Hair Loss Stages and the Norwood Scale

What is the Norwood Scale?

Are you losing your hair? Did you know there is a measurement called the Norwood Scale to measure the amount of hair loss you are experiencing? The Norwood Scale is a measurement developed by James Hamilton in the 1950s to help classify the stages of male pattern baldness. It was later updated and revised by O’Tar Norwood in the 1970s. It is referred to as the Norwood-Hamilton Scale or simply the Norwood Scale.

Why is the Norwood Scale Important if you are losing your hair?

The Norwood Scale has seven stages, from 1 to 7. A Trichologist or hair loss practitioner can quickly determine at which stage of hair loss you are and help determine the best hair loss treatment at your particular stage.

STAGE 1: In stage one of the Norwood Scale, there are no immediate signs of balding. The hairline is intact, and there are no bald spots in the crown area.

STAGE 2: In stage 2, your hairline recurs around the temples. This is the beginning stage of androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness. At this stage, creating an effective hair loss treatment with your Trichologist is still early enough to help stop the fallout.

STAGE 3: In stage 3, male pattern baldness is more apparent, and you can start to see a balding patch in the crown area or vertex and further recession of the hairline.

STAGE 4: In stage 4, the hair loss is more severe, with a very noticeable bald area in the vertex. The hairline continues to recede, and overall thinning is apparent.

STAGE 5: In stage 5, the balding area of the vertex continues to grow, and the hairline continues to recede. Only a tiny strip of hair separates the vertex from the hairline.

STAGE 6: In stage 6, the balding areas merge to form one large bald spot. There is no more strip of hair separating the vertex from the hairline.

STAGE 7: Stage 7 is the final and most severe form of androgenetic alopecia for men. The only remaining hair is on the sides of your head and at the back of your head. This hair usually doesn't fall out and can be used for a hair transplant.

Trichologist Near Me

At our Trichology Centre, our in-clinic trichologist can help you with your hair loss if you are in the early stages of the Norwood Scale. We have treatments such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma), microneedling, laser therapy, and many other hair loss treatments that can help stop hair loss and start to regrow lost hair.

Unfortunately, once your hair follicles die, there is no way to revive them; the only solutions are a hair transplant or scalp micropigmentation.

What is a Hair Transplant?

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure where a surgeon will take the hairs on the back and sides of your head (called donor’s hair) and transplant it to recreate a new hairline and add density to a bald or balding crown area. A hair transplant has pros and cons, and not everyone qualifies for it. If you don’t have enough donor’s hair, for example, the results will not be good, and your hair will still look sparse.

What is Scalp Micropigmentation?

SMP is a relatively new procedure whereby tiny ink pigments are placed on your scalp to mimic the look of real hair follicles. The process is like an art form, as the SMP artist needs to have some artistic flare to recreate your hairline for it to look completely natural.

It is often called a hair tattoo or scalp tattoo. However, it is nothing like a regular tattoo you get from a tattoo clinic. The specialized inks and specialized SMP needles are different than traditional tattoos. However, once an experienced SMP artist completes the scalp, micro pigmentation looks natural, even at a very close range.

According to the Norwood Scale, if you are in the early stages of hair loss, there is still a chance for you to stop the regression and help regrow your lost hair. However, if you are in the later stages of the Norwood Scale, then we would recommend either a hair transplant or SMP. Suppose you are unsure which one you would like. In that case, we invite you to come for a free no, obligation consultation at 2 of our Trichology Hair Loss Centres or 5 of our SMP Centres in the Toronto GTA.

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HIS Hair Clinic Canada | HAIRTATTOO.CA is the first Scalp Micropigmentation clinic in Canada, offering a revolutionary hair loss solution that has transformed the lives of countless Canadians.

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Hair Loss Stages – Norwood Scale