Stage I · Minimal
Adolescent or pre-adult hairline. Symmetric, sits low on the forehead, no recession at the temples.
The Norwood Scale is the standard medical classification for male pattern hair loss — seven stages from minimal recession to advanced loss. Tap the photo closest to where you are, read the framework, then send photos for a real assessment.
Click any tile to read the clinical considerations for that stage. None of these images replace a real consultation — they’re a framework for thinking about where you are, not a diagnosis.
Adolescent or pre-adult hairline. Symmetric, sits low on the forehead, no recession at the temples.
Mild recession at the temples. The early 'M' shape begins. Typically the first stage where patients consider treatment.
Clearly defined temporal recession; the M shape is visible. The most common stage at which patients book consultations.
Continued recession at the front plus visible thinning at the crown. The bridge of hair between front and crown is still intact.
The bridge of hair between front and crown begins to thin. Surgery possible, but graft demand is high.
Front and crown loss merge; only the donor band at the back and sides remains intact. Donor management is the central challenge.
Only the back and sides of the head retain hair. Surgery can dramatically improve appearance but cannot restore the original distribution.
Once you have a rough sense of your stage, the full Norwood Scale page covers what each stage means for treatment — when surgery fits, when medication first makes more sense, and what realistic outcomes look like.
The self-assessment is a framework. The real answer comes from photo submission — Dr. Jones reviews personally and tells you, in writing, what stage you’re at and what to do.