Can you correct skull shape? Treatments for infants and adults

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 1 in 2 infants has some degree of plagiocephaly, a condition that results in a misshapen head. When it comes to the question, "Can you correct skull shape?", the answer is yes, with treatments available for both infants and adults depending on the underlying cause and severity.

Quick Summary

Yes, correcting a misshapen skull is possible through various treatments tailored to the individual's age and diagnosis, ranging from simple repositioning and helmet therapy for babies to surgical procedures for more complex cases in both infants and adults.

Key Points

Infant Treatment: For babies, correcting a misshapen skull is highly effective through non-invasive repositioning techniques or custom-fitted helmet therapy, especially when started early.
Craniosynostosis: This rare condition involves the premature fusing of skull sutures and must be corrected with surgery, typically performed in infancy.
Adult Surgical Options: Adult skull correction is surgical only and can involve using bone cements or implants to augment flat areas or burring down prominent spots.
Risk vs. Reward: Weigh the risks of surgery in adults against the cosmetic or psychological benefits, and choose a board-certified craniofacial surgeon.
Diagnosis is Key: An accurate diagnosis from a medical professional is crucial to determine the correct and safest course of action, as treatments differ significantly between causes like positional molding and craniosynostosis.
Expert Consultation: Always seek a consultation with a specialist, such as a pediatrician, craniofacial expert, or plastic surgeon, before pursuing any form of skull shape correction.

Can you correct skull shape in infants?

For infants, a misshapen skull is often caused by deformational or positional plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, or scaphocephaly. This happens because a baby's skull bones are soft and can be influenced by consistent pressure in one position, especially with the 'back to sleep' recommendation to prevent SIDS. Fortunately, these conditions are highly treatable, especially with early intervention, as the skull is still rapidly growing and malleable.

Non-invasive treatments for infants

Repositioning techniques

For mild to moderate cases, especially in infants under four to six months of age, simple repositioning techniques are often the first line of treatment. These methods help relieve consistent pressure from the flattened area and include:

Tummy Time: Supervised time spent on their stomach while awake helps strengthen neck muscles, which allows the baby to move their head more freely and take pressure off the back of the skull.
Alternating Sleep Positions: While always placing babies on their back to sleep, parents can alternate the direction the baby's head faces in the crib to encourage turning their head to the non-flattened side.
Varying Holding and Carrying: Changing which arm you use to hold or carry your baby, and limiting time in carriers or car seats, can help redistribute pressure on their head.

Cranial remolding helmet therapy

If repositioning is not enough, or for more severe cases, a pediatrician or specialist may recommend helmet therapy, also known as cranial orthosis.

Custom-Fitted Helmet: A custom-made helmet is designed to apply gentle, constant pressure to the more prominent areas of the head while leaving space for the flattened areas to grow, naturally guiding the skull into a more symmetrical shape.
Effective Timing: Helmet therapy is most effective between four and twelve months of age, during the period of a baby's most rapid head growth.
Duration: The treatment typically lasts for a few months, with the helmet worn for approximately 23 hours per day, and involves regular check-ups and adjustments.

Surgical treatment for infants: craniosynostosis

In rare cases, a misshapen skull can be caused by craniosynostosis, a condition where the skull's fibrous joints (sutures) fuse too early.

When is surgery needed?: Unlike positional flattening, craniosynostosis restricts brain growth and often requires surgery to separate the fused sutures.
Procedure: Surgery is typically performed in the first year of life by a craniofacial team. It may involve a traditional open approach or a less invasive endoscopic procedure, which is sometimes followed by helmet therapy.

Can you correct skull shape in adults?

Correcting a skull shape in adulthood is more complex due to the fused and hardened skull bones. While non-invasive methods like helmets are ineffective, surgical options are available for both cosmetic and reconstructive purposes.

Surgical options for adult skull reshaping

Augmentation and contouring

For adults seeking cosmetic correction of an aesthetic asymmetry, flattening, or irregularity, surgical reshaping is the primary option.

