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Wrinkles on top of my head

Hi I am a 21 year old male and since i was 17 I noticed that there were wrinkles or lines coming up on my head. I hadnt noticed them before or there werent as many as there are now. When i feel the top of my head its all bumpy and im worried of what this might be.
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Avatar universal
Did you ever get an answer? I have the same condition. I'm a black male, 54 years old. I first noticed I had them at age 17, when I shaved my head for college football. I haven't been able to find any information related to this condition. I haven't experienced any specific problems, however the wrinkles do change with stress.

The closest thing I found on the web was lipedematous scalp, related to the subcutaneous fatty tissue of he sclap. I haven't found any pictures and research seems very limited and repetitve of limited findings.

You may have seen several actors on TV (I have only noticed it with black males) that have the same condition, perhaps not as pronouned as you and I but it's probably more common than the medical profession realizes....I think the only reason it's being recognized now is because more men are shaving their heads.

I can be reached at ***@****
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Did you ever get a response to this?  I've been trying to find out what it is.
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Avatar universal
I found some information it's called Shane battier disease please look it up.
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Avatar universal
I'm a 18 year old African american female who is so surprised to see so many people have this condition i have. I've had these lumps or wrinkles in my head since i was 11 or 12 years old. I also suffer from extreme hair loss in the top of my head where my wrinkles are located. when i was 16 my pediatrician prescribed some shampoo for me to try but i t did nothing. Last year i consulted a dermatologist and got prescribed this 2% topical solution and pills. The solution helped the wrinkles to not sink so deep in my head and it also helped my hair grow back to its normal state. Eventually my prescription ran out and my hair has broken off two times since then. My humps are also deep as they were before. I experience excessive itching and irritation and i am in desperate need for help
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Avatar universal
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0294126009001393
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Avatar universal
It's genetic. I know several Black men with what they call 'Prunehead". Just the way it is. A study once said it  had to do with excess pigment in the scalp and the hair conditioning that is used.
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Avatar universal
its a case of bald wrinkles, my friend kyle suffers from it.
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Avatar universal
Does anybody try to have scalp subcision here ?
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Avatar universal
Cutis verticis gyrata.org
Try looking here - CVG. It's basically a thickening of the skin. No cure but surgery can help in extreme cases. Can be a possible link to pituitary problems and growth hormones. Also stress related, but this again involves hormone response such as cortisol so maybe there's a link?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I, TOO, NOTICED ABOUT A YEAR AGO THAT I HAVE LARGE (1/2) INCH WRINKLES OR WAVES ON THE SKIN OF MY SCALP AROUND THE CROWN. MY DOCTOR HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT & WAS GOING TO TAKE A HEAD XRAY BUT I HAD A MIGRAINE HEADACHE AT THE TIME & DID NOT FOLLOW-UP. I AM A 55 YOWF, SO IT DOESNT LOOK LIKE RACE OR SEX IS A DOMINANT ETIOLOGY FROM THE PREVIOUS POSTINGS.   I RUB THE AREA REGULARLY  JUST TO SEE IF IT IS GROWING IN SIZE AND IT IS.   IT REALLY ISNT PAINFUL, ONLY SLIGHTLY TOUCHING SEEMS TO IRRITATE IT AND MAKE IT FEEL BRUISED. I WONDERED IF IT IS LIKE FAT PADS, AS I HAVE GAINED A LOT OF WEIGHT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. (60 POUNDS IN 6 MONTHS WHILE ON A NEW MEDICATION & HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOSE IT DUE TO CHRONIC BACK PAIN & FIBROMYALGIA.)  I WEAR MY HAIR LONG AND IT DOESNT SHOW, BUT I JUST HOPE IT IS NOTHING SERIOUS (AS I HAVE HAD CANCER IN THE PAST).  SINCE THE MEDICAL FIELD DOES NOT HAVE ANSWERS FOR THIS ANNOYING PROBLEM, IF ANYONE ELSE DOES, PLEASE POST IT!  THANKS!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I, TOO, NOTICED ABOUT A YEAR AGO THAT I HAVE LARGE (1/2) INCH WRINKLES OR WAVES ON THE SKIN OF MY SCALP AROUND THE CROWN. MY DOCTOR HAD NEVER HEARD OF IT & WAS GOING TO TAKE A HEAD XRAY BUT I HAD A MIGRAINE HEADACHE AT THE TIME & DID NOT FOLLOW-UP. I AM A 55 YOWF, SO IT DOESNT LOOK LIKE RACE OR SEX IS A DOMINANT ETIOLOGY FROM THE PREVIOUS POSTINGS.   I RUB THE AREA REGULARLY  JUST TO SEE IF IT IS GROWING IN SIZE AND IT IS.   IT REALLY ISNT PAINFUL, ONLY SLIGHTLY TOUCHING SEEMS TO IRRITATE IT AND MAKE IT FEEL BRUISED. I WONDERED IF IT IS LIKE FAT PADS, AS I HAVE GAINED A LOT OF WEIGHT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. (60 POUNDS IN 6 MONTHS WHILE ON A NEW MEDICATION & HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LOSE IT DUE TO CHRONIC BACK PAIN & FIBROMYALGIA.)  I WEAR MY HAIR LONG AND IT DOESNT SHOW, BUT I JUST HOPE IT IS NOTHING SERIOUS (AS I HAVE HAD CANCER IN THE PAST).  SINCE THE MEDICAL FIELD DOES NOT HAVE ANSWERS FOR THIS ANNOYING PROBLEM, IF ANYONE ELSE DOES, PLEASE POST IT!  THANKS!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
here is the doctor who did it
http://www.hairrestorationnetwork.com/eve/166257-cutis-verticis-gyrata-treated-scalp-reduction.html
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Avatar universal
There is a cure for this. I have found a website where someone had scalp reduction procedure.
http://cutisverticisgyrata.org/forum/index.php/topic,5755.0.html
There are picture of before and after and there is a huge difference. There is another guy doing the procedure and will post pictures of himself.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had this symptom also since i 18 but is more noticle at age 29. I have two ridges top of head and also back of head going across. i did find this website. http://www.clinicaladvisor.com/thick-ridges-and-valleys-found-on-a-newly-shaved-scalp/article/136540/2/
