The Norwood Scale: A Male Pattern Hair Loss Scale Adjusted for MapleStory

• Stage 0
  • A boyish, full head of hair. Life is good.
• Stage 1
  • Hair loss is not significant, and hairline is not visibly receding. A normal adult hairline.
• Stage 2
  • Hair loss around the temples. A maturing adult male hairline.
• Stage 3
  • Clinically significant balding appears. Remaining hair appears to resemble an M shape. Areas with hair loss may be sparse or completely bare. In some cases, hair loss around the crown may be evident.
• Stage 4
  • Sparse hair or bald along the vertex transition point (top middle) of the scalp. Hair loss increases at the temples and crown, while a thin line of hair distinguishes the two areas from one another.
• Stage 5
  • The band of hair separating the temples and crown narrows, and the hair in this area is thinning significantly. The two areas of balding may begin to merge together.
• Stage 6
  • The balding at the temples and crown merge, though sparse hair may remain at the top of the scalp. A “halo” of hair remains around the sides of the head.
• Stage 7
  • The most severe stage of hair loss. The only remaining hair on the head is a band that goes around the sides and back of the head. The remaining hair may be thin or sparse.

Different versions of the Norwood Scale may recognize subtypes: a type A variant for hair loss cases with anterior involvement, as well as type V for vertex involvement.

• Class A Anterior
  • Hair loss is characterized by a uniform recession of hair, progressing directly from front to back. There is usually no island of hair in the middle, and no bald area present at the crown.
• Class V Vertex
  • Characterized by more severe hair loss at the top middle of the scalp. Conflicting versions of the Norwood Scale refer to class V hair loss as centralized at either the top middle of the scalp or the crown of the head.

Other patterns of hair loss may be observed that do not fit the criteria for male pattern hair loss.

• Patchy or Diffuse Thinning
  • Hair loss progresses in the form of bald patches that may overlap with time. The scalp may be itchy or painful before hair loss occurs.

The following sections are not part of the Norwood Scale, nor do they represent typical hair loss. These are further classifications based on casual observation.

• Infant
  • Not bald. Hair has yet to appear.
• Shaved
  • This is a hairstyle choice based on personal preference or cultural association. Not balding.
• Acceptance
  • Similar to the shaved hairstyle, with the sole difference that the head is shaved due to advancement of hair loss.
• Bedraggled
  • Hair shows signs of neglect. May be matted. Condition should improve with a proper hair care routine.
• Indeterminate
  • Scalp cannot be observed. Obscured by a hat or cap. Hair loss may or may not be present.
• Other Species
  • Non-human species may have different hair patterns with a separate and diverse range of hair loss classifications. Further research is needed.