Temple Balding: What Should You Do?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry M.B.B.S.
Written by Our Editorial Team
Last updated

Temple balding is disastrous for your self-image. And you deserve to be the best version of yourself, always.

The goal of this article is first to educate you on what it is, the next is to make sure you're oozing with confidence once you apply these solutions.

Summary:

  1. Can you really fix temple hair loss? (hint: good news)
  2. What are the natural and medical treatments for temple balding? (hint: more good news, including one of the best remedies)
  3. What is temple balding?
  4. Why does hair loss start at the temples?
  5. What are the signs of temple hair loss?
  6. What causes temple balding?
  7. Will hair ever grow back on your temples?
  8. Conclusion

Can You Treat Temple Hair Loss?

Yes, hair loss at the temples can be treated, and depending on the stage of balding, it can be reversed as well.

Treatment options can potentially regrow hair in the thinning or balding areas near the temples.

A multipurpose approach, which involves a combination of various topical and oral medications, is usually recommended to treat hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia (the leading cause of temple baldness).

What Treatments Are There for Temple Balding?

saw palmetto

Following treatments are available to treat and/or help temple baldness in both men and women:

Natural or naturally-derived remedies:

  • Hair growth product with 97% effectiveness
  • Saw palmetto
  • Rosemary oil
  • Pumpkin seed oil
  • 3% peppermint oil
  • Caffeine
  • Onion juice
  • Green tea extract

Medical treatments:

1. Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine

These products (Hair Strength Shampoo, Hair Recovery Conditioner, and Eyelash Growth Serum) contain plant growth factors such as Capilia Longa, derived from stem cell technology that can help reduce hair loss, promote regrowth, and enhance hair density.

It's not all gibberish. To back it up, we'll refund you 100% if our products are ineffective after 150 days. We even have a page for it, here - Money-Back Guarantee.

how to treat temple balding

2. Finasteride

This drug is used commonly for male pattern baldness and works by blocking the amount of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in the scalp.

3. Minoxidil

A topical medication used to widen the hair follicle and extend the anagen or growth phase of hair. However, to maintain regrowth, minoxidil has to be applied indefinitely.

4. Platelet-rich plasma treatment

PRP is a noninvasive treatment in which the platelets extracted from the patient are then injected into the scalp to stimulate hair growth.

5. Low-level laser therapy

This procedure uses lasers to stimulate new hair growth by increasing blood flow in the scalp. It also prevents the excessive buildup of DHT in the hair follicles.

6. Hair transplant

Hair transplant is a surgical technique that involves moving the healthy hairs on the scalp (donor site) to thinning or balding areas (recipient site).

What is temple balding?

Temple balding is a gradual loss of hair in the temporofrontal region of the scalp. It progresses over the years and may increase in severity, depending upon the cause. It starts as thinning across the scalp, and then the temple region begins to bald.

Although temple balding is a common woe in many adult men with male pattern baldness or androgenic alopecia, women and young adults are susceptible to it as well. It's essential to identify this condition as soon as possible and start treatment accordingly.

Why does hair loss start at the temples?

stages of hair growth illustration

To better understand hair loss you need to know about the hair growth stages;

Anagen

It is the growth phase. On average, about 80 to 85 percent of the hair on our scalp stays in this phase for around 2 to 6 years. Hair length depends on how long this phase lasts.

Catagen

The hair follicle renews itself in this two weeks long phase.

Telogen

This is the resting phase in which the hair follicle lies dormant. Around 12 to 20 percent of hairs are in this phase. After the hair growth cycle is completed, anagen starts again and the existing hair strand sheds to make space for new growth in the hair follicle.

The most common reason for balding near the temples is associated with the male hormone, testosterone (present in small amounts in women). The cells in our scalp convert testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The follicles near the temple region become more sensitive to DHT due to a genetic predisposition or mechanical tension, which causes the hair follicles to shrink.

So naturally, you'd want to remove DHT from scalp, right? We have a guide on that here, too!

Hair loss occurs when the anagen phase becomes shorter, and the telogen phase extends due to this miniaturization of the hair follicles. Eventually, the anagen phase becomes so short that the new hairs stop growing out of the scalp's surface leading to baldness.

