Are Hair Whorls Bald Spots? And Other Questions About Whorl Hair Restoration

Are you worried that you might have bald spots on the crown of your head? Well, there is really no need to panic. It’s normal for people to lose anywhere from 100 to 150 hairs a day. And it is ordinary for the scalp to be more exposed around the whorl area than on other parts of the head. It only becomes a problem when your hair falls faster than usual and stops growing back. In this article, we’re going to answer some of the most common questions about hair whorls and how Dr. Ziering revolutionized whorl hair restoration for back-the-head bald spots. 

Hair Whorls and Bald Spots: What’s The Difference? 

The hair that grows in a circular pattern around a visible center point on the scalp is called a hair whorl. Everyone has a whorl in their hair on the crown of the head and for the most part they typically grow clockwise or counterclockwise.

Most patients refer to hair whorls as “bald spots,” but technically, they’re not the same. Bald spots are commonly caused by genetic male pattern hair loss. This means the hair follicles are being weakened by the hormone, DHT, until they just stop growing.  In some instances, bald spots may be caused by alopecia areata which is an autoimmune disorder that causes hair to fall out in small patches. The main symptom of this condition is patchy hair loss but the extent to which the hair falls and regrows varies from person to person. 

Having a more exposed scalp around the whorl isn’t something that you should worry about. This is because the whorl direction on your head changes 360 degrees and the angle at which the hair comes out from the scalp also decreases. As a result, the hair lays flat along the curved contour of the crown. Unless you are showing clear signs of hair loss around the whorl, there should be no problem. If you notice a difference over time or have concerns, it’s always best to seek the advice of a qualified, medical professional. 

The Challenge in Crown Whorl Reconstruction

A hair transplant does not only involve harvesting donor hair and transferring those hair grafts to targeted areas of the scalp where bald spots or thinning is occurring. It involves reproducing the variations of the entire architecture and design of the hair. This includes the natural pattern of the hair whorl in a patient. While reconstructing the hairline is more widely appreciated, reconstruction of the crown whorl is of comparable cosmetic value to achieve a more natural look after a hair transplant procedure.

Crown whorl design and reconstruction is essential to treating crown baldness. However, it is particularly challenging to do even for experienced surgeons. A well-constructed crown whorl requires the surgeon’s knowledge of the architecture of the hair, art, and finesse to restore the whorl. Some surgeons will not treat the crown, however, the result of a hair transplant will be much better when the restoration reaches far enough to include the whorl. This is because it creates a more three dimensional result in a profile view giving the patient a more aesthetically pleasing result. 

The whorl direction also varies with race and gender. A hair transplant surgeon should be able to restore the whorl appropriate for the race and gender of the patient for more natural-looking results. In order to achieve a natural looking result, hair restoration for bald spots requires a hair transplant surgeon with advanced knowledge, experience and artistic skill in restoring the crown whorl.

Am I balding or is it just my crown?

If you are experiencing thinning hair or a bald spot on your crown, it could be a sign of balding. However, it is best to consult with a qualified medical professional to determine the cause of your hair loss. They can examine your scalp, review your medical history, and perform any necessary tests to diagnose the underlying cause of your hair loss. In some cases, hair loss on the crown may be due to genetic male pattern baldness, while in other cases it may be due to other factors such as stress, nutritional deficiencies, or medical conditions. It is important to get an accurate diagnosis in order to determine the best course of treatment.

Hair Swirl Meaning

The term “hair swirl” refers to a circular or spiral pattern in the growth of hair on the scalp, also known as a hair whorl or cowlick. It is caused by the direction in which the hair follicles grow and can appear in any location on the head. Hair whorls can be clockwise or counterclockwise and are usually noticeable because the hair stands up or grows in a different direction than the rest of the hair around it. Hair swirls are a normal variation in human hair growth and are not typically associated with any medical conditions or health concerns.

What is Hair Whorl?

A hair whorl, also known as a cowlick, is a circular or spiral pattern in the growth of hair on the scalp. It is caused by the direction in which the hair follicles grow and can appear in any location on the head. Hair whorls can be clockwise or counterclockwise and are usually noticeable because the hair stands up or grows in a different direction than the rest of the hair around it. They are a normal variation in human hair growth and are not typically associated with any medical conditions or health concerns.

The Ziering Whorl

Hair transplant surgeons used to transplant hair grafts into bald spots without attention to hair design and architecture. Often hairs were transplanted in straight lines to cover the whole area from the outside in. But this technique delivers a very unnatural result and hair-thinning is still very apparent in the crown. 

To correct this practice, Dr. Ziering conducted a study to standardize the terminology used to identify whorl patterns and define their anatomic locations. With 534 patients, he developed a classification system and established hair whorl variations based on ethnicity and gender. This classification system is now known as ‘The Ziering Whorl.’

With this, surgeons can still restore the natural flow of the whorl. It works even when the whorl pattern is no longer existent due to excessive hair loss. 

The Ziering Whorl is now the standard technique in hair restoration for bald spots. This unique hair transplantation technique effectively duplicates the natural flow of the whorl. It makes it ideal for patients who want better results out of a hair transplant procedure. With the Whorl Pattern Surgical Technique, Ziering surgeons can help patients achieve a better transplant density around the crown area with more natural results. 

Schedule a Consultation at Ziering Medical

Dr. Ziering is a leading hair transplant expert and continues to explore treatments and procedures to increase patient satisfaction. Together with his surgical staff, he can help you bring back the natural, youthful hair you once had. For better hair confidence, schedule a consultation at Ziering Medical. Our staff will be more than happy to provide the best treatment for you. Ziering Medical has clinics in Beverly Hills, California; Newport Beach, California; Greenwich, Connecticut; Las Vegas, Nevada; and New York City, New York.