It starts with a glance in the bathroom mirror. Maybe the light hits just right, or you’re trying a new side part, and suddenly, you see it. Your scalp is peeking through more than usual right above your ears or around your temples. It’s unsettling. Most people expect the crown to go first or the hairline to march backward, but hair thinning on side of head feels different. It feels specific. It’s also incredibly common, though rarely the lead story in hair loss commercials.
Hair loss isn't a monolith.
The sides of your head—the temporal and parietal regions—are sensitive to a whole different set of stressors than the top of your noggin. While your buddy might be dealing with a classic "monk’s spot" on his crown, your thinning might be tied to your ponytail tension, your thyroid, or even how you sleep. Honestly, the reasons are vast. Understanding the "why" is the only way to stop the "how."
What’s Actually Going On With Your Sides?
When we talk about hair thinning on side of head, we have to look at the anatomy of the follicle. The hair on the sides is generally thinner in diameter for many people compared to the back. When something goes wrong internally or externally, these finer hairs are often the first to surrender.
Telogen Effluvium is a big one here. This is a fancy medical term for "your body got stressed and kicked your hair into the shed phase." It usually happens about three months after a major event—think a high fever, a brutal breakup, or a massive surgery. Unlike male pattern baldness, which is slow and predictable, Telogen Effluvium is a sudden, diffuse shedding. You’ll see it in the shower drain, but you’ll notice it most on the sides because there was less density there to begin with.
Then there’s the hormone factor. You’ve probably heard of DHT (dihydrotestosterone). It’s the villain in the story of androgenetic alopecia. While DHT usually attacks the top and front, it can absolutely miniaturize the hair on the sides in some individuals. This isn't just a "guy thing." Women experience this too, especially during perimenopause or after pregnancy when estrogen—the hormone that keeps hair in the growing phase—takes a nosedive.
The Traction Problem
Sometimes, the call is coming from inside the house. Or rather, inside the hair tie.
👉 See also: Cleveland clinic abu dhabi photos: Why This Hospital Looks More Like a Museum
Traction Alopecia is a localized form of hair loss caused by repetitive tension. If you’re a fan of "snatched" ponytails, tight braids, or heavy extensions, the hair on the sides of your head is taking the brunt of that force. Over time, that constant pulling actually damages the follicle. If you catch it early, the hair grows back. If you wait until scarring occurs? That's a permanent "no-grow" zone.
It’s subtle at first. Maybe a few broken "baby hairs" around the ears. Then the skin starts to look shiny. That shine is a warning sign that the follicle is closing up shop.
Nutritional Deficiencies and the "Side Thinning" Link
Your hair is a luxury item. Your body doesn't need it to survive. So, when you’re low on nutrients, your brain decides to send the good stuff to your heart and lungs, leaving your hair follicles to starve.
Iron deficiency (anemia) is perhaps the most notorious culprit for hair thinning on side of head. Ferritin is a protein that stores iron, and if your ferritin levels are low (even if your "normal" iron looks okay on a standard blood test), your hair growth cycle will stall. Dermatologists like Dr. Antonella Tosti often point out that women are particularly susceptible to this due to menstrual cycles.
Don't ignore Vitamin D, either. It’s not just for bones. Vitamin D receptors are found in hair follicles, and a deficiency can lead to a shorter anagen (growth) phase. If you live in a cloudy climate or spend all day in an office, your levels are probably lower than you think.
- Zinc: Vital for hair tissue growth and repair.
- Biotin: Often overhyped, but essential if you actually have a deficiency.
- Protein: Your hair is basically a string of protein (keratin). If you’re not eating enough, your body will literally "eat" your hair’s resources.
Medical Conditions You Might Not Suspect
Sometimes the thinning isn't about what you're doing, but what's happening inside. Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition where your immune system decides your hair follicles are "invaders." It usually presents as perfectly round, smooth bald patches. While it can happen anywhere, it frequently pops up on the sides and back.
✨ Don't miss: Baldwin Building Rochester Minnesota: What Most People Get Wrong
Thyroid issues—both hypo and hyper—are also major players. The thyroid gland regulates your metabolism, which includes the speed at which your cells (including hair cells) divide. When the thyroid is out of whack, the hair on your sides can become dry, brittle, and thin.
