The Norwood scale, also known as the Hamilton-Norwood scale is a classification system that uses a 1 to 7 scale, to help doctors measure the extent of male pattern baldness. It was first introduced by Dr. James Hamilton in 1951, after observing the male-pattern baldness signs in over 300 men. However, it was updated later by O’Tar T. Norwood in the 1970s, and it’s now referred to as the Norwood Scale.
Most cosmetic clinics are now using this scale to diagnose the extent of baldness, discuss treatment options, and measure the effectiveness of treatment. To help you understand your case better, we are going to discuss Norwood Scale 3, which is usually the stage or point when you start noticing your hair loss, your hairline looks like M, U, or even V shape. Obviously, Norwood scale 3 is an alarm bell for you to take some action, take a good treatment, that will reduce or delay balding and will even regrow some hair on your bald spots.
How does Norwood scale 3 look like?
Norwood 3, as we have mentioned, is an early sign of male pattern balding. The patient may notice temporal recession deepens in addition to establishing a frontal tuft. However, this hair loss and thinning hair can be stopped by treatment. Many doctors would consider doing a hair transplant to solve this issue; however, the treatment is depending on the patient’s age, expected hair loss pattern, and personal expectations of this surgery. Taking certain medications may help slow down and control the hair loss for some time, however, getting a hair transplant would be the permeant solution for this problem. In addition to Norwood 3 stage, doctors have added Norwood 3 Vertex classification, this scale presents losing hair in the crown area.
Many researchers recommend men who are under the age of 45 not do any hair transplant in the crown area because they will probably lose much more hair later. So, doing a hair transplant in the crown area of a young man who had Norwood 3 vertex, may isolate the new hair while the hair around it falls down, leaving a circle of bald skin around the transplanted hair. This is, of course, will look very unnatural, and could be hard to correct, especially if your loss developed into Norwood 5 or more.
However, a hair transplant for the crown area is very recommended as the best solution for men who are 45 years old or even older. Medication can also be applied to increase the remaining hair thickness. Many people prefer to do a hair transplant surgery especially since it fills in the crown, proving more freedom to the individual to style his hair as he wants rather than to cover his crown baldness.
Can Norwood scale 3 get a hair transplant?
Yes, a Norwood scale 3 patient should be examined by a cosmetic doctor, to decide whether the patient is eligible for the procedure. You need to know that hair transplant for Norwood scale 3 patients is performed to treat the hair loss permeant in a way that accomplishes the patient’s hair look desires.
Hair transplant surgery involves extracting hair follicles from the back and side of your head and transplant them again into the thinning areas of your scalp where they will continue to grow over time. Surgeons need to take many factors such as your age, quality of hair, and family history when deciding the right treatment plan for your case. Keep in mind that the newly implanted hair is now your natural hair; it needs to be taken care of using medications unless it could get thinner over time with the rest of your head.
You also need to consult your doctor about the forelock hair transplant, discuss with him the possible methods and designs that ensure you keep a natural look even when you get older and lose more hair, creating a hair design that looks natural now and in the future is very important especially since hair transplant results are permanent.
How many grafts are needed for Norwood scale 3?
The needed grafts for hair transplant can be different from one patient to another depending on his case. However, we can say that in general, the needed grafts are between 1600 to 2400 for the front and temples of a 3rd stage Norwood patient. While a 3 Vertex patient may need 1800 to 2600 for the front and another 2000 to 3200 for the crown area.
References:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327001#stages
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4812885/
