What are the Patterns of Male Hair Loss?
Dr. Hootan Zandifar, MD FACS, is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the ZandifarMD in Beverly Hills, CA. A native of Los Angeles, he received his medical degree from the prestigious David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and was then accepted... more
Male pattern baldness is a common condition that affects as high as 30-50% of men by the age of 50. Not all of these men will go on to develop the full tell-tale baldness that has come to be associated with male pattern baldness but most will be somewhere along the spectrum of male hair loss. But what is this spectrum and what can be done to prevent or reverse it?
Male pattern baldness has been categorized by hair transplant surgeons for decades by a classification system called the Norwood Classification (see image). As hair transplant specialists we use this scale to first categorize the degree of hair loss, then to predict the future progression of hair loss, and finally to plan the type and amount of hair restoration procedures available to the patient. But what is the Norwood Classification?
Class I: Norwood class I is essentially a normal appearance with no thinning or balding. However, if you have a familial history of hair loss, at this stage you should consider using products that are gentle on your hair to prevent any unnecessary hair loss.
Class II: This class is defined by a slight recession of the hairline and thinning of the frontal hair. Oral medication and topical treatments can prevent and reverse hair loss in this category. Some may benefit from hair transplantation.
Class III: This class has increased progression of the frontal and temporal recession of the hairline and thinning of the hair on top and back of the hair. A combination of oral, topical medication and hair transplantation is ideal in reversing the signs of hair loss and preventing further loss.
Class IV: This class shows further recession and the appearance of a bald spot along the vertex. Hair transplantation is the ideal treatment for these patients.
Class V: There is now severe recession and widening of the bald spot. These patients can have restoration of the hairline and camouflaging appearance with hair transplantation. They will often need multiple procedures.
Class VI: This class is characterized by the connection of the receding hairline to the bald spot. Some may benefit from scalp reduction procedures and hair transplantation but others may be too far along the progression to be candidates for these procedures.
Class VII: This is the classic horseshoe hair loss pattern. Patients in this classification are not candidates for current techniques in hair transplantation. They may in the future be able to bank their hair and grow it in a lab for transplantation in the future.
If you are suffering from hair loss and want to learn more about hair transplantation and your options you may visit us here.
