Is it normal for my skull to be asymmetrical? A deep dive into head shape variations

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

Facial and cranial asymmetry are common, with up to 46% of healthy babies experiencing some form of asymmetrical head shape. For adults wondering, “Is it normal for my skull to be asymmetrical?”, the answer is often yes, but understanding the cause and knowing when to seek professional advice is essential for your general health.

Quick Summary

Mild variations in head shape are common and usually not a medical concern, often stemming from childhood conditions or natural development. Noteworthy changes in adult skull shape, or new dents and bumps, warrant medical evaluation to rule out underlying issues, as treatment depends on the specific cause.

Key Points

Asymmetry is Common: Most individuals have some degree of asymmetry in their skull or face, which is usually a harmless, natural variation.
Infant Causes Persist: The most common reason for mild asymmetry in adults is residual positional plagiocephaly from infancy, or 'flat head syndrome', which often resolves but can leave a subtle imprint.
New Changes are Red Flags: Unlike subtle, lifelong variations, a new dent, bump, or altered shape in an adult skull is a potential sign of an underlying medical condition, such as trauma, bone disease, or a tumor.
Symptoms Dictate Urgency: Seek medical attention if skull asymmetry is accompanied by symptoms like persistent headaches, pain, or neurological changes, or if it appears suddenly after an injury.
Adult Treatment Options Differ: Unlike in infants, adult skull reshaping for cosmetic reasons requires surgery, such as burring or implants, and helmet therapy is not effective.
Diagnosis is Key: A doctor can use a physical exam and imaging like CT scans to differentiate between a harmless variation and a condition that requires medical intervention.
Cosmetic vs. Medical Concern: While most asymmetry is a cosmetic issue, underlying causes like craniosynostosis or Paget's disease can have functional implications and require specific treatment.

The surprisingly common reality of an uneven skull

Perfect symmetry is a rare trait in human biology, and this applies to the skull as much as it does to the face. Most people possess a subtle degree of cranial asymmetry without it posing any health risks. In many cases, these variations are simply a part of normal anatomical development. However, significant changes in skull shape, or asymmetry that is accompanied by other symptoms, can sometimes indicate a more complex medical condition.

Benign causes of skull asymmetry

For many adults, asymmetry is a remnant of a condition from infancy that did not fully resolve or was never medically concerning. The primary culprit for this is positional plagiocephaly, also known as 'flat head syndrome'. The soft bones of an infant's skull can flatten over time due to consistent pressure from sleeping or resting in the same position. While repositioning techniques and helmet therapy are often used to correct this in babies, some minor flattening can persist into adulthood. However, as noted by researchers, perspective plays a significant role, and residual plagiocephaly is often not visible to the casual observer when viewing an adult's head from a normal vantage point.

Genetic predisposition: Just as genetics influence facial features, they also play a role in the natural contours of the skull. A slightly prominent occipital bone or uneven proportions can simply be a family trait.
Minor trauma: Small bumps or minor injuries during childhood could have caused imperceptible variations in bone growth or surface texture.
Developmental variations: Sometimes, slight variations in bone structure are just a part of an individual's unique anatomy, similar to a person having one foot slightly larger than the other.

Concerning causes of skull asymmetry in adulthood

While mild, long-standing asymmetry is typically benign, the appearance of a new dent, bump, or notable change in the shape of your skull during adulthood is a different matter. When you are fully grown, the skull bones are fused and stable. Any noticeable alteration could be a sign of an underlying health issue and should be evaluated by a doctor.

Trauma: A new indentation can be the result of a significant head injury, potentially indicating a fracture or other damage.
Rare bone diseases: Conditions like Paget's disease of bone can interfere with the body's natural bone replacement cycle, leading to an overgrowth of bone tissue in the skull. In contrast, Gorham's disease can cause bone mass to be replaced by other tissues.
Tumors or cancerous growths: In rare cases, bone-destructive cancers like multiple myeloma can cause depressions or irregularities in the skull. This is uncommon, but a new depression warrants medical attention to rule out such a possibility.
Craniosynostosis: While this condition—the premature fusion of skull sutures—is typically treated in infancy, rare cases may go undiagnosed until adulthood. Untreated, it can lead to noticeable skull deformities, facial asymmetry, and potential neurological symptoms.

