Temporal Hair Loss

The first sign of hair loss can be the temples for many men leading to a receding hairline. When the hair recedes enough men can have a widow’s peek. The challenge with temporal hair loss is that since it is the first sign of hair loss, men are expected to lose hairs in other places in the head.

When placing hairs for men and women with temple hair loss, we often advocate a long hair technique. Here we have patients keep their central hair long while the temples are growing. This allows for the temples to grow over time and allow the new hairs to germinate during this time.

For men with early hair loss, planning with an expert hair loss doctor such as Dr. Sameea and Dr. Shah can help patients set realistic goals on creating the hairline.

FAQs

What is different between temple skin and scalp skin?

The temples are typically slick bald versus spare baldness. Slick bald patients are difficult to transplant and have lower take rates traditionally. We use regenerative medicine in Chicago to allow for patients slick bald areas including the temples to facilitate hair follicle growth. Without regenerative techniques, temple transplants will have poor graft success rates in our experience.

So what is a normal hairline in a male?

Every male has a different shape and pattern. Temporal recession is not baldness but can limit hair styles. Extended hair recession is an early sign of baldness. The hairline helps frame the face and a lower hairline can make the face look more balanced and youthful as well.

Can I use Rogaine (minoxidil) on my temples?

All of the studies used Rogaine on the crown of the head. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that Rogaine may help hairloss everywhere.

Does Propecia (finasteride) help temple hair loss?

Finasteride helps decrease hair loss but will typically not regrow hair in the temples. Some patients have noted regrowth in the crown.

Why are the temples so important in men?

The temples can be easily covered up with a variety of hairstyles but some men do not have flexibility in hair design and hair loss. Framing the face is one of the most critical design elements in hair transplantation.

Does Dr. Shah and Dr. Sameea have experience styling the hair design?

Dr. Shah and Chughtai have worked with a variety of patients including some leading hair stylists as patients themselves!! Since hair loss is an artistic endeavor, Dr. Shah has worked extensively with hair stylists to helping understand how the hairline and hairstyles intersect. Working with hair stylists as both clients as well as referral sources have helped make Dr. Shah and Dr. Sameea some of the leading edge physicians at hairline design.

Can I use forehead reduction for temple hair loss?

Typically forehead reduction is not incorporated for temple hair loss in men.

Do women have temple hair loss?

Women, especially those with androgenic hair loss type, can have temple hair loss. A typical female hair line is without temple recession.

Can I use body hair in my temples?

Typically body hair is reserved for filler hair in areas such as top of the head and is not used for establishing a patients hairline.

How does the ARTAS robot help me in my hair transplant procedure?

The ARTAS helps patients in the temples in a variety of ways.

• Chubbier grafts improve take in the temples. Skinny grafts have poor uptake in temples in our opinion.
• Hair orientation planning. The ARTAS 9X helps improve transition from existing to new hair line. The ARTAS can show orientation of hairs which can then be actually created and designed more easily with the new 9X. There are only a handful of 9X ARTAS robots in the world (currently we have the only 9X in the Chicagoland area).
• Less loss of existing hair. Your existing hair can undergo a shock effluvium or hair loss. The ARTAS helps avoid this important transition by locating hairs at risk for this hair loss. (note only ARTAS 9X can do this function)

I am 20 years old with temple recession. Can I have a hair transplant?

Younger patients need planning. We can look at a variety of factors including genetic testing to determine your reason for hair loss. Based on your hair loss we can develop a plan to help maintain your hair and retard further loss. Dr. Shah and Dr. Sameea typically do not implant young men unless their hair loss pattern is clear.

Do Dr. Shah and Dr. Sameea treat patients from outside of the Chicago area?

We enjoy treating patients from all walks of life! We are very appreciative and excited to meet patients who have traveled from different areas of the world for our expertise. Our office is located in Chicago and we accept new patients from all over seeking our expertise in robotic surgery coupled with the latest in regenerative techniques.