CROWN HAIR LOSS
Acute crown hair loss is specific to androgenic alopecia, and is usually one of the first places men begin to see thinning. Androgenic alopecia, or pattern baldness, is a genetic condition that results in permanent hair loss in both men and women, currently responsible for millions of people suffering this cosmetic adversity. Its strong ancestral presence causes weak androgen receptors to pass through generations via paternal or maternal X chromosomes. This hereditary disadvantage renders the hair follicles susceptible to the shrinking effects of the hormone DHT. Dihydrotestosterone is a common hormone amid the scalp, but tends to cause this miniaturization of hair follicles in the genetically predisposed—leading to different degrees of hair loss along the hairline, crown, and mid-top.
HAIR RESTORATION OF THE CROWN
Today, we have many different approaches to hair restoration, from the non-surgical to crown hair transplant. In order to disguise thinning at the crown, a person could try any of the following:
- Hair attachments
- Rogaine (minoxidil)
- Propecia (finasteride)
- Folliuclar unit transplant (FUT)
- Follicular unit extraction (FUE)
Hair attachments such as hairpieces and wigs are an option, however, they may prove little more effective than the convenience and effectiveness of a baseball cap. They are very limited and restrictive, impractical for use in all the varied events life may bring. Rogaine and Propecia are the only FDA approved drugs proven to stop hair loss. But they are best used when hair loss is noticed early on, as only a small percentage of users will find that they restore already lost hair, and they do not affect the hairline. Rogaine is an over-the-counter topically applied drug, and Propecia is a once a day pill, obtained by prescription. Though they are the best non-surgical rival to crown hair transplant, both of these drugs have potential side effects and health risks, and must be used indefinitely to continue working.
FUT (also known as strip harvesting) and FUE are today’s leading methods of hair transplant. Strip harvesting is called such because it excises a linear strip of flesh from the mid-rear scalp of the patient as the donor supply. This invasive method generally results in harsh hairlines and leaves the infamous linear scar in its wake. FUE gathers its donor supply by excising the grafts one by one from the scalp. This approach facilitates a broader donor pool and is far less invasive, which proffers improved aesthetics, faster healing, and minimized scarring (with no linear scar at all).
There are a few considerations that both patient and surgeon must take into account with crown hair transplant. These factors, which make crown restoration difficult and necessitate an advanced practitioner, include:
- Size of the crown
- Crown whorl
Size of The Crown
The size denotes the area that has gone bald. On many men, the crown can grown to become the biggest bald area on the scalp, and due to the spherical shape of this area, it is deceptively large. This means that the number of grafts needed to cover the area effectively will be much more than what is typically needed to fill the hairline or mid-top. In the instance of an NW 5, 6, or 7, the surgeon may need to use body hair transplant (possible through FUE only) to have an adequate donor supply. Otherwise, a satisfying result may not be possible.
Crown Whorl
The whorl makes crown hair transplant exceedingly complex. It is the merging place of the skull, so to speak. The hair amid the crown spirals outward around a center point in order to turn all the hair on the head in its appropriate direction. I.e., it is the point at which forward-angled hair atop the head flows seamlessly into the downward-angled hair at the back of the head, and etc, as the hair on the sides of the head are also angled in different directions. This flat, centrifugal pattern is sometimes found twice in one crown, making two crown whorls.
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS OF CROWN HAIR TRANSPLANT
Photos and videos are an important part of finding the right clinic, surgeon, and technique to execute your procedure. This visual documentation substantiates a surgeon’s claims of expertise by showing what he/she was able to do for a past patient with hair loss similar to yours. Worthwhile crown hair transplant images should always be of excellent quality—taken in good lighting, with a well-focused lens, and displaying several different angles of the patient’s head. Be on the lookout for images that have been tampered with through editing or retouching. You want an honest image that shows honest results, not something that has been enhanced to trick you.
The following video shows another patient with successful crown restoration:
FAQ
How much does surgical hair restoration cost?
It usually costs anywhere from $5 per graft to $12 per graft. Thus, the final amount really depends on how many grafts the patient needs for a pleasing outcome. Some clinics charge by the hour, but time spent is still ultimately equivalent to the number of grafts transplanted during surgery.
How do I know where to start with choosing a surgeon?
Internet research. The best crown hair transplant surgeon will preferably have a board certification in dermatology or plastic surgery, must have tons of experience, must have an unparalleled technique, sophisticated tools, and matchless artistic vision, must have an excellent medical staff, and must have the photos and videos to support all of the above.
Is FUE or FUT better for crown restoration?
This depends on what you’re looking for long-term. FUE tends to be more expensive because it is a more sophisticated technique and tends to provide better long-term satisfaction. FUT undoubtedly leaves a strip scar, which widens over time and confines the patient to long hairstyles, lest the scar become apparent.