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Inlets are not always a sign that you are going bald. In most men, the hairline shifts slightly between the late teens and early adulthood: a so-called mature hairline. It shifts evenly, usually about 1 to 2 centimeters, and then stops.[2] If your temples continue to recede further, the hairline becomes a clear M-shape and the hairs at the front become thinner, this is more likely to indicate hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia).[2] In men, this usually starts exactly there: on the forehead and temples.[1] You can read this article how to recognize the difference, which 5 signals matter and what you can and cannot do about it.
Contents
- What exactly are inlets?
- How do you tell the difference between a mature and a receding hairline?
- Which 5 signals indicate the onset of baldness?
- How common is hereditary hair loss for?
- What can you do about inlets?
- Does minoxidil also work on inlets?
- When do you go to the doctor?
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources
What exactly are inlets?
Inlets are the places above your temples where the hairline is further back than in the center of your forehead. A little cove is quite common. Children usually have a straight or slightly curved hairline, which changes shape as you get older.[2] The maturation of the hairline can take place over a period of 10 years or longer.[2]
The word "coves" therefore says nothing about the cause. The main question is: will it remain a small shift, or will it continue?
How do you tell the difference between a mature and a receding hairline?
The difference is four things: when it happens, how far it goes, what shape it takes, and whether the hair itself becomes thinner.[2]
| Feature | Mature hairline | Receeding hairline |
|---|---|---|
| When | Late teens and early adulthood | Common later, and it continues |
| Shape | Moves up quite evenly | M shape, temples recede deeper |
| How far | About 1 to 2 cm, then it stops | Can be 2.5 cm or more become |
| Hair thickness | Hairs remain the same thickness | Hairs of varying thickness, thinner and finer |
| Crown | No change | Can also become thinner later |
Sources for this table: mature and receding hairline[2], the pattern of inlets followed by a thinner crown[3].
Which 5 signals indicate the onset of baldness?
No signal in itself is a diagnosis. If you see several at the same time, there is a greater chance that it is hereditary hair loss.
- Your temples continue to recede. A mature hairline stops after a few centimeters. A receding hairline continues to advance and the M-shape becomes deeper.[2]
- The hairs at the front become finer. If you see a mix of thick and thin, shorter hairs at the hairline, this indicates hair follicles that are becoming smaller. This is part of hereditary hair loss.[2][3]
- Your crown also becomes thinner. In men, hereditary hair loss often starts with inlets on both sides, after which the crown can also become thinner.[3]
- Baldness runs in your family. Hereditary hair loss is largely determined by predisposition and the influence of male hormones.[1]
- You can see the difference in photos. A hairline changes slowly, so it is hardly noticeable in the mirror. Every few months, take a photo under the same light, straight from the front and above, and compare.
How common is hereditary hair loss?
Very common. About 60% of men sooner or later become partially or completely bald.[1] Around the age of 30, about 30% of men already have hereditary hair loss, and in men of European descent this increases to about 50% around the age of fifty.[3] It usually only becomes visible after the age of 40. Important to know: the younger it starts, the greater the chance that you will eventually become completely bald.[1]
Are you in your early twenties and do you clearly see more than a small, even shift? Then it pays not to wait too long.
What can you do about indentations?
You don't have to treat a mature hairline: that's just what a mature hairline looks like. For hereditary hair loss, there are two treatments with proven effect: minoxidil on the scalp (foam or lotion) and finasteride (a prescription tablet).[1] Both only work as long as you use them. If you stop, the hair loss usually returns.[1]
| Option | Form | Proof | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minoxidil 5% | Foam or lotion, without prescription | Proven effect | Continue to use, do not under 18 |
| Finasteride | Tablet, by prescription | Proven effect | Possible sexual and psychological side effects |
| Hair transplant | Clinic intervention | Can work for some of the men | Often expensive, variable results |
| Vitamins and minerals | Supplement | Mostly pointless without a proven deficiency | Have a deficiency diagnosed first |
Source for this table: Health and Science.[1]
Does minoxidil also work on indentations?
