Norwood 5 Type Hair Loss

What is Norwood 5 Type Hair Loss?

Norwood 5 type hair loss is a distinct pattern of male hair loss that begins at the forehead with a receding hairline moving back towards the crown. This type of loss advances to a more severe stage than types 2, 3, and 4, but is less extensive than types 6, 7, and the advanced variations. The Norwood-Hamilton classification chart outlines the most common patterns of male hair loss and is often used as a visual reference. Norwood 5 type hair loss helps to show the various stages and shapes of hair loss so that a proper diagnosis can be made and optimal treatment can be done.

What are Norwood 5 Types of Hair Loss Treatment Options?

Treatment options for Norwood 5 type hair loss can include both non-surgical and surgical methods. Non-surgical options include medications such as Finasteride and Minoxidil, which can help to slow down the hair loss process and, in some cases, help to regrow some hair. Non-surgical treatment can also include Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT), which can stimulate hair follicles and promote hair growth. Surgical options include hair transplant procedures, such as Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT) or Follicular Unit Excision (FUE). These procedures can restore a fuller and dense head of hair in areas that are bald or thinning.

What is the Norwood Scale?

The earliest age for the onset of hair loss among men is around 18-20 years. In the Norwood classification system, this would be considered Type IIA. At this stage, patients usually present with a complaint of a change in their hairline or temporal thinning. At the age of 21-30 years, the most common age of onset, patients usually present with a complaint of frontal scalp hair loss. This stage is the most obvious. Over the years, several longitudinal studies have demonstrated the progression of hair loss. In a study by Norwood, over a seven-year period, approximately 57% of participants showed progression, and at 15 years, 67% showed further progression. Beek et al. estimated that 30% of men with Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) are likely to progress over the next eight years.

AGA is defined as hair thinning or hair loss of a non-scarring nature located on the scalp in an androgen-dependent distribution. The Norwood-Hamilton scale is used to classify the stages of hair loss in men. This scale consists of seven primary stages and two variants. Type I is normal, and type II is the earliest stage of AGA. The early stages of AGA are often overlooked or denied. However, studies have shown that men demonstrating various stages of the disease are adversely affected. Therefore, all stages of AGA lead to distress and have emotional effects.

What causes hair loss and what are the risk factors?

These hair losses usually result from a combination of genetic and hormonal factors. Many myths surround hair loss, such as it being caused by wearing hats or poor scalp circulation. These beliefs are not true; hair loss does not have anything to do with these activities. Another myth is that men inherit hair loss maternally, specifically from their mother’s father. Hair loss can be genetically inherited from both parents. If a person experiencing hair loss has a strong family history of hair loss, genetic testing could serve as a preventative measure for their children.

Hair loss is a common problem in both men and women. Various factors can contribute to unnatural hair shedding or hair loss. Today, a large percentage of both men and women suffer from hereditary hair loss. People with relatives with pronounced hair loss are more likely to experience this pattern of hair loss. One common type of hair loss is Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA), also known as male pattern baldness, which affects men. It is a genetically determined disorder that can be inherited from either the mother or the father. It is generally characterized by the progressive loss of hair in a specific pattern, starting with a receding hairline or/and a bald spot on the top of the head.

Genetics Role

The main cause of hair loss in men with a Norwood 5 type hair loss pattern is a genetically predetermined sensitivity to the effects of DHT, which acts on the hair follicles in the scalp. The genes in question are inherited from both the mother and father and can skip one or multiple generations. This genetic predisposition is the primary cause of hair loss, while other causes commonly discussed are considered secondary. The distinction between primary and secondary causes is crucial to understanding hair loss and its treatment. While genetic predisposition may be the primary cause, there may be many other secondary factors influencing the pattern, progression, and age of onset of a Norwood 5 type hair loss in a particular individual.

How does it start?

