A low hairline is closer to the eyebrows than average — about 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6 cm) for women and 2.4 to 3.2 inches (6 to 8 cm) for men. The opposite is often called the "Tudor hairline." It is very high, with measurements that exceed the average. It was given the nickname "Tudor" because of the hairstyles of the 16th century. Elizabeth I of England had such a hairline, and it was considered aristocratic. Women would even pluck the hair from their hairline and from their eyebrows to create a larger forehead area.
A low hairline, if it is troublesome to the individual, can be changed. Individuals sometime pluck hairs, but this is a laborious and painful procedure. The hair can be removed permanently with a laser, which typically requires several treatments. Medical spas, plastic surgery centers, and professional aestheticians often offer this service, and the cost varies from company to company.
For women, it is more common to disguise the hairline with bangs. If cut correctly, the bangs can give the illusion of a higher forehead. Thick bangs should be avoided, since these can accentuate the low forehead. Wearing hair up can also lengthen the face and make the forehead appear larger.
Usually, a low hairline is an easier problem to fix than a high hairline. To lower a hairline, donor follicles from another area of the head must be implanted on the forehead. Another option is surgery that stretches the scalp down. Both procedures are time consuming and costly, and like all surgeries, carry some risk. A low hairline isn't necessarily unattractive, so many individuals aren't bothered by it.
Although most low hairlines are simply cosmetic, there are certain medical disorders that result in a low hairline. Cornelia de Lange syndrome is one example. Its symptoms include thick brows which often meet above the nose, a low hairline, and physical and cognitive disabilities. It occurs in individuals of all races when three genes, NIPBL, SMC1A, and SMC3, are altered.