About Hair Loss

Hair Loss Patterns

Doctors use a series of charts to help measure stages of hair loss for AGA.

These charts only apply to what is referred to as ‘male and female pattern hair loss’ (androgenetic alopecia) since this is the only hair loss that occurs in a predictable pattern.

For Men

The most commonly used chart for men was developed by Dr. Hamilton and then modified by Dr. o'Tar Norwood. It is called the Norwood-Hamilton scale. Degrees of hair loss can range from the most severe (baldness over most of the scalp) to the least noticeable hair loss in the front area by the temples. Front Temporal hair loss is usually the first area where hair is lost. The speed and progression of hair loss will vary from person to person.

As you’ll see on the chart, under normal circumstances, hair at the back, sides of the head, or nape of the neck is not subject to hair loss. This is because these areas are under different genetic control than the front and top of the head.

For Women

The most commonly used chart for women is the Ludwig Scale, developed by the German professor of the same name in the late 70s. This hair loss does not follow the same pattern as the male form, but typically takes the shape of a thinning spread throughout the scalp. Female pattern hair loss can begin at any age from the teen years through middle age. Unlike with male pattern baldness, there may be no obvious hereditary association.

Exceptions

Exceptions to these patterns do occur, and in some cases men may suffer from a thinning throughout the scalp while women may experience a similar hair loss pattern to men.