Have you ever noticed the front V-shaped hairline of any famous celebrity like Gary Cooper or Brad Pitt & wondered if they have adopted this hairstyle? Are you really crazy about this hairstyle? Then, know that this is not any new hairstyle adopted by them. This is a genetic condition that they are having, as most people have. And this hairline is called widow peak.
But, what does this widow’s peak exactly look like? And, is this front-sided hairline attractive or repulsive? Come! Let us glide deep into it:
What Is A Widow’s Peak?
Widows peak hairline is a kind of hairline that comes together & bows down at your forehead’s central part to form a ‘V’ shape.
A V-shaped Widows peak hairline is elevated on the sides. Its low point is stretched in the middle part of your forehead. Some people naturally possess this widow’s peak hairline, whereas others who feel the widow’s peak haircut attractive go to the salons for haircuts for receding hairline widows.
Widows peak is prominent in some people, and in others, you will just see a hint of it. It clearly comes to people’s eyes if you pull your hair right back. Usually, it is believed that genetics is the main factor in deciding the hairstyle of a person. And, so your gene determines if you have straight hair or a widow’s peak.
Sometimes, some individuals also have a reverse widow’s peak-styled hairstyle. In reverse widow’s peak, one’s hairstyle will have an inverted v-shape.
Why Is It Called A Widows Peak?
The phrase “Widows Peak” actually came from eighteenth-century England. At that time, there was a ritual that the wife of a dead husband should wear a triangular hat/hood that was black in color and had a point that fell in her forehead’s middle part. Since this hairstyle looks exactly like the triangular hat, whose pointed tip falls on the middle part of one’s forehead, it is named a Widows Peak.
Should You Keep Your Widows Peak Hairstyle Or Remove It?
You may wonder, is widow’s peak good or bad! Should it be removed or kept? Well! Whether you should keep your widow’s peak hairstyle or remove it totally depends on your choice. A widow’s peak in itself is not an ugly hairstyle. Instead, it is a very attractive one. Many celebrities or stars are proudly carrying this hairstyle with them & it is not prohibiting them from rising to the heights. You can proudly make your widow’s peak visible to people by pulling your hair back into a bun/ponytail.
However, avoid highlighting your widow’s peak if you don’t like it. You can do it by avoiding any hairstyle that requires combing your hair away from your forehead or in the upward direction. Also, you can grow bangs & soften your hairline.
Besides, sweeping your hair to any one side and parting it slightly off-center can also help with this. Keep on experimenting with your hair and see which hairstyle doesn’t make your widow’s peak visible to others. Part your hair in varied places and find the most complementary setting.
Widows Peak Misconceptions Or Myths
There are many persistent myths and misconceptions about this hairstyle. Many people believe that those who have this hairstyle suffer from early widowhood. Also, there is a widespread belief that this hairstyle symbolizes a person’s bad nature or that the person is a bad guy. This impression basically came from the movies Dracula or Joker.
However, despite all these myths, the widow’s peak is just a hairstyle & nothing more than that. Various good roles or characters in numerous movies, like Keanu Reeves and Vanessa Williams, also have notable widow’s peaks. But, they are not bad.
So, never think of this hairstyle as an indicator of any flaw or bad omen. Just as you inherit various features from your parents (e.g., straight hair, blue eyes, dark complexion), so do widows peak. Nothing more!
Is Widows Peak Genetics?
Whether a widow’s peak is genetic is still unclear since not enough research has been done. However, you may have genetically developed your widow’s peak hairstyle from any of your family members. Besides inheriting the hairstyle of a widow’s peak genetically, you may also develop it later in life once your hairline starts receding.
Furthermore, it is also speculated to be correlated with various genetic conditions like:
Donnai-Barrow Syndrome
It is the result of the LRP2 gene mutations. People with this syndrome notice unusual traits in their ears, eyes, and nose.