The first signs of Norwood type 5 hair loss typically become evident between the ages of 25 and 35 years. Type 5 hair loss on the Norwood scale is usually associated with large areas of thinning or significantly decreased hair density at the fronto-temporal and crown regions of the scalp. The areas of hair loss often appear disconnected, creating bald islands. The anterior margin of the hairline often recedes deeply at both fronto-temporal angles. In some cases, the hair loss pattern can progress to a type 6 or type 7 pattern. Non-surgical treatment methods for Norwood type 5 hair loss are limited.

The primary symptom of Norwood 5 type hair loss is hair loss, which is visually significant. The loss occurs on the top of the head and the frontal parts, creating a U-shape hair loss pattern. The areas may progress and grow in size over time. The remaining hair in these areas becomes thinner and shorter. In some cases, the hair roots may become dormant and unable to grow hair again. Roughly 10% of the hair is in the resting phase at any given time, but it is unknown what percentage of the resting hair is in the area where hair loss is active.

Hair Transplants

A hair transplant is another option for treating hair loss. During a transplant, healthy hair follicles that are not affected by DHT are moved and placed in areas where hair has thinned or been lost. Hair transplants are usually performed in clinics under local anesthesia. Results can vary, but most men who undergo a hair transplant achieve natural-looking results.

Minoxidil is a lotion or foam that you rub into your scalp. It is readily available without a prescription, and you will need to use it for about four to six months to see if it is working. Minoxidil can help some men regrow their hair, and for some, hair loss will slow down. Finasteride is a tablet that you take once a day and requires a prescription. It was initially developed to treat enlarged prostate glands, but a low dose of Finasteride can also help stop hair loss, especially around the crown area. Only a small percentage of men may experience regrowth at the front of the hairline. Finasteride typically needs to be taken continuously, and you should discuss the drug’s potential side effects with your doctor before starting treatment.

Although male pattern baldness is a natural part of the aging process and no cure is required, some men may wish to slow the process or treat it. Treatment does not work for everyone and only works if the hair follicles are still alive. There are two drugs that help, and they both work in different ways.

Pharmacological Interventions

Most pharmacological interventions for more advanced hair loss are designed to help maximize transplant outcomes, rather than promoting significant new growth. It is important to be cautious when considering these treatment options, as the extent of their efficacy varies from person to person. Additional research on more potent treatment options, such as stem cell therapy, is currently underway to address the lack of suitable treatments for the more severely affected. It is also worth noting that regardless of the efficacy of the various non-surgical treatments, they will not help everyone. The best way to determine which treatment is right for you is to have a consultation with a dermatologist or a hair loss specialist.

FDA-approved pharmacological interventions that prevent hair loss have been developed over the last two decades. Non-surgical hair loss treatments include Minoxidil and Finasteride. Minoxidil is a topical over-the-counter drug that is applied to the scalp and promotes hair growth in people with androgenetic alopecia. This medication can be used by men and women and usually delivers the best results in those who have experienced hair loss for a short period of time or have small areas of baldness. Finasteride is a prescription pillor topical spray that is only recommended for use by men. It works by inhibiting the hormone DHT, which is one of the main causes of hair loss in men. Although it is a highly effective treatment, it can have serious side effects, such as reduced sexual function, and can cause birth defects if taken by pregnant women.

Topical Minoxidil solution or foam is the first-line pharmacological treatment for pattern hair loss. Despite being widely accepted as the gold standard for non-surgical hair loss treatment, its efficacy is limited. The exact mechanism by which Minoxidil promotes hair growth is not entirely understood, but it is believed to prolong the anagen phase and increase the number of dermal papilla cells. Minoxidil has been shown to increase vascular endothelial growth factor expression and promote angiogenesis, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles. It is most effective in younger patients with a relatively recent onset of hair loss and those with smaller areas of balding and higher-density hair patterns. Furthermore, it is more effective at the crown area than the fronto-temporal region.

Every man is unique in his background, presentation, concerns, goals, health, and response to treatments. It is well worth the effort to seek out and have a consultation with an ethical and experienced clinic. In Smile Hair Clinic we try to undestand your individual results and give you the best possible result.