Double Crown in Hair: What is a Double Crown?

February 9, 2024
9 minute read

A double crown refers to a natural growth pattern on the crown of the head that creates a kind of swirl, often called a hair whorl. It is completely genetic, affecting around 5% of the population, and it is also not related at all to hair loss. While it may make the scalp more visible, it’s just a hair loss pattern that causes the hair to stick up in different directions, creating the appearance of thinning where the two hair whorls separate.

What is a Double Crown in Hair?

A double crown is a hair growth pattern where there are two spiral patterns at the crown of the head. It is a genetic trait that affects 1 in 20 people.

The two spiral patterns cause the hair to grow either clockwise or anticlockwise. These are known as double hair whorls, with whorls referring to when the hair grows in a circular direction around a central point on the head. This leaves a gap in the hair where the scalp is more visible, which is why it’s so common for people to confuse double crowns with balding. In reality, it’s all about genetics and hair growth patterns.

What Does a Double Crown Look Like?

A double crown looks like two separate swirls of hair on the crown of the head. Here, the hair grows in two circular patterns, each leaving a distinct visible parting. Some people might think it looks like two bald spots next to each other, even though it’s not linked to hair loss at all.

Where is the Crown of the Head?

The crown of the head is located at the topmost part of the scalp towards the back. You can find your own by feeling the top of your head and searching for the part where the top starts to slope downwards – it’s just around that part. For even more accuracy, you can find it by measuring the highest point of the scalp.

How Can You Tell If You Have a Double Crown?

You can tell if you have double crown hair with a couple of different methods.

Using a mirror: You’ll need to use two mirrors. While looking in one mirror, hold another one up behind the back of your head until your head is visible. Then, simply examine your hair to see whether you have a double crown or not.
Asking a friend: Ask a trusted friend to examine the back of your head, and they can tell you whether they notice two hair whorls or not.
Taking a photo: Use a camera to take a photo of the back of your head and then examine the photos to see if a double crown is visible.

Be aware that it’s much easier to see a double crown in short hair, as long hair tends to weigh it down.

What Causes a Double Crown?

The presence of a double crown is due to genetics. People with double crowns have them from birth, and they are often inherited. So, if your mother or father has a double crown, you are more likely to get one yourself.

In fact, a recent study showed that these hair whorls are affected by multiple genes. It is not possible to develop these hair whorls over time; they are part of a person’s genetic makeup!

How rare is a double crown?

They are reasonably rare, affecting just 5% of the population. This percentage differs in certain populations; while they affect 5% of Caucasians, they are more common in Afro-Caribbean populations.

There’s also the possibility of a triple crown, but this is much rarer.

Is a Double Crown a Sign of Balding?

No, a double crown does not mean you are balding.

However, it’s understandable for people to ask the question, “Is a double crown a sign of baldness?” because both of these things show visible scalp through the hair.

Male pattern hair loss, in particular, is a hair loss condition that creates a bald patch on the crown of the head, in the same location as double crowns. Plus, if a person is thinning at the crown, this will make the hair whorls more visible. Still, the whorl itself is not linked to hair loss.

How Can You Tell the Difference Between a Double Crown and Balding?

There are key distinctions to make between a double crown vs balding.

What Does a Crown Balding Look Like?

A balding crown area, or a male pattern baldness crown, usually appears as an expanding thin area. Rather than a single circular patch from which hair grows, there will be progressive hair loss and reduced density over time. The scalp will be very visible, and you may even notice excess shedding, for example, more hair in your drain or on your pillow.

What Does a Natural Double Crown Look Like?

A natural double crown is stable over time. There are two clearly defined spirals. While you may be able to see the scalp at the centre of the whorls, there is no hair loss progression. If you are unsure whether you have a double crown or hair loss, monitor the area with photos over time.

Does a Double Crown Increase Your Risk of Hair Loss?

No. There is no evidence to suggest a double crown is linked to an increased risk of hair loss. Hair loss risk relates to genetics and hormones, as well as certain lifestyle factors (stress can lead to hair loss, for example). A double crown is also determined by genetics, but it is not related to hair loss. A person can have a double crown and never experience hair loss.

What Should You Do if Your Double Crown Looks Like It Is Thinning?

It is possible to have a double crown that begins thinning. That’s not because the original double crown was related to hair loss, but simply because you are experiencing hair loss anyway, and that often affects the crown of the head.

Can Lifestyle Changes Help Crown Thinning?

Yes, in some cases, lifestyle changes can help prevent further crown thinning. Nutrition and stress management are key here. Being deficient in iron, zinc, vitamin D, or certain B vitamins, for example, can cause nutrient-related hair loss. Stress is another common cause of hair loss, leading to telogen effluvium, a temporary type of shedding.

Maintaining optimal scalp health can also help. Cleansing your scalp, using hair oils, and performing scalp massages may help prevent further hair loss.

Are Medications Effective for Crown Hair Loss?

Yes, crown areas often respond well to hair loss medications. The most popular over-the-counter option is minoxidil, a topical treatment that stimulates blood flow to the scalp, which ensures the hair follicles receive all the nutrients necessary to grow new hair. Finasteride is a prescription-only medication for men and works by blocking the DHT hormone, which is responsible for male pattern baldness.

Can You Get a Hair Transplant on a Double Crown?

Yes, it is technically possible to get a hair transplant on a double crown. However, be aware that special skills and precision are necessary, with careful angle planning required before the surgery. For double crown hair transplants, the FUE (follicular unit extraction) method is best, as this involves transplanting individual hair follicles, leading to more control over the hair’s direction. It is important to attend a consultation to ensure you are suitable for this surgery first.

Can You Hide a Double Crown?

Yes, there are certain hairstyles and haircuts you can try out if you want to hide a double crown. Here are some options:

Grow your hair longer
Add more texture and layers
Avoid very short haircuts
Style the hair in the natural direction
Use volumizing gels, creams, and mousses
Use dry shampoo around the area
Use hair fibres around the area

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Frequently Asked Questions About Double Crowns

Is it good or bad to have a double crown?

It is neither “good” nor “bad”. Some people might get frustrated with their double crown because it shows two separate partings, and it may be harder to style their hair in different directions. There are also some myths stating that double crowns are related to high intelligence, but this isn’t based on facts.

Can a double crown develop later in life?

No. A double crown is a genetic trait that stays with a person from birth and throughout their life.

Why does my double crown look like a bald spot?

It is because of the direction the hair grows. The hair grows in a circular pattern around a central spot, which can sometimes look like a bald spot, even though it isn’t. Think of it like your parting – it’s a space where the scalp is simply more visible because the hair grows away from that location. Double crowns may also look more like bald spots in individuals with naturally finer or thinner hair because of the lack of density.

Can women have a double crown?

Yes, double crowns affect both men and women. They tend to be more visible in men because of the societal norm for men to have short hair, which shows the double crown pattern more clearly.

Can you change the direction your hair grows?

No, it’s a genetic trait that you can’t change. However, you can adjust the direction the hair appears to grow with styling choices, such as blow-drying, wet-styling, and hairspray.

Is a triple crown possible?

Yes – triple crowns in the hair are possible, but it is extremely rare.

What’s the difference between a bald spot vs double crown?

A double crown is a natural hair growth pattern. A bald spot is an area of the hair where the hair follicles no longer grow hair, and these are caused by things like alopecia, stress, fungal infections, and male pattern baldness.