And let’s talk about "Ophiasis" pattern hair loss. This is a specific type of Alopecia Areata that follows a wave-like pattern around the sides and back of the head. It’s notoriously harder to treat than a single spot on top, requiring aggressive intervention from a dermatologist.
Lifestyle Habits That Kill Your Density
Believe it or not, how you sleep matters. If you always sleep on your right side on a rough cotton pillowcase, that friction can lead to breakage and thinning over years. It sounds like a myth, but friction is a real mechanical stressor for hair.
Excessive heat is another silent killer. Do you focus your blow dryer on the sides to get those flyaways down? You might be "cooking" the cuticle.
Then there's the psychological component. Trichotillomania is an impulse control disorder where people pull out their own hair. Often, this happens subconsciously while watching TV or reading, and the temples/sides are the easiest targets for the hand to reach. Most people don't even realize they're doing it until the patch is visible.
What Can You Actually Do About It?
First, stop panicking. Stress raises cortisol, and cortisol is a known hair-growth inhibitor. It’s a vicious cycle.
🔗 Read more: How to Use Kegel Balls: What Most People Get Wrong About Pelvic Floor Training
You need a multi-pronged approach. You can't just throw a random shampoo at the problem and hope for the best.
1. Get the Right Blood Work
Don't just ask for a "check-up." You need a full hair-loss panel. This should include:
- Ferritin (aim for at least 70 ng/mL for hair regrowth, even if the "lab normal" is lower).
- TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 for thyroid health.
- Vitamin D3.
- Total and Free Testosterone (for both men and women).
- Zinc.
2. Topical Interventions
Minoxidil (Rogaine) is still the gold standard for a reason. It works by increasing blood flow to the follicle and extending the growth phase. If the thinning on the sides is androgenetic, 5% Minoxidil foam can work wonders. However, be patient. It takes four to six months to see anything.
For those who want to avoid medications, Rosemary oil has gained massive traction lately. A 2015 study compared Rosemary oil to 2% Minoxidil and found similar results in hair count after six months, with less scalp itching. You have to be consistent, though. Twice a week isn't going to cut it.
3. Scalp Massages and Blood Flow
The sides of the head are "tight" areas. The scalp is stretched thin over the bone here. Daily four-minute scalp massages have been shown to increase hair thickness by stretching the cells of the hair follicles. This stimulates the production of thicker hair. Plus, it feels good.
The Myth of "Special" Shampoos
Let’s be real: shampoo is on your head for 30 seconds. It’s not going to cure a systemic hormonal issue. However, a shampoo with Ketoconazole (like Nizoral) can help. While it's marketed for dandruff, studies suggest it has mild anti-androgen properties that can help clear DHT from the scalp surface. Use it twice a week, but let it sit for five minutes before rinsing.
Practical Next Steps for Regrowth
If you’re seeing significant hair thinning on side of head, don't wait for it to "just go away." Hair follicles can dormant for a while, but eventually, they miniaturize and die.
- Switch to a Silk or Satin Pillowcase: This eliminates the friction that snaps fragile hairs on the sides while you toss and turn.
- Loosen the Grip: If you wear your hair up, use "scrunchies" or claw clips instead of elastic bands. Give your hair "rest days" where it’s worn down and loose.
- Check Your Protein Intake: Aim for at least 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. If you’re active, you need more.
- See a Dermatologist: If you see redness, scaling, or "pitting" on the skin where the hair is thinning, you need a professional. This could be Lichen Planopilaris, a scarring alopecia that requires prescription steroids to stop.
- Audit Your Supplements: High doses of Vitamin A or certain "pre-workout" supplements can actually trigger shedding. Stick to the basics.
Thinning on the sides is frustrating because it’s so visible in the mirror every single day. But unlike some forms of hair loss, the sides are often very responsive to lifestyle changes and topical treatments. Give your body the nutrients it needs, stop the mechanical pulling, and give it time. Your hair didn't thin overnight, and it won't grow back overnight either. Focus on the long game.