Types of Hair Loss

Hair loss does not appear the same way for everyone, so it is important to understand how far your hair loss has progressed before deciding on a treatment.

At your free consultation, your Rahal physician will diagnose your hair loss pattern, determine if you are a candidate for hair restoration and recommend an individualized treatment plan.

If you are experiencing hair loss in the eyebrow area, Rahal also offers minimally invasive eyebrow restoration.

Hair Loss Patterns in Men

Rahal physicians use the Norwood scale to diagnose hair loss patterns in men. Hair loss affects about 85% of men by age 50. And left untreated, male pattern baldness is a condition that usually gets worse.

Class 1: No visible signs of hair loss.

Class 2: Early recession in both temples. Hair loss is minimal along the hairline.

Class 3: Deep temple recession with visible hair loss along the hairline. Hair loss in the crown is visible In Class 3 Vertex.

Class 4: Hairline has receded deeply. The frontal forelock has thinned and is not nearly as wide. Hair loss in the crown is more visible.

Class 5: Hairs bridging the two sides of the head are thin and sparse. The frontal forelock is now a small island of hair.

Class 6: Advanced hair loss. Hairs bridging the two sides of the head are nearly gone. There is still sufficient donor hair for transplantation.

Class 7: Complete hair loss. Hairs bridging the two sides of the head are completely gone. Only a horseshoe shape remains. There may still be sufficient donor hair for transplantation; however, results may be limited.

Hair Loss Patterns in Women

Rahal physicians use the Ludwig scale to diagnose hair loss patterns in women. About 15% of women experience hair loss to some degree in their lifetime.

Scale 1: Early signs of hair loss. Diffuse thinning begins throughout the scalp.

Scale 2: Hair loss is more significant. Thinning at parting is visible and overall appearance of hair may look fragile and thin.

Scale 3: Hair Loss is obvious with areas of the scalp showing through thinning hair.