Here's Why Your Hair May Be Thinning Near Your Temples
Thinning hair may leave you wondering if your hair loss is normal or a cause for greater concern, and a lot of it comes down to the underlying reason for your hair loss. If your hair has begun thinning around your temples, there could be multiple reasons for it, per Healthline.
Pinning down why your hair loss is occurring is the first step when it comes to addressing the issue, including knowing whether or not your hair loss is easily treatable (and potentially reversible). While you may need assistance from a medical professional to pinpoint the cause of your particular hair loss — and you should definitely seek medical help if you're concerned that your hair loss may be due to a more serious condition or you are experiencing other worrying symptoms — we've highlighted some of the most common reasons for hair loss in this particular location on your head. We've also rounded up some tips for what you can do about it.
Know what causes hair loss at your temples
There are a lot of reasons why your hair might be thinning at your temples. Per Healthline, some of the causes include androgenetic alopecia — a type of hair loss that can occur regardless of your sex or gender — and traction alopecia, which can be caused by some hairstyles. Hormonal changes and stress are also possible causes, as is smoking.
On top of these causes specific to hair loss at your temples, Martha Stewart notes that some autoimmune diseases can trigger forms of hair loss. If you have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or think that this could be the cause of your hair loss, it's best to ask your doctor about it.
From the list of causes above, you can see that some of the reasons for your hair loss might be temporary, while others could be permanent. Regardless, though, you have options for making your hair look its best.
Know what you can do to address hair loss at your temples
Addressing your thinning hair at your temples might require time and patience while you wait for your hair to grow back to its usual thickness, or it might require more extensive measures. Once you have determined what is causing your hair loss, you can proceed with the option that works best for you — including any options that may have been suggested to you by a medical professional.
For the more common options, there are some products available that can potentially reverse hair loss. WebMD writes that these include finasteride (which you can get by prescription only) and minoxidil (which you can find over-the-counter in a number of products), although it cautions that these medications are used for other purposes. Additionally, WebMD notes that finasteride and minoxidil cannot address hair loss from all causes and may not be suitable for all patients, including those with certain underlying medical conditions.
Another option, whether permanent or temporary, is to adjust your hairstyle to make the thinning areas less noticeable. If needed, you could opt for hair extensions, hair pieces, or wigs.