WhatsAppHair doctors use the Norwood scale (Norwood-Hamilton Scale) classification system to measure the degree of male pattern baldness. Today, men generally lose their hair in specific patterns over a long period of time. Experts refer to the images on the Norwood Hair Scale to identify these different stages of alopecia.
Female pattern baldness usually progresses differently than in men. Because of this, different scales are used to grade female hair thinning, such as the Ludwig scale or the Savin scale.
Nevertheless, Norwood hair loss scale is the most commonly used measurement scale by experts regarding male pattern baldness.
In our hair clinic in Turkey, we use the scale as a point of reference for diagnosing the degree of hair fall, taking into account treatment options and determining the outcome of the treatment.
Hair surgeons create the balding pattern by comparing the 7 steps on the Norwood Hamilton Scale. In this part of our article, let’s look at what these stages are with examples:
This first stage is characterized by a healthy and mature adult hairline with no obvious hair recession. There is no alopecia at the vertex. A very slight thinning of the temples may be noticeable, but this is not considered a visible hair reduction.
In the Norwood 2 stage, the hairline begins to recede slightly from the temples. The crown still shows no noticeable thinning of the hair. This recession is generally considered the mature hairline. Different levels of thinning can be seen on the right and left sides of the head. This may worry you, but according to the Norwood Scale, this stage is not yet affected by hereditary hair fall.
Celebrity hair transplant example: The Evolution of Trae Young’s Hairline
At this stage, significant hair loss begins. The hairline at the temples recedes considerably and the hairline becomes M, U or V-shaped. The retracted areas may be completely bare or contain very little hair.
The hairline remains as in Stage 2, but this time with noticeable balding at the crown.
Norwood 3 hair loss example: 2890 Grafts – 2 Years Result
In the Norwood 4 stage, balding is more intense both at the temples and at the crown. However, these two areas of alopecia are still separated by some hair. If there is no shedding at the vertex, the regression at the temples is more pronounced compared to Stage 3.
Norwood scale 4 hair replacement Turkey: 4210 Grafts – 16 Months Result
At this stage, the loss of hair density at the mid-scalp and crown are larger. The intervening strip of hair is thinner and narrower. However, the connection is not completely lost.
Norwood 5 hair loss DHI hair transplant Turkey: 4810 Grafts – 5 Years Result
The balding areas at the frontal region now connect with the thinning spot at the crown. The strip of hair on the top of the head has either disappeared or is highly sparse.
Norwood 6 hair transplant before and after: 5300 Grafts Before and After Hair Transplant Results
The most severe hair fall occurs. Only hair remains on the sides and back of the head. This hair is usually sparse and thin.
Norwood scale7 example: 2 Sessions Hair Transplant for Norwood 7: 1,5 Years Result of the First Session
The type “A” variant of the Norwood hair loss scale presents a different and rarer progression of scalp thinning. In this type, the hairline recedes symmetrically from the temples and there is no hair island in the center. There is also no significant loss of hair density in the crown. The hairline progresses evenly directly from the front to the back.
If you have hair loss wherever you are in the world, you can get free online consultation service from us. The degree of your hair reduction is determined in your interview. We will ask you to take a photo of your hair taken from certain angles. Our hair specialist will evaluate according to the Norwood Hair Scale.
When you are told the current stage of your hair reduction, our specialist will offer you the most appropriate treatment options. If hair loss is in the early stages, solutions will be recommended to protect your remaining hair and support your healthy hair growth.
A professional hair doctor is a specialist who can predict how alopecia will progress in each area of the scalp.
Male pattern baldness is largely hereditary. Therefore, using the Norwood Hamilton Scale together with information about your family history, a doctor can predict where your hair fall may stop. In this way, he can plan for possible future hair decline.
You can reduce existing male pattern baldness, stimulate hair growth and, if necessary, prepare for a future hair replacement.
The Norwood Hamilton Scale is a useful tool for diagnosing the type and severity of balding in men with alopecia.
If your hair loss affects you negatively in your psychological and social life, we recommend you to consider hair transplantation in Turkey. No matter which stage you are on the Norwood Scale, Dr. Yaman will help you achieve permanent and natural hair at an affordable price.
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