Crown thinning is the most frequently missed area in self-tracking. Research shows that 60% of patients underestimate their crown loss by 1 to 2 Norwood stages, largely because the crown is the one part of your scalp you almost never see directly. This blind spot means many people do not realize they are thinning at the vertex until the loss is already significant. A simple, repeatable photo technique solves this problem entirely.
Why the Crown Is Hard to Track
The crown (vertex) sits at the top-back of your head. Unless you actively position mirrors or a camera above it, you may go weeks or months without seeing it. This creates a feedback gap that does not exist for the hairline or temples, which you see every time you look in a mirror.
Additionally, the crown's natural whorl pattern can create the appearance of thinning even in people with full density. Depending on lighting angle, the scalp at the center of the whorl may be visible. This makes it important to photograph the crown under consistent conditions, so that any visible scalp is genuinely from density loss rather than lighting or hair direction.
Crown Thinning in the Norwood Scale
Crown thinning corresponds to the vertex component of the Norwood classification. While frontal recession gets more attention, vertex thinning is a significant factor in staging:
| Norwood Stage | Crown Status | Typical Graft Need (Crown Only) |
|---|---|---|
| N3V | Early vertex thinning begins | 800-1,200 grafts |
| N4 | Distinct thin spot at vertex | 1,000-1,500 grafts |
| N5 | Crown and frontal thinning approach each other | 1,500-2,500 grafts |
| N6 | Crown and front connected, bridge of hair lost | 2,000-3,500 grafts |
| N7 | Only a band of hair remains at sides and back | 3,000-4,500 grafts |
Catching crown thinning at the N3V or N4 stage, rather than N5 or N6, gives you substantially more treatment options (including medication alone, which may stabilize the area without surgery).
The Crown Photo Technique
Step 1: Set Up Your Lighting
Position your ring light or dedicated light source directly overhead. For crown photos specifically, the light needs to come from above, not from the front. If your ring light is on a desk or shelf, move it to a higher position or stand it on top of a tall piece of furniture.
The goal is even illumination across the entire crown area without harsh shadows from any single direction. See our consistent hair loss progress photos guide for the full lighting protocol.
Step 2: Position Your Head
Tilt your head forward approximately 45 degrees, dropping your chin toward your chest. This presents the crown area as a relatively flat surface facing upward, which is essential for consistent, undistorted photos.
If you tilt too little, the camera captures the back of your head more than the crown. If you tilt too much, you capture the mid-scalp and miss the vertex. The 45-degree angle is the sweet spot for centering the crown whorl in the frame.
Step 3: Position the Camera
Hold your phone directly above the crown at 30 to 40 cm distance, with the camera pointing straight down. The crown should fill approximately 60 to 70% of the frame, leaving some surrounding hair visible for context.
The challenge: Taking this photo by yourself requires holding the phone above and behind your head while looking down. Here are three methods that work:
Timer method: Set your phone's camera timer to 3 or 5 seconds, extend your arm above your head, and hold the phone in position. The timer gives you time to stabilize your arm after pressing the shutter. Use a selfie stick for better reach and stability.
Voice shutter method: Enable voice commands in your camera app (most phones support "capture" or "cheese" as voice triggers). Position the phone above your crown and use the voice command to fire the shutter without pressing anything.
Mirror method: Stand with your back to a large wall mirror. Hold your phone in front of you at chest height, angled to capture the mirror's reflection of your crown. This lets you see exactly what the camera sees, but note that the image will be mirrored. Take the photo directly (not of the reflection) if possible, or flip the image later for consistency.
Step 4: Capture Multiple Shots
Take 3 to 5 photos per session. Between shots, briefly lift the phone and reposition it. This accounts for slight variations in angle and position. When reviewing, select the sharpest image where the crown whorl is centered.
Step 5: Check Your Photo Quality
Before ending the session, zoom into the photo at 100% and verify:
- The crown whorl is visible and roughly centered
- Individual hairs are distinguishable (not blurred)
- The scalp is evenly lit without glare spots
- The framing is similar to your previous session's photo
If any of these checks fail, reshoot immediately.
What to Look For in Crown Photos
When comparing crown photos across months, focus on these indicators:
Whorl visibility. In a full head of hair, the whorl is barely visible or appears as a small point. As density decreases, the whorl opens up and more scalp becomes visible around it.
Scalp show-through. Compare the amount of visible scalp between sessions. Increasing scalp visibility (with consistent lighting) indicates density loss. This is where consistent lighting is critical: overhead light on the crown always shows some scalp through the whorl, which is why you need the same light each time.
Hair direction patterns. In healthy crown hair, strands radiate outward from the whorl in a consistent pattern. As miniaturization progresses, the pattern becomes less defined as thinner hairs fail to maintain direction.
Color contrast. If your hair is dark and your scalp is light, density changes are more apparent as increased contrast between scalp and hair. If your hair and scalp are similar in color, changes may require closer examination or AI analysis to detect.
Combining Crown Photos With Full Tracking
Crown photos are one component of a complete tracking protocol. For the most useful data, capture the crown in every monthly session alongside your other standard zones: frontal hairline, both temples, part line, and full top-of-head. Together, these views give AI analysis tools the complete picture needed to stage your current Norwood level and detect regional changes.
For the complementary overhead angle that captures the full top of the scalp, see our top-of-head photo guide.
Get Your Crown Assessed
If you have not photographed your crown recently, do it today. Many people are surprised by what they see when they finally capture this angle clearly.
Upload your crown photos at myhairline.ai/analyze for an AI-powered assessment of your vertex density, Norwood staging, and comparison with your other scalp zones.
Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Crown thinning patterns vary between individuals. Consult a board-certified dermatologist for clinical evaluation and personalized treatment recommendations.