Hair loss poses a significant challenge for both men and women, increasing with age and often resulting in bald patches and thinning in areas like the hairline or crown. This article will provide information on the Norwood Scale Stage 3, an important landmark in understanding and addressing male pattern baldness.
The Hamilton Norwood Hair Loss Scale is a standardized classification system used to assess male androgenetic alopecia. It categorizes the various stages of hair loss, ranging from minimal recession of the hairline to extensive balding across the crown and temples. Understanding where a patient falls on the Norwood Scale is crucial in determining their candidacy for a hair transplant for alopecia and establishing when to get a hair transplant. Recognizing the stage also helps identify who may be a good candidate for a hair transplant, as it provides valuable insights into the extent and pattern of hair loss.
In the below, the grades of the Norwood scale (male pattern baldness stages) show the progression of hair loss:
These stages can help you recognize how many grafts you need, addressing your specific needs such as your position in crown balding stages.
Can hair loss stop at Norwood 3?
Norwood Stage 3 is regarded as balding where moderate hair loss becomes noticeable, mostly on the crown spirally. The best candidates for Norwood 3 hair transplantation who have bald spots in the frontal site and above the temples. Moreover, a midline might divide the vertex from the mid-scalp.
You may be starting to see signs of hair loss for the first time at Norwood stage 3. At this stage, a 2000 graft hair transplant may be sufficient. For some patients, a hair transplant of 3000 grafts may be required. When intervened early, hair loss can be permanently stopped at stage 3 of the Norwood scale.
Can I get a hair transplant at Norwood stage 3?
Since baldness and thinning are less visible, the most ideal candidates for a follicular unit excision (FUE) hair transplant are candidates in the Norwood 3.
In general, this is the stage with the highest percentage of patient satisfaction (98%). Some patients ask, “Is Norwood 3 too late?”. Contrary to this belief, this stage is actually the ideal stage for hair restoration surgery.
Since it is a step where a small number of grafts are needed, the donor and recipient area will occupy a small space. This shortens the healing process. It reduces the risks to the patients and helps to achieve great results. Because the patients are not yet completely bald, the donor areas are also healthier. Therefore, the Hamilton Norwood 3 scale is the stage where the most satisfactory result is obtained.
How many grafts are needed for Norwood 3 baldness?
For Norwood 3 baldness, the number of grafts hair needed can vary depending on personal considerations such as hair density, desired hairline design, the extent of balding.
On average, around 2000 to 3000 grafts may be required for a satisfactory result in addressing Norwood 3 baldness through hair transplantation.
The Norwood 3 phase is divided into two: Stage 3 and Stage 3-vertex
In Norwood-3 Vertex, unlike the classic Norwood 3 phase, more hair loss occurs at the crown of the head (vertex). Therefore, patients need more grafts at this stage (approximately 500 grafts more).
It’s paramount to consult with a qualified hair transplant clinic to determine the precise number of grafts hair needed based on your case.
How does the Norwood stage 3 hair transplant work?
Here are the steps of the Norwood 3 hair treatment procedure:
Step 1
The first stage involves a pre-interview followed by a consultation.
Step 2
During the second stage, the surgeon uses a medical tool to extract the donor grafts from your donor site.
Step 3
For the FUE procedure, the grafts are carefully extracted, cleaned, sorted by hair count, then treated with an active plasma solution to increase survival and cooled in petri dishes before transplantation.
Step 4
In the DHI Method using the Implanter Pen, the grafts are one-by-one loaded and implanted by a team of medical professionals under the surgeon’s control, thereby enabling precise angle control and high-density implantation between the remaining hairs.
Step 5
The final stage includes post-operative care instructions including washing both the donor and recipient sites, protecting the transplanted grafts from environmental factors, resting well for the first two weeks, avoiding heavy sporting activities, not drinking alcohol or smoking, not scratching the scalp, etc, and attending a follow-up appointment to monitor the healing process.
