Hair loss is a widespread problem these days. It affects people of all genders and ages. Many factors can lead to hair loss, including genetics, hormonal changes, poor hair care habits, harsh hair products, and certain health conditions. Regardless of the cause, losing hair is distressing for most people. Hair loss doesn’t just change how you look—it can shake your confidence and self-worth. You might start to feel less than others and shy away from social events. Many people struggle with this issue and try everything from home treatments to pricey drugs often without seeing the results they want. This leaves them worried about going bald.
If you’re dealing with hair loss and fear baldness is in your future, this post is for you. We’ll break down the different stages of hair loss to help you figure out where you are in the process. This knowledge can guide you to the right treatment to keep your hair. Let’s dive in!
History of Stages of Hair Loss
In 1950, for the first time, Dr. Beek tried to understand how many stages of hair loss a person can have. He identified two patterns. He described two types of baldness – frontal baldness and vertical frontal baldness, which refers to baldness in the crown area.
In 1951, Dr. Hamilton, who was an anatomist, conducted a survey on over 300 males. Based on that, he created a classification for hair loss. This classification showed eight stages of baldness and three subgroups.
In 1975, Dr. Norwood, who was a dermatologist and also a hair transplant surgeon, revised this classification and introduced a new pattern, which we now call the Norwood Scale. This scale includes 7 stages of hair loss.
7 Stages of Hair Loss in Male
Stage 1
There is minimal hair loss in this stage. The hairline recedes very slightly or almost not at all. It is considered a “no hair loss” stage. A person may feel that their hair is full and dense, with no noticeable hair fall.
Stage 2
The hairline begins to recede. It starts to move backward, and hair starts thinning slightly in the temple areas. It appears as if early signs of baldness are starting to show.
Stage 3
The baldness that began from the temporal zone becomes deeper. The scalp starts taking on a “W” shape as the temples recede further, while the center of the hairline remains a bit forward. This creates a residual hairline forming a “W”-like shape on the scalp.
Stage 4
The hairline recedes further, and hair loss in the temporal region becomes more severe. In addition, hair also starts thinning at the vertex or crown area. This stage shows more noticeable baldness and progression.
Stage 5
The hairline recedes even more and the bald area becomes longer. The baldness at the front and the vertex starts to connect. There is still a thick strip of hair or a patch in the middle that separates the two bald areas, preventing them from fully merging. Both the frontal/temporal and vertex baldness are prominent but distinct, with a hair strip in between. The scalp begins to take on a U-shape appearance in this stage.
Stage 6
The thick strip of hair that used to separate the frontotemporal and vertex baldness becomes thin, turning into a very fine line. It looks like the two bald regions are about to merge, and the entire top of the head is on the verge of becoming bald. This stage is marked by severe hair loss and the individual appears almost completely bald.
Stage 7
This is the final stage of baldness. In this stage, the individual becomes completely bald. The frontal, temporal, and crown baldness all merge together. The strip of hair that was previously visible in the middle disappears. The baldness from the front and sides joins together completely, leaving only hair on the sides and the back (occipital region). This represents the most advanced stage of baldness.
Stages Of Hair Loss in Female
Hair loss doesn’t affect only males — females also experience it and often find it distressing. However, hair loss in females is slightly different from that in males. That’s why it’s important to understand the stages of hair loss in female so that timely treatment can be done.
Female hair loss typically occurs in three stages: Mild Hair Loss, Moderate Hair Loss, and Advanced Hair Loss.
Stage One – Mild Thinning on the Crown Area
At first, you might not spot hair loss, but you start to see your hair isn’t as thick as it used to be. Your crown — the middle of your scalp — begins to thin a bit. When you brush your hair or touch it, it feels less full. You may notice more hair on your pillow or brush. Your hair looks thinner overall, but you won’t see bald spots yet.
Stage Two – Noticeable Widening of the Part Line
Hair loss becomes more visible. The middle part of your hair looks wider than before. You can see more of your scalp in bright light. Your hair keeps getting thinner, and more of your scalp shows. Your hair’s thickness varies making it hard to manage.
Stage Three – Advanced Diffuse Thinning
This marks a critical point where you can see the scalp regardless of your hairstyle. Hair loss now affects the whole scalp, not just the crown causing widespread thinning. While the hairline stays put, the hair thins out so much that it can make you look older and less vibrant. Hair growth slows down a lot or stops. Your scalp might feel dry, and your hair loses its strength and bounce. At this point, it’s crucial to get medical advice.
Some Popular Male & Female Hair Loss Treatments in Delhi
- Minoxidil (Rogaine)
This is a very popular over-the-counter medicine for hair loss. It is effective in treating male and female pattern baldness. It works by increasing the blood flow to hair follicles, which may help extend the growth phase of hair. And with more hair follicles in the growth phase at the same time, your hair will become longer and thicker. However, it’s only effective as long as you continue using it.
- Finasteride (Propecia)
This prescription oral medication is primarily used for men with androgenetic alopecia. It works by inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that plays a significant role in hair loss. It’s often more effective than minoxidil, particularly in preventing further hair loss, but it also requires continued use.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
This is a non-surgical hair loss treatment in which your own blood is used to enable hair growth. Your blood is taken out, processed to concentrate the platelets, and later injected back into the scalp. The platelets contain several growth factors that boost hair growth and hair density. This treatment is commonly used for androgenic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness) and needs multiple sessions for prominent results.
- Growth Factors Concentrate (GFC)
Like PRP, this is also a non-surgical hair loss solution in which your own blood is used to extract growth factors. These growth factors improve cell regeneration, increase blood flow to the scalp, and boost hair growth. You have to undergo multiple sessions to get the best results.
- QR 678
This is a non-surgical treatment to fight hair loss and promote hair regrowth. It involves the administration of mix of growth factors directly into the scalp through mesotherapy that helps revive dormant hair follicles, reduce hair fall, and stimulate new hair growth. It is effective for both men and women and is commonly used to treat conditions like androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium. The procedure requires multiple sessions for optimal results.
- Hair Transplant
In some cases, hair transplant can also be an effective option. It involves taking hair follicles from the healthy area of your scalp and implanting them in areas where hair is thinning or completely absent. FUE, FUT, and Direct Hair Implantation are three different types of hair transplant procedures that are quite popular nowadays. These procedures can give you natural-looking hair that will continue to grow for a long time.
Conclusion
Hair loss can be stressful. But, if you understand which stage of hair loss you are in and take the needed steps in time, you can manage your hair loss almost completely and prevent going bald. The field of dermatology and hair science has progressed so much that today there is an array of hair loss treatments available in the market including PRP, GFC, QR 678, and other advanced hair transplant techniques like FUE and FUT that can help you regain your hair and also self-esteem.
If you are dealing with hair loss and feel lost, the experts at Dr. Haror’s Wellness Clinic, the best hair restoration clinic in Delhi, can help you. With years of experience and the latest technology tailored to suit you, we provide solutions that target the root cause of your hair loss and give long-lasting and natural results.
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