Hair Restoration · Canada
What is male pattern baldness, and what are the Norwood stages?
The short answer
Male pattern baldness is the common, inherited type of hair loss that thins the hairline and crown in many men across Canada. MAMBA Men's Clinics uses the Norwood scale as a shared language for describing it, and your clinician explains where you sit and what options exist at a complimentary consult.
In this article
Key takeaways
- Male pattern baldness is the common inherited form of hair loss in men.
- The Norwood scale describes the pattern in stages from 1 to 7.
- MAMBA offers hair-loss assessment, PRP hair restoration, scalp microneedling and mesotherapy.
- A complimentary consult maps your pattern and the options.
What is male pattern baldness?
Male pattern baldness is the common type of hair loss in men that follows a familiar pattern at the hairline and crown. Its medical name is androgenetic alopecia.
It runs in families and is linked to hormones, including one men often see online as DHT. Many men first notice it in their 20s or 30s, when the temples start to recede or the crown looks thinner in photos.
What are the Norwood stages of male pattern baldness?
The Norwood stages are a scale from 1 to 7 that describes how male pattern baldness looks. Stage 1 shows little change, and stage 7 shows hair mainly at the sides and back.
| Norwood group | What it looks like | How men often describe it |
|---|---|---|
| Stages 1 to 2 | Hairline close to where it started | "My temples look a bit different" |
| Stages 3 to 4 | Clear recession and some crown thinning | "I can see it in photos now" |
| Stages 5 to 7 | Larger areas of thinning on top | "Most of my hair is at the sides" |
The Norwood scale is a shared language, so you and your clinician mean the same thing when you talk about your hairline.
Why do men ask about male pattern baldness?
Men ask about male pattern baldness because they notice a change and want to know what it is and what can be done. Many also want to understand family patterns.
- A receding hairline at the temples.
- A thinner crown seen in photos or mirrors.
- A father, uncle or brother with similar hair loss.
- Questions about DHT hair loss after reading online.
Our post on finasteride vs minoxidil vs PRP covers the names men hear most.
What hair-loss options does MAMBA offer in Canada?
MAMBA offers a hair-loss assessment, PRP hair restoration through Grow Hair MD, scalp microneedling and mesotherapy. Services and equipment differ by clinic.
Your clinician walks through your Norwood stage and the options that fit your goals at a complimentary consult. Virtual visits work anywhere in Canada, and hands-on treatments happen at participating clinics in Oshawa and Kitchener.
How do I book a complimentary consult with MAMBA?
You can book a complimentary consult online or call or text 647-947-0605. The free MAMBA Health Score takes about two minutes and is an easy first step.
Frequently asked questions
Can MAMBA assess male pattern baldness by video?
MAMBA Men's Clinics can start a male pattern baldness assessment by video anywhere in Canada. Clear photos of the hairline and crown help. Hands-on treatments then happen at participating clinics in Oshawa and Kitchener.
What is the Norwood scale used for?
The Norwood scale is used to describe male pattern baldness in stages. Clinicians and patients use the Norwood scale as a shared language, so everyone means the same thing when talking about a hairline or crown.
Is male pattern baldness the same as androgenetic alopecia?
Male pattern baldness and androgenetic alopecia are the same thing. Androgenetic alopecia is the medical name, and male pattern baldness is the everyday term. Both describe the common inherited hair loss pattern in men.
What is Grow Hair MD at MAMBA?
Grow Hair MD is the name of the PRP hair restoration service offered through MAMBA Men's Clinics. A MAMBA clinician explains what Grow Hair MD involves and whether it fits your goals at a complimentary consult.
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