What is my possible Norwood stage and how should I proceed? (Photos)

Question

I'm a bit anxious about my hairline, especially at the temples. Now that I am 20, and since I have always had a relatively big forehead, I am not sure about the starting point for comparison. As far as I know, nobody among my relatives has had significant hair loss, but I also accept that this fact cannot completely eliminate the possibility of alopecia.I can provide some photos from different angles and one that was taken two years ago

Emrah Cinik, MD · Answer

I've reviewed your pictures, you're 20 years old and you have concerns, but I can say very clearly that you don't need a hair transplant right now. You can start hair loss treatment, but it's too early for a hair transplant. I suggest you consult a doctor and discuss alternative treatments.

You could consider:

Finasteride
Minoxidil
LLLT
Dermaroller
PRP
Exosomes...

You could consider:

Finasteride
Minoxidil
LLLT
Dermaroller
PRP
Exosomes...

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

At age 20, it can be difficult to determine whether the temples represent early male-pattern hair loss or simply your natural hairline, especially if you have always had a higher or more prominent forehead. Family history is helpful, but the absence of significant hair loss in relatives does not completely rule out androgenetic alopecia.

The comparison photo from two years ago is particularly useful because change over time is more informative than a single photograph. If the hairline and temple density look essentially unchanged over the past two years, that would be reassuring.

Please upload the photos from the front, both temples, and top of the scalp, along with the older photo from two years ago, so the hairline can be compared more accurately.

In general, early temple recession can fall anywhere from a Norwood I to Norwood II pattern, but assigning a specific Norwood stage from a description alone would not be reliable. Lighting, hairstyle, hair length, and the natural shape of the frontal hairline can also make the temples appear more recessed than they actually are.

For now, I would focus on documenting the hairline consistently with photographs taken under similar lighting and with the hair pulled back. If there is progressive recession, increased shedding, or noticeable thinning at the crown or mid-scalp, that would make early androgenetic alopecia more concerning and would warrant further evaluation.

Ilhan Serdaroglu, MD · Answer

You don't need to worry about your hairline, especially your temples... it hasn't started to show the receding hairline you'll see in your later years yet. Your forehead isn't wide either, it's perfectly normal. You definitely don't have early signs or symptoms of AGA.

What is my possible Norwood stage and how should I proceed? (Photos)

Answers (3)

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