The universal standard of MPB (Male Pattern Baldness) categorization was described by Dr Norwood in 1975 - the Norwood Classification. However after seeing thousands of cases, we found that many patients do not actually fit into the types. Women can have Male Pattern Baldness which is typically the receding of hairline into a M-shape. The Norwood system should be used as guideline only.
Normal Type
Type I |
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• No receding apex • No receding of mid-hairline • No loss of hair density • Seen in 18 - 20 of age |
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Type II |
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• Apex recedes less than 2.5 cm • Slight receding mid-hairline • usually seen in age 20 - 30 |
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Type III |
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• Obvious receding apexes • Obvious receding mid-hairline • The early stage of MPB |
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Type IV |
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• Density falls along hairline • Skin is exposed in vertex • Thick hair remains in between |
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Type V |
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• Further loss of hair density • Minimal hair remains in between |
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Type VI |
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• Minimal hair from front to crown | |
Type VII |
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• No hair on top • Only rim of hair at the occipit • Shapes like a horse-shoe • Also thinning above ears |
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Type A Variant
The entire frontal hairline border progresses posteriorly without vertex baldness.
Type IIa |
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• Whole hairline recedes | |
Type IIIa |
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• Empty front 1/2 | |
Type IVa |
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• Empty front to back | |
Type Va |
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• Baldness up to crown • Thick hair at occipit |
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Type Vertex Variant
Vertex baldness occurs before hairline recedes.
Type III Vertex | |||
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• Thinning starts at top • Hairline later recedes |
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