Temple recession is the earliest visible sign of male pattern baldness, detectable in photos up to 2 years before noticeable thinning across the rest of the scalp. The temples are where androgenetic alopecia begins for the majority of men, making temple photos the single most important early-warning view in your tracking routine. Getting the technique right means you can spot changes at Norwood 2, when treatment options are most effective, rather than waiting until Norwood 3 or beyond.
Why Temple Photos Detect Loss First
The temporal hairline is particularly sensitive to DHT because the follicles in this zone have a high concentration of androgen receptors. While the central forelock and occipital regions may remain dense for years, the temples begin to recede early, creating the characteristic "M-shaped" hairline pattern.
In clinical terms:
| Norwood Stage | Temple Status | Typical Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| N1 | No recession, juvenile hairline | Straight or slightly rounded hairline |
| N2 | Slight temple recession | Temples recede 1-2 cm, forming mild M-shape |
| N3 | Deeper temple recession | Temples recede 2-4 cm, clear M-shape |
| N4 | Significant recession with vertex thinning | Deep temple recession connects toward mid-scalp |
The transition from N1 to N2 is subtle and often missed without photos. The transition from N2 to N3 is where most men first notice something has changed, but by then, the recession has been progressing for months or years. Photos taken consistently from the correct angle catch this process at the earliest stage.
Graft Requirements for Temple Restoration
If temple recession progresses and you later consider a transplant, the graft count depends on how far it has advanced:
- N2 temple restoration: 800 to 1,500 grafts
- N3 temple restoration: 1,500 to 2,200 grafts
- N3V (temples plus early vertex): 2,000 to 2,800 grafts
At average costs of $1 to $2 per graft in Turkey, $4 to $6 in the USA, and $3 to $5 in the UK, catching recession early and treating with medication ($30 to $90/month for finasteride) is substantially less expensive than surgical restoration later.
The Temple Photo Technique
Step 1: Prepare Your Hair
Pull all hair back from the forehead and temples. Use a cloth headband, a wide elastic band, or simply hold your hair back with one hand while photographing with the other. The goal is to fully expose the hairline from the center of the forehead to the sideburn area on each side.
Do not wet your hair for temple photos. Wet hair clumps and can make the hairline appear further forward than it actually is. Dry, naturally styled hair (before any product application) gives the most honest representation.
Step 2: Position for the Left Temple
Stand in your dedicated tracking position with your lighting setup active (all other lights off). Turn your head approximately 20 degrees to the right, so the camera captures your left temple at a 45-degree angle from center.
Hold the camera at forehead height, 30 to 40 cm away. The frame should capture:
- The temple recession point (the concave area where the hairline curves inward)
- The frontal hairline for context
- Your eyebrow corner as a reference landmark
Step 3: Capture the Photo
Use a 3-second timer or voice shutter to avoid shake. Take 3 photos, making minor adjustments between each. Check that the recession point is in sharp focus and the lighting is even across the temple area.
Step 4: Repeat for the Right Temple
Turn your head 20 degrees to the left and repeat the exact same process for the right temple. Always photograph both sides, because temple recession often progresses asymmetrically. One temple may be half a Norwood stage ahead of the other.
Step 5: Add a Frontal Reference Shot
After capturing both temples individually, take one straight-on frontal photo with hair pulled back. This provides the overall hairline shape context that individual temple shots cannot capture alone.
Using Anatomical Landmarks
The biggest challenge in temple tracking is measuring recession consistently over time. Without a fixed reference point, photos taken at slightly different angles can make it impossible to determine whether the hairline has moved.
The Eyebrow Corner Method
Your eyebrow position does not change significantly over time, making it an excellent reference landmark. In each photo:
- Ensure the outer corner of the eyebrow on the same side is visible
- Mentally (or physically with a ruler) note the vertical and horizontal distance between the eyebrow corner and the nearest temple hairline point
Over 6 to 12 months, any increase in this distance indicates recession. Even 3 to 5 mm of change is significant at the temple hairline.
The Ruler Method
For the most precise measurements, place a small flexible ruler or measuring tape along your forehead, just above the eyebrow line, before taking the photo. This provides a calibrated scale in every image, eliminating distance and angle variations. A paper ruler printed at home works if you do not have a flexible one.
Ear Alignment
For side-angle temple shots, the top of your ear provides an additional reference point. The ear-to-temple-point distance changes as recession progresses and is visible in properly angled photos.
Common Mistakes in Temple Photography
Shooting from straight on. A direct frontal photo compresses the temple area visually. You cannot see the depth of recession from the front alone. Always include the 45-degree angle shots.
Inconsistent hair preparation. If your hair is pulled back tightly one month and loosely the next, the visible hairline position changes even if the actual hairline has not moved. Use the same headband and the same tension each time.
Ignoring asymmetry. Many people photograph only one temple, assuming both sides match. They do not. Track both sides independently.
Wrong camera height. Photographing from above angles down on the temple and hides recession. Photographing from below makes it look worse than it is. Keep the camera level with your forehead.
Interpreting Temple Photos Over Time
When comparing monthly temple photos, look for:
Hairline position shift. Has the lowest point of the temple hairline moved upward or backward relative to your eyebrow landmark?
Density at the recession point. Even before the hairline moves, the hairs at the temple point often thin out. Look for increasing scalp visibility at the very tip of the temple recession.
Miniaturized hairs along the border. Fine, short, wispy hairs along the edge of the temple hairline indicate active miniaturization. These hairs are the "front line" of recession and will eventually be lost. Their presence means the recession is ongoing.
Comparison to Norwood references. Use our Norwood scale guide to stage your current temple recession and track whether you are progressing between stages.
For the complete photo protocol covering all scalp zones, see our guide on consistent hair loss progress photos.
Start Tracking Your Temples Today
Your temples tell the earliest story of pattern hair loss. A monthly photo of each temple, taken under consistent conditions, gives you the data to detect changes years before they become obvious in the mirror.
Upload your temple photos at myhairline.ai/analyze for AI-powered recession analysis, Norwood staging, and trend tracking across your sessions.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Temple recession patterns and progression rates vary between individuals. Consult a board-certified dermatologist for clinical evaluation and personalized treatment recommendations.