Did My Skull Start To Grow Abnormally As An Adult?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I started noticing changes in my skull two years ago. First thing I noticed was the skate ramp that developed at the back, then a couple symmetrical lumps on the lower back, and eventually my head started looking wider, giving me a baby or alien-like appearance, which I really dislike. As bad as the back is, I’m more concerned with the sides at the moment. Does it look like a muscle thing or did my skull actually grow? Is there a way to remedy this, considering the fact that I’m bald? Thank you

A:Thank you for your inquiry in sending your pictures and x-rays. Skull bone is not really known to grow in an adult unless there is a metabolic or hormonal reason to do so which is very rare. I think what is happened over time, and this is normal, is that the scalp thins a bit an the underlying shape of the bone and muscles become more apparent. Your long term before and after pi0ctures substantiate that the size of the bone and muscles has not really changed but it has become more noticeable or ‘defined’.

Regardless of its origin I think the three head shape concerns that could be effectively addressed with minimal scarring are the flat upper back of the head, the bony lumps beneath it and the wide side of the head due to the thickness of the temporal muscles…. which appear to be all of your head shape concerns.

FYI the vast majority of aesthetic skull reshaping patients are men who are either bald, have shaved heads, or very thin overlying hair cover. So you fit right into the typical Scott reshaping patient.

Dr. Barry Eppley

World-Renowned Plastic Surgeon