Hair Loss at the Temples and Sides: Four Types and Their Differences

If your temples or the sides of your head look sparse when you sweep your hair back or make a side part, you may worry about hair loss.

The temporal region refers to the sides of the head around the temples.

Conditions that can affect this area include androgenetic alopecia, temporal triangular alopecia, ophiasis-pattern alopecia areata, and lichen planopilaris.

Although they may affect similar locations, their causes and patterns of progression differ. It is therefore important to consider when the changes began and examine both the hair and scalp.

1. Androgenetic Alopecia Affecting the Temples

This describes gradual recession of the hairline above the temples.

Rather than a separate condition, the term describes the location and pattern of androgenetic alopecia.

As hair at both corners of the forehead becomes finer and less dense, an M-shaped hairline may become more noticeable.

Genetic predisposition and the sensitivity of hair follicles to hormones called androgens are involved.

It usually progresses gradually and may occur alongside changes at the front or crown.

Early on, thick hairs tend to become finer and shorter rather than disappearing all at once.

However, some people naturally have a deeply angled hairline at the temples, so an M-shaped appearance alone does not confirm hair loss.

Comparing with older photos can help determine whether recession is continuing.

If hair across the entire area above the ears suddenly falls out, other causes should also be considered.

2. Temporal Triangular Alopecia

Temporal triangular alopecia causes a triangular or oval area of sparse hair, usually near the front of the temple.

It often occurs on one side, although both sides can be affected.

Very fine, downy hairs remain in the area instead of thick hairs, so it may look hairless from a distance.

The skin is generally normal, without obvious inflammation or scarring.

It is often noticed during childhood, although some people only become aware of it as adults.

A characteristic feature is that its size and shape usually remain relatively stable.

Older photos showing the same sparse area can help establish that it has been present for a long time rather than developing suddenly.

It can be confused with alopecia areata or androgenetic alopecia, so examination of the scalp under magnification helps distinguish them.

Because the underlying cause differs, standard hair loss treatments cannot be expected to produce the same results

3. Ophiasis-Pattern Alopecia Areata

Ophiasis is a form of alopecia areata that causes band-like hair loss along the sides and back of the scalp.

The term refers to a winding, snake-like pattern.

Although alopecia areata is often associated with round patches, it does not always appear in that shape.

Hair loss may extend from around the ears toward the nape of the neck or affect the margins on both sides of the scalp.

Alopecia areata involves the immune system attacking hair follicles.

Stress may contribute, but it cannot fully explain the cause.

Affected areas are usually smooth and show no obvious scarring. Round patches of alopecia areata may also appear elsewhere.

The ophiasis pattern can take longer to treat or may recur, making ongoing monitoring important.

Treatment is selected according to factors such as the extent of hair loss, speed of progression, and age.

4. Lichen Planopilaris

Lichen planopilaris causes inflammation around hair follicles and can lead to scarring hair loss.

Hair follicles are structures within the skin that produce hair.

If inflammation damages these structures and replaces them with scar tissue, hair is unlikely to regrow in those areas.

Irregular patches of hair loss can occur at the temples and sides, as well as the front or back of the scalp.

In actively affected areas, redness and small scales may develop around individual hairs.

Itching, stinging, pain, or burning may occur, although some people have few symptoms.

Areas that have already scarred may look smooth and pale, with follicular openings becoming difficult to see.

Diagnosis may involve examination under magnification and, when necessary, a scalp biopsy.

An important treatment goal is to control inflammation and reduce further damage to hair follicles.

When comparing these four types, consider both the speed and shape of the changes.

Look for gradual thinning with hairline recession, an unchanged sparse area present since childhood, band-like loss along the sides and back, or hair loss accompanied by redness and scaling.

Photos taken under the same lighting and from the same angles make changes easier to compare.

However, these features are clues rather than a diagnosis, and more than one condition can occur together.

If the affected area expands suddenly or you have inflammation or pain, see a dermatologist to identify the cause.

Nutrition for All Four Types

Getting enough protein, iron, zinc, and other nutrients matters more than focusing on a single food.

Adequate nutrition can help reduce additional hair loss caused by deficiencies. However, food alone cannot treat hereditary, autoimmune, or scarring hair loss. American Academy of Dermatology Guidance on Nutrition and Hair Loss

Foods That Support Balanced Nutrition

Nutrient	Readily Available Foods	How to Include Them
Protein	Eggs, fish, lean meat, tofu, beans, milk, unsweetened yogurt	Include at least one source in every meal and alternate between animal and plant foods.
Iron	Lean meat, shellfish, beans, lentils, spinach	Pair beans and vegetables with vitamin C-rich foods such as bell peppers, broccoli, and mandarins.
Zinc	Oysters, beef, fish, eggs, dairy products, beans, nuts	Get zinc from a variety of foods rather than relying on just one.
Biotin	Cooked eggs, salmon, sweet potatoes, almonds, milk	Obtain it through everyday foods rather than relying on supplements.

Iron is more readily absorbed from meat and seafood than from plant foods. Vitamin C helps improve the absorption of plant-based iron.

Zinc can also be obtained from meat, seafood, dairy products, and legumes.

Biotin is found in many foods, but evidence that high-dose supplements promote hair growth in people without a deficiency is limited. NIH Information on Biotin

What Diet Can—and Cannot—Do for Each Type

Type of Hair Loss	The Role and Limitations of Diet
Androgenetic alopecia affecting the temples	Adequate protein and balanced meals help prevent nutritional deficiencies. Food is unlikely to change the follicles’ genetic or hormonal sensitivity or restore a receded hairline.
Temporal triangular alopecia	A normal balanced diet is sufficient. No specific food or supplement has an established ability to restore thick hair in the triangular area.
Ophiasis-pattern alopecia areata	Correct any identified deficiencies, but “immune-boosting foods” cannot replace treatment. A varied diet is preferable to special restrictive diets.
Lichen planopilaris	Balanced meals help maintain overall nutritional status during treatment. Food cannot reliably suppress follicular inflammation or reverse existing scarring.

Information on treatment and the limitations of diet draws on resources about Androgenetic Alopecia, Temporal Triangular Alopecia, Alopecia Areata, and Lichen Planopilaris.

A Sample Daily Meal Plan

• Breakfast: Multigrain rice or whole-wheat bread, cooked eggs, milk or unsweetened yogurt, and fruit.

• Lunch: Multigrain rice, lean meat or tofu, and vegetables such as broccoli and bell peppers.

• Dinner: Rice, grilled fish, a bean or tofu side dish, and vegetables.

• Snack: A small portion of unsalted nuts or some fruit.

This is an example of a balanced meal plan. Adjust portion sizes to your age, activity level, and health needs.

Black soybeans are nutritious, but they are not a treatment for hair loss.

Use beans as one of several protein sources, alongside a varied selection of eggs, fish, lean meat, and vegetables.

Rather than automatically adding iron, zinc, or biotin because you have hair loss, assess your diet and obtain any necessary tests, then supplement only nutrients that are lacking. American Academy of Dermatology Guidance on Supplements

Hashtags: #TempleHairLoss #TemporalHairLoss #SideHairLoss #AndrogeneticAlopecia #MShapedHairline #TemporalTriangularAlopecia #OphiasisAlopecia #AlopeciaAreata #LichenPlanopilaris #ScarringAlopecia #CicatricialAlopecia #TypesOfHairLoss #HairLossSymptoms #ScalpHealth #HairHealth