27.08.2008
in MALE HAIR LOSS
The most commonly used chart for men is the one developed by Dr Hamilton and then later modified by Dr O’Tar Norwood (1975) called the Norwood-Hamilton scale.
NORWOOD-HAMILTON SCALE/CLASSIFICATION OF HAIR LOSS IN MEN
In this classification various patterns of hair loss are shown starting from a full head of hair to complete male pattern baldness. In all of these cases there is a bridge of hair between the front and crown areas as hair loss occurs at the front and crown areas independently. These are the most regular patterns for male pattern baldness.
Class I represents an adolescent or juvenile hairline that is not balding. The adolescent hairline generally rests on the upper brow crease.
Class II shows the adult hairline that sits one finger’s width (1.5cm) above the upper brow crease, with some temporal recession. This also is not considered as balding.
Class III is the earliest stage of male hair loss and shows a deepening temporal recession.
Class III Vertex represents early hair loss in the crown area (vertex balding).
Class IV shows further frontal hair loss and enlargement of the vertex balding. However, a solid band of hair exists across the top separating front and vertex areas.
Class V shows the bald areas in the front and crown continue to enlarge with the band of hair separating the two areas beginning to break down.
Class VI occurs when the connecting band of hair disappears leaving a single large bald area on the front and top of the scalp. The hair on the sides of the scalp is still relatively high.
Class VII shows the extensive hair loss with only the strip of hair remaining at the back and sides of the scalp. This is the final stage of hair loss and most bald men are left with this. However, in some men there is total hair loss which leaves a completely bald scalp.
A second classification (Norwood Class A) exists for male pattern baldness where hair loss starts at the front and progresses backwards towards the crown. Most men (over 90%) will experience the regular pattern of hair loss rather than Norwood Class A.
NORWOOD CLASS A
In this classification the hair loss progresses from the front to the vertex area and there is no bridging area as in the regular pattern (where hair loss occurs at the front and at the vertex simultaneously).
Men experiencing male pattern baldness of Norwood Class A generally have less hair loss in the crown (vertex) area, but hair loss at the front is severe making the baldness appear more extreme than it actually is.
Some men are seen to exhibit hair loss similar to the ‘diffused hair loss’ that occurs in women, where the hair thins out across the top of the head (from the front to vertex and temple to temple).
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