Bald crown: cause, 5 signs that your crown is thinning and what to do about it

A bald crown is caused by hereditary hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) in most people. In men, the crown, the top part at the back of your head, often becomes thinner together with the inlets. In women, the hair thins out sooner in the middle of the head.^[1] The hormone DHT inhibits the hair follicles, causing the hair to become thinner and shorter. You can recognize a bald crown by a round spot that becomes larger over the course of months, a more visible scalp and finer hairs. What you can do about it: start in time with minoxidil 5% (lotion or foam) on the crown, use it twice a day for at least 4 months and assess after about 6 months whether it works.^[2] Are you suddenly getting bald spots or is your hair suddenly falling out a lot? Then go to the doctor first.

In this article

• Why are you balding on the top of your head?
• Is my crown normal or am I going bald? 5 signs
• What other causes can a thin crown have?
• How do you check whether your crown is thinning?
• What can you do about a bald crown?
• How long does it take before you see results?
• Thin crown in women: what is else?
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

Why are you balding on the top of your head?

The main cause is pattern baldness. Your hair follicles react sensitively to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a substance that your body makes from testosterone. DHT inhibits the hair follicles from producing hair.^[1] It happens gradually: a hair grows shorter, becomes thinner and lighter, and eventually only down remains.

Heredity plays a major role. If you become bald at a young age, it often occurs in more than one person in the same family.^[1]

In men, the loss usually follows a fixed pattern. The Norwood scale, which doctors use to classify male pattern baldness, describes two areas that slowly enlarge: the frontal inlets and the crown. The "III Vertex" stage represents early hair loss on the crown. In later stages, the front and crown become larger until the bridge of hair between them disappears.^[5] If you have any doubts about your hairline, also read inlets: normal or the beginning of baldness?

Is my crown normal or am I going bald? 5 signs

Everyone has a crown: the point where your hair grows in a spiral. Under bright bathroom light or when your hair is wet, you can often see some scalp there. That in itself is not a problem. These 5 signals indicate that your crown is really thinning:

1. The spot is getting bigger. A normal crown remains approximately the same size. With baldness, a round area slowly grows out.
2. The hairs become finer. Around the crown you see thinner, shorter and lighter hairs than on the rest of your head.
3. You see more scalp, even with dry hair and normal light. Not only after a shower or under a spotlight.
4. Your inlets are also damaged. deeper. In men, the crown and inlets often go together.^[1]
5. It runs in the family. Bald fathers, grandfathers or uncles make pattern baldness more likely.^[1]

Do you recognize two or more? Then there is a good chance that it is the beginning of pattern baldness. You can get certainty from your doctor.

What other causes can a thin crown have?

Not every thin crown is hereditary baldness. Normally you lose up to about 120 hairs per day without bald spots.^[1] Other causes often look different:

Sources for this table: Apotheek.nl^[1][2]. Go to the doctor if you suddenly develop bald spots, lose much more hair than normal or if you are worried or depressed about your hair loss.^[1]

How do you check whether your crown is thinning?

You almost never see your crown yourself, so you only notice changes late. You make the lens with photos:

• Same light and angle: have someone take a photo from above, or use the timer on your phone, always in the same place and with dry hair.
• Every 4 weeks: a fixed day a month works best.
• Compare after 6 months: hair grows slowly, so small differences between weeks mean little.

This Pictures are also useful when you start taking minoxidil: you will see after a few months whether it does anything.

What can you do about a bald crown?

There are two known routes for pattern baldness:

• Minoxidil on the scalp: twice a day on the dry scalp. About one in three users gets their hair back.^[1] It works best in men under 40 who have not yet lost much hair.^[2]
• Finasteride or dutasteride: prescription tablets or capsules that inhibit DHT.^[1] You should discuss this with your doctor.

Especially for the the evidence for minoxidil is clearest at the top. American labels for minoxidil 5% state that use is "to regrow hair on the top of the scalp (vertex only)", i.e. the crown.^[7] In a study with 393 men, 5% showed approximately 45% more hair growth after 48 weeks than 2%, with slightly more itching and irritation.^[6] You can read about how to apply it properly in apply minoxidil in 6 steps.

Lotion with pipette

Kirkland Minoxidil Lotion 5% 3 Months For Men

Use the pipette to apply the lotion precisely to the crown, even between longer hair. About 25 euros per month.

€74,99View the lotion →

Foam without dripping

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% 3 Months For Men

Dries faster and runs less quickly, nice if you apply it in the morning before work.

€84,99View the foam →

Note before you start: do not use minoxidil if you are pregnant or want to become pregnant.^[2] If you have a cardiovascular condition, such as angina pectoris or a heart rhythm disorder, only use it in consultation with your doctor.^[2] It is not intended for people under 18.^[4] Get Do you have palpitations, chest pain, fluid retention or dizziness when you get up? Then stop immediately and contact a doctor.^[4] Always read the package leaflet of your product.

How long does it take before you see results?

Minoxidil requires patience. This is what an average process looks like:

Thin crown in women: what is different?

In women, the hairline at the front usually remains. The hair becomes thinner, especially in the middle of the head, so that you can see the scalp through the hair, but real bald spots usually do not develop.^[3] This often starts around or after menopause. Other causes are too many male hormones, for example with PCOS or due to anabolic steroids, or medications such as breast cancer drugs.^[3]

Are you younger than 20 and are you going bald, or are you taking medications that can make you bald? Then make an appointment with your doctor.^[3] If you use minoxidil, call after 6 months to discuss whether it works.^[3]

For women

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% For Women

Foam that you can easily apply to the parting and the middle of your head. One bottle is good for 2 months.

€39,99View the foam →

Frequently asked questions

Can a bald crown grow back?

Sometimes partially. With minoxidil, about one in three users will get hair back.^[1] The sooner you start, the more hair follicles are still active: the drug works best in men under 40 who have not yet lost much hair.^[2] There is no guarantee.

Does minoxidil work better on the crown than on inlets?

For the The evidence is clearest in the crown: American labels for minoxidil 5% only mention the vertex as the area of use.^[7] That doesn't mean it never does anything in the inlets, but expect less certainty there.

Is it normal for me to see my crown under bright light?

Yes, at the point where your hair grows in a spiral you often see some scalp, especially with wet hair or under a spotlight. Only when the spot becomes larger and the hairs become finer, there is reason to pay attention.

Should I choose lotion or foam for the crown?

Both contain 5% minoxidil. Lotion with a pipette is cheaper and can be dosed precisely. Foam dries faster and spreads less quickly. Choose what you can maintain twice a day.

What happens if I stop taking minoxidil?

The new hairs disappear again. Within 3 to 4 months, your crown will be back to the level it was before the treatment.^[2]

This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are from October 2026.

Sources

1. Apotheek.nl, Kaalheid
2. Apotheek.nl, Minoxidil on the skin
3. Thuisarts.nl (NHG), I am becoming bald (woman)
4. Medicine Evaluation Board, Medicines Information Bank, Package leaflet minoxidil lotion 2 g/100 ml (RVG 57383)
5. Bernstein Medical, Classification of Hair Loss in Men (Norwood) (English)
6. Olsen EA et al., Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2002), A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men (English)
7. NDC List, Product label Minoxidil Topical Solution 5% (Drug Facts) (English)