Study of Frontal and Temporal Hairline Patterns in Japanese Subjects

Abstract

Background: The shape of the hairline is very important in a person’s identity and in determining the impression they make. Reports on the morphology of a normal hairline are still scarce. Differences in the shape of male and female hairlines in Japanese subjects are discussed in this study. Methods: A questionnaire about hairline type, the presence or absence of a widow’s peak, and measurement of the width and height of the forehead was given to 456 healthy subjects, and their responses were recorded. Results: Percentages of frontal hairline types were found to be linear (women 36.1%, men 45.9%), triangular (7.2%, 0.82%), round (38.5%, 10.7%), and M- shaped (18.2%, 42.6%). Temporal hairline types: inverted triangle (20.3%, 65.6%), inverted round (27.8%, 17.2%), straight (24.8%, 10.6%), and convex (27.2%, 6.6%). The incidence of a widow’s peak was 29.6% in women and 32.8% in men. The mean length of the mid-frontal line was 6.2 cm in women and 6.65 cm in men. Conclusions: Regarding the hairline morphology of the frontal view, two types (linear and M-shaped) accounted for 88.5% of men. In women, linear accounted for 36.1%, being relatively high, but lower than the frequency in men. Round accounted for 38.5%, being the highest. Regarding the temporal hairline, a hairless region (inverted triangle and inverted round) was noted in 82.8% of men. In women, a hairless region was present in 48.1% and was absent (straight and convex) in 51.9%. A temporal hairline with a hairless region was noted in the majority of men, whereas it was absent in slightly more cases in women.

Assessing Preferences of Facial Appearance in Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Patients

“…7 ). While our data demonstrated consistent segregation among TM, TF and assigned sex-stratified nonbinary patients with regard to hairline pattern preference, hairline patterns are variable even within cohorts of equivalent gender and race [ 19 – 21 ]. As a result, preferences for hairline pattern may be influenced by respondent baseline characteristics and their impact on gender identity related dysphoria may be more variable than other facial features.…”

“…Forehead height, shape and hairline pattern are classically described differences in masculine and feminine facial appearance that can be modified to varying degrees during FGAS [ 6 , 9 ]. The images in our frontal forehead view series range from masculine “M” and rectangular-shaped, with long, non-hair bearing forehead height, broader intertemporal distance and frontotemporal recessions to more feminine appearing foreheads typified by shorter forehead height, narrower width, and round, “bell-shaped” or apex/triangular hairline shape [ 6 , 9 , 19 – 21 ] (Fig. 2 ).…”

“…On oblique view (Fig. 3 ), which offers a better view of the frontotemporal area of the hairline, our series ranges from broad, tall masculine foreheads with frontotemporal recession to shorter, narrower feminine foreheads with either no frontotemporal recess or the presence of temporal points [ 19 – 21 ].

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