A thinning or balding crown is one of the most common forms of hair loss1. While it’s more typical in men, some women may also experience it through female pattern baldness2.
Fortunately, there are various treatment options available for a thinning or balding crown. The ideal approach may vary depending on the severity of your hair loss, as crown thinning can differ significantly from one person to another3.
Here, we will explore balding crown causes, as well as options to consider that may help slow down, or perhaps even help prevent, your crown from thinning.
What is balding/thinning on the crown?
The crown of your head, also known as the vertex, is located at the very top of your skull. To find it, simply place your fingers along the midline of your head, and gently move them toward the back. The highest point you reach on your skull is the crown4.
When hair on the crown starts to reduce in volume and become less thick over time, we call this balding or thinning on the crown. This hair loss can vary widely from one person to another, and progress in various stages – from mild thinning to more prominent bald spots on the crown3.
Causes of crown hair loss
There are a number of common causes of hair loss that may lead to thinning or balding on the crown of your head.
Alopecia Areata
This autoimmune condition attacks your body’s hair follicles, causing patches of hair loss in different places5. It can affect your body hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and scalp5.
Bald patches that emerge are usually small and round – about the size of a penny. However, some patches can be bigger or smaller, and the extent of hair loss may also vary. In some cases, it can only be in a few spots, while others may experience more significant hair loss5.
Male Pattern Baldness
Androgenic alopecia, or male pattern baldness, is a common type of hair loss that affects men. Many will experience it from their 30s onwards, but it can appear as early as the late teenage years. Typically, hair is lost on the scalp and it doesn’t grow back. Other noticeable signs include a receding hairline and more generally thinning hair6.
Female Pattern Baldness
Female pattern baldness is a type of hair loss that affects women. It can often appear due to hormonal changes following menopause, and causes hair loss on the scalp specifically10. It is not usually accompanied by a receding hairline.
Other factors
Other causes that may lead to a thinning or balding crown include:
Stress. Stress can limit blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles, and potentially cause hair thinning by triggering your body’s fight-or-flight response. Some people with stress may also pull or scratch their hair due to agitation, damaging the follicles7,
Medications. Certain medications may trigger hair loss as a result of side effects, including some antidepressants, beta-blockers and antifungal medications3.
Traction Alopecia. When the roots of your hair have been pulled on too much due to a tight hairstyle or over-styling, this causes a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia3. Choosing an appropriate haircut for a receding hairline may help.
Head injury. Some people who suffer a head injury may have the affected area shaved, if surgery is required. Experiencing head trauma on the crown may also result in damaged hair follicles and/or scar tissue, causing hair loss3.
How to treat and manage crown balding
While a thinning crown may not generally be considered a serious medical condition, not everyone will be comfortable or happy to start losing their hair.
Fortunately, there are options available that can help you manage crown thinning or balding, especially if you’ve just started experiencing it3.
Spotting it early
Detecting early signs of thinning at the crown can be key to effective management. Indeed, addressing it early on can help prevent further hair loss and may even restore some of your hair’s health and density7.
To check for a thinning crown, you can try methods such as visual inspection, feeling for changes in hair density, or taking photos of your scalp and comparing them over time.
Keeping a close eye on your scalp makes it easier to identify changes early, and take action quickly7.
Hair loss treatment products for early crown thinning
REGAINE® offers a range of hair loss products for men and women, which are designed to help stop further hair loss, and promote hair regrowth. REGAINE® contains minoxidil, an active ingredient clinically proven to revitalise and stimulate hair follicles, working deep at the root.
REGAINE® treatment options include:
REGAINE® FOR MEN EXTRA STRENGTH SCALP FOAM FOR HAIR REGROWTH – clinically proven to help stop and even reverse hereditary hair loss and hair thinning in men.
REGAINE® FOR WOMEN ONCE A DAY SCALP FOAM – scientifically proven to help regrow hair and even reverse hereditary hair loss in women.
REGAINE® is considered most effective for men experiencing hereditary hair loss at the crown, or for women with general hair thinning of the scalp8.
Hair transplants
If your hair loss is more advanced and other treatment options haven’t been effective, hair transplants are a procedure that involves moving hair from one part of your body to a bald area on your head.
As a type of cosmetic surgery, a hair transplant is a big decision – and certainly not for everyone. They can also be expensive, and results may vary depending on the quality of the clinic and the team you choose9. It’s important to do plenty of background research before proceeding.
Prevention options for a thinning crown
If your crown’s thinning is still in its early stages, or you believe hereditary factors could mean you may experience balding later in life, there are some general lifestyle things you can try. These include:
Being gentle when styling
Avoiding excessive heat, pulling, or over-combing can help to prevent hair damage. To keep your hair healthy, try to reduce heat styling and avoid styles that pull tightly on the roots3.
Managing stress
While managing stress can be challenging, taking steps to minimise stress may prevent further hair thinning. Stress relieving techniques such as yoga, meditation, regular exercise and seeking therapy may be helpful. If you feel overwhelmed by stress, consult your healthcare professional for further support and guidance3.
Changing your hairstyle
If hair thinning at the crown is minimal, a simple change in hairstyle could make a big difference. Styles such as a faux hawk, crew cut, or buzz cut can be effective at concealing crown thinning. That’s because shorter hair styles tend to draw less attention to hair loss and create a more balanced appearance. You can also seek advice from your hairdresser or barber for a cut that suits you best3.
Balding crown: FAQs
Many men may start noticing early signs of crown thinning, receding hairlines and/or male pattern baldness by their late 30s. But for some people signs can occur as early as their late teenage years, or early 20s6.
It can be possible to regrow hair on a thinning crown or bald spot, with treatment11. REGAINE® for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution for Hair Regrowth increases the supply of blood and nutrients to hair follicles, helping to strengthen existing hairs and encourage thicker hair growth.