Crown Hair Transplant and Restoration in Toronto

Crown hair loss can appear in different ways. Some people develop a small thinning spot, while others gradually lose density across a much larger area.

The crown can also continue to change as pattern hair loss progresses. This is one reason why crown restoration needs to be considered as part of the patient's overall hair-loss pattern rather than as an isolated bald spot.

Depending on the individual situation, hair restoration options may include:

• FUE hair transplantation
• FUT / Strip hair transplantation
• Large-session hair transplantation
• Non-surgical treatments such as Minoxidil
• Finasteride for appropriate patients
• PRP treatment
• Laser cap therapy

A hair transplant uses existing donor follicles. It does not create new hair follicles, so the amount and quality of available donor hair are important considerations when planning crown restoration.

A crown hair transplant involves moving hair follicles from a donor area to the thinning or balding crown.

The donor area is generally located at the back or sides of the scalp. Depending on the treatment plan, follicles may be harvested using FUE or FUT.

Evaluating the crown

Before surgery, Dr. Jones evaluates the size and pattern of crown hair loss along with the surrounding hair.

The assessment may consider:

• The size of the thinning or bald area
• Existing hair density
• Hair thickness and texture
• Donor hair density
• The overall pattern of hair loss
• Hair loss in other areas of the scalp
• Previous hair transplant procedures
• The patient's long-term restoration goals

This information helps determine whether crown transplantation is appropriate and how the available donor hair should be allocated.

Planning the treatment area

The crown does not necessarily require the same approach as the frontal hairline.

The treatment plan needs to consider how the hair naturally grows around the crown and how the transplanted follicles can be integrated with the existing hair.

The amount of coverage that can reasonably be achieved depends on the available donor supply and the size of the treatment area.

Harvesting donor follicles

With FUE, individual follicular units are removed from the donor area using a small punch.

With FUT, a strip of donor scalp is removed and the follicular units are prepared for transplantation.

Dr. Jones has experience with both techniques and can discuss which approach may be appropriate based on the patient's individual circumstances.

Transplanting the grafts

The prepared grafts are placed into the crown according to the treatment plan.

Particular attention is given to the direction and angle of the existing hair so that the transplanted follicles can be positioned appropriately within the surrounding hair.

The crown presents a different hair-growth pattern from many other areas of the scalp.

Hair around the vertex typically changes direction as it follows the natural pattern of the crown. A transplant therefore needs to take the existing growth pattern into account.

Hair direction

The direction of the existing hair can help guide the placement of transplanted grafts.

The goal is to make the transplanted follicles work with the surrounding hair rather than placing every graft in the same direction.

Graft distribution

The number of grafts available for transplantation is limited by the patient's donor supply.

Rather than automatically placing a large number of grafts into the crown, the treatment plan needs to consider how donor hair may be needed for other areas of current or future hair loss.

Existing hair

Many patients seeking crown restoration still have some hair in the treatment area.

In these cases, transplanted grafts may be placed among existing hairs to add coverage and density where appropriate.

The condition of the existing hair is therefore an important part of treatment planning.

Crown restoration may be considered for patients experiencing pattern hair loss who have an adequate donor supply.

Potential candidates may include people who:

• Have thinning around the crown or vertex
• Have a localized bald spot in the crown
• Have reduced crown density
• Have sufficient donor hair for transplantation
• Want to restore coverage using their own hair
• Have realistic expectations about what surgery can achieve
• Understand that untreated hair loss may continue

Not everyone with crown thinning is a candidate for surgery.

The cause and progression of hair loss, donor density, hair characteristics and the amount of hair already present in the crown all need to be considered.

For patients with early or moderate thinning, non-surgical options may also be considered. Dr. Jones' practice offers Minoxidil, Finasteride, PRP and laser cap therapy as non-surgical hair-loss treatment options.

One of the most important considerations with crown hair transplantation is that pattern hair loss can continue.

A transplant moves existing follicles into the crown but does not stop the underlying hair-loss process in untreated follicles.

For example, a patient may have transplanted hair in the crown while the surrounding non-transplanted hair continues to become thinner over time.

This is why Dr. Jones considers the patient's overall hair-loss pattern when discussing crown restoration.

Long-term planning may include consideration of:

• Current crown density
• Frontal and mid-scalp hair loss
• Available donor hair
• Potential future procedures
• Non-surgical hair-loss treatments
• The patient's overall restoration goals

The goal is to make responsible use of the available donor hair rather than focusing only on the current bald or thinning area.

There is no standard number of grafts that applies to every crown hair transplant.

The number can vary significantly depending on:

• The size of the crown area
• The degree of existing hair loss
• Existing hair density
• Hair thickness
• Donor density
• Desired coverage
• The patient's overall hair-loss pattern
• Whether other areas also require treatment

A smaller thinning area may require fewer grafts, while a larger bald crown may require a substantially larger number.

Dr. Jones has experience with large-session hair transplantation, including procedures involving 3,000+ grafts when appropriate. However, this does not mean that every crown restoration requires thousands of grafts.

The appropriate number should be determined after evaluating the individual patient's donor supply and treatment needs.

Follicular Unit Excision (FUE) is one of the techniques Dr. Jones uses for hair transplantation.

Dr. Jones began performing FUE in 2002 and has extensive experience with the procedure.

During FUE:

1. Individual follicular units are identified in the donor area.
2. The follicles are removed using a small punch.
3. The harvested grafts are prepared for transplantation.
4. Recipient sites are planned in the crown.
5. The grafts are placed according to the natural growth pattern and treatment plan.

FUE does not involve removing a linear strip of scalp. However, it should not be described as completely scarless. Individual extraction sites can leave small circular marks in the donor area as they heal.

Careful donor management is important, particularly when a large number of grafts is being considered.

Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) is another established hair transplantation technique.

During FUT, a strip of donor scalp is removed and the individual follicular units are prepared for transplantation. The donor area is then closed, leaving a linear scar.

FUT may be considered for some patients depending on their donor characteristics, hair-loss pattern and long-term restoration goals.

Because Dr. Jones has experience with both FUE and FUT, the appropriate approach can be discussed based on the individual patient rather than assuming one technique is suitable for everyone.