Norwood Scale hair

The Norwood Scale, also known as the Norwood-Hamilton Scale, is a classification system used to measure the progression of male pattern baldness. It was developed by Dr. O'Tar Norwood in the 1950s and later modified by Dr. James Hamilton. The scale ranges from Stage 1 (minimal or no hair loss) to Stage 7 (most advanced hair loss).

Here's a brief overview of the Norwood Scale stages:

1. Stage 1: No recession of the hairline. No significant hair loss is observed.

2. Stage 2: The hairline starts to recede slightly, typically forming a slight "M" shape at the temples.

3. Stage 3: Hair loss becomes more noticeable, with significant recession at the temples and possibly thinning at the crown (vertex).

4. Stage 3 Vertex: In this variation of Stage 3, there's significant hair loss at the crown (vertex) in addition to the recession at the temples.

5. Stage 4: The receding hairline and thinning crown become more pronounced. The remaining hair separates the front and crown areas.

6. Stage 5: The bridge of hair separating the receding hairline and crown becomes thinner or disappears, leaving larger areas of baldness on the front and crown.

7. Stage 6: The bald areas at the front and crown merge, leaving only a band of hair around the sides and back of the scalp.

8. Stage 7: This is the most advanced stage of male pattern baldness, characterized by extensive balding with only a small band of hair remaining at the sides and back of the scalp.

The Norwood Scale helps physicians classify the extent of hair loss in men and determine appropriate treatment options, such as hair transplantation or medical therapies like minoxidil and finasteride. It's important to note that while the Norwood Scale is commonly used, individual patterns of hair loss can vary, and not all cases fit neatly into these categories. Additionally, the scale primarily applies to male pattern baldness and may not be applicable to other types of hair loss or to female pattern hair loss.