Diagnosis: Differentiating benign from concerning

When evaluating a patient with concerns about their head shape, a healthcare provider will consider several factors. A physical exam, including a visual assessment and palpation of the skull, is the first step. Imaging, such as X-rays or a CT scan, may be used to get a clearer picture of the bone structure and rule out other conditions.

When to see a doctor

Most mild cases of skull asymmetry are simply a cosmetic issue and not a health risk. However, a visit to a healthcare provider is recommended if you notice any of the following:

A new bump, dent, or significant change in your head shape.
Asymmetry that is accompanied by headaches, pain, or any neurological symptoms.
Facial asymmetry that affects jaw alignment, vision, or hearing.
Any change following a head injury.
Persistent anxiety or concern about your head shape.

Treatment options for skull asymmetry

For mild, cosmetic cases, especially those with no associated symptoms, no treatment is typically necessary. For severe cases of craniosynostosis or significant deformities persisting from childhood, surgery is the primary treatment but carries higher risks in adulthood compared to infancy. Other options depend on the root cause:

Cosmetic skull reshaping: For purely aesthetic reasons, surgeons can perform procedures to reshape the skull. This may involve using burring tools to smooth down high spots or using synthetic materials to fill out depressions.
Custom implants: Large or complex irregularities can be addressed with custom-made implants designed to fit the specific contours of a patient's skull.
Addressing underlying conditions: If the asymmetry is caused by a medical condition like Paget's disease or a tumor, the treatment focuses on managing or removing the underlying cause.


Feature	Benign Skull Asymmetry	Concerning Skull Asymmetry
Onset	Present since infancy or childhood; gradual and stable.	A new dent, bump, or noticeable change in adulthood.
Associated Symptoms	None, or only mild facial asymmetry (e.g., uneven jaw) without functional issues.	Accompanied by headaches, pain, neurological changes, vision/hearing problems, or swelling.
Appearance	Subtle, often visible only from a top-down view; can be a remnant of childhood plagiocephaly.	A distinct new irregularity, depression, or overgrowth of bone.
Root Cause	Positional plagiocephaly from infancy, genetic variations, minor developmental differences.	Head trauma, rare bone diseases (Paget's, Gorham's), or very rare tumors.
Urgency	Low urgency; evaluation is for reassurance or cosmetic concerns.	Higher urgency, especially if new symptoms are present; immediate evaluation after trauma.

Conclusion

It is indeed common for a person's skull to have some degree of asymmetry, and in most cases, this is a normal anatomical variation. The key distinction lies between a mild, long-standing, or purely cosmetic unevenness and a new, symptomatic change in adulthood. By understanding the benign and concerning causes and monitoring for key red flag symptoms, individuals can navigate their concerns with clarity. Consulting with a healthcare provider for any new or worrisome changes is always the safest course of action, ensuring any potential issues are addressed promptly and effectively.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For concerns about your health, consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, mild skull asymmetry is very common and typically considered a normal variation in a healthy adult. It's often a result of natural bone development or unresolved positional plagiocephaly from infancy.

While consistent sleeping positions can cause skull flattening in infants whose skulls are still soft, it is not a primary cause of significant asymmetry in adults whose skull bones are fused and hard.

In rare instances, a new dent or bump caused by a bone-destructive tumor could be related to cancer. However, a brain tumor is an extremely rare cause of skull asymmetry, and other more common causes are typically identified first.

Adult plagiocephaly is an asymmetrical head shape that persists from infancy. It is typically a cosmetic issue that does not cause functional problems, though severe cases can occasionally lead to related symptoms like headaches.

You should see a doctor if you notice a new dent, bump, or change in your head shape, especially if it appears after an injury or is accompanied by pain, headaches, or neurological symptoms.

If a new indentation appears, particularly after a head trauma, you should seek immediate medical evaluation. In other cases, a doctor will perform an exam to determine the cause, which can range from a benign condition to a rare bone disease.

Treatment for adult skull asymmetry, if desired, is typically surgical. Options include reshaping the bone with burring tools, adding synthetic materials to fill depressions, or using custom-made implants for more complex cases.