I am going to let my hair grow this summer so its not noticeable but I do like having short hair. Anyone has had any surgery yet?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
wow.  i didnt realize this affected so many ppl. i am 26 yrs old, African American average size, not skinny or fat.  i noticed the wrinkles in my scalp when i was about 18 yrs old when I got a low hair cut, and they literally came out of nowhere.  my sister asked me "what did you do to your head?"  at first i thought it was because i wore my durag too tight for too many years, as i wore it to keep my waves (for those who dont know what waves are they are a hairstyle some Black men have) nice.  but now i think its just a random genetic thing, although no one in my family has it.  so i had to start wearing a longer hair style so ppl wouldnt notice.  now i want to cut my hair low again and almost forgot i shouldnt do that!  based on my research, the two ways to get rid of the wrinkles are a scalp subcision or a scalp reduction.  the subcision is a lot simpler of a treatment while the reduction is pretty much surgery.  i am going to contact a dermatologist asap and see what the costs are. i recommend EVERYONE on this forum to go see a dermatologist, they can answer all your questions.  shane battier and greg oden have it.  we arent the only ones!    
Helpful - 0
2295182 tn?1339570349
hey i know its been a while but have ur wrinkles compeletly gone away. i have recently lost weight too and my scalp is tightning and my wrinkles dont feel as deep but i wanna know if your wrinkles completely went away.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I didnt find any info about KENOLOG injections for CVG so maybe you want to add a link to your source?
Im also wondering how noticeable is that scar if i decide to get scalp reduction surgery?
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Avatar universal
I to have the same problem.I have done a bit of research my self and have come across an injection called KENOLOG.It is a steroid I believe.Injected directly into the ridges,it is ment to get rid of the ridging after a few treatments.On another forum a man said after the first injection the ridges had almost gone and that after a couple more treatments the ridging should completely go.I am going to consult my doctor and see what they think.Do your own research to.It seems like a very good option.Google KENOLOG injections for CVG.Let me know what you guys think.Cheers,I hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I noticed I got mine after I wore a wave cap all the time.B4 that I never had those brain waves on the top of my head.
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Avatar universal
I don't have this condition but I wanted to research it because I saw that Shane Battier has it and so does this guy at my work.  All I have to say is that even if you guys feel insecure about this you should know one thing.  Almost everyone has some kind of medical condition that they try and hide from people.  I have really bad psoriasis on my scalp and now a few random spots on my torso.  Luckily I have good insurance and can afford to get the medication but it can still be very annoying.  I say all of that to say this.  Most people are so worried about how they look when they go out they aren't even paying attention to what may or may not be wrong with you and most likely it's not the most important thing on their mind.  So next time you step out just have confidence in who you are as a person and forget about the way you look.  Have fun with life and don't sweat the small stuff.  Just remember their is always someone in the world having a worse day than you and be thankful that you're alive.  Take care you guys and if I find out anything to help with this occurrence I'll be sure to let you know.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm a 39 year old black male.I first noticed it in my mid 20's after cutting my hair real low.Over the years as my hair has thinned,the wrinkles show more.I would be ok shaving my head,instead of looking like bozo the clown but the wrinkles are embarassing.I have been wearing hat's to cover my head,but u can't wear a hat everywhere.I wish I could do something to have a normal round scalp.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've just turned 29 years old. Background: Mixed Race : I'm 6' 210 lbs, Ex-rugby player... I've had this problem since i was about 14-15 - In high school of course. But it wasn't too terrible as i attended an all boys school. But I'm gay. so... It was slightly awkward anyway.. Carrying on, I noticed that someone above had mentioned a particular smell or odor to the scalp - which I have also noticed as well - And i did and do wash my hair regularly. But it always seemed to be quite odd in the summer to have a raging hot scalp with insects coming to "hang out". The smell is not so apparent any longer as I've been using an all-natural psoriasis shampoo. It was never an unpleasant smell, just one that I noticed accompanied with intense heat. (I've also been avoiding Bleached flours and Heavy starches.) These scalp folds seem to be causing my hairloss (patchy growth) as well as a bit of acne/ingrown hairs - So the shampoo keeps these both in check very nicely. I really don't know what else to buy. But hell the real issue is the wrinkles i suppose. I've resorted to wearing hats for most of my life following the discovery of these wrinkles. It worked into my mid 20s-But of course, when you get an ACTUAL/REAL job, chances are you cannot wear a hat whether casual or professional (which is horribly shocking for someone who depends on one). Apparently men have to remove hats in this world. What the ****. lol.  I am very very interested in the surgery procedure and would like to know more about it if anyone cares to share any information. I need to do something about it soon, My partner doesn't mind of course, but I'm tired of people staring at me in the streets, or being paranoid of people standing behind me. OR people suggesting "Oh you should cut your hair shorter if it's thinning"... And obviously I shouldn't cut it too short because it will look as if my brain is exposed.  I've become more accustomed to having my hat off recently though as a result of my employment, but it also makes me much more aware of the issue. I think a price for the surgery would be a great place to start if anyone knows??

