Norwood Classifications:
In 1975, a dermatologist and hair transplant surgeon, Dr. O'Tar Norwood, building upon the earlier work of Hamilton, developed a classification of male pattern hair loss that is widely used today.
He divided androgenetic hair loss in men into two common patterns: the Regular Type, characterized by hair loss that begins in two different areas (at the temples and in the crown) and that gradually merge into one; and the less common Type a, that is characterized by "front-to-back" hair loss. Hair loss that is not genetic in origin usually follows a different pattern.
Hair loss tends to progress over the years, although the rate can vary dramatically from person to person and the rate of loss can vary significantly over time. For example, a man may loose hair rapidly in his early 40's and then stabilize for many years, not showing a significant amount of additional hair loss until his 60's. People who become extensively bald usually, but not always, show a significant amount of hair loss in their 20's.
In general, the pattern of one's hair loss follows the specific type first presented. For example, a person who begins as a Class 3 usually evolves into a Class 4, then a Class 5, etc.. A Class 3a becomes a Class 4a and then a Class 5a. Less commonly a Class 2 may thin diffusely and directly evolve into a Class 6 or 7. We call this later process Diffuse Patterned Alopecia.
Look over the following diagrams and their explanations to see if you can recognize your pattern or the pattern of hair loss of any male member of your father's or mother's side of the family. The patterns you see in your older relatives may become your pattern since heredity plays an important role in androgenetic baldness. It is important to note the age at which the family member reached a specific pattern. For example, if your father is totally bald, but lost all of his hair in his twenties, and you are 35 with a full head of hair, his pattern has little relevance to predicting your future loss.
Some women also lose hair according to the pattern described by Norwood, but more commonly is of the Ludwig variety. In the Ludwig classification, the frontal hairline is preserved, and the thinning is usually centrally located, running from front to back. In the case of Grade I or II balding, transplantation may be quite successful in adding density; womens styling options are more varied than mens, and they may obtain excellent coverage from artistically applied grafting.
Hair Loss
