What is Male Pattern Baldness?
As you age, it’s common for your hair to become thinner and for your hairline to recede. While these gradual changes can be distressing at first, you should realize that you’re not alone. Over two-thirds of men in the U.S. experience signs of balding before age 35 and over 85% experience balding by age 50!
This progression of hair loss is referred to as male pattern baldness, and it’s usually tied to your genetics, meaning it’s fairly inevitable.
The good news is that science has been able to pinpoint the distinct stages of male pattern baldness. Knowing which stage of hair loss you’re in can help you determine how quickly your baldness is progressing. And if you decide to pursue hair restoration, it can help you decide which treatment will be most effective for you.
Keep reading to learn how the Hamilton-Norwood Balding Scale can help you on your hair restoration journey.
The Hamilton Norwood Stages Explained
The Hamilton-Norwood Scale is a globally-recognized classification system for measuring the progression of male pattern baldness. It uses 7 distinct stages to measure the pattern of hair loss in men:
Stage 1
During stage one, you won’t have any noticeable thinning or hair loss.
Stage 2
In stage two, you may notice some thinning of the hair on different parts of your head and your hairline will start to recede slightly. This recession typically occurs around the temples.
Stage 3
In stage 3, your hairline will continue to recede further. You may notice your hairline beginning to resemble a V, M, or U shape. You will also notice hair thinning on your crown.
Stage 4
By stage 4, you will have a highly noticeable amount of hair loss. Your hairline will be in a state of recession and there will be visible hair loss on the top of your head.
Stage 5
During stage 5, the areas of hair between your hairline and your crown will be very thin.
Stage 6
By stage 6, you will have significant hair loss and your crown will be mostly bald. You may also notice that there’s no longer any visible hair connecting the hairline and the scalp. However, you will still have hair on the sides of your head.
Stage 7
By stage 7, you will be completely bald except for a band of hair around the sides of your head.
Can Baldness Be Treated?
Fortunately, hair loss is treatable! Male pattern baldness is a progressive condition, so patients will find the most success when they seek hair loss treatment during the earlier stages.
Although you cannot completely stop hair loss, male pattern baldness can be slowed using topical treatments and laser therapy. These treatments may also work to promote new hair growth.
For more dramatic results, many men opt for FUE hair transplantation. FUE hair transplantation is a modern hair restoration procedure that transplants individual hair follicles from the back of your head into balding areas.
The results can be quite impressive, and most patients are able to return to work and daily activities in just a few days.
Learn More About the Possibilities of Hair Transplantation
If you’d like to learn more about the possibilities of a hair transplant procedure, reach out to the team at Ashpole Plastic Surgery. Dr. Bradley Ashpole MD is a highly-respected, board-certified plastic surgeon who goes above and beyond to provide excellent patient care and finely attuned aesthetic detail.
He’s the best choice for hair restoration in Itasca and the surrounding areas!
Call us today at 847-231-2863 to schedule your consultation.
