One of the top reasons our hair restoration clinics get calls from men is because of vertex hair loss treatment. If you have a new, expanding bald area at the top of your scalp, you’re not alone. And better yet, there is no need to be and there are tested options for you to consider, medically and surgically.
What Is Vertex Hair Loss?
The vertex is the top and crown region of the scalp. Hair loss at the vertex is considered an indication of male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia). It usually begins with a small thinning area in the crown which gradually becomes wider as baldness worsens, and falls into the categories of the Norwood Scale.
However, unlike the hair loss at the front of the head, vertex hair loss is usually something that men notice later on in a balding journey because you cannot see the crown in the mirror very well.
What Causes Crown Hair Loss?
Once you understand the cause of your vertex hair loss, you can select the right type of treatment, which includes:
i) Genetics – this factor dominates. If baldness is in your family, especially maternal hair loss, you are at a higher risk of vertex thinning.
ii) Sensitivity to DHT – Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is produced from testosterone and in genetically sensitive scalps, DHT binds to the hair follicle at the vertex and causes it to regress until it stops producing hair completely.
iii) Age – Crown hair loss begins in your late 20’s or 30’s and continues to grow worse as you age.
iv) Nutritional Deficiency – lacking in vitamins D and B, biotin, zinc, and iron will cause increased shedding and fewer new hairs to grow.
v) Chronic stress – stress pushes numerous scalp follicles into the resting phase at once and results in significant hair loss.
vi) Scalp – seborrhoeic dermatitis, a fungal infection, or too much oil or sebum on the scalp can over time weaken the follicle and promote thinning.
A hair expert can diagnose the cause after a skin examination and blood tests.
Non-Surgical Vertex Hair Loss Treatment Options
If you are at the initial phases of the crown thinning then there are non-surgical options that can at least delay the worsening of your thinning crown and possibly even have some regrowth.
i) Minoxidil (Topical Solution) – Minoxidil is a US FDA-approved topical solution that is directly applied on to the scalp and increases the life of the hair in the growing phase. It is more efficacious at the crown and ideally initiated at an early stage.
ii) Finasteride (Oral pill) – Finasteride in (Oral) form directly interacts with the androgenic hormonal mechanism of hair loss (inhibition of DHT synthesis) and is prescribed for the same for being more efficacious. The result is visible by 6-12 months.
iii) PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) – Platelet Rich Plasma with your own blood can invigorate dormant follicles in the early stage of hair thinning to increase the density of the hair. When researching PRP hair treatment costs in Hyderabad, a consultation with QHT Hyderabad provides an accurate and transparent costing for the number of sessions needed for you.
iv) Nutritional supplements – Iron, vitamin D, and zinc deficiencies can be replenished through supplements to visibly reduce shedding within just a few months.
v) Low-intensity laser therapy (LLLT) – Photobiomodulation using non-invasive devices that is approved by the FDA, has been known to energise weak follicles and increase blood circulation in the scalp.
These options are best in the early stages of hair thinning. Once the bald patch increases and the follicles enter their dormant phase then these medical options get limited to result and in this scenario, a hair transplant is a better option.
When Is a Hair Transplant the Right Vertex Hair Loss Treatment?
A hair transplant is best performed under the following conditions:
i) Your non-surgical treatments have been exhausted and are no longer effective
ii)The crown bald patch has stabilised and is not expanding rapidly.
iii) The donor site at the back and sides of the head has good hair density
iv) Good general health and realistic expectations (realistic expectations are of paramount importance as there is no way of creating a perfect result).
The crown is one of the most difficult areas to perform a hair transplant as the hair at the vertex grows in a circular whorled fashion therefore, requires a very experienced doctor with good technical skill.
Hair Transplant Techniques for Crown Hair Loss
There are two main techniques used for restoring the crown:
1) FUE (Follicular Unit Extraction) – Individual follicles are extracted and transplanted to the crown. FUE leaves no linear scar and has a quick recovery time. FUE is the technique most used for crown transplants in QHT Hyderabad.
2) DHI (Direct Hair Implantation) – DHI is a refined version of FUE that involves using a Choi pen implanter to provide additional control over the angle, depth and direction of the grafts, especially important for reproducing the whorl pattern at the vertex.
How many grafts are needed to fill the crown varies widely based on the size of the bald patch, and how bald it is – which can be determined during your personalised consultation. When you’re comparing your options, it’s also wise to understand the Hair Transplant Cost in Hyderabad before considering your options. QHT Hyderabad is transparent about all costs involved during a consultation – and there are never any hidden costs.
What to Expect After a Crown Hair Transplant
Recovery The recovery from a vertex hair transplant is quite straightforward:
i) 1 – 2 weeks – Mild redness and minor scabs at the graft sites. Patients can generally go back to the desk job within a few days
ii) 3 – 6 weeks – Shock loss i.e. loss of transplanted hair – this is completely normal
iii) 3 – 4 months – New hair grows from the transplanted hairs
iv) 9 – 12 months – The results are complete and appear quite natural It may take a little longer for the crown transplants to achieve their final results than the normal frontal hairline.
Conclusion: Taking the Right Step for Vertex Hair Loss
Vertex Hair Loss Treatment While early type of hair thinning in vertex crown area can be maintained or reversed with medications and PRP, advanced type of crown baldness needs hair transplant for permanent and satisfying results. If you are seeking for a good hair transplant in Hyderabad with surgeons having years of expertise and to choose QHT Hyderabad for patient-centric approach, a free consultation is offered to you to know in detail, your probable condition and treatment options in that.
Visit us for a free consultation now and crown your head with divine fullness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is it possible to regain vertex hair loss without a hair transplant?
ANS: In the beginning, yes – further progresses may be halted with the use of drugs, such as finasteride and minoxidil, and PRP for some density. When the follicles are completely dormant and the bald patch is defined, then hair restoration is the only guaranteed treatment.
Q2. Is crown hair transplant more difficult as compared to frontal hairline transplant?
ANS: Here is the thing. The hairs on the top of a head grow in a whorl or spiral movement. It is really difficult to angle and direction the grafts correctly enough to duplicate the natural pattern.
Q3. How many grafts do I need for a crown hair transplant?
ANS: Graft numbers can differ significantly, with the size of the bald patch, extent of baldness and hair density determining how many grafts you will need. One small patch of crown baldness may just require 1,000 to 1,500 grafts compared to more extensive bald patches that can need 2,500 or more grafts.
Q4. Can I expect the transplanted hair at the crown to look completely natural?
ANS: Yes, if the procedure is performed by an expert surgeon using the FUE or DHI method the results will look completely natural. The important factor is the accurate copying of the circular hair flow pattern of the crown. Results are permanent as follicles are taken from DHT resistant areas.
Q5. How long does a vertex hair transplant take to recover? What is the downtime?
ANS: The majority of patients can resume mild daily activities within 2-3 days. You may need to stay away from demanding physical training for 2-3 weeks. Visual results can be noticed around month 3-4, with complete growth likely by 9-12 months.
