Male pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia, affects millions of men all across Canada to varying degrees. For some, hair loss is gradual and moderate. For others, however, the hair loss can be rapid and extreme, leaving those individuals most impacted by male pattern baldness searching for ways to restore their hair and hairline.
What Is The Norwood Scale?
The Norwood Scale is the universally accepted standard for measuring the progression and severity of male pattern baldness. There are 7 stages of male pattern baldness on the Norwood Scale, which are both diagnostic and predictive. Typically, male pattern baldness can be predicted using the Norwood Scale, because androgenic alopecia progresses in a specific pattern, hence its commonly known name, male pattern baldness. At the onset of androgenic alopecia, the hair will begin to thin at the temples, crown, and hairline, while the sides and back of the head typically remain unaffected.
Diagnosing Male Pattern Baldness
The Norwood Scale is a modern tool in the diagnostic success of hair transplant surgery. Doctors advise that hair transplant procedures be performed before the prospective patient has reached level 6 on the Norwood Scale. When an individual ranks 6 of 7 on the Norwood Scale, the majority of hair at the crown and hairline has fallen out. At that point, the hair loss may be so advanced that what doctors call the “donor area” is quite minimal, making these individuals not ideal candidates for hair transplant surgery. Although for the most dramatic results, it is ideal to be measured at a level 5 or lower, it is possible to undergo hair transplant surgery once the patient has reached a mature age, regardless of placement on the Norwood Scale.
How the Norwood Scale Changes the Procedure
Preventive Measures
People who are interested in restorative hair procedures but are also concerned that they may not be ideal candidates for a hair transplant in Toronto (perhaps due to their limited donor area or the advanced stages of their hair loss) should note that there is significant evidence to support using treatments (e.g. Propecia) to prevent future hair loss. In some users, these products have been reported to stimulate growth in dormant follicles. For those people who are able to stimulate the growth of dormant follicles, it is important to commit to a regular treatment regimen, as discontinuation could cause any hair that had experienced regrowth while under treatment to fall out again.
Dr. Torgerson’s hair transplant clinic located in Toronto is well established in the local and medical communities and is fully equipped with the latest in hair restoration technology. Boasting a wealth of experience, Dr. Torgerson and his team are trained to repair and reverse male pattern baldness, regardless of where the patient falls on the Norwood Scale. For more information about hair transplants in Toronto, contact Dr. Torgerson and his knowledgeable staff at 647-343-0207 to arrange a personal consultation to discuss your hair restoration options.
