You're excited to start your day, but as you look in the mirror, you notice your hairline isn't where it used to be. How you wish that these subtle signs of thinning and recession of the hairline aren't just figments of your imagination.

But as you stare closely at the mirror, it's confirmed you're in the early stages of male pattern baldness.

Don't panic. You're not alone. It's a common journey that some men start in their teens or their 20s.

Understanding the process can make all the difference.

Enter the Hamilton-Norwood scale, your roadmap through the male pattern hair loss stages. Whether you're seeing the first stage of hair loss or a more advanced stage, our guide will help you identify where you are and what steps to take next.

Let's navigate this hair loss journey together with confidence and clarity.

What is the Hamilton-Norwood Scale?

The Hamilton Norwood Scale is a widely accepted classification system used to determine a patient's male pattern baldness stage. It was developed by James Hamilton in the 50s and updated by Dr. O'Tar Norwood in the 70s. The Norwood scale is still the only scale used to identify hair loss patterns and determine treatment options today.

The Hamilton Norwood scale is a visual guide used to classify the extent and pattern of male pattern hair loss or androgenetic alopecia, with seven stages of hair thinning. Understanding the Norwood scale can help identify male hair loss and determine the best treatment options.

Women have their own guide for female pattern baldness called the Ludwig scale.

The 7 Stages of Hair Loss in the Norwood Scale

You need to know that there is no cure for male pattern baldness or androgenetic alopecia. You can only delay the progression of hair loss. The beauty of knowing the Norwood scale is learning what to expect and how to treat your current stage of hair loss. The Hamilton Norwood scale works on all hair types, including curly hair. Here are the seven stages of hair loss from James Hamilton and O'tar Norwood.

Stage 1-3: Early Hair Loss Stage

Norwood Stage 1: There is minimal to no hairline recession at this stage. But if your old family pictures are like an ad for a hair loss commercial, you know what's coming.

Norwood Stage 2: Uh-oh! Hair follicles are starting to wave goodbye. You begin to lose hair with the hairline receding at this stage. You'll notice triangular, often symmetrical, areas of recession at the front of the head near the temples.

Treatment options: Natural-based hair treatment products are ideal at this stage, but remember they can only slow down the progression of androgenetic alopecia but not stop it. A shorter haircut or a buzz cut will look nice in this stage of hair thinning; it disguises the recession and keeps things neat (this is when I started to buzz my head). You can also consider medications like finasteride and minoxidil, which are good at blocking DHT or dihydrotestosterone (the hair loss hormone); they can help delay progression to the next stage in the Norwood scale.

Norwood Stage 3: Now we're taking serious business. Stage 3 of the Norwood scale shows the first signs of clinically significant balding. Those triangular recessions have progressed to being considered balding, with little to no hair in these deep recessions.

Treatment options: Medications like Minoxidil or Finasteride are good treatment options at this stage of androgenetic alopecia, but remember you need to take these for life, or hair loss will progress quickly. A buzz cut is still a solid choice or you may consider a short crop or stylish comb-over.

Stage 4-5: Moderate to Advanced Hair Loss

Norwood Stage 4: At this stage, your hair has joined the witness protection program. The upper part of your head is barren, with just a thin band connecting the sides.

Treatment options: A hair transplant is a good option once you've reached Stage 4. Stage 3 is too early to have one since your baldness may still progress, which would necessitate a second transplant. I shaved my head at this point; bald on top with hair on the sides doesn't look good on me. A buzz cut is an option if you find shaving too aggressive.

Norwood Stage 5: Welcome to advanced baldness! You now look like a monk with hair on the sides and back.

Treatment options: Medications may still help, but a hair transplant is often recommended at this stage. A buzz cut or head shave are non-invasive treatments that can be a game changer for you.

Stage 6-7: Severe Hair Loss Stages

Norwood Stage 6: The bridge has completely disappeared at this point, leaving one large bald spot, with some hair typically remaining around the sides of the head.

Treatment options: Seriously consider a head shave at this stage. It's more than just practical. It can be empowering! Getting hair treatment, medication, and a hair transplant is a waste of money at this stage.

Norwood Stage 7: This is it! The grand finale of hair loss! Patients with Norwood Stage 7 are at the most advanced stage of hair loss and show the most significant hair loss, often only a horseshoe-shaped band of hair remaining along the base of the head.

Treatment options: Scalp micropigmentation can help with the aesthetics. But if you asked me, just owning it and shaving your head is the best option. It can make you look younger than balding. A hair transplant can be costly and is not a good option at this stage. There are too many bald areas to cover and a limited donor area.

The Best Treatment for Male Pattern Baldness: Head Shaving

Head shaving is the best treatment for male-patterned hair loss at any stage. You can start with a buzz cut in the early stages like I did and shave it all off as you progress to the later stages in the Hamilton Norwood scale.

To achieve this, you need either of these two devices or both (it is recommended to trim hair short before shaving with rotaries). We recommend the Freebird BeardSeries Trimmer if you prefer a buzz cut or the FlexSeries Pro if you plan to shave it all off. The Freebird BeardSeries Trimmer is a versatile tool that can be used for various hair lengths and styles (plus your beard if you have one), while the FlexSeries Pro is designed specifically for a smooth, close shave.

The Freebird Beard Series Trimmer costs $49.95 from the Freebird website or on Amazon.

The FlexSeries Pro head shaving kit costs $59.95 from the Freebird website or on Amazon.

The Bottom Line

By understanding your stage in the Norwood scale and the treatments available, you can take control of your hair loss journey. It doesn't have to be daunting when armed with knowledge and options.

Whether you embrace your baldness or explore treatment options like getting a hair transplant, remember that confidence in yourself is vital because it's only hair!

FAQs

What is the Norwood Scale, and Why Should I Care?

The Norwood Scale is like your personal guidebook for male pattern baldness. It classifies the stages of hair loss from 1 (no significant loss) to 7 (complete baldness). Knowing where you fall on the Hamilton Norwood classification can help you understand your hair loss progression and explore treatment options.

What if I Don't Want to Do Anything About My Hair Loss?

That's perfectly okay! Like I always say, it's only hair. Not everyone feels the need to treat their remaining hair. Remember, it's all about what makes you feel good - whether rocking a balding head or going completely bald.