Thinning hair in the temple area is often the beginning of a receding hairline, a common characteristic of androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern baldness. According to MayoClinic.com, gradual thinning of the hair is a normal part of aging. For some, however, this hair loss can come prematurely, with 50 percent of men experiencing androgenetic alopecia as some point, says Medical News Today. Women are not immune to androgenetic alopecia, either.
DHT
DHT stands for dihydrotestosterone. It's responsible for 95 percent of all hair loss, according to Medical News Today. DHT is an androgen that's made when the male hormone testosterone combines with the enzyme 5 alpha reductase. When there's too much DHT in the body, it blocks hair follicles from receiving the nutrients they need to sustain a healthy hair growth cycle. DHT can also slowly shrink hair follicles until the hair finally falls out.
Prevention
To deal with the early stages of hair loss at the temples, you can try the over-the-counter topical treatment Minoxidil. You rub this liquid or foam, available in 2 percent and 5 percent solutions, into your scalp twice daily. Alternatively, try Finasteride, commercial name Propecia. This is a prescription medication in pill form, taken once a day. MayoClinic.com notes that both treatments have been shown to prevent further hair loss and even achieve regrowth in some users.
Surgery
Surgery is an option if your hair thinning has reached a more advanced stage. According to MayoClinic.com, hair transplant surgery involves cutting small plugs of hair-dense scalp from around the back or sides of the head and relocating it in areas of bald or thinning scalp. With scalp reduction surgery, the surgeon removes a section of thinning or bald scalp and stretches the rest of the skin over the missing area, then stitches it into place.
Other Causes
Lifestyle factors can also play a role in hair loss. MayoClinic.com cites telogen effluvium, a change in the hair cycle usually due to stress or shock to the system that can be physical or emotional. Other factors for thinning of the temples could be poor nutrition, hormonal changes or medications.
Considerations
Finasteride can cause severe side effects -- such as birth defects -- if taken or handled by women. Medical News Today also reports that it can cause sexual dysfunction or reduced libido in approximately one of every 50 men. Minoxidil can cause irritation and over-drying of the scalp. It's often many months before it is known whether a hair transplant operation was successful. If you're one of the many people who are finding thinning hair at the temples bothersome, consult your doctor for further advice.
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