Minoxidil 5% is intended for men with a receding hairline and for men who are balding on the crown.[4] In a randomized study with 70 men with moderate hereditary hair loss, the participants applied minoxidil foam 5% or a placebo foam to both the temples and the crown twice a day for 24 weeks. Total hair thickness at the temples increased significantly more than with placebo, and participants rated their hair as fuller in both areas.[5] The number of hairs at the temples did not increase significantly in that study. So be realistic: minoxidil can help thicken the hair at the front and slow down further loss, but there is no guarantee that a deep inlet will grow fully again.
This is how you use it according to the package leaflet: apply a dose (1 gram for foam) twice a day to the areas with hair loss, also directly on the inlets. Some men see results after 2 months, others only after 4 months.[4] You may temporarily lose more hair in the first weeks; Read more about this in our article about minoxidil shedding. What you can expect per month is in the timeline of minoxidil results.
Foam dries quickly and runs less, useful for applying precisely to the temples.
Lotion with pipette, for those who want to persevere longer at a lower price per month.
Who needs to pay extra attention?
Minoxidil is not suitable for everyone. Do not use it if you are under 18 years old. If you have a heart condition, such as a heart rhythm disorder or an abnormal heartbeat, consult your doctor first.[4] Minoxidil 5% for men is not intended for women, and not during pregnancy or breastfeeding.[4] If you develop unexpected complaints during use, stop and contact your doctor or pharmacist. Always read the package leaflet. If you have a sensitive scalp that itches or becomes red quickly, a lotion with less alcohol may be more pleasant.
Minoxidil 5% in a lotion with little alcohol, for those who suffer from itching or drought.
When do you go to the doctor?
Inflammations that develop slowly are usually hereditary. Do go to the doctor if:
- your hair falls out suddenly or unexpectedly; the doctor will first look for a cause[1];
- you develop smooth, bald spots; this is more likely to be associated with alopecia areata than with hereditary hair loss[1];
- you see bald spots with flakes or redness; this may indicate a fungal infection[1];
- you are unsure whether you can use minoxidil safely, for example because of your heart or blood pressure.
Minoxidil is not the solution in these situations; then first finding the cause is central. If the picture is not clear, your GP can refer you to a dermatologist.[1]
Frequently asked questions
Are inlets normal at the age of 18?
Often they are. Around the late teens and early adulthood, most men's hairline shifts slightly. As long as this is even, limited to about 1 to 2 cm and the hair remains the same thickness, it is usually a mature hairline. Please note: minoxidil is not intended for young people under 18.
Can indentations grow back?
A mature hairline will not grow back, but it does not need to be treated either. In hereditary hair loss, minoxidil can thicken the hair at the temples and slow down further loss, but whether a deep indentation grows back to maturity varies per person. There is no guarantee.
How long should I try minoxidil for indentations?
According to the package leaflet, some men see results after 2 months and others only after 4 months. If you do not see any new hair growth after 4 months, discuss whether you should continue.
Do vitamins or supplements help against hair loss?
Hereditary hair loss usually does not occur. Vitamins and minerals such as iron and zinc are especially useful if a deficiency has been proven.
What happens if I stop taking minoxidil?
The effect then stops. According to the package leaflet, newly grown hair can fall out again and the situation is usually back to normal within 3 to 4 months as before the treatment.
Do you want to tackle your indentations?
Start early, use it twice a day and give it at least 4 months.
View minoxidil foam 5% →120 day money back guarantee · Free shipping from €40 · Ordered before 11:00 PM, shipped today
This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are as of October 2026.
Sources
- Health and Science (Cebam): Hair Loss
- Perfect Hair Health: Mature Hairline vs Receding: How to Tell the Difference (English)
- Jang WS et al. (2013), Annals of Dermatology: The Annual Changes of Clinical Manifestation of Androgenetic Alopecia Clinic in Korean Males and Females (English)
- Medicine Evaluation Board, Medicines Information Bank: Package leaflet Minoxidil Linn 50 mg/g cutaneous foam
- Hillmann K et al. (2015), Skin Pharmacology and Physiology: A Single-Centre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Minoxidil Topical Foam in Frontotemporal and Vertex Androgenetic Alopecia in Men (English)
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