MATURE RECESSED
Natural temporal recession with maintained frontal density. Most common adult male presentation.
The Mature Recessed profile is the most frequently requested and most commonly appropriate hairline in the KORT system. It reflects the natural progression of the adult male hairline — a slight recession at the temples while maintaining frontal density.
This is the default recommendation for the majority of male clients. It looks natural because it is natural. Attempting to restore a juvenile hairline on an adult face creates an incongruent appearance that signals cosmetic intervention.
Most men over 25 have some degree of temporal recession. The diagnostic challenge is calibrating the degree of recession to the individual skull. Too little recession and the hairline looks unnaturally young for the client's face. Too much and it looks like the SMP failed to cover the loss. The sweet spot varies by age, facial structure, and the client's existing hair pattern.
Temple recession should follow the natural contour of the temporal ridge. The transition from frontal density to temple recession must be gradual — a density gradient, not a sudden drop. This gradient zone is where most practitioners make errors, either by creating too sharp a boundary or by extending density too far into the temporal zone.
The Mature Recessed profile integrates with the widest range of fade classifications and works with Norwood 2-3 patterns. It is the foundation profile — the baseline that other profiles deviate from.