Temple Hair Loss: Causes & Treatment Options

There are places men typically lose hair, like the hairline or the crown of the head. Sometimes, though, hair falls out in other areas. For example, you might experience temple hair loss.

We don’t typically think of male pattern baldness as something that affects the temple area because a receding hairline usually begins just above the temples. But some guys may only realize their hairline is receding when it hits their temples.

A number of conditions can lead to balding temples. If you’ve noticed your hair thinning at the temples, it’s important to figure out the cause and treat it ASAP.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about temple hair loss. Read on to learn about treating hair loss at the temples and promoting healthy hair growth.

At the risk of stating the obvious, temple hair loss is a form of hair loss that occurs at the temples.

The temples are those fleshy, hair-covered spaces just above the ears — not technically the hairline or the sideburns, but the midpoint. You may know your temples as the place where your worst headaches happen.

If you’ve noticed some hair loss at your temples, you’re not alone — in fact, it’s fairly common. Still, it should be taken seriously, as it could be an early sign of balding.

The first step in treating temple hair loss is to determine exactly what’s causing it. 

Hair loss at the temples can be caused by a few different hair loss conditions, namely androgenic alopecia, traction alopecia, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata. Each type of hair loss has its own distinctive symptoms, patterns of hair loss, and potential treatments.

Here’s what to know.

Androgenic Alopecia

Androgenic alopecia — also known as androgenetic alopecia — is the most common cause of hair loss in men. You might know it as male pattern baldness or male pattern hair loss.

Male pattern hair loss has a strong genetic component. If your family tree has an awful lot of bald spots, your branch probably won’t be much different.

This type of hair loss happens when the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) damages hair follicles. Over time, hair follicles might stop growing new hairs altogether. Eventually, this can lead to total baldness.

Male pattern hair loss usually starts on the crown of the head or at the hairline. But a receding hairline might lead to hair thinning at the temples.

Despite the name of this condition, it doesn’t just affect men. Women can experience hair loss caused by androgenetic alopecia, especially after menopause. In women, the condition is called female pattern hair loss or female pattern baldness.

Traction Alopecia

Tight hairstyles — including braids, ponytails, and even “man buns” — can take a toll on your temples.

When you pull your hair back too tightly, it puts pressure on your hair follicles. Over time, this might lead to damage that not only makes hairs fall out but also prevents new hair growth.

Rough styling techniques — including brushing your hair too frequently and using harsh chemical hair treatments — can also affect hair density.

This type of hair loss is called traction alopecia. While traction alopecia doesn’t only affect the temples, temple balding could be the first sign.

Telogen Effluvium

If you’ve noticed hair loss all over your scalp — whether it’s even or in clumps — it may be a sign of telogen effluvium. This is a relatively common type of hair loss.

Telogen effluvium can be caused by issues like:

• Severe stress or trauma

• Major surgery

• Rapid weight loss

• Significant blood loss

• Vitamin deficiencies

• Certain illnesses

Basically, telogen effluvium happens when your body goes through a significant shock. As a result of this shock, a high number of hair follicles enter the resting (or dormant) phase of growth — aka the telogen phase. After the telogen phase, hair starts falling out.

Usually, telogen effluvium-related hair loss happens a couple of months after a major stressor. So you might not connect the dots between your hair loss and the high fever you had a few months before.

Telogen effluvium causes diffuse hair loss — in other words, it happens all over the scalp — but you might first notice it affecting your temples.

The good news is that telogen effluvium usually resolves itself over time once the initial cause has been corrected. A few months after you recover from the underlying issue, your hair should start growing normally again.

Alopecia Areata

The final (and least likely) cause of temple balding is alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata is actually an autoimmune disease — a condition in which the immune system gets confused and attacks hair follicles as if they’re foreign bodies. Your hair follicles thus become damaged, preventing new hair growth.

While temple hair loss can sometimes be the first sign you notice, alopecia areata can affect your entire scalp in irregular patches. It could also cause hair loss across your entire body (a condition known as alopecia universalis).

