Effective Solutions for Hair Thinning at the Crown: What You Need to Know

Hair thinning at the crown is typically one of the first signs of male pattern baldness. It’s usually a result of genetic predisposition to hair loss and being more sensitive to the hair loss hormone DHT. But does it mean you’ll go completely bald?

The good news is that it’s not always. If you act on the first signs and make changes to prevent further loss, you can leave yourself with more options to treat the problem. Minor things like making small lifestyle changes can give you a better chance to minimise shedding, and there are medical treatments that can prevent future shedding and induce hair growth.

In this article, we’ll look at the causes of hair thinning at the crown, common signs you should be aware of and your treatment options, including how Hairy Hair can help.

What Causes Hair Thinning at the Crown?

A growing bald spot at the crown is typically a sign of male hair loss, specifically, male pattern baldness. Also known as androgenetic alopecia, it’s the most common form of hair loss, meaning most men will experience it in their lifetime. The Australian Prescriber found that 80% of men experience male pattern hair loss by age 80.

While it’s not impossible for women to have a thinning crown, the progression of hair loss presents differently in men and women. Female pattern hair loss is usually more diffuse (all over). It recedes subtly with thinning at the hair part and doesn’t often result in total baldness. Male pattern baldness commonly appears as a receding hairline at the front and crown.

So, what causes male pattern baldness? As stated, the hormone responsible for hair loss is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is most likely to cause thinning of the hair at the crown. Some are more sensitive to the hormone than others based on family history. That means hair loss is inherited.

DHT is needed for growth in puberty, but later in life, it can bind to healthy hair follicles when converted from testosterone. If this happens, it will shrink hair follicles with time through miniaturisation. This results in hair follicles growing thinner and finer, which are more susceptible to breakage. Eventually, the follicles stop growing strands, leading to permanent baldness.

Are There Other Causes of Hair Thinning at the Crown?

Androgenic alopecia is not the only reason for a bald patch on the top of your head. Some of the other reasons for baldness are:

• Stress: Physical or psychological stressors could cause temporary hair loss in the pattern of telogen effluvium. In this condition, hair enters the resting phase of the hair growth cycle prematurely, resulting in premature shedding. It is not typically patterned, but can accelerate underlying thinning at the crown. 
• Trichotillomania: This mental health disorder causes people to pull out their hair uncontrollably. Outbreaks in such people entail pulling hair from the same spot, and stress may provoke or speed up the condition.
• Medical Conditions: Autoimmune conditions like lupus or alopecia areata can cause erratic and patchy hair loss, including at the crown. Other medical conditions that can cause hair thinning at the crown include thyroid disorders, ringworm, and psoriasis.
• Hairstyles: Restrictive or tight hairstyles, particularly ponytails that pull at the crown, can lead to shedding. The persistent pulling at strands weakens the hair follicles and can lead to permanent hair loss known as traction alopecia. This condition can be exacerbated through other hair styling methods like bleaching or heat styling.
• Medication Side Effects: Chemotherapy and radiation can cause complete hair loss in many cases. Other medications that can cause hair thinning at the crown include those used to treat high blood pressure, heart problems, arthritis, and depression. Your doctor should inform you before starting your medication whether you are likely to face hair loss as one of the side effects.

Can You Regrow Hair at the Crown?

A thinning crown can be stressful and upsetting, but the good news is that there are actions you can take to right the situation. Not only can you prevent further shedding, but you can also regrow hair on the crown to improve hair density in many different ways. Medications, surgery, and alternative treatments are all options for you.

Scalp Massage

It sounds somewhat indulgent, perhaps, but a scalp massage has been proven to improve your mood and your hair. We all know massages can help reduce your stress, which can accelerate hair loss, but a scalp massage is a great way to get more blood to your hair follicles. That’s why it stimulates hair growth by loosening up cells in hair follicles and stimulating blood vessels. 

To give it an extra oomph, you can use your hands or a device and introduce essential oils like peppermint or tea tree oil. In fact, according to Toxicological Research, peppermint oil used in an animal trial increased hair growth by 92% after 4 weeks.

Diet Changes

Treating your body right when you’re going through hair loss is essential. A lack of nutrients can cause hair loss to accelerate, especially when you’re stressed. If your body perceives you’re in danger from a stressor, it redirects vitamins and minerals to your vital organs. This leaves your hair follicles starved.

Some of the most essential nutrients for hair growth include zinc, iron, protein, biotin, and vitamins C and D. You should try to eat more foods that have these, including fatty fish, green vegetables, eggs, and red meat, before you consider supplements. You should also undergo a blood test prior to taking supplements, so you can know your levels and what your body needs.

Hair Loss Medication

There is a wide range of medications available, both prescription and over-the-counter, designed to help treat crown shedding. Treatments like finasteride that lower DHT levels are popular since this can often be the culprit behind a crown bald spot. Minoxidil is another option people lean towards, as it boosts nutrient delivery to the scalp and can be applied directly to the problem area to promote new hair growth.

Hair Transplant Surgery

A hair transplant can be an effective long-term solution in more advanced hair loss cases. It might seem like a miracle cure for hair loss, but there are some prerequisites you need to be a good candidate for the procedure. This includes having enough healthy donor hair to use for the transplantation. While expensive and invasive, it can provide impressive results after one session.

How Can Hairy Hair Help with my Hair Loss?

Hair loss is hard to talk about, but when you talk to specialists at the initial signs, you have a better chance of fixing the problem efficiently. Waiting for the issue to worsen over time minimises your options for treating crown thinning of hair. Thinning hair can cause extra stress and concern, only exacerbating the problem.

If you’re struggling with a balding crown and want to talk to an expert, contact Hairy Hair today. Our targeted hair loss treatment uses potent ingredients designed to help lower DHT levels and improve nutrient delivery. By addressing the leading causes of hair loss simultaneously, you may give yourself a better chance at not only stopping hair loss and preventing future shedding but also recovering your lost hair compared to using a single treatment in isolation.

When you’re ready to get started, all you have to do is fill in a short online form. Once we get to know you and your condition, one of our Australian GPs will review your details and create a bespoke treatment plan. They’ll give you a call and answer any questions you might have before your prescription is ready to be shipped right to your door. That means no awkward clinic visits and no time-consuming pharmacy pick-ups.