How it works
It’s a common misconception that a particular dominant gene causes a widow’s peak. Like other traits that influence hair growth, various genes work together to help determine the shape of our hairlines. Some researchers believe that hair patterns are heritable, so a close relative with a widow’s peak may increase your chances of having this hairline, too.
The genetic link
Genetic markers in your DNA, along with age and sex, influence the chances that you will have a widow’s peak.
![widow's peak progression](https://pub-prd-seohub-us-west-2.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2021/07/content_image.63d7f2dfcd92.png)
Did you know?
Most children have a smooth, flat hairline. As they age into adolescence and adulthood, their hairlines tend to move higher up the foreheads. The presence or absence of a widow’s peak is just another example of our diverse features. Age-related receding hairline patterns can also resemble widow’s peaks in both men and women.
Explore more
How come villains in movies, books, and TV shows always seem to have a widow’s peak? While 23andMe can’t answer that, our Health + Ancestry kit can give you some insight into whether you’re likely to have a widow’s peak.
![Health + Ancestry Service Kit](https://pub-prd-seohub-us-west-2.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2022/03/HA-Kit-Image-1.png)
Health + Ancestry Service
References