There’s no cure for this condition — not yet, anyway. But certain treatments might help you address alopecia areata and prevent further hair loss. You may need to see a dermatologist if you have alopecia areata.

It depends. Some temple hair loss conditions are temporary — telogen effluvium usually resolves on its own, for example. But androgenic alopecia and traction alopecia worsen over time if they’re not treated.

Though androgenic alopecia can be permanent, it’s also possible to reverse some of the hair loss if treatment comes quickly enough. Those hairs you lost last year, however, are probably gone for good.

Alopecia areata can lead to permanent hair loss, but with early treatment, you might be able to slow down hair loss.

To prevent permanent temple hair loss, it’s vital to get medical advice from a healthcare professional as soon as you can. They can help determine the type of hair loss you’re experiencing and go over the best treatment options.

Losing hair at the temples may very well be just the start of more hair loss to come. But there’s hope for those willing to seek help.

The great news? The best medication for hair loss is accessible and considered safe and effective for most people when taken as directed.

Let’s cover two science-backed hair loss treatments, as well as a few other options.

Finasteride

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved finasteride for treating male pattern hair loss. This oral medication reduces your levels of DHT, the hormone that damages scalp hair follicles.

As a result, finasteride significantly slows down male pattern hair loss. In some cases, the prescription medication might help you regrow some lost hair, especially if you treat it early.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is another FDA-approved hair loss treatment. Also known by the brand name Rogaine®, this topical medication is available over the counter (without a prescription).

Minoxidil works by increasing blood flow to the scalp and shifting hair follicles into the anagen phase (growth phase) of the hair growth cycle. This stimulates hair regrowth.

Unlike finasteride, which is only used to treat male pattern hair loss, minoxidil can be used for many common types of hair loss — including traction alopecia and telogen effluvium.

We offer both minoxidil foam and minoxidil liquid solution online.

You can also try our two-in-one topical finasteride & minoxidil spray, a powerful combo that could reduce male pattern baldness.

Other Hair Loss Treatments

Beyond finasteride and minoxidil, some other treatments might help reduce hair loss at the temples (and on the rest of your scalp).

Here are a few good ways to treat hair loss and promote healthy hair:

• Hair growth supplements. If a nutritional deficiency is at the root of your temple hair loss, consider using vitamin-rich supplements like our biotin gummies.

• Gentle hair care techniques. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, harsh styling techniques should be avoided. Limit heat styling, don’t brush your hair when it’s wet, and reduce chemical hair treatments if possible.

• Hair loss shampoos. Hair care products like our thickening shampoo with saw palmetto can help counter the effects of male pattern hair loss. You could also try our volumizing shampoo or conditioner to add oomph to limp, thin hair.

• Low-level laser therapy (LLLT). This treatment option uses lasers (often in the form of a red light device) to reverse hair loss and stimulate new growth.

• Platelet-rich plasma treatments. While costly, platelet-rich plasma treatments can promote new hair growth. The procedure involves extracting plasma from your own blood and injecting it into your scalp.

• Hair transplant surgery. Another costly (but effective) treatment, hair transplants involve taking healthy follicles and grafting them onto bald patches.

Feeling overwhelmed? Your best bet is to talk with a healthcare professional. They can provide guidance on navigating treatment options.

Hair loss can be a serious issue, whether you experience it at your temples or elsewhere. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Many conditions cause temple hair loss. Androgenic alopecia, traction alopecia, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata can all cause hair loss at the temples.

• Temple hair loss may be permanent or temporary. It depends on the cause. To prevent further hair loss, you’re wise to address it ASAP with a professional.

• There are many ways to treat hair loss. This includes finasteride, minoxidil, and supplements. In more extreme cases, you can try treatments like platelet-rich plasma or LLLT.

Early treatment is the best treatment for hair loss. So even if you’re unsure what’s going on, play it safe and get professional help sooner than later.

If you’re ready to address temple hair loss, we can help you connect with a healthcare provider online. Together, you can figure out the cause of your hair loss and a way forward.

As for your temples? Take care of them. The only headache they should give you is…well, an actual headache.