What are the 7 stages of hair loss?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

The 7 stages of hair loss, commonly mapped by the Norwood scale, outline how hair thinning progresses over time—most often due to androgenetic alopecia (male or female pattern baldness).

Stage 1: No significant hair loss or recession.
Stage 2: Slight recession around the temples.
Stage 3: Noticeable temple recession, forming an "M" shape.
Stage 4: Further recession with thinning at the crown.
Stage 5: Larger bald areas, with a narrowing band of hair between them.
Stage 6: The bald spots at the temples and crown merge.
Stage 7: Only a thin band of hair remains around the sides and back.

Hair loss can stem from genetics, hormones, stress, nutrition, or underlying medical conditions—and identifying the cause early makes treatment far more effective. Because each stage may call for a different approach, understanding where you stand is the critical first step. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better understand what may be driving your hair loss and confidently navigate your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Hair loss can happen in stages, often due to a condition called androgenetic alopecia. This condition is commonly known as male or female pattern baldness.

Stages of Hair Loss:

Early Thinning: Hair starts to thin slightly, often around the crown or temples.
Noticeable Thinning: Thinning becomes more noticeable, but bald spots are not yet obvious.
Initial Bald Spots: Small bald spots may start to appear, especially on the top of the head.
Bigger Bald Spots: These spots grow larger, and hair loss becomes more visible.
Significant Hair Loss: Much of the top of the head may be bald, while some hair remains on the sides.
Advanced Hair Loss: The bald area expands, leaving only a horseshoe-shaped ring of hair around the sides and back.
Complete Baldness: Almost all hair on the top of the head is gone, with only a small amount remaining on the sides and back.

These stages help understand how hair loss progresses and can guide in seeking appropriate treatments or interventions. If you're experiencing unexpected hair loss or other concerning symptoms, try our free AI symptom checker to help identify potential causes and determine when to see a healthcare provider.

(References)

Ludwig E. (1977). Classification of the types of androgenetic alopecia .... The British journal of dermatology, 921894.
Umansky L, Dorevitch A, & Sella A. (2000). [Alopecia due to Seroxat therapy]. Harefuah, 10883182.
Lin SY, Niu DM, Li MJ, Tu CP, & Lin HL. (2000). Differentiation of hair growth cycle from scalp hair roots for .... Journal of inherited metabolic disease, 11117431.

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