The Hamilton-Norwood Scale classifies the stages of Androgenic alopecia, better known as male pattern baldness. It ranks the stages of balding from 1 to 7 – based on the severity and pattern of hair loss. Typically shortened to the “Norwood Scale,” doctors use this system to assess the progression of hair loss and to determine the efficacy of hair restoration treatments.
What Am I on the Norwood Scale?
Where one falls on the Norwood scale depends on the amount and pattern of one’s hair loss. The seven stages are defined as follows:
- Stage 1: There is no observable hair loss or receding of the hairline.
- Stage 2: Minor receding of the hairline has occurred, but there is no other noticeable hair loss.
- Stage 3: Evident hair loss has occurred, with the hairline receding significantly in an M (or sometimes U or V) shape. A subtype of stage 3 hair loss occurs when the hairline remains at Stage 2, but there is substantial hair loss at the vertex (top) of the scalp.
- Stage 4: The hairline continues to recede, there is little to no hair remaining on the scalp’s vertex, and a band of hair separates the two main areas of hair loss.
- Stage 5: The two areas of hair loss have expanded, and the band of hair separating them has grown sparser and narrower.
- Stage 6: The areas of hair loss at the temples and vertex have joined into a single area without hair. Any remaining hair across the top of the scalp is sparse.
- Stage 7: Only a small band of fine hair remains around the sides of the head.
At What Age Is Norwood 2 Normal?
Norwood stage 2 is the baseline for post-adolescent men and is considered normal for those who are between the ages of 17 to 30. While hair at one’s temples has receded a bit, this is not necessarily considered a sign of androgenic alopecia, but rather as a normal part of aging.
Can You Stay at Norwood 2?
Some men stay at Norwood 2 for their entire adult lives, even without treatment. Others may halt the progression of hair loss at Norwood 2 with lifestyle changes and/or medical intervention.
Can You Reverse Norwood 2?
Because Norwood 2 is the baseline for young adult males, reversal typically is not the most desirable goal… although there are treatments to maximize the thickness and fullness of one’s existing hair. At this stage, it is more important to try to slow down or halt the progression of hair loss, and to prevent moving on to subsequent levels of the Norwood scale.
Is Norwood 3 Noticeable?
Norwood 3 is when hair loss becomes noticeable. At this stage, even though the hairline is not receding significantly, one may begin to suspect encroaching male pattern baldness as the hair thins at the scalp’s vertex.
Can Balding Stop at Norwood 3?
The progression of male pattern baldness depends to a great extent on one’s genetics and environment. As with Norwood 2, some men do not progress beyond Norwood 3 while others can slow or stop progression with hair restoration treatments.
Is Norwood 3 Too Late for Hair Loss Treatment?
Norwood 3 is not too late to begin treatment, but it is unwise to wait any longer to get started. Without treatment, male pattern baldness will continue to progress and make any future intervention more invasive and costly.
Talk to RHRLI About Treating the Progression of Male Pattern Hair Loss
At RHRLI, we offer a wide variety of surgical and nonsurgical treatments to address androgenic alopecia and to slow or stop your progression through the stages of hair loss, wherever you may fall on the Norwood Scale. Contact us to schedule a free consultation where we can determine the underlying cause of your hair loss, help you maximize your existing hair, and assist you in creating a plan to achieve the hairline you desire.