It turns out that not only is your hair type determined by your DNA, but your hairline is as well. If your hairline forms a downward v-shape towards the middle of your forehead, it’s commonly known as a widow’s peak hairline. While this might simply look like an aesthetic difference from other hairlines, it can actually indicate certain genetic conditions.
Why is a widow’s peak called that, and what does it mean?
A widow’s peak consists of a higher hairline on the sites with a lower point in the center, and it can range from subtle to dramatic on different people. There is also the reverse widow’s peak, which culminates in an inverted V-shape. This style of hairline looks even more distinctive when the hair is pulled back, highlighting it. Just like how your ancestors determine if you have wavy, straight, or curly hair, they also determine if you have a widow’s peak or a straight hairline.
The term originates from the 18th century in England. When a woman became a widow at this time, it was tradition for her to wear a black hood or hat with a triangular shape. Due to this silhouette, the point would fall towards the middle of the forehead.
What causes widow’s peak hair?
If you’ve noticed that you have a widow’s peak, it’s likely that others in your family have this hairline, too. Although scientists have not been able to determine exactly how it is inherited (i.e., if a single dominant gene causes it or if multiple genes cause it), it is often linked to various genetic conditions or abnormalities (some very rare), including Opitz G/BBB syndrome, Donnai-Barrow syndrome, Aarskog syndrome, and Frontonasal dysplasia.
