Augmentation of the crown of the skull is one of the most common requests among female skull reshaping patients. A prominent crown of the skull has long been recognized as an important head shape element as seen by many hairstyles over the years. This raises the question as to.why do women value a high crown of the head?
A high crown of the head is generally perceived as attractive because it subtly changes the overall proportions of the head and face. While most people do not consciously evaluate crown height, they often respond positively to the aesthetic effects it creates.
The main reasons include:
Creates a More Elegant Head Shape
- A higher crown produces a smoother, more rounded cranial silhouette.
- It avoids a flat or compressed appearance when viewed from the side.
- The head appears more balanced from the forehead to the occiput.
Adds Vertical Facial Proportion
- Increasing cranial height can make the face appear slightly longer and more refined.
- This is particularly desirable in women with wider or rounder faces, as greater vertical proportion creates a more oval facial appearance—the facial shape often associated with femininity.
Improves Hair Appearance
- Hair naturally falls from the crown.
- More underlying bone projection provides greater support for hairstyles, creating the appearance of thicker, fuller hair.
- Many hairstyling techniques (teasing, volumizing products, layered cuts) are specifically designed to create the illusion of a higher crown because it is widely associated with youth and attractiveness.
Signals Youth
- Younger individuals typically have fuller soft tissues and better hair volume around the vertex.
- Aging often results in decreased hair density and a flatter appearing crown.
- Although the skull itself does not flatten with age, reduced hair volume can make the crown seem lower.
Enhances Overall Head Proportions
- Anthropometric studies show that attractive heads tend to have smooth continuous curvature from the forehead over the vertex to the back of the skull.
- A low or flat crown interrupts this curve, while a higher crown creates a more harmonious profile.
Influences Profile Silhouette
From the side view, a higher crown can make:
- the forehead appear less dominant,
- the neck appear longer,
- the entire head look more graceful.
These effects are subtle but contribute to an overall impression of elegance.
Evolutionary and Psychological Perspectives
Humans are highly sensitive to head shape and facial proportions. Although there is little evidence that crown height itself evolved as a specific marker of attractiveness, people consistently prefer smooth, symmetrical, and well-balanced craniofacial contours. The crown is part of this larger visual framework.
Fashion and media have also reinforced this preference. Hairstyles from the bouffant era of the 1960s to modern blowouts and volumizing techniques intentionally increase height at the crown because they create a more youthful and refined appearance.
Is There an Ideal Crown Height?
There is no universally accepted ideal measurement. Rather than focusing on absolute height, I consider the crown as part of the entire cranial profile. The goal is a continuous, natural curve rather than a conspicuously elevated vertex.
For patients considering custom crown augmentation, the increase is typically modest—often 5 to 10 mm—to enhance the contour without creating an unnatural appearance. Larger augmentations may be appropriate for individuals with a congenitally flat vertex or those seeking a more dramatic change, but they must blend smoothly with the surrounding skull to maintain natural aesthetics.
From an aesthetic standpoint, the most attractive crown is usually one that people don’t consciously notice—it simply makes the head appear naturally balanced, feminine, and harmonious.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Plastic Surgeon