What Are the Signs of Temple Hair Loss?

a temple balding guy stressed

You should look out for the following signs of early balding if you suspect hair loss at the temples:

  • Decrease in overall hair volume
  • Itching or irritation of the temporofrontal scalp region
  • Brittle or weak hair
  • Increased hair fall
  • Visibly thinning hair (scalp showing through in the temple area)
  • Hairline receding in a v-shape near the temples or a widow’s peak

What Causes Temple Balding?

There are a variety of conditions and behaviors that can cause balding near the temples. Some of the common causes for temple balding are given below;

Androgenetic Alopecia

In males, androgenic alopecia or male pattern baldness is the most common reason for temple balding. It occurs as part of the natural aging process, but some men begin to develop it in their early teens or early twenties.

This condition runs in families and is directly related to the male sex hormones (androgens). It starts as thinning on the crown and temples and eventually a receding hairline in an M-shaped pattern. As explained above, in this type of hair loss, the hair follicles shrink near the temples and crown, leading to partial or complete baldness.

Female pattern baldness is a condition affecting women that can cause hair thinning, widening of hair-part, and hair loss at the temples. Unlike male pattern baldness, women don’t suffer from a receding hairline or complete baldness. But, female have different hairlines. Due to the prominent role of hormones in female pattern baldness, menopause and polycystic ovary syndrome can also lead to this condition.

Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

It is a form of lichen planopilaris that involves progressive hair loss and scarring near the frontal scalp hair margin and, in some cases, other parts of the body as well. Itching and pain are the early symptoms in frontal fibrosing alopecia and occur before any noticeable hair loss. The exact cause of this condition is still unclear.

temple balding in women

Traction Alopecia

People who tie their hair in tight braids or wear hats can cause mechanical pulling on the scalp, which can lead to bald spots in different areas, including the temples. This is known as traction alopecia. If it is diagnosed early, precaution can be taken by ceasing the hair-pulling; therefore, traction alopecia is reversible, and hair regrowth is possible.

Telogen effluvium

Telogen effluvium is an abrupt and excessive hair loss due to stress in which the hair roots go prematurely into the resting or telogen phase. It usually causes diffused hair loss but thinning around the temples is also observed. Following are some of the reasons behind this condition;

  • Hormonal imbalance
  • Nutritional deficiencies (Iron, Zinc, Vitamin D, and B complex)
  • Use of certain medications such as antihypertensives, antidepressants, and birth control pills.
  • Childbirth
  • Physical trauma such as surgery
  • High-stress levels
  • Fever

This condition resolves entirely on its own after six months, when the root cause is addressed.

    Will your hair grow back on the temples?

    The possibility of hair regrowth on the temples is dependent on the underlying cause and severity of the situation. Hair loss due to traction alopecia and telogen effluvium can be reversed and regrowth is achieved in a few months.

    On the other hand, temple balding due to alopecia cannot be completely reversed. However, with early diagnosis and intervention hair loss can be slowed down.

    Conclusion

    temple balding example

    Temple balding can be a nerve-wracking issue for many men and women. It can be caused by many conditions ranging from hormonal to behavioral to emotional behavior, but with timely diagnosis and treatment, the process of hair loss can be slowed and possibly reversed.

    It's essential to get your condition identified with the help of a professional, who can guide you towards a suitable treatment plan.

    Read more:

    References

    1. Phillips TG, Slomiany WP, Allison R. Hair Loss: Common Causes and Treatment. Am Fam Physician. 2017 Sep 15;96(6):371–8.
    2. Kerkemeyer KLS, Eisman S, Bhoyrul B, Pinczewski J, Sinclair RD. Frontal fibrosing alopecia. Clin Dermatol. 2021 Mar;39(2):183–93.
    3. Low dose laser therapy for hair loss [Internet]. [cited 2021 Oct 9]. Available from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/low-dose-laser-therapy-for-hair-loss
    4. Hair Growth Routine [Internet]. [cited 2021 Oct 9]. Available from: https://scandinavianbiolabs.com/collections/hair-growth-products-for-men/products/hair-growth-routine-for-men

    Dr. Ahmad Chaudhry M.B.B.S. is a House Physician in the Medical Unit 3 Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, and deals with hepatic, cardiac, neurological, and dermatological issues daily. He did his MBBS from Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad. He believes that a good haircare routine is one where you nourish it naturally. During his free time, he works as a dermatologist for Scandinavian Biolabs.