This is a bit of a personal story. When I was 21 I worked at Fedex in the City close by. One time, for whatever reason, I was struck by a sliding cargo door from the ceiling. It hit me in the head. MY hat fell off and i was dizzy to the point of being ill. A ton of employees came to check on me, but I was too embarrassed of the potential shock they would have of seeing my head. I simply put my hat back on and said i was ok. Mind you, when I got home i was so dizzy that i vomitted and my head had been bleeding for quite a while. This was stupid, but that was how terrified I was of my own ******* head. I've come a long way now. Still want to do something about it very soon though.

Thanks for listening/reading guys.. I'm so glad I found this page.
Signed,

E
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Avatar universal
I'm 23, 6'5", 220, athletic and African American as well. Used to buzz my head when I was growing up, then one day I had the barber cut me my usual and BOOM the wrinkles were there. They have been there ever since and I have had to get haircuts accordingly because I'm very self conscious about them. My buddies all say I look like a pug. Lately I've been starting to notice a receding hairline and the wrinkles are starting to be more noticeable. I am a business professional and knowing the wrinkles are visible to my colleagues has made me even more self conscious. If anyone ever figures out a way to reduce/cure this please contact me!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've noticed wrinkles on my scalp more, as I've got older. I'm 41 currently and what I believe is the cause in my case and probably in most other cases is the elasticity of our skin is much less and doesn't tighten back up the way it use to, when we were younger. The wrinkles seemed to be caused from sleeping. When you're laying down, your scalp tends to get wrinkly and as we get older, those wrinkles become more apparent and permanent.

As it has been mentioned several times, outside of plastic surgery, I don't Think there is a permanent way to fix this. I do notice however, when I wash my scalp while showering, my skin does tighten up to some degree when it dries and the wrinkles are not so noticeable. Using an astringent or something to promote skin tightening, is the only thing I could come up with to help temporarily reduce the wrinkles on my scalp.
Helpful - 0
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