Please, listen carefully to your doctor’s recommendations and continue to follow them.
How much does Norwood scale 3 hair transplant cost?
The stage of hair loss directly correlates with the number of grafts required for transplantation, which in turn influences the price range of the procedure. While the cost range for hair transplant in Turkey generally falls between $2500 to $4000, it’s important to note that Norwood encompasses seven stages in total, ranging from no hair loss in the first stage to the most severe stage in the last.
In summary, Norwood 3 cost in Turkey can be around this range depending on the package that you chose. Factors such as the size of the donor and recipient area, the difficulty of the operation, and hair type can be effective on the price policy.
How long does it take to see the results of Norwood stage 3 hair transplant?
After a hair transplant, newly implanted follicles progress through the four phases of the hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen, telogen, and exogen. This results in varying growth rates among follicles.
After the Norwood 3 treatment, your new hair follicles will follow a natural growth cycle that includes 4 steps:
1- Anagen
2- Catagen
3- Telogen
4- Exogen
Following a Norwood 3 hair transplant, the hair follicles grow in such a natural order:
Week 1:
During the first period, you should follow the post-operative instructions of your surgeon or team. You may have mild swelling and redness on the sides, top and forehead of your head. The wounds will scab over time and fall off on their own. It may take up to 2 weeks for the exfoliation and scabs to disappear. If you touch your scars, you may damage the grafts. Try not to touch them.
Week 2 to 6:
You may experience shock hair loss during this period. Seeing all your transplanted hair fall out one by one at this stage may scare you and cause disappointment, but this is a natural process. It is only the hair shaft that falls out, not the follicles. New hair strands are ready to grow.
Months 2 to 4:
You may notice the first signs of the treatment. New strands of hair grow out of the bald spot. While the hairline starts to look fuller, the thin hair shaft starts to appear.
Month 5 to 9:
At this stage, when the donor area has completely healed, a significant amount of hair begins to grow in the recipient area where the follicles are transplanted. The texture of the thin hair strands changes and thickens in the following months.
1 year later:
In a year, around 80% of the hair growth becomes visible. At the end of a year, the hairline becomes fuller and the balding area has disappeared. You can get an idea of the percentage of growth by month by looking at the hair growth graph:
FAQs
What’s the difference between Norwood 2 and 3?
Norwood 2 and 3 represent two different stages on the Hamilton-Norwood hair loss scale. Norwood 2 requires 1000 to 1500 grafts, while Norwood 3 requires approximately 2000 grafts. At Norwood 2, the first signs of male pattern baldness appear.
What’s the difference between Norwood 3 and 3-Vertex?
In Norwood 3, there is no obvious hair loss in the vertex area but there are signs of hair loss in the hairline. Depending on genetic factors, the hairline may take on a V, M or U shape.
Can Finasteride be used for Norwood 3 hair loss?
Yes, Finasteride, an oral medicine, is used in the Norwood 3-vertex stage because it is particularly effective on the crown area.
Why do people choose Turkey for hair transplant?
Here are the main motivations for people to choose Turkey for a hair transplant journey:
New hair transplant technology
Utilizing the latest hair transplant technology, Turkish doctors also apply advanced robotic methods such as NeoGraft.
Affordability
When you compare the all-inclusive Norwood 3 hair transplant packages offered by Heva Clinic with clinics in other countries, you will see that you can get exactly the same quality treatment for 1 in 3 costs.
You can receive the best hair transplantation in the world here. You can check the locations where you can get the best hair transplant in the United States, and compare their offers with our 3 different packages.
Safe and superior-quality clinics
Istanbul clinics, which successfully manage even male and female celebrity hair transplant surgeries, are the destination of many celebrities every year. This mysterious location, sometimes revealed by hair transplant before and after celebrity photos in the press, is admired for offering successful techniques in great secrecy and attractive opportunities.
You can also start your hair restoration at Heva Clinic, the most popular hair transplant clinic in Turkey.
