Hair is one of our main sources of self-esteem and confidence.  It's also one of the first things we notice about other people.  It's not surprising, then, that many people want to know what they can do about a balding crown.

Balding on the crown of your head is a very common issue, and is typically just caused by genetics and getting older.  It's perfectly normal and natural, yet is still a great source of stress. There are many things you can do to help stop your hair loss and even reverse it in some cases.

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What is a Balding Crown?

The crown of the head is the top part of the scalp, just above the forehead.  Hair starts to thin in many men, and sometimes women, in this area of the head.

The hair loss in the head’s crown is typically different from on the rest of the scalp.  It doesn't typically cause bald spots, but instead causes hair to thin out until the only hair left is short, stubby hairs.

Because the crown is the area of the head where many people will notice if you are balding, it's the most common place for men (and sometimes women) to worry about their hair loss.

Hair begins to thin in this area because the blood supply is not as rich, and the hair is very delicate in this area.  When the hair becomes weak, it will begin to shed out.

Balding of the crown of the head is very common in men but is also very common in women who have experienced high levels of stress. A balding crown typically comes with age but has also been linked to other factors.

For example, thyroid disease, certain medications, and certain vitamin deficiencies can all cause hair loss in the crown of the head.

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What Causes Hair Loss in the Crown of the Head?

There are several reasons why you might experience hair loss in the crown of the head. Some are caused by genetics, others are caused by aging, and others are caused by stress.

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Genetics

Baldness in your family is the most common reason that you will have the issue, too.  If your father has a balding crown, or your grandfather, or your great-grandfather, then you are more likely to have the issue, too.

If you want to know why you're losing your hair, you need to start with genetics.  You can start with your father, or your grandfather, or your great-grandfather, etc.  This is the most common reason for balding, and the one that is typically more controllable. If your family has had this issue, then there is a good chance that you will have it, too.

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Aging

As you age, your hair begins to thin out.  Hair is made of keratin, the same protein that makes up your fingernails.  As you age, your body starts to produce less keratin, which is what makes your hair strong.

As your hair becomes weak, it begins to fall out.  It's the same process that makes your fingernails start to get thinner and weaker.  It's a normal part of aging and is typically hard to avoid.

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Stress

Stress is a large factor in hair loss and can cause hair loss in both men and women.  If your hair is thinning, and you're under a great deal of stress, then you might want to try to reduce your stress to see if that makes a difference.

Stress-based hair loss happens because of hormones.  When you are under stress, it can cause your body to produce higher levels of the hormone cortisol.  Too much cortisol can cause hair loss. Cortisol also reduces the amount of blood flow to the hair follicles, which also prevents hair growth.

There are ways that you can reduce stress, and it can help your hair, too.  If you're not sure how to manage your stress, then you can try using meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques to help reduce your stress and cortisol levels.

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Other Reasons for Hair Loss in the Crown of the Head

There are other reasons for hair loss, and some of them are less easy to control.  If you're worried about why you're losing your hair, then spend some time looking at these other reasons.

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Trauma

Trauma to the head can cause hair loss, too.  If you've had a severe injury to your head, there is a possibility that you can lose some of your hair.  If you have had surgery on your head, especially surgery that was invasive, you might find that some of your hair is missing.

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Vitamin Deficiency

Sometimes, a vitamin deficiency can cause your hair to fall out.  Some examples of vitamins that can cause hair loss include:

Folic Acid: When you don't have enough folic acid, your hair can become brittle and begin to break.

Pyridoxine: Also known as Vitamin B6, a lack of this vitamin can lead to hair loss.‍

Riboflavin: Also known as vitamin B2, a deficiency of riboflavin can cause hair to fall out.

Amino Acid Deficiency: In some cases, a deficiency in an amino acid can lead to your hair falling out.  Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and proteins are essential for healthy hair growth.

Lack of Iron: If you have a lack of iron in your body, it can lead to hair loss.  Iron is essential to healthy hair growth, so if you don't have enough iron, then your hair will suffer.

Biotin Deficiency: A deficiency in biotin can also cause hair loss.  Biotin plays an important role in hair growth.

Certain Medications: Certain medications can cause hair loss, and some of them are more common than you might think.  For example, birth control pills are often linked to hair loss. If you think your medication might be causing your hair loss on the crown of your head, speak with your doctor.

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Other Causes of Hair Loss

Eating Disorders

If you suffer from an eating disorder, then you could be at risk of hair loss.  Eating disorders often cause anemia, and other nutrient deficiencies that can cause hair loss.  Anemia is a condition where you don't have enough blood in your body, and a lack of nutrients can cause your body to slow down the production of new blood cells.  When this happens, your body won't have the nutrients it needs to produce healthy hair.

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Hormonal Imbalance

A hormonal imbalance can cause your hair to fall out.  Hormones control every single part of your body.  Hormones are chemical messengers that tell your body whether or not to do certain things.  If your hormones are out of balance, then your body won't do the things it needs to do to produce healthy hair.  Hormonal imbalances can occur for a variety of reasons.

What Can Be Done To Stop Crown Balding

You can take control of your hair loss today.

1. Finasteride

Finasteride is a medication that can be taken as a pill, and it is used to treat male pattern baldness. It is the most effective medication for this purpose, and it has been shown to work in as little as a few months. It is thought that it works by blocking the conversion of testosterone into DHT, and can be used in conjunction with minoxidil or other hair loss treatments. It is available only by prescription, but some people may be able to get it for free from their doctor.

2. Minoxidil

Minoxidil, or Rogaine, is a medication that can be found over the counter and promotes hair growth. It is thought to work by increasing the size of the hair follicles. It is applied to the scalp twice a day, and while some people see results in as little as two months, it usually takes at least four months.

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You can get a prescription for Finasteride from Phoenix Health, a telehealth platform exclusively for men. No camera is required, no physical doctor's visit is needed, and you can get your prescription in as little as 24 hours. Take control of your hair loss today, with Phoenix Health.

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