Augmentation: For flat spots or depressions, a surgeon can use a biocompatible bone cement, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or hydroxyapatite (HA), or a custom implant to add volume and create a more rounded shape.
Contouring: For bumps, ridges, or an overly prominent area, a surgeon can use a burring tool to carefully and precisely smooth and reduce the outer layer of the skull bone.

Reconstructive surgery

Reconstructive surgery is performed to correct deformities from congenital conditions (like untreated craniosynostosis), trauma, or disease. This can involve similar augmentation and contouring techniques, often requiring more extensive surgery performed in conjunction with a neurosurgeon.

Comparison of skull reshaping methods


Feature	Infant Repositioning	Infant Helmet Therapy	Adult Surgical Reshaping
Best Age	Under 4-6 months	4-12 months	Adulthood
Cause	Positional pressure	Positional pressure	Aesthetics, trauma, congenital
Invasiveness	Non-invasive	Non-invasive	Invasive (surgical)
Effectiveness	High for mild cases, requires parent compliance	High for moderate/severe cases when started early	High, but depends on surgical approach
Recovery	None	Skin checks needed, fast adjustment	Varies, can involve swelling and visible scars
Purpose	Prevents/corrects mild flattening	Corrects moderate/severe flattening	Augmentation, contouring, or reconstruction
Associated Risks	Low risk	Mild skin irritation possible	Infection, implant rejection, bleeding

Potential risks and considerations

Before undertaking any treatment, it's crucial to consult with a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss all options. For infants, a pediatrician can help distinguish between positional flattening and craniosynostosis, which require different approaches. For adults, a consultation with a qualified craniofacial or plastic surgeon is necessary to determine the feasibility and safety of surgical correction.

Surgical Risks: Like all surgery, adult skull reshaping carries risks, including infection, bleeding, implant rejection, or a result that does not meet the patient's aesthetic goals. Choosing a board-certified, experienced surgeon is vital to minimize these risks.
Post-Surgery Recovery: Adult patients should expect some swelling and a recovery period of at least a week. The visibility of scars will depend on the placement of incisions and the patient's hairstyle.

Conclusion: Personalized treatment for each stage

So, can you correct skull shape? The answer depends heavily on age and the underlying cause. For infants, proactive repositioning or a cranial helmet can effectively treat positional deformities, while craniosynostosis requires surgical intervention. In adults, correcting skull shape is a surgical procedure, with options ranging from augmentation using biocompatible materials to contouring for aesthetic and reconstructive purposes. With proper diagnosis and early action for infants or the guidance of an experienced surgeon for adults, a satisfactory correction is often achievable.

For more in-depth information about infant head shape issues, consider visiting the American Association of Neurological Surgeons for patient resources on positional plagiocephaly.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against using pillows or special sleep positioners in a baby's crib due to the increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The safest way to address positional flattening is with supervised tummy time and repositioning techniques while awake.

For deformational plagiocephaly or brachycephaly, which are caused by external pressure, there is no evidence that the condition affects brain growth or development. Craniosynostosis, however, can impact brain growth and development if left untreated.

The ideal time for infant helmet therapy is typically between four and twelve months of age. This period is when a baby's skull is growing most rapidly, making correction more effective. The efficacy diminishes significantly after 18 months.

Skull reshaping surgery is performed under general anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Afterward, patients may experience some discomfort and swelling, which can be managed with medication.

Positional plagiocephaly is a flattening caused by external pressure on a soft skull and is treated with non-invasive methods like repositioning or helmets. Craniosynostosis is the premature fusion of skull sutures, requires surgery, and can restrict brain growth.

Mild cases of positional flattening often improve naturally as the baby starts to spend less time lying on their back and begins to sit up. Significant improvements are generally seen within the first 6 to 12 months with consistent repositioning and tummy time.

No. The adult skull is fully formed and the sutures are fused, making it unchangeable with non-invasive methods like helmets or repositioning. Surgical procedures involving burring or implants are the only way to reshape an adult skull.