How to tell if hair is whorl or balding?

Author: Werner Marvin  |  Last update: Saturday, November 29, 2025

If the hair follicles look as thick as they always have, it's just a cowlick. If there are fewer hair follicles in the area, it could be a sign of early balding. You can also track the growth of your cowlick—if it stays the same size, it's just a cowlick. If it grows, it may be a bald spot (Wolff, 2016).

Am I balding or is it my crown?

Thinning hair at the crown is a common sign of male pattern baldness. It is caused by genes and male hormones. male pattern baldness begins with a receding hairline and often causes a crown bald spot. If you are suffering with temple recession and crown thinning, then this is indicative of balding.

How do you tell the difference between hair whorl and balding?

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.

Is it a swirl or bald spot?

A cowlick typically occurs when hair grows in a different direction, often creating a swirl or tuft that stands out from the surrounding hair. In contrast, balding is characterized by a decrease in hair density, leading to more visible scalp areas.

Am I balding or is it a calic?

It's a cowlick the best way to know if your balding is to see if the hair swirls near what you think is a bald patch and if it does swirl its a cowlick if it doesn't then it's a bald patch.

Are YOU Destined to Go BALD? Baldness Genes REVEALED

Am I balding or is it just my hair?

Am I balding or just losing hair? Shedding 50-100 hairs daily is normal. But consistent loss beyond that coupled with seeing more scalp indicates balding, especially in the frontal and top areas for male and female patterns.

What does a hair calic look like?

A cowlick is a natural hair growth pattern that's different from the pattern of the rest of your hair on your scalp. Often, a cowlick appears as one section of hair on the top of the head that sticks straight up or grows in the opposite direction from the rest in a "hair whorl."

What can be mistaken for balding?

Common conditions that mimic androgenetic alopecia include thyroid disease, iron deficiency anemia, and malnutrition. Treatment is based on patient preference. Topical minoxidil (2% or 5% solution) is approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men.

Am I balding or is my hairline weird?

As you advance in age and your hairline reaches its mature form, your hairline can end up 1.5 – 2 cm higher above your brow than it was in your adolescence. But this would normally happen slowly, over time. If your hairline recedes more than 2 cm in just a few months, you may start suspecting frontal balding.

What does a thinning crown look like?

Common signs that you have a balding crown include: hair thinning on the top but not around the sides, hair at the crown becoming more brittle, and/or if you have a receding hairline.

What does balding first look like?

The typical pattern of male baldness begins at the hairline in the front of the head. The hairline gradually moves backward (recedes) and forms an "M" shape. A circular area on the back of the head (vertex) often thins and expands in size over time.

Can you have a crown balding but no receding hairline?

Hair loss without a receding hairline is a less common type of hair loss, but it can still be a frustrating experience for those affected. This type of hair loss is usually caused by pattern hair loss or alopecia areata.

Is My hair fine or balding?

If you can't feel the strand, you may have fine hair. If you have thin hair, you may notice that your hair feels lighter, and you may begin to see more of your scalp under bright lights. You may also notice your hair part starting to widen.

Does balding start at the whorl?

Given that they often crop up at the crown of your head, the same place many bald spots start out, cowlicks can be mistaken for balding. Many men have a large cowlick on the back of their head, known as a parietal whorl, that may eventually turn into a bald spot.

How do I check if I'm balding?

Signs and symptoms of hair loss may include:
  1. Gradual thinning on top of head. This is the most common type of hair loss, affecting people as they age. ...
  2. Circular or patchy bald spots. ...
  3. Sudden loosening of hair. ...
  4. Full-body hair loss. ...
  5. Patches of scaling that spread over the scalp.

What is the best haircut to hide a balding crown?

Haircuts like the crew cut, Caesar cut, or buzz cut are great for hiding a balding crown, giving you a low-maintenance look that makes your hair appear thicker. Styles like the slicked-back look, comb-over, or quiff can use longer hair and a bit of product to cleverly cover up any bald spots.

How to regrow hair on a bald spot fast?

Table of Contents
  1. Stimulate Scalp Circulation for Faster Hair Growth.
  2. Topical Treatments to Regrow Hair on Bald Spots.
  3. Ensure Your Diet Supports Hair Regrowth.
  4. Medical Treatments for Bald Spots.
  5. Manage Stress and Improve Overall Wellness.
  6. Avoid Damaging Hair Practices.
  7. Stay consistent and patient.

What does hair loss from stress look like?

No Visible Pattern. With stress-related shedding, hair falls out evenly all over your scalp instead of in a defined pattern. You'll likely notice more hairs than usual coming out while shampooing, combing, or on your pillow, clothing, and bathroom floor.

Am I going bald or is it my crown?

Hair loss at the crown

Hair loss around the crown is often the first, and most noticeable, sign of male pattern baldness. Over time you may start to see your thinning crown starting to look wider, or more noticeable, as hair loss starts to accelerate.

Am I balding or is my hair damaged?

“While hair loss and hair thinning is an issue with the absence of hair growing from the scalp and hair follicle, hair breakage is a break in the hair shaft below the surface of the scalp, which can be caused by a variety of reasons, including a malformation of the hair shaft itself, chemical treatments, excessive ...

Am I balding or cowlick?

Progression: Cowlicks remain consistent, whereas balding areas will continue to thin and expand. Location: Cowlicks can appear anywhere but are most common at the crown or hairline, while balding often starts at the temples, crown, or hairline and spreads.

What age do men start balding?

Many start to notice the early stages of male pattern baldness by their 30s, but they may begin as early as your late teenage years or early 20s. Hair loss on your crown usually appears in a circular shape.

Why does my crown look like a bald spot?

A balding crown, and androgenetic alopecia, tend to be caused by the hormone DHT. This is responsible for the development of male characteristics, such as a deepening voice and body hair. However, DHT can lead to problems when it adheres to androgen receptors in hair follicles on the scalp and causes them to shrink.

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