Opitz G/BBB Syndrome
This condition causes your body’s midline abnormalities. It is the result of the M1D1 gene mutations.
Aarskog Syndrome
You can detect this condition by noticing the person’s short stature, facial abnormality, limb abnormality, and genital abnormality. Most males are more affected by this syndrome than females. It is a rare genetic disease caused by the FGD1 gene disorder/mutation present on the ‘X’ chromosome.
Frontonasal Dysplasia
It’s an exceptionally rare condition associated with genes. With this condition, you will notice an abnormal development of your face and head. Various types of this condition happen, and they result from the ALX1, ALX3, and ALX4 genetic mutations.
Does Widow’s Peak Mean Baldness?
If you have a receding hairline, it may indicate your male pattern baldness. Also, it sometimes leads to your widow’s peak hairline. But, it can never be said that a widow’s peak is a sign of going bald. Many small kids possess this hairline. So, a widow’s peak hairline never indicates that your hair is thinning.
How To Get Rid Of Widows Peak?
In case you don’t appreciate your widow’s peak, you must consult a hairstylist or a doctor. They will give you some fast short-term alternatives like
Waxing
You can do this with a waxing kit at home or with the assistance of a professional. Before waxing, don’t forget to perform a minor test patch for skin irritation to ensure that it is safe for your skin.
Using hair removal creams/Depilatories
These creams help you remove unwanted hair, and it stays that way for quite a longer time than shaving. Before applying the products to your face, read the directions carefully.
Tweezing
Tweezing means plucking your hair. It’s a simple way to remove unwanted hair, but it can also be a bit painful. You can do this at home, and that too at no expense.
Electrolysis
Heat and energy can also help remove hair from our bodies. Electrolysis is a method in which heat or energy is used to remove the unwanted hairs on one’s widow’s peak. Only trained and certified dermatologists can conduct this process in several visits. They ensure that you get the optimal result from it.
Laser hair removal
Do you know that laser can also remove unwanted hairs from our body? You can also use the laser-hair removal method to wither the unwanted hairs from your widow’s peak. Visit a Doctor to understand everything, including the pros & cons of this method. During the multiple visits, your doctor will focus glints of light energy on destroying the hair follicles.
Shaving
Widow’s peak can also be shaved off. But, if your skin is fair & hair is darker, you need to do maintenance for that. A steady hand can save you from getting a crooked hairline. To avoid your hairline’s stubble, don’t use a razor. You can also completely shave your head to get rid of the widow’s peak.
The Final Words
So, from the above, one can conclude that a widow’s peak is a V-shaped hairline that runs in families. Though many myths run everywhere on widow’s peak, always avoid listening to these myths as there is nothing like these in reality. And, after all, it’s your choice to continue with your widow’s peak or to shade it.
FAQs
Answer: A Widow’s peak hairline is a kind of hairline that comes together & bows down at your forehead’s central part to form a ‘V’ shape. A V-shaped Widow’s peak hairline is elevated on the sides. Its low point is stretched in the middle part of your forehead. You may have genetically developed your widow’s peak hairstyle from any of your family members.
Answer: A widow’s peak is not an ugly hairstyle. Rather, it is a very attractive one. Many celebrities or stars proudly wear this hairstyle, and it does not prohibit them from rising to the heights. You can proudly make your widow’s peak visible to people by pulling your hair back into a bun or ponytail.
However, in case you don’t like your widow’s peak, avoid highlighting it. You can do it by avoiding any hairstyle that requires combing your hair away from your forehead or in the upward direction. Also, you can grow bangs & soften your hairline.
Besides, sweeping your hair to any one side & parting it slightly off-center can also help.
Answer: Widow’s peak is not as rare as people think. It is quite common, even among celebrities.
Answer: Most people don’t like their widow’s peak hairlines. However, it’s not bad to have a widow’s peak hairline. Widows never snatch away your look from you, whether you have long hair or short. Instead, it will give your hairstyle a somewhat better edge.