Balding Crown & Crown Hair Transplant Surgery
Crown hair transplant surgery involved relocating hair from the back and sides of the scalp into the circular crown area. A crown hair transplant can be performed with an FUE or an FUT hair transplant. Balding at the ‘hair crown’ or top of your head is a common experience that a lot of people go through at some point in their lives, especially those with a family history of hair loss.
There are also many non-surgical hair loss treatments available that will help to preserve hair in your scalp and crown to prevent its loss. This is important to also consider alongside having a crown hair transplant as preventing ongoing hair loss will help preserve the hair transplant result.
In this guide, we’ll be talking about everything from what the crown is through to causes of hair loss in this area and treatments available.
AK's Crown transplant journey
Type of Surgery : FUE hair transplant
Hair Loss Level : Norwood 4
Number of Grafts : 2343
"Really Professional Service. Procedure fully discussed. No pressures. On day of procedure treated well including lovely lunch. Music and Netflix and a team of 6 including both Consultants. Yes one can go abroad but I doubt you will get the services of two experienced Consultants and really good after care as required and reassurance of being in excellent hands if anything is awry"
What is the hair crown?
The crown or ‘vertex’ of your hair is the circular area located on the highest point on top of your head. The hair that grows from this point, congregated around your scalp in a circular pattern or formation, is called a “hair whorl”. You may even have two hair whorls in your crown which is also known as a ‘double crown’. This is also normal.
What is a crown hair transplant?
A crown hair transplant is an FUT or an FUE hair transplant procedure that involves the surgical removal of hair follicles from donor areas found on the back and sides of the head and re-implantation of these follicles to the affected crown area.
Over the next 12- 18 months these implanted follicles will grow and thicken to provide coverage in the crown area.
AK's Crown transplant journey
Type of Surgery : FUE hair transplant
Hair Loss Level : Norwood 4
Number of Grafts : 2343
"Really Professional Service. Procedure fully discussed. No pressures. On day of procedure treated well including lovely lunch. Music and Netflix and a team of 6 including both Consultants. Yes one can go abroad but I doubt you will get the services of two experienced Consultants and really good after care as required and reassurance of being in excellent hands if anything is awry"
How to tell if your hair is thinning at the crown
As part of the process of male pattern baldness, you may notice your hair starting to become thin in a circular area at your crown. This is because dihydrotestosterone (DHT) targets not only the hairs on the front and top of your head but also your crown.
This is depicted in the Norwood scale for male pattern baldness below:
Norwood scale of balding showing the different stages of hair loss
You will notice that the crown can be affected by male pattern baldness. In some men, the crown can thin and bald quicker than the front of the head. In others, it can thin and become bald over time in keeping with the natural progression of male pattern baldness. For example, you may realise you have reached Norwood 3 Vertex in your mid-30s or 40s.
Some cases of male pattern baldness can be rapid, with crown and frontal hair thinning & loss by the age of 25-30.
Is crown hair loss different?
Losing hair on your crown can appear different from balding on the front. The underlying process that drives crown and frontal hair balding is the same. However, there are subtle differences that mean they look very different.
Because you look at your/someone else’s crown from a steep angle, you look down onto the hair vertically. This means you can see more scalp, especially if you have dark hair and light skin. Have a look at the example below:
You can see that there were some hairs in this gentleman’s crown but as they have thinned, more scalp is now visible. This has consequences for crown hair loss treatment. The patient above underwent surgery to his crown to create better coverage in the area. His result is shown in the bottom half of the picture.
Treating and preventing crown hair loss
Crown hair transplants are not always the first treatment option. We understand that they can be expensive and If you’re just starting to lose your hair, other non-surgical hair loss treatments may be more beneficial.
By using non-surgical hair loss treatments like Finasteride and Minoxidil, you can prevent further hair loss and increase the density of each hair helping to hide any visible scalp. Together with undergoing surgery this will help to restore hair in your crown and prevent future hair loss in the area.
Have a look at the case below. You will notice the patient is experiencing thinning and balding of his crown. By taking treatment to promote hair growth and thicken hair he has treated his hair loss and hidden more scalp in his crown. This has reversed his Norwood 3 Vertex/ Norwood 4V, to a Norwood 2V/ Norwood 3.
Crown hair transplant surgery at The Treatment Rooms London
Unlike hair transplants at the front of the head, crown hair transplants generally require a lot more hair. This is because of the angle with which you look at the crown.
Take the picture above as an example. We are looking directly down onto the gentleman’s crown. Each hair is pointed directly at us and therefore less of the hair shaft is covering the surface of the scalp from our viewpoint. This means more scalp is visible.
For this reason, when we perform hair transplants on the crown, we require a larger volume of hair.
Because crown hair transplants require a greater volume of hair, your surgeon needs to carefully plan your operation. With a higher number of grafts needed, you and your surgeon will need to take into account the following points:
- How much hair do you have on the back and the sides of your head?
- Are your hairs thick or thin?
- The approximate number of grafts required to give you the desired coverage
- If you need a high number of grafts (e.g. >2000 follicles) then how will your surgeon plan the operation to make sure they all survive?
- If it is a lengthy procedure should you and your surgeon consider splitting the operation over 2 sessions
Crown hair transplant cost
The cost for a crown hair transplant will depend on the size of your crown. It can range from £4000 to £10,000 and you may require 2 sessions of surgery in the crown to grow adequate coverage.
The cost will also be determined by the number of grafts you require for surgery, your hair type and whether you wanted to opt for a minimally shaven or unshaven crown hair transplant.
The Treatment Rooms London also offers finance options for patients looking to spread the payment of their crown transplant over a year. Please mention your interest in our payment plans when you send your enquiry.
2239 grafts were implanted into this gentleman's crown and hairline he is 1 year post surgery in the above photo
Crown hair transplant aftercare
Crown hair transplants can be tricky to take care of once you have finished your operation. Because new grafts have been put into your crown, sleeping at night can be problematic. You might need to sleep at an angle to make sure you protect your grafts in the first 14 days.
As the grafts are at the back of your head where you cannot see them, you will need to be careful not to hit your head. This is particularly problematic on the day of the operation. As you have had your head numbed, your ability to know where the top of your head is in relation to ceilings, roofs, and doors can be impaired, so we make an effort to escort you to a car or taxi after surgery.
Going through this hair transplant aftercare journey with your hair transplant surgeon is important. They need to make you aware of all the risks that you might encounter in the days following your operation.
Choosing to have a crown hair transplant
We encourage you to make sure your hair transplant surgeon is fully registered and licensed, including the clinic they work at. In the UK this includes both:
- A GMC registration for the Surgeon
- A CQC license for the clinic (take a look at our CQC license)
At The Treatment Rooms London, we welcome new patients exploring treatment options for their hair loss before deciding upon a hair transplant. As discussed above, this doesn’t have to be your first port of call.
For more information as to how The Treatment Rooms London will be able to help you with any non-surgical hair loss treatments or, to find out more about our FUE hair transplant process, get in touch. Our leading surgeons will book in a consultation whereby all treatment options will be explored culminating in a tailored patient journey specific to your needs.
Authored by
Dr Roshan Vara
Full Medical Member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) Associate Member of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)
Reviewed by
Dr Dilan Fernando
Royal College of Surgeons
Full Medical Member of the British Association of Hair Restoration Surgery (BAHRS) Associate Member of International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery (ISHRS)
FUE HAIR TRANSPLANT REVIEWS
★★★★★
I had a brilliant hair transplant experience with Dr Fernando and the team at The Treatment Rooms, and I've been recommending them to my friends who are considering future hair procedures! From the early meetings, to the procedure itself, to the excellent aftercare, I felt looked after throughout thanks to their exceptional service. Dr Fernando took me through the entire process, explaining each step in detail which really put me at ease. I was amazed that they had thought of everything, and were on hand whenever I had a question to ask, even months after the procedure! It may seem an overwhelming process to start with, especially when searching online, but Dr Fernando and the team really made it such an easy and comfortable experience for me - friendly, professional, approachable, and they deliver great results, I couldn't be happier with mine!
SC
★★★★★
LOOK NO FURTHER for your hair restoration needs! The Treatment Rooms London are the BEST IN THE GAME. Dr Fernando and his team gave an EXEMPLARY level of patient care from start to finish. Dr Fernando took the time to meet me personally pre-op, answer all of my questions with clarity and MEDICAL GROUNDING. I was pleasantly surprised at how PAIN FREE the whole procedure was. I did not feel a thing! The only regret I have is not getting it done sooner! If you are considering a hair transplant or are unhappy with thinning, just give The Treatment Rooms a call. You will not regret it!
G V
★★★★★
I am really delighted with the results of my hair transplant and very highly recommend The Treatment Rooms! I have had a great experience throughout the whole process. I recently had my 12-month review post-surgery and was really pleased to find out The Treatment Rooms had won the award, Hair Restoration Clinic of the Year 2023, thoroughly deserved and many congratulations!
Dr Fernando, Dr Vara and the whole team provided a really excellent, warm and personable experience. The whole process from start to finish was well informed and supported. The outcome of my surgery was excellent and exactly what I was hoping for, a testament to Dr Fernando and Dr Vara.
J G
★★★★★
I found the whole experience of having a hair transplant at The Treatment Rooms to be comfortable and straightforward. Communication was excellent, everything was explained clearly (from the first consultation through to the post-op review), and the day of the operation was meticulously organised with great attention to detail. I felt in very good hands and would not hesitate to recommend The Treatment Rooms wholeheartedly.
SCL
★★★★★
I went in for my 12 month review today (couple months overdue) and I couldn't be happier with the results it exceeded all my expectations. I can't thank Dr Fernando, Dr Vara and the entire team of the treatment rooms enough for there professionalism and caring nature. I've looked at many clinics over a good few years and none made me feel more welcome and cared for than the treatment rooms.
DG
★★★★★
I felt compelled to leave a review after just 4 months. After many years of research, deliberation, chats with turkish clinics, UK clinics, Iranian clinics it was The Treatment Rooms london that won me over. I had been using disguise sprays and fibres for years to the point it was ruining my life (couldn’t swim) get caught in rain etc and i really couldn’t see a way out. After research i couldn’t see how this would work. 4 months in and i’m beyond ecstatic, my hair is thick, covering and i’m so so excited. Even after 4 months i would be happy as it is they are that good. My whole frontal area was thin and now after 4 months it’s thick (see images). if i can help anyone make the right decision then i’m happy with that. Trust me, i don’t do things by halves and always look for quality. To say the work is natural
is an understatement. Dr Vara, thank you so so much for changing my life.
H
★★★★★
Great friendly and personable consultation with Dr Vara, with no pressure on taking surgery. On the day the team made me feel
super at ease and supportive with no real pain experienced at all. Results were fantastic and were better than could have been expected. Highly recommend the Treatment Rooms as a place for your hair transplant in the UK. This has hugely helped my confidence overall which I am very grateful for!
SE
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