Why are temples hotter than the forehead? A medical perspective

September 24, 2025 •

3 min read

It's a fact of human physiology that different areas of the skin have varying surface temperatures. Understanding why are temples hotter than the forehead involves looking at the intricate network of blood vessels just beneath the skin's surface, a key part of our body's natural thermal regulation.

Quick Summary

The temples feel hotter than the forehead because the superficial temporal artery, a major blood vessel, runs very close to the skin in that area, providing a direct reflection of the body's core temperature. The forehead lacks such large, superficial arteries.

Key Points

Arterial Proximity: The superficial temporal artery runs close to the skin's surface at the temples, providing a direct heat source.
Core Temperature Reflection: The temples provide a more accurate reflection of the body's core temperature compared to the forehead.
Vascular Differences: The forehead has smaller, deeper arteries and is more prone to evaporative cooling, which lowers its surface temperature.
Evaporative Cooling: The broad, exposed surface of the forehead allows for more efficient heat loss through sweat evaporation.
Environmental Factors: The temples are less affected by ambient temperatures and drafts than the more exposed forehead.
Thermometer Readings: Many non-contact thermometers measure temperature at the temples for a more reliable and consistent reading.

The role of the superficial temporal artery

At the heart of the matter lies the superficial temporal artery. This major blood vessel branches off the external carotid artery and runs along the side of the head, passing directly through the temple region. Because of its proximity to the skin's surface, the heat from the blood flowing through this artery is easily transferred and felt. This makes the temples a surprisingly reliable location for measuring core body temperature, especially with non-contact infrared thermometers, which were commonly used during the recent global health crisis.

Vascular differences across the face

While the temples have a prominent, superficial artery, the forehead’s vascular system is different. The arteries supplying the central forehead area are smaller and located deeper below the skin. This means the blood flow doesn't have the same heating effect on the surface skin as it does in the temples. Additionally, the skin on the forehead is often more exposed and has a higher density of sweat glands, which contributes to evaporative cooling. This combination of less prominent superficial blood vessels and more efficient cooling mechanisms results in a lower surface temperature compared to the temples.

Factors influencing facial skin temperature

Several physiological and environmental factors can influence the temperature variation between your temples and forehead. Understanding these factors provides a more complete picture of why you might feel this temperature difference.

Blood flow and thermoregulation: The body regulates its temperature by controlling blood flow. When you are hot, your blood vessels dilate (vasodilation) to increase blood flow to the skin, helping to release heat. Conversely, they constrict (vasoconstriction) to conserve heat. Because the superficial temporal artery is so close to the skin, these changes in blood flow are more readily felt at the temples.
Evaporative cooling: The forehead, being a large, relatively flat surface, is more susceptible to evaporative cooling from sweat. Even a slight breeze or air conditioning can cause sweat to evaporate quickly, which has a significant cooling effect on the skin's surface. This effect is less pronounced in the temples due to the higher underlying heat from the artery.
Environmental exposure: Being in a cold environment, or having a fan blowing directly on your face, can cause the forehead's skin temperature to drop more rapidly than the temples. The temples, insulated by the constant flow of warm blood from the temporal artery, tend to maintain a more stable, higher temperature.

How forehead vs. temple temperature affects thermometer readings

The anatomical differences between the forehead and temples are why many infrared thermometers now recommend scanning the temple region. Historically, thermometers were aimed at the center of the forehead, but research has shown that measuring the temporal artery provides a more accurate and consistent reading of core body temperature. In fact, studies published by sources like the National Institutes of Health have compared these temperature readings, showing that the temples often report slightly higher median temperatures, closer to the body's true internal temperature, than the forehead.


Feature	Temples	Forehead
Primary Blood Vessel	Superficial temporal artery (close to surface)	Smaller, deeper arteries
Proximity to Skin	Very close	Deeper
Effect on Surface Temp	Heats skin from underneath	Less heating effect
Evaporative Cooling	Less susceptible	More susceptible
Reflects Core Temp?	Yes, more accurately	Less accurately

Potential reasons for increased heat beyond normal

While a consistent temperature difference is normal, a sudden or significant increase in heat in the temple region could signify other issues. One of the most common is a fever. The temporal artery reading is considered a reliable way to detect a fever. Another possibility is a type of headache, such as a tension headache or migraine, which can cause local inflammation and increased blood flow to the temples, resulting in a feeling of warmth or throbbing. If the sensation is persistent, painful, or accompanied by other symptoms, it's always wise to consult a healthcare professional. You can read more about the accuracy of temporal thermometry in clinical practice here.

Conclusion

The reason why are temples hotter than the forehead is a fascinating display of human physiology. It’s a combination of anatomy—specifically the placement of the superficial temporal artery—and the natural processes of thermoregulation. The temples provide a window into our core body temperature, while the forehead, with its different vascular structure and susceptibility to evaporative cooling, remains a less consistent indicator. This difference is not a sign of concern but rather a testament to the intelligent design of our circulatory system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, many healthcare professionals and manufacturers of infrared thermometers consider the temporal artery an accurate and reliable site for measuring body temperature, often providing a closer reading to the body's core temperature than the forehead.

No, this temperature difference is a normal physiological phenomenon caused by the underlying anatomy and vascular structure. It is generally not a cause for concern unless accompanied by other symptoms.

Your forehead can feel cool due to evaporative cooling from sweat, or because it's exposed to a cooler environment like a breeze or air conditioning. The forehead's less superficial vascular network means it’s more susceptible to surface temperature changes.

The superficial temporal artery is a major blood vessel that runs up the side of your head, just beneath the skin. You can often feel its pulse by placing your fingers on your temple area.

Yes, certain types of headaches, including migraines and tension headaches, can cause increased blood flow to the head and face. This can result in localized warmth or a throbbing sensation in the temples.

Yes, they do. Many non-contact thermometers are designed to scan the temporal artery, as this method is clinically shown to provide a more accurate reading of core body temperature than simply measuring the central forehead, where temperatures can vary more.

Yes, to a small degree. Hair can provide some insulation, but the primary factor for temperature difference is the underlying vascularization. The forehead's lack of hair also makes it more prone to evaporative cooling.