Norwood Classification

The Norwood system of classification, published in 1975 by Dr. O’tar Norwood, is the most widely used classification for hair loss in men. It defines two major patterns and several less common types. In the regular Norwood pattern, two areas of hair loss gradually enlarge to produce recession at the temples and thinning in the crown. These regions coalesce until the entire front, top and crown (vertex) of the scalp are bald.

Click “View Photos” to view examples of patients from that Norwood Class.

Norwood Class A

The Norwood Class A patterns are characterized by a predominantly front to back progression of hair loss. These patterns lack the connecting bridge across the top of the scalp and generally have more limited hair loss in the crown, even when advanced.

The Class A patterns are less common than the regular pattern (less than 10%), but are significant because when hair loss is in the front, patients can look very bald even if their hair loss is minimal. Men with Class A hair loss often seek surgical hair restoration early, as the frontal bald area is not as responsive to medication and the dense donor area contrasts and accentuates the baldness on top. Fortunately, Norwood Class A patients are excellent candidates for hair transplantation.

Click “View Photos” to view examples of patients from that Norwood Class.

Diffuse Patterned and Unpatterned Alopecia

Two other types of genetic hair loss in men not often considered by doctors, “Diffuse Patterned Alopecia” and “Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia,” pose a significant challenge both in diagnosis and patient management. Understanding these conditions is crucial to the evaluation of hair loss in both men and women, particularly those that are young when the diagnoses may be easily missed, as they may indicate that a patient is not a candidate for surgery. (Bernstein and Rassman “Follicular Transplantation: Patient Evaluation and Surgical Planning”)

27 Year Old Male with Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA)

Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA) is an androgenetic alopecia manifested as diffuse thinning in the front, top, and crown, with a stable permanent zone. In DPA, the entire top of the scalp gradually miniaturizes (thins) without passing through the typical Norwood stages. Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) is also androgenetic, but lacks a stable permanent zone and affects men much less often than DPA. DUPA tends to advance faster than DPA and end up in a horseshoe pattern resembling the Norwood class VII. However, unlike the Norwood VII, the DUPA horseshoe can look almost transparent due to the low density of the back and sides. Differentiating between DPA and DUPA is very important because DPA patients often make good transplant candidates, whereas DUPA patients almost never do, as they eventually have extensive hair loss without a stable zone for harvesting.

The progression of male hair loss in Diffuse Patterned Alopecia (DPA) and Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA). In DUPA, the sides thin significantly as well.

27 y/o Son

Densitometry



67 y/o Father

Densitometry

Donor area of a patient who will evolve into DUPA and whose diagnosis is not readily apparent at the age of 27.