevent hair from growing back. Electrolysis is an old-school way to remove individual hairs using heat or energy. This prevents new growth. We suggest trying some short-term strategies before a permanent one just to be sure you won’t regret getting rid of your widow’s peak.

The Takeaway 

There you have it! No need to wonder, “what’s a widow’s peak hairline” anymore. It’s a V-shaped hairline that’s very distinctive. While some people downplay their widow’s peak, others choose to show it off! What you do is a matter of personal preference; however, we hope you’ve found the information you’ve been looking for right here with us!