Understanding the Different Stages of Hair Loss and How to Treat It
Whether you’re an adult or a teen, hair loss can be a serious concern. While some just try to hide it, there are some real treatment options available.
Male Baldness: The Norwood Scale
Male pattern baldness often appears along the hairline, resulting in an “M” shape. Over time, the mid-crown hair will become shorter and finer until a bald patch appears. To diagnose your stage of hair loss, physicians use The Norwood Scale; here’s an example:
- Stage 3 – You show signs of more significant decline in the hair above your temples, forming a pattern that resembles an M, V, or U. Your hairline will recede significantly from the forehead.
Female Baldness: The Ludwig Scale
Hair loss in women progresses differently than with men. Most women lose hair from the top of their head, causing their part to become wider as the loss of hair progresses. Here’s an example from The Ludwig Scale:
- Stage 2 – Hair loss is more significant in this stage than in the first. The areas of thinning hair on your scalp will start to show through more.
Treatment Options for Hair Loss
When it comes to hair loss treatment, the earlier you act, the better. Here are a couple examples of treatment options:
SURGICAL
- Hair Transplantation – Hair follicles are removed from the back of your head and placed in areas which are balding.
MEDICAL
- Finasteride (Propecia) – This medication is only used for male pattern baldness, especially when the hair loss is around the vertex.
Treating Hair Loss
Hair loss can be embarrassing and hard to cope with, but you have treatment options! Check out all the details in the complete infographic from your friends at Winston Salem Dermatology!