The Norwood-Hamilton scale, sometimes known as the “Norwood Scale,” was developed by doctor James Hamilton to assess the stages of male pattern baldness in the 1950s. Dr. O’tar Norwood made significant improvements to the scale in the 1970s. According to the Norwood scale, there are seven stages of baldness, with various models for each kind. Each level has a regular and a class A pattern. The Norwood Scale not only recognizes the progression of these patterns but also aids in classifying the stages of male pattern baldness.
A regular pattern is what?
A bald spot on the head’s crown and temples signals the beginning of a regular pattern.
A Class A pattern is what?
Class A baldness develops differently; there is no bald spot on the top of your head (vertex), and the hairline recedes from the front to the rear.
Let’s examine your hair loss’s stage right now!
Stages of the Norwood-Hamilton Scale
Stage 1
If you are in Norwood Hamilton Scale stage 1 there is nothing to worry about. Stage 1, often known as the control stage, does not show any indications of hair regrowth. You might see that the only recessions on your temporal sides are slight ones.
Stage 2:
In stage 2, hair thinning may be hardly noticeable and tends to affect your temporal regions. You are likely at stage 2 if you feel that your temporal areas are receding and that your hair is becoming sparser.
Stage 3:
Stage 3 is perhaps the first stage of recession, and it is extremely noticeable at the temples. Thus, around Stage 3, hair loss becomes apparent. At this stage, your hairline begins to move away from your temples and takes on a “M” shape.
Stage 3 Vertex:
Your hairline resembles stage 2 in Norwood Stage 3 Vertex, but the top of your head (the vertex) appears to be losing hair.
Stage 4:
In this stage, the recession of the hairline is more extreme. You may have thin or no hair on your crown area, and your front hair forms a “U” shape due to more severe recession.
Stage 5:
In Norwood Stage 5, the crown region and forehead line see noticeable hair loss. Between the front and crown region, this pattern has a specific amount of hair. In contrast to the previous stage, the hair is now thinner and the line is getting narrower. The hair on the head has a horseshoe form.
Stage 6:
The contrast between the front and the crown has almost completely vanished by the sixth stage of hair loss. There may still be hair on the sides of the head. However, the majority of the hair is lost and the remaining hair looks to be dispersing on both sides.
Stage 7:
Norwood The severity of baldness reaches an excessive and severe level by stage 7, which is the final stage of hair loss. Hair loss starts to badly harm the side of the head and leaves the ears and neck hairless. The hair that does develop will probably be brittle and thin.
Why do men lose hair in a pattern or in other words , what causes male pattern baldness?
The most frequent cause of hair loss in men is called androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Common names for it include masculine hair loss, typical baldness, and male pattern baldness. This type of shedding starts on both sides of the head (bitemporal) and is caused by the conversion of testosterone, the most prevalent androgenic hormone, to dihydrotestosterone by the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme in our hair follicles and by the effective reaction of our hair follicles. The mid-front line then experiences spills. Miniaturization is the term for the thinning that occurs during this process, which causes the hair to go from having thick, strong roots to tiny, scarcely perceptible baby hair. Permanent loss will result if it is not addressed by treatment during this time.
How is hair loss treated?
There are many options available to you if you are experiencing hair loss, and early treatment for hair loss is the most beneficial. Let’s examine some of the options that can help you.
The art of hair transplantation has evolved through time and has recently risen to the top of the list of popular medical aesthetic operations. Every year, a large number of people go abroad to receive a hair transplant. The biggest benefit is that it provides people who are experiencing hair loss with long-term treatments. The outcome depends on the patient’s fitness for the treatment, their expectations, the clinic’s experience, and the surgeon performing the procedure. Hair transplantation produces good outcomes when it is planned personally and carried out in skilled clinics.
Minoxidil
Initially, patients with blood pressure disorders were treated with minoxidil’s active ingredient to control their blood pressure. Although the mechanism by which it promotes hair growth is still not fully known, it has FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approval for the treatment of androgenetic hair loss. In about 60% of the patients who use it topically, the hair loss has been shown to have ceased. When people quit taking Minoxidil, they typically experience more severe hair loss than they had previously. The medicine is advised to be used continuously for this reason.
Finasteride
Another useful drug for treating male pattern baldness is finasteride (Propecia). Does finasteride reduce hair thinning? It does, indeed! It promotes hair growth in the scalp’s crown and temple regions.
FAQ
Norwood-Hamilton Scale: Is it Reliable?
The Hamilton-Norwood scale is used to categorize the stages of male pattern baldness. The steps are identified by a number between 1 and 7.
My hairline should begin where?
Our primary goal as a member of the Smile Hair Clinic family is naturalness. As a result, when designing, we stick to your natural hairline and avoid your forehead muscles. We suggest going natural. Additionally, we value the expectations of our patients. So, don’t be alarmed! We’ll help you find the hair transplant that meets your needs best!
Is Norwood Stage 1 a Balding Stage?
Do I Need a Stage 1 Hair Transplant Operation?
We don’t advise a hair transplant procedure for someone in the Norwood Stage 1 of hair loss since your existing hair may be destroyed. Norwood Stage 1 is the control stage, therefore there is no hair loss.
Does Norwood 2 Qualify as Balding?
The Norwood 2 stage is regarded as the beginning of baldness. Not exactly balding, though. but the start of the change from a masculine teenage to an adult hairline. You start to lose hair around your temples.
Can you get past Norwood 2?
If you are at Norwood 2 stage, the “mature” hairline stage, you are fortunate. You have a great chance to avert the impending terrible situation and regrow healthy hair before your hair loss worsens.
Is Norwood 3 a Balding reference?
The initial step of recession, stage 3, is immediately noticeable at the temples. Thus, around Stage 3, hair loss becomes apparent. At this stage, the hairline moves away from the temples and back. So, absolutely, balding is a result.
Norwood 5 is eligible for a hair transplant.
Yes! The current most successful treatment, without a doubt. You should be aware that the less hair balding you experience, the sooner you act.
A Norwood 6 is eligible for a hair transplant.
All phases of hair loss can be treated with hair transplant procedures. Therefore, a Norwood 6 with advanced hair loss may also benefit from a hair transplant.
A Norwood 7 is eligible for a hair transplant.
If you are in Norwood 7 stage, do not worry. You can still have a hair transplant procedure. To increase the density of the hair in the crown and restore a natural-looking hairline, your doctor will need to remove hair from your head and beard.
A new hairline, temple, and crown design will be created based on your preferences and your doctor’s advice.
The first thing that needs to be done is to address the severe Norwood 7 stage. As a result, it takes a little longer, and